Efforts Of One Spark Thank Offering
Episcopal News Service. June 21, 1984 [84132]
INCLINE, Nev. (DPS, June 21) -- The United Thank Offering is one of the most important mission resources of the Episcopal Church and is made even more important because of its intimate relationship with nearly every congregation in the country. Funds are contributed by individuals in thanksgiving, gathered in parish, diocesan and national celebrations and used to do work that is visible throughout the Church.
While the potential is great, it always needs a human spark.
St. Patrick's Episcopal Church here -- long troubled by its meager annual contributions to the Offering -- caught the "spark" lighted by parishioner Deyann Davis and generated the largest contribution in the small congregation's history for the Offering.
The idea started when Deyann attended a diocesan UTO meeting and saw the exciting domestic and worldwide programs enabled by the UTO grants. Each year, more than $2 million from the Offering aid social service ministries in the United States, building projects, transportation and education in Episcopal and other Anglican dioceses overseas and provide scholarship and pension support for women. She determined to share some of her enthusiasm with her congregation, which has monthly pot-luck dinners with programs that are well attended by members.
First she worked out the plan with the vestry and worship committee and publicized them in the monthly newsletter. The week before the Ingathering, she presented a slide-tape show of the Offering's work as the sermon during the parish's Sunday Eucharist. The Ingathering itself was a costume dinner with an international theme held in an elegant and festive style which befitted a thanksgiving celebration. "Giving thankfully should be fun," she asserted in her presentations.
Deyann created special crepes for the menu, and others baked and prepared their own gourmet dishes, making the occasion one of the most memorable gatherings of the year for Episcopalians on Lake Tahoe's north shore. Admission donations to the May 19 dinner generated over $400.00, which was offered the following day in the Eucharist.
The UTO international costume celebration dinner at St. Patrick's is one occasion which is likely to become a tradition, based on comments heard and success of the project.