United Thank Offering
UTO Sunday, November 21, 2010
As we come to an end of another UTO collection year, we hope that each parish household continues to have the “Blue Box” a constant presence in their homes. We believe 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. It is a way to take our Baptismal covenant seriously – to love God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
History of UTO
The first United Thank Offering was in 1889. It began as part of Missionary efforts of the Women’s Auxillary to the Board of Mission, authorized by General Convention in 1871. Julia Emery, secretary to the Women’s Auxillary, and Ida Soule, who counted the missionary offering of the 1886 Triennial Meeting of Women, inspired women to pray and give coins with the idea of building a new church in Anvik, Alaska and sending a woman missionary to Japan. At the 1889 Triennial Meeting, the offering was $2,188.64 and accomplished those purposes.
Through the decades the United Thank Offering has expanded with changing leadership and expectations. Through prayer and thankful giving of our gifts, we reach out into the world. It is a part of our heritage and an important part of the Episcopal Church history.
What is the United Thank Offering (UTO)?
The United Thank Offering is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that provides a way for men, women and children to give daily thanks to God. The discipline starts in the homes by dropping coins into a special container, known as the “Blue Box”. These monetary gifts are used to help others. Every coin is used to support grants for missions and ministry.
