Living Gratitude
Every year we pause to remember the gift of the United Thank Offering (UTO), a simple way the Episcopal Church invites us to live with hearts of gratitude. For over a century, Episcopalians have placed coins in little blue boxes, as each coin marks a moment of thanksgiving. These offerings, when gathered together, become ministries of hope, compassion, and transformation across the church and throughout the world.
Gratitude is not always easy to practice. Our Sunday readings remind us of the brokenness we see around us, times when human choices lead to harm, when wisdom seems absent, or when the world feels desolate and uncertain. We know this in our own lives, too: seasons when thankfulness doesn’t come naturally because grief or worry feels close at hand. But into that very human reality, God continues to speak words of mercy. Paul’s letter to Timothy marvels at the patience and grace of Christ Jesus, who came into the world not to condemn, but to restore. And in the Gospel, Jesus tells us that heaven rejoices when the lost are sought and found, when what was overlooked is treasured once again.
The United Thank Offering is one way we step into that story of mercy and restoration. Each coin we drop into a box is more than spare change; it is a prayer that recognizes God’s presence in daily blessings. The clink of a coin in a box is a small act of faith that transforms ordinary moments into signs of grace. And it is a reminder that gratitude can reshape our vision, turning us away from despair and toward joy, even when the world around us feels heavy.
The beauty of the UTO lies in its simplicity. None of us can mend the world on our own. None of us can resolve every need or heal every wound. But together, our small acts of thanksgiving are gathered and multiplied. What may feel insignificant in our hands becomes, in God’s hands, an instrument of love. Over the years, UTO grants have supported new ministries, strengthened communities, and offered hope to those who might otherwise feel forgotten. Each story of impact is an echo of Jesus’ parable of the lost being found and cherished.
As Episcopalians, we believe that gratitude is more than polite words. It is a way of life and a spiritual discipline. Practicing gratitude forms us into a people who look for God’s goodness, who notice blessings even in difficult seasons, and who respond with generosity. The blue box on your kitchen counter or bedside table is not just a container for coins; it is a visible reminder that thanksgiving is meant to be embodied and shared.
This season, I encourage you to take part in this practice of thankful giving. Find a UTO box for your home, and let it become part of your daily rhythm. Offer a prayer of thanks for the kindness of a friend, for the beauty of creation, or for moments of healing and hope. Each coin placed in the box is more than an offering, it is a prayer joining with countless others across the church. I invite you to pick up a box or an envelope beginning this Sunday, use it to collect your gratitude coins, and return what you can by the last Sunday in November. Together, our thanksgiving becomes a witness to God’s mercy and love, reaching beyond what we can see.
In a world that can feel lost, the United Thank Offering invites us to live as people who are found: found by grace, found by love, and found by gratitude. May this practice draw us closer to God and to one another, shaping us into a community marked not by despair, but by joy, generosity, and hope.
Kevin+
