Even though we are focusing on fall materials, we are also wrapping up from General Convention. As many of you know, UTO was going in multiple directions this year so we want to take a moment to say thank-you to our partners and to share what we did with those who were not able to attend in Kentucky.

1. UTO Booth in the Exhibit Hall – A big thank-you to our partners who shared space with us in the UTO booth during convention. We were thrilled to welcome The Partner’s Path for the entire convention. The Partner’s Path is a support network for clergy families and a natural partner for UTO given that when we were started it was a ministry often undertaken by the spouses of the clergy. We also welcomed the Godly Play Foundation, with whom we work whenever we get the chance, but especially on the Children’s Program at General Convention and with our Vacation Bible Camp materials. We welcomed Erin Jean Warde, who is hosting our first season of our UTO podcast, “Good News and Gratitude,” and Marta DeIllueca sharing about her UTO grant that helped fund the Pain and Prayer Project.
2. UTO Board Mmmbers attended ECW Triennial, DOK Triennial, the Young Adult Festival and served as eeputies to General Convention – UTO Board members were busy attending events taking place during General Convention, in addition to serving as deputies. Not only did our Board members attend these events, we presented about UTO to the Young Adult Festival, hosted a booth for the Daughters of the King (DOK) gathering (in addition to providing swag), hosted workshops about UTO, and gathered Blue Boxes daily from the House of Bishops and House of Deputies.
3. UTO supported the Children’s Program – Not only did our materials form the curriculum for the Children’s Program, our staff helped organize special guests, giveaways for the kids, and made fun materials for them to use. Our Board members all took a shift volunteering in the program in addition to going on field trips with the kids, reading stories, and renewing our baptismal covenant with water balloons. 
4. UTO met with international visitors and boxed supplies for non-U.S. dioceses – Karin Elsen and Heather Melton met with the international visitors to talk about UTO, attended the reception for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and met with visitors about upcoming projects and programs. In order to keep our costs reasonable for shipping materials, Board members also boxed up materials to send home with UTO leaders from dioceses outside of the United States.
5. UTO hosted a reception for UTO leaders – This year we hosted a small gathering for UTO leaders to come and talk to one another and get a quick snack before other events held around Louisville. It was great to see everyone and to say thank-you in person for the amazing work everyone does to spread gratitude.
6. UTO was thanked by a resolution of General Convention. We are grateful for all the support we received from convention, from a resolution thanking us for our work and grants, to special announcements and reminders to give to UTO in the House of Deputies.

While our convention attendance was a lot different this year, it was a very busy event for all of our Board and staff. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, helped to pick up boxes, or simply held us in prayer while we were there. We are so blessed to be a part of this amazing organization and are excited for a new triennium full of possibilities and opportunities for gratitude.