Updates from the UTO Formation and Development Committee

It wasn’t without bumps, but the first shipment using our new shop system is out in the world. Thank you to everyone who answered questions about your order or for your patience while awaiting it (it wasn’t sending email notifications, so Heather didn’t know to send materials until someone let her know). With that said, if you need more of anything, please email Heather, and she’ll get it out in the mail to you. As always, we’re learning and growing along the way. There will be a formation materials feedback survey in May so we can keep improving the system.

While we’re no longer shipping fall formation materials, you can still order our basic kits of UTO items for use in your congregation, and all fall formation materials can be downloaded and printed locally at www.unitedthankoffering.com/fall. 

If you are looking for materials for November, look no further than UTO!

For individuals and families:
We have our beloved conversation dice to share stories of gratitude around the table. We’re adding a new set of questions to the dice this year so you can use the old ones and the new! We have prayers to say around the table and other tools to infuse your family gathering with gratitude. Want to help learn more about the history of Thanksgiving? We’ve got you covered with links to resources, recipes, and other ways to talk to kids of all ages about the holiday.

For congregations:
Be sure to download or order our liturgy booklet for a fresh take on prayers for a Thanksgiving liturgy that includes a land acknowledgment prayer. We hope this will help center our prayers on giving thanks for all the gifts of the community gathered.

Download all our November materials at www.unitedthankoffering.com/November.

Diocesan Convention Kits

Participating in your diocesan convention or meeting as a UTO representative is a fantastic opportunity for promoting UTO and also answering questions about gratitude practices and grants. Your success hinges not only on your presence at the event but also on the materials you bring for attendees.

Don’t worry, UTO has made it easy for you! You can now order a diocesan kit from the new UTO Shop and tailor it to your gathering’s size. The kits contain brochures, Blue Boxes, stickers, small giveaways, and formation materials. You can order the diocesan convention kits via a simple Formstack here.

While we had hoped to feature grant sites in this edition of the convention kits, we realized we needed a bit more time to work out the kinks on that process. So, convention kits for 2025-2026 will feature our beloved Prayer Booklets along with a worksheet so folks can write and turn in their prayers at convention. Please note that you can simply scan or photograph the worksheets to turn in the prayers; you do not need to type each one up. To increase the fun, the diocesan UTO leader who submits the most prayers by the end of 2025 will receive a special prize pack in the mail in January as well as be featured in our newsletter. For those of you who have convention during the winter, don’t worry, you’ll have until May 1 to submit your prayers to win for the spring semester. We’ve included UTO pens so folks can write their prayers, as well as a special carabiner you can give to writers once they turn their prayer back in to you.

After your convention, take time to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Assess how many items were distributed and which items garnered the most attention. Then give UTO your feedback. We welcome your suggestions!