wfn.org | [ENS] United Thank Offering grants $2, 710,

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

United Thank Offering grants $2,710,247.22 to ministries of the Church

ENS 062105-3

[Episcopal News Service] The prominent placement of United Thank
Offering
(UTO) blue boxes, as well as spring and fall ingathering services
planned by
parish and diocesan UTO coordinators, has resulted in gifts totaling
$2,710,247.22 being given away as grants that will continue to support
and
strengthen the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church throughout
the
world.

JoAnne Chapman, UTO coordinator, said this year UTO received 200 grant
applications totaling $8,232,482.77 and was able to grant full or
partial
funding to 131 project or program requests:

* 53.8% to US dioceses
* 46.2% to overseas dioceses, provinces and regional grants

According to UTO policy, grant applications are reviewed by the UTO
Committee which includes representatives of each ECUSA province and
three
members at large.  Applying organizations must be closely connected to
the
Episcopal Church or the worldwide Anglican Communion. During the
triennial
meeting of the Episcopal Church Women allocations of the grants are
approved. In the interim years, the UTO Committee makes the awards.

"The UTO Committee is committed to granting every cent that is
available,"
said Chapman. "We grant all of the offerings and the interest on the
offerings received during the year, plus funds from some small trusts
and
rescinded or returned grants."

UTO is a spiritual and financial partner in the mission work of the
Episcopal Church which focuses on addressing compelling human needs and
expanding mission and ministry.

"The emphasis is on people becoming more aware of what they have to be
thankful for, and then acting on that by giving an offering," said
Chapman.

UTO was established in 1889 as the United Offering by the Women's
Auxiliary
to the Board of Missions and was primarily used to support the work of
women
missionaries and expansion of the church. That emphasis has broadened to
include all areas of the church's work. The mission of UTO is to expand
the
circle of thankful people.

A 2005 grants list will be distributed to all parishes in an August
mailing.

For more information on UTO visit http://www.episcopalchurch.org/uto/

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