United Thank Offering – UTO

The mission of the United thank Offering
is to enlarge the circle of thankful people.
To achieve this mission we encourage daily prayers, offerings,
and awareness of the abundance of God’s blessings.

Interested in applying for a United Thank Offering Grant for your parish or diocesan project? Please see the following link to gain information regarding criteria for applying.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/110043_42235_ENG_HTM.htm

In 2009, the United Thank Offering Committee approved 63 Grants totaling $2,065.472.43. Grants will fund projects and programs that meet compelling human needs and/or expand the mission and ministry of the church.

Our Los Angeles diocese collected $40,050.18 in 2009.

  • Our diocese was the number one UTO Contributor in Province VIII for 2009.
  • Martha attended Face to Face an annual training to help educate new UTO Diocese Coordinators.
  • Los Angeles Diocese received 2009 grant for PRISM Chaplaincy program.

    • Two dates are traditional for United Thank Offering ingatherings. This first date is in the Fall around All Saints Day, November 1st. The second is around Ascension Day, May 5 this year. These dates certainly are not cut in stone. Any time the ingathering fits your parish calendar is fine.

    Inspirational Materials packets were sent to each parish office in December 2009. These are wonderful resources for UTO in your parish. Please use them!

    Where to send your parish offering:
    Please mail your ingathering check to:

    UTO Ingathering
    c/o Morgan Adams
    7572  Kenwood Place
    Rancho Cucamonga, CA  91729

    Are you interested in becoming the UTO Coordinator for your Parish or Mission? The following information may be helpful:

    UNITED THANK OFFERING DIOCESAN COORDINATOR

    Lynn Headley
    17671 San Rafael Street
    Fountain Valley, CA  92708
    714-963-5932

    lynnheadleygc@earthlink.net

    Responsibilities of the Parish or Mission UTO Coordinator

    The parish or mission UTO coordinator is responsible for encouraging each parish household to have a UTO Blue Box for all members.

    Coordinators could:
    Teach parishioners that when daily thanks is given and money is placed in the Blue Box, the money becomes an outward and visible way to say thanks. This is a way to take our baptismal covenant seriously, to serve Christ in all persons, to love our neighbor as ourselves and strive for justice and peace among all people.

    Use the sample prayers, songs, scriptural references and service materials provided to tell the stories of UTO. Or use the samples to develop your own ideas and materials

    How to teach parishioners about UTO:
    Order and use printed materials. A clergy packet, with samples of available materials will be sent to your parish for you to review and order. Be sure your church office knows you are looking for these materials.

    Show the United Thank Offering video. I have a copy you may borrow. Or invite me to visit your parish and show the video.

    Speak to your parish, ECW, vestry, etc. Have other speakers talk or have parishioners visit a grant sight.

    Create a UTO Display in a visible area using the poster and other handouts. Make it exciting and interesting!

    Hold Spring and Fall Ingatherings on a Sunday close to Ascension Day (Spring) and All Saints Day (November 1st) Fall. A sample letter you can send to your parish to announce the Ingathering can be found in the Resource & Development booklet.

    Coordinate the date with your clergy.

    Speak about UTO all year long, as well as before your Ingathering.

    Provide blue envelopes or envelopes marked UTO for your parishioners so they can empty their Blue Boxes and continue to use them. Explain where filled envelopes should be sent. Be sure envelopes are placed in the pews or handed out at the door the day of the Ingathering.

    Combine the monies sent in and send one check to your diocesan UTO coordinator.

    Keep Records of:
    Ingathering amounts and date sent
    Number of people who participated
    Your expenses

    NONE of the Blue Box money may be used for expenses. Money to cover expenses and supplies should be secured from your ECW, rector or vestry.

    Thank you for your involvement, I am here to help you.
    Lynn Headley, UTO Coordinator LA Diocese

    Thank you for your involvement, I am here to help you.Martha Estes
    UTO Grants to Programs in the Diocese of Los Angeles

    • 1995 San Pedro: Support for Harbor Area Women’s Lives / SHAWL HOUSE
    • 1995 Garden Grove: Church of the Redeemer / Evangelistic Outreach Program
    • 1996 Los Angeles: Pueblo Nuevo Development
    • 1996 Santa Maria: Santa federation/ Interfaith Community Organizing Project
    • 1999 Episcopal Camp Wrightwood / Diocesan Camp Angelus National Forest
    • 1999 Inglewood: Episcopal Urban Inter Program
    • 2000 Garden Grove: Project Dignity
    • 2000 Atwater: Chapel of St. Francis / Let the Little Children Come to Me
    • 2001 Los Angeles: St. Stephen’s / Hope in Hollywood
    • 2002 Los Angeles: Trinity Church / The Trinity Center Renovation Project
    • 2003 Los Angeles: St. Mary’s / Spanish Speaking Mission & Outreach
    • 2004 El Monte: Our Savior Center / Diabetes Wellness Project
    • 2006 Los Angeles: Jubilee Center / Project New Hope
    • 2006 Los Angeles: Interfaith Refuge & Immigration Service / Resettlement
    • 2008 Los Angeles & San Diego / Camp Stevens
    • 2009 Los Angeles / PRISM Chaplaincy Program