Spotlight on Gratitude: Mthr. Amy Heimerl & UTO

Mthr. Amy Heimerl’s Reflection on UTO and the Gift of Poverty

When the United Thank Offering (UTO) board gathered in Austin this January, our own Diocese of Wisconsin was quietly, powerfully represented—through the voice and witness of the Mthr. Amy Heimerl, Vicar of Ascension in Merrill and St. Ambrose in Antigo.

Mother Amy has applied for UTO grants in the past—not as a one-time gesture but as part of an ongoing, faithful engagement with the Ministry of UTO. While her applications have not yet resulted in funding, her commitment to the mission and vision of UTO remains steadfast.

What makes her story so compelling is not a grant received but a persistence of generosity of spirit. She continues to support and encourage others to give through UTO, recognizing that the ministry's heart is more than financial outcomes—a shared vision of gratitude, justice, and hope.

Image is of Mother Amy celebrating with one of her parisioners during DioWis 2024 Annual Conference

“The opportunity to give to a ministry that gives it all away is what is important,” she writes, lifting the profound truth that UTO offers a way for every person, regardless of wealth or status, to participate in the work of healing and renewal.

Mthr. Amy also reflects on the beauty of the grant process itself—how it encourages congregations to articulate their hopes and clarify their ministries. In her words, “the process the congregation goes through to apply is important as well.” For her, this engagement has been its own kind of blessing, inviting her community to consider their needs in the broader context of the church and the world.

And through it all, she offers a radical reframing of what it means to serve from a place of simplicity: “Our church in particular has been given the gift of poverty.” Not as a limitation but as a grounding force that keeps her community rooted in humility, courage, and trust.

She closes with a phrase that has stayed with her: “Some churches are so poor that all they have is money.” Whether or not funding comes, Mthr.Amy and her congregations continue to give, knowing their gifts are already part of God's holy work—right where they are.

We give thanks for Mthr. Amy’s voice and witness and for all in our Diocese who give faithfully, generously, and with gratitude. Without further ado, you can read her full letter here:

Mthr. Amy Heimerl’s Letter in UTO’s 2024 Report

You can find out more about UTO at https://unitedthankoffering.com/.

If you want to read the full annual report in which Amy’s words were featured, you can do so at the link here.

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