The United Thank Offering Board elected Marcia Cherau as its Vice President during a meeting held in conjunction with the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Cherau, of All Saints Tybee Island, was serving as the Province IV UTO Coordinator at the time of the election. The General Convention Eucharist on Sunday, following a long-standing tradition, included the official ingathering of the UTO. Representatives from each diocese (and several non-diocesan ministries) came forward to present the funds that had been collected in the famous “blue boxes” over the past three years. Cherau announced the Province IV dioceses and the total amount, of more than $800,000 gathered in the Province. Suzanne Harrow of Atonement, Augusta, represented Georgia at the ingathering.
Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering grants are awarded for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally. During the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Triennial Meeting, which takes place concurrently with General Convention, there are a number of major celebrations. The United Thank Offering (UTO), which grew out of the same organization as ECW, held a dinner on Friday night to celebrate their work. Bishop Michael Curry (now Presiding Bishop-Elect) was the keynote speaker. The group also heard from three of the outstanding young adults who received special ministry grants as part of the 125th Anniversary celebration of UTO.
