The first United Thank Offering was in 1889. It began as part of Missionary efforts of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Board of Mission, authorized by General Convention in 1871. Julia Emery, secretary to the Women’s Auxiliary, 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.
From these beginning the UTO has carried on as one of the oldest women missionaries.
The UTO program culminates each year in the spring and fall In-Gatherings, when the offerings of each parish family are collected … offerings that are combined with those of Episcopal parishes everywhere to support projects worldwide for missions and ministry.
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.
In 2020 the United Thank Offering (UTO) awarded $1,548,013.66 thanks to increased giving of $15,000. $30,600 went to support 6 Young Adult and Seminarian grants Additionally, UTO awarded 27 grants as a part of the annual grant process that utilizes the remainder of the 2019 Ingathering funds, or $1,484,693.66. This year, the was Bless: Share faith, practice generosity and compassion, and proclaim the Good News of God in Christ with hope and humility
The focus for the 2021 granting cycle will be: Recovering with love and gratitude: An Episcopal response to the COVID-19 pandemic in local contexts. The governing board’s hope is that together that we can help The Episcopal Church to help our communities as we heal and recover.
Write a check to “St. Peter’s- UTO” to continue the work of this vital ministry.