The Great EpisGOpal Race returns this fall, featuring a partnership between the United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries in its third year. This popular fundraiser offers multiple ways to participate and raise funds to support special ministries and missions.

Registration is open online for the virtual race, scheduled for Sept. 3-11.

Proceeds will support both the 2022 United Thank Offering (UTO) Ingathering and Episcopal Migration Ministries’ (EMM) Neighbor to Neighbor program—founded through funding from a UTO grant. Neighbor to Neighbor trains and provides supports to faith communities who serve as community sponsors for asylum seekers or Afghan arrivals.

Building on 20 years of partnership, UTO and EMM decided to team up for this year’s race “to promote the practice of gratitude for our bodies, environments, communities and neighbors,” organizers said.

Participants can register for $15, choosing their preferred mode (run, bike, swim, hike, paddle board, martial arts, etc.), distance, and type of race, including a 1-mile fun run, 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon, and “choose your own adventure.”

Racers can also create a team by inviting others to race, and challenge other teams to see who can go the farthest or raise the most money. Participants can fundraise for UTO, EMM, or both.

Participants also have the option to buy a UTO suncatcher or EMM suncatcher from Blenko Glass Company as a race medal for $15. Those who raise $100 or more for UTO or EMM will receive a free suncatcher.

About United Thank Offering: Every penny given to the United Thank Offering—a ministry of The Episcopal Church—is distributed annually in grant funding to missions and ministries seeking to live Jesus’ way of love. More than $140 million has been awarded to more than 5,300 projects since UTO began in 1880, supporting staff positions, conferences, creation of educational resources, building projects, and much more. Learn more about UTO.

About Episcopal Migration Ministries: Episcopal Migration Ministries is a ministry of The Episcopal Church and one of nine national agencies responsible for resettling refugees in the U.S. in partnership with the government. EMM has 11 affiliate offices in nine states. In addition to its longstanding work in refugee resettlement, EMM is The Episcopal Church’s convening place for collaboration, education, and information-sharing on migration. Learn more about EMM.