Elizabeth Beach-Hacking, newly appointed UTO coordinator, expressed excitement about the new vision. "The idea of significantly impacting the lives of women and children is so important because when you touch a woman's life, you touch the whole family, the whole community and ultimately a whole nation," she said.

The grants are intended to support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), established by the 75th General Convention as a mission priority for the Episcopal Church.

Beach-Hacking explained that UTO is committed to continuing its historic objective to address compelling human need and expand the mission and ministry of the Church. For the 2009 grant cycle, the UTO committee wants to focus on "helping people get out of the vicious cycle of poverty" and "really make a significant difference in their lives."

"It's that vicious cycle that I believe we are all called to work towards eradicating," she said. "Although Jesus did say 'the poor will always be among us,' it's how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ every single day that's really important. It's how we can give thanks for the blessings in our own lives by giving blessings to others through our giving to others."

The wellbeing and human rights of women and children throughout the world are integral to the MDGs, a set of eight goals committed to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger and by 2015. Among its other goals are achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, and ensuring environmental stability.

In 2003, the 74th General Convention passed Resolution D006 in support of the MDGs. In 2006, the 75th General Convention, through Resolution D022, established the MDGs as a mission priority for the 2007-2009 triennium.

"In 2015 when the goals are suppose to be done, I'm fearful and I'm sure that the poor will still be with us and so it's really continuing the legacy of Julia Emery into the 21st Century," said Beach-Hacking.

Emery and Ida Soule were UTO's earliest leaders after it was established by General Convention in 1889. They helped to show the connection between giving thanks and giving money, "learning the tremendous joy we receive when we stand united in sharing and praying."

Emery, Beach-Hacking said, was "ahead of her time."

"She was out in front of the church, when the leaders at that time were men," she explained. "She not only talked about missionary work, she motivated the women of the church, and to a great extent it was women who were instrumental funding the mission work of the church [and] demonstrating what our faith could do in other people's lives here and around the world. We have a similar opportunity today."

UTO is a spiritual and financial partner in the mission work of the Episcopal Church, through every person in every pew.

Further information about UTO is available here.