Through Father Jim and Lee Ward we have heard recently about Father Nicholas Wheeler’s work in the City of God in Rio de Janeiro [Project B04 if you want to look it up on the USPG website]. As a parish we support his work there but what about the overall work of USPG? At a time when we are looking at the link between commitment to the Christian faith and action within it, when Richard Dawkins is questioning the statistic that claims 54% of the UK population as Christian, when we need to challenge his statement that ‘religion is largely irrelevant’ it is good to look at what is being done across the world by Christian groups such as USPG.
The following is taken from their website www.uspg.org.uk
“USPG has seen a number of radical changes since its inception in 1701 but our purpose remains the same: to support the churches of the Anglican Communion as they engage in faith-inspired development.
Who are we?
USPG is a major mission agency working to strengthen relationships and encourage mutual support across the Anglican Communion. We assist Anglican churches as they reach out to poor and marginalised people in practical and life-changing ways, supporting transformation through church leadership development and community engagement in health.
Linking churches, connecting lives
We have so much to learn by looking beyond our parish boundaries. USPG encourages this process of learning by creating links and making connections across the Anglican Communion. Supporting USPG, and getting involved with our work, is one of the key ways in which churches in Britain and Ireland can strengthen their bonds with the global communion.
Mission is more than development
Development work alone is not enough: tackling poverty and speaking out against injustice is crucial, but we believe mission goes deeper. Our goal is to develop mission programmes that minister to the well-being of the whole person and the whole community – providing both practical support and spiritual nourishment. Ultimately, we believe that mission is about getting caught up in the work God is already doing in the world.
Developing leaders
Many churches around the world have the vision and the spiritual energy to get involved in God’s mission. Their young people –women and men – want to share their faith and make a real difference in their communities. But often leaders feel over-stretched andu nder-resourced. That’s why USPG is supporting leadership development programmes that are enabling ordained and lay leaders to be effective in mission. As well as providing a solid theological foundation, leaders are being trained in managerial, financial and practical skills that are applicable to their local context.
‘USPG continues to enrich the life of the Anglican Communion through its rootedness in the life of the provinces.’ Archbishop Rowan Williams
Following the Anglican Way
USPG is rooted within the global Anglican Communion, encouraging relationships and mutual support among Anglican Churches and affiliated United Churches around the world. We focus on mission that is specifically Anglican, or done by Anglicans in an ecumenical context, always reaching outwards. We do not exclude people of different faiths: indeed, many of the churches we support have an emphasis on peace-building and reconciliation within communities and nations. Your support for USPG will help to ensure that Anglicans around the world can continue to offer a dynamic witness and a distinctive combination of tradition, worship, and openness in seeking truth.
We are rising to the challenge –now we want to challenge you!
• Pray each day with USPG’s prayer diary – available online and in print
• Make a financial commitment to USPG by supporting one of our programmes
• Learn about the world church through our magazine and website
• Organise a fundraising event in your church
• Become a volunteer and raise awareness of USPG’s work in your church
• Host a USPG Speaker at your Sunday service
• Consider a placement as a professional, ordinand or volunteer where such a need arises
USPG: Anglicans in World Mission, Harling House, 47-51 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BS. Tel: 020 7921 2200 Email: [email protected]
USPG : Anglican in World Mission