By Heather Melton, UTO Staff Officer

During our coordinator training days this summer, we really listened to the ideas, concerns, and needs that were shared. We began reorganizing materials and making plans for the fall. As we create these items, they will roll out here first. One of the things that I heard was that sometimes it is hard to figure out what printed materials you need, or the amount you have in your budget (or are willing to pay out of your own pocket) is limited. To try and address this issue, and to help those of you who are getting started with UTO, we’ve created a parish kit of materials. This way, if you’re not sure what to order, you’ll get a good mix of lots of things. There are two sizes: one that assumes your average Sunday attendance is around 50-75 people, and one that assumes your average Sunday attendance is around 100-125. The box for 50-75 includes:

• 50 Blue Boxes
• 50 envelopes
• 50 overview brochures
• 50 grant brochures
• 25 prayer booklets
• 25 Memorial Trust Fund brochures
• 2 liturgy booklets
• 25 tattoos
• 25 stickers
• 25 note cards

And the box for 100 is double the amount listed above. For the next year, the UTO Board has also agreed to pay for half the cost of shipping for you, to help you get the materials you need. That means until September 2023, you can order the box for 50 for just $10 (regularly $20.50) and the boxes for 100 for just $20 (regularly $41). You can always add on more Blue Boxes or envelopes—just put in the comments at checkout if you want the regular Blue Boxes or the Color Your Own Blue Boxes. Order your kit here.

If you order a kit, please email me and let me know how it worked for you. Did we forget anything? Should we add more or less? We really want to make sure we get you the resources you need to have an amazing Ingathering, so we hope this helps. Let us know how we can improve upon the idea!