UTO gets an unexpected gift—

The United Thank Offering Committee received an unexpected contribution to the UTO Memorial and Gift Trust Fund, $1,341.00, from Dorothy McLean, Janet Higbie, and Yvette McCoy, all from Province V.

The money came from proceeds of a project that began in the early 1990s, when McLean, from the dio-cese of Southern Ohio; Higbie, from the diocese of Indianapolis; and McCoy, from the diocese of Mil-waukee; saw a need to teach young children about UTO.

Using her artistic talents and with the assistance of her two friends, McLean created a coloring book, “I Am Thankful For…”, to teach children about being thankful and putting their own coins in the UTO Blue Boxes. Churches in all nine provinces of the Episcopal church have used this teaching tool.

The three creators of the coloring book also donated the copyright to these materials, in both English and Spanish, to the UTO Committee to use in future publications. Said McLean, “It is now time to relin-quish the project to the national committee.” Marian Luckey, acting Province V coordinator, said the United Thank Offering is most appreciative of the gift. “This is a precious gift from three Province V women who have remained stalwart supporters of the United Thank Offering throughout their lives.”, she said.

Proceeds from the first two year’s sales of the coloring book were offered to the United Thank Offering ingathering toward the grants fund.

Reprinted from “Triennial Today”, June 19, 2006, General Convention 2006

U.T.O.

UNITED THANK OFFERING

Dear Boys & Girls -

Once upon a time. . . a long, long time ago. . . two ladies who loved God and doing His work, were attending an Episcopal Church Women's meeting in Philadelphia. Mrs. Ida Soule and Miss Julie Emery decided that the money colbcted from the many women at that meeting could be used to help churches, both in the United States and far away places like Alaska and Africa. This was the beginning of U.T.O.

When lots of people heard what had happened, they wanted to share their Chris- tian Love. Coins that you and your family put into the U.T.O. Blue Boxes show that you care about other people . . . You want to help them lcarn to read. . . to build new schools in places that do not have any . . . to build Mission Churches . . . and to help them learn about God.

Have fun coloring in this special book. As you put bright happy colors on each page, remember to say a prayer for the work of the U.T.O. to show your thanks for God's blessings, put a coin in your Blue Box so other boys and girls like you may be helped by the U.T.O. and its gifts.

God's love,

United Thank Offering

Copyright (0) 1994 by Dorothy McLean, Diocese of Southern Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio No portion or part of this book may be copied or reproduced in any foform whatsoeva

without the express written permission of the Artist.

4 8: - , what is the U.T.O. ? United Thank Offering? It is an organization- .~ L+?? ~ ~ founded by the Episcopal Church Women for the purpose of spreading

~, . ~ . God's Blessings to those in need. When you safa prayer for all of -

. . . . your thanksgivings and place coins in the U.T.O. Blue Box, you are -- , . , L ,

helping some boys and girls, and families all over the world, to ~' 1'

- :.I. ; . . , I ~ know the wonderful story of Christian Love. -. . . - .: . ~

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Yours in Christ, ,! .. . - - - , . , . , , - 8

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Special thanks to Yvette McCoy. Janet Highie and Leah Becker for their .~ . - - , . . .

help in seeing this book to its finished stags. Without the support of . .

the E.C.W. Board of Province V, this book would not be possible - Thanks. - ~ - . . Friends 1 . . . . - ?

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, . This coloring book was created with loving hearts and support of . . ~

- , ' $ . . . . . . . - * . . the Province V E.C.W. Board, particularly the Dioceses of Milwaukee, * . : - '

. . Indianapolis and Southern Ohio. . . ~ .

:. . . . -- .. . ~ . . ~

We hope this encourages all to understand the work and meaning of ~' 7 :

U.T.O., and how the Blue Boxes give tangible meaning to thespread. - :- ' i

of God's love.

,

United Thank Offering - . Prayers -

0 Cod, the hope of all people everywhere, we thank you for the outpourings of love and generosity which have enabled us

to respond to some of the world's needs in places far and near,

Guide us as we face changing times and new frontiers; keep our hearts thankful and our vision clear

as we seek to fulfd our vocation and ministry as members of the Body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, Source of a l l creation, all Love, a l l true Joy, Accept, we pray, these outward signs

of our profound and continuing thankfulness for all of life.

Bless those who wiU benefit from these gifts throu& the outreach of the United Thank Offering;

and keep each of us ever thankful for all the blessings of joy and challenge that come our way;

Through Him who is the greatest gift and blevsing of all, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amm.