Lent 2026: Gratitude and Reciprocity
Our materials in 2026 are inspired by the book The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book takes a look at how the natural world functions via a gift economy as plants, animals, soil, etcetera share what they have for the common good. When the UTO Board and Staff read this book, we resonated with the themes because they also are the foundation of the ministry of UTO. UTO was created to support work that lacked funding by encouraging Episcopalians to give thanks for the gifts in their lives and then “pay it forward” via UTO. Our faith teaches us that grace is a gift freely given by God and that the gift is so great we want to respond by giving to others. This is what it means to be a part of a gift economy when we give thanks and we give back.
During Lent, we are invited to take on something that will deepen our faith, which is what these materials intend to help you do. Below you’ll find a calendar (which you can also receive as a daily text message by signing up below with a prompt for reflection, action, or connection based on the belief that “all flourishing is mutual” and that when we are blessed, we bless others. Each week, we’ll reflect on an aspect of gratitude and reciprocity to help deepen (or start) your personal spiritual discipline of gratitude.
Download free resources for congregations and families below, or sign up for the daily text message prompt. The deadline to order free printed materials has passed. UTO also offers kits for families, those can be ordered through January 11, 2026 here.
The Serviceberry: A Lenten Book Group with UTO
Looking for a way to connect with others as a part of your Lenten Discipline this year? Look no further! UTO is offering a 5-session book club on The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass. This is a perfect book to explore during Lent because it can encourage us to think more deeply about gift, reciprocity, and gratitude. We’ll explore this book together and see what we can learn about gratitude as a way to give thanks by word and deed for the gifts given by the world around us. While reading the text prior to the meeting will enhance your experience, it is not required. You’re also welcome to attend all 5 sessions or just the ones when you’re available or where a topic interests you.
Schedule
Week One: Chapters 1&2 (pgs. 1-26)
Tuesday, February 24 at Noon Eastern time
Week Two: Chapters 3&4 (pgs. 29-50)
Tuesday, March 3 at Noon Eastern Time
Week Three: Chapters 5&6 (pgs. 53-82)
Tuesday, March 10 at Noon Eastern Time
Week Four: Chapter 7 (pgs. 85-105)
Tuesday, March 17 at Noon Eastern Time
Week Five: Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 24 at Noon Eastern Time
Lenten Materials for Adults and Congregations
This year our theme for Lenten materials is 40 Days of Gratitude & Reciprocity which is a call to spend 40 days thinking about our relationship with our communities and the world around us. Our hope is that during the 40 days of Lent, we can all use gratitude to help us be more fully alive in the communities of which we are apart.
In order to do this, we’ve got the following materials for individuals and congregations:
Digital Kit: Need newsletter articles and bulletin announcements to talk about the Lenten Materials? We’ve got you covered. Our digital kit provides you with the resources you to help you host a successful UTO season.
- Lent 2026 Overview Letter for Leaders
- Carta para Líderes
- Sample Bulletin Announcements and Newsletters
- I Gave Online Cards
- Resources for hosting a UTO Ingathering
Printable prayers: Download prayers adapted from the UTO Liturgy for use during Lent and Easter.
Editable Prayers of the People (Oraciones del Pueblo Editables en Español): also from the UTO Liturgy booklet, these prayers will help ground your Prayers of the People in Lenten themes and gratitude.
Bulletin insert (Inserción del Boletín en Español): Gives an overview of the materials for Lent as well as information about UTO.
Printable calendar (Calendar para Imprimir en Español): Download a calendar with the same prompts as the daily text message that you can print out and hang on your fridge to mark the days until Easter. You can also download the overview of materials that comes with the printed resources here.
Bulletin insert (Inserción del Boletín en Español): Gives an overview of the materials for Lent.
SPANISH MATERIALS COMING SOON.
Children and Families
Looking for resources to help your family deepen a commitment of gratitude while you countdown to Easter? Below are resources for families to use that you can print at home or order for free. (Order your free family kit by January 11th here.)
Printable Lenten Gratitude Challenge for Families (Cuaresma para Niños en Español): we get it, the lives of families is often very busy, so this year, we’ve made a weekly challenge for families. One week, you’ll give thanks, and then the next week, you’ll give back.
Printable coloring sheet: We’re sharing our popular Lenten coloring sheet from last year again in case anyone wants to use it again.
Lesson plans for formation leaders (Planes de clase en Español): If you would like a lesson plan to go along with the materials for 2026, we’ve got one with a letter to send home to families ready for you here.
SPANISH COMING SOON
