The Oct. 16, 2021, celebration spotlighted the United Thank Offering, an Episcopal Church ministry that encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering using a UTO “Blue Box.” The UTO receives these offerings from across the church and distributes them through grants that support innovative mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. Learn more at https://unitedthankoffering.com/ Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Diocesan staff missioner for networking and formation Martha Gardner serves as diocesan coordinator for the United Thank Offering. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Dean Amy McCreath welcomes everyone to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Enjoying table talk, music and story sharing, and food from several different cultures. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Honoring UTO grant recipients: The Rev. Tim Crellin, the vicar of St. Stephen’s Church in Boston, offers words of gratitude on behalf of the B-SAFE and St. Stephen’s Youth Programs benefiting from UTO grants. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Honoring UTO grant recipients: Raquel Riberti-Bill, the program director for ProGente Connections, tells more about the role of her organization’s cross-cultural partnership with Brazilian immigrants in Boston’s Metrowest region. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Musicians from The Crossing congregation at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul helped lead worship: Penny Wilhelm, Adam Theriault, Dana Roth and Kevin Vetiac. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Honoring UTO grant recipients: Bryant of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s MANNA ministry and Black Seed Writers group shares his story of gratitude. MANNA (Many Angels Needed Now and Always) is a ministry of and with people experiencing homelessness. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Blessed by song: Musician Alex Quartiero. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Blessed by song: Musician Yasmim Casino. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Offering personal stories of gratitude: The Rev. Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Offering personal stories of gratitude: Bishop Alan M. Gates. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Offering personal stories of gratitude: Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem shared his gratitude through a story and a song. He joined the celebration while in town for meetings of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Those gathered paired up to share personal stories of gratitude with one another. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Small groups share personal stories of gratitude with one another. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
The congregation was blessed by more music from the group Eneza Injili, led by the Rev. Zachary Kenyua. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
The Rev. Jennifer McCracken who pastors the MANNA community, a UTO grant recipient, joins the celebration. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
The Rev. Rowan Larson, UTO representative for the New England dioceses that comprise Province I of the Episcopal Church, helped organize and lead the celebration. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
The evening ended with gifts of music and prayer in motion with whirling dervish Christopher Briggs and musicians led by Volkan Efe (right). Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
The evening ended with gifts of music and prayer in motion with whirling dervish Christopher Briggs and musicians led by Volkan Efe. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
Whirling dervish Christopher Briggs. Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw
