United Thank Offering
Preparing for the 2027 Grant Focus as a Diocesan UTO Leader
By Tammy Smecker-Hane (she/her), UTO Board Province VIII Representative January was a time of waiting and anticipation for the UTO Grants Committee, a time very reminiscent of Advent, as Heather Melton, UTO staff officer, processes grant applications and shepherds applicants through our dual-deadline system. We send out a huge “thank you!” to all those UTO […]
Love and Gratitude – An Idea for UTO In Parishes or Families
By Heather Melton, (she/her) UTO Staff Officer If we took a look back at all my UTO newsletters, we’d probably find that every February I talk about Valentine’s Day. I know there are a lot of feelings about this day, but I love it in all its elementary school glory. Sadly, I no longer have […]
2025 UTO Grant to the Southwestern Diocese of Brazil
From the mid-year report submitted by the diocese The Water, Life, Citizenship Project began with an official launch attended by Bishop Francisco de Assis da Silva of the Southwestern Diocese; the Rev. Eduardo Henrique of the Anglican Cathedral of the Mediator; and other guests from the local community. At the event, it was explained to […]
2025 Ingathering Reports
Updates from the UTO Finance and Archives Committee Happy January! Thank you to everyone who made a year-end donation to UTO or made sure that checks were sent before the deadline. All of that helps so much with getting our final Ingathering reports together. With that said, we want to remind you of a couple […]
Lent 2026: Gratitude and Reciprocity
By the Rev. Kim Fox, (she/her) Province VI RepresentativeUpdates from the UTO Formation and Development Committee Recommended reading: “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of the bestselling book, “Braiding Sweetgrass.” “The Serviceberry” takes its title from the berry that is common to the traditional food of the […]
2026 Application Deadlines Approaching
Updates from the UTO Grant Committee A new year is upon us, which means it is time to submit your grant applications! Just a reminder that UTO utilizes a dual-deadline process, so please read carefully to make sure you are submitting your application at the correct time. As always, late applications will not be accepted. […]
Julia Chester Emery Feast Day and Training Gathering
By Daria Condon (she/her), UTO Board Province VII Representative Just who is Julia Chester Emery, and why is Jan. 9 entered into the Book of Common Prayer as a Feast Day commemorating Julia? Julia served as national secretary of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Board of Missions from 1876 to 1916. Julia transitioned this auxiliary […]
The Magi
By Heather Melton, (she/her) UTO Staff Officer One of my favorite Christmas albums is the recording of the concert held in New York in 1988 with Peter, Paul, and Mary with the New York Choral Society. One of my favorite songs is called “The Magi (The Heart of Man’s A Palace).” While researching this a […]
UTO Challenge Grant to the Diocese of Jerusalem
From the final grant report submitted by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem Please share with us about how the challenge grant helped to sustain the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem. This project has been instrumental in helping the most vulnerable individuals, many of whom lost all sources of income due to the war, gain […]
A Well-Tuned Heart
By Linda Kennedy (she/her), UTO Board Province IV Representative At a recent evening church service, I was struck by those four words in a hymn we were singing. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if we all had a well-tuned heart? I am grateful for those with well-tuned hearts who have come into […]
