2008 United Thank Offering Annual Report

THE DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA RECEIVED A 2008
UNITED THANK OFFERING GRANT

With twenty dioceses in Province IV, The Diocese of North Carolina remains in second place in United Thank Offerings. The Diocese of North Carolina total United Thank Offerings for 2007 were an impressive $54,737.30! 2008 United Thank Offerings totals will be announced in January 2009.

Each spring, United Thank Offering Committee members review and research each grant within the framework of the policies and procedures of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. In 2008, the United Thank Offering Committee, with representatives from all provinces, awarded 91 grants in the amount of $2,401,906.70. This included the total from 2007 Ingatherings, interest earned and rescinded grants funds. In some cases, even though the criterion for grants were met, there was no funding available. Awarded were 70 United States grants, 17 international grants, and four grants to companion dioceses.

A 2008 United Thank Offering grant of $13,530 was awarded to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Haw River, NC. The UTO grant is to support a ministry to both an aging congregation at St. Andrew’s and elders in the community and beyond in Alamance County. The ministry’s goal is to provide volunteer support to individuals, age 60 years and older, to enable them to live with dignity, safely in their own home, for as long as possible. There is no charge for these services. There is no other organization in the county meeting these combined needs through volunteer services. Eighty-four per cent of the Care Receivers are women, most of whom live alone. Through the HOPE Ministry, (Volunteer Care Giving for Elders), there are currently 27 volunteers assisting 37 care receivers. Again, the Diocese of North Carolina has an amazing example of how powerful the “blue box” is in a ministry that began with women in the Episcopal Church in 1889.

Reflected in the 2009 UTO grant criteria and awards is the NEW UTO Vision: We will significantly impact the lives of women and children because of Christ’s love. To achieve this vision, we will focus particularly on projects that implement significant change toward alleviating profound human suffering that the Millennium Development Goals address. Our work will directly impact the lives of women and children.

UTO will continue our historic mission to address compelling human need and expand the mission and ministry of the church, through every person in every pew. Daily Thanks Improve Daily Life.

UTO’s Values

Thanksgiving – for joy, blessings and challenges
Generosity – all offerings are granted
Mission – to expand the church
Ministry – to meet compelling human needs

Respectfully submitted,
Eva S. Morriss
UTO Coordinator, Diocese of NC ECW
November 2008