Formerly USPG, Us is one of the charities supported by the parish.
Why the name change?
November 2012 was a milestone in our history because we changed our name from USPG to United Society, to be known as Us.
The name USPG – United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel – was derived from a name coined in 1701. But it became clear that this eighteenth-century name was not connecting with people in the twenty-first century. So it was time for a change.
Our new name is rooted in the gospel. It is a reminder that God’s love is for all of us – Jesus’ promise of a full life is for every person in every community (see John 10:10). And we remember that Jesus is called Emmanuel, meaning ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23).
We are all part of ‘us’, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. We are all made in God’s creative image. There is room for us all.
What do they do?
One aspect of their is to support communities in Tanzania, with a special focus on hospitals and clinics for 2013 and beyond
When Cecelia’s sister sadly died of HIV-related illnesses, Cecelia took in her sister’s three orphan children, caring for them as her own. It was a struggle because Cecelia was already a single mother of one. But help came from the local Anglican-run community project. Cecelia was assigned a volunteer support worker, called Ishmael, who lived in her village, in the area of Masasi (see right). Through talking with Ishmael, Cecelia felt encouraged to try repair her house using bricks she made herself.
She was given two goats, which provided milk for the children, and she received training in how to run a kitchen garden. She is now better able to provide for her family and pay her children’s school fees.
A holistic view of health
Our work alongside the Anglican Church in Tanzania has always focused on supporting rural communities to be healthy physically and spiritually.
Today, the church has an expanded vision for health. Rather than focusing solely on supporting professional health intervention, the church is shifting towards a more holistic view of health, and is seeking to empower communities to become more pro-active in responding to all challenges that have an impact on quality of life, not just health, but also food security, education and income-generation.
Within this vision for health in its broadest sense, the church – with Us – will continue to support Anglican hospitals and clinics, with a particular focus on helping these health institutions to connect more closely with local communities in order to identify and respond to the areas of health not covered by the government and other agencies.
You can read more on their website wearus.org.uk
Your shoebox went to Belarus
Your shoebox was one of over 180,000 gift-filled boxes that blessed children in Belarus in 2013. Over 1 million boxes were filled in all, going to Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Our local partners said, “All children in Belarus cannot wait for Christmas. Everyone wants to get a drop of joy and light at home, especially children with no parents. Jana, who lives with a foster family, was so happy to receive a giftbox and to realise that unknown people care about her and they brought huge joy to her. Jana had dreamed about having a doll for many years – and now, she keeps a doll in her hands.”
Thank you for your kindness and for joining with us in 2013 to bless children around the world and show them they are loved.
Us. every person, every community, a full life.
Jackie Woodman