There is much to learn, to pray and to be excited about from the work that God is doing through churches all around the Anglican Communion. Read on for an insight into USPG’s work in Britain and Ireland and across continental Europe.
Britain & Ireland
Rethinking Mission & Energising Church
USPG is involved with mission education work at Theological Education Institutes (TEIs) and dioceses, and we can often be found delivering lectures, workshops, conferences, or training sessions.
Similarly, our Rethinking Mission conference brings together ordinands, new clergy and lay ministers from across the Anglican Communion to listen and be better equipped to confront some of the most difficult challenges of our time. Past examples include: ‘Remembering History’, ‘Rediscovering the Gospel in 'Christian' nations’, ‘Keeping Faith in Science?’.
The Regional Manager for Europe & Oceania also represents USPG at CTBI and Churches Together in England (CTE) - including some of their thematic networks including the CTBI Churches Refugee Network and the CTBI Environmental Issues Network.
Championing Justice
At the USPG International Consultation in Fiji in 2016, USPG was challenged to do work in the UK on the topic of climate justice. As a matter of integrity, how can a global mission agency based in the UK, that has contemporary and historic culpability for carbon emissions and climate change, speak about these matters and urge people in other places to act, but not act itself?
-
One example of action is USPG’s strategic partnership with ‘Hope for the Future’ and provided the seed funding to get them where they are today. We currently contribute towards their Faith Outreach Officer.
-
Also, in the run up to COP26 we led a joint programme with Hope for the Future called ‘Make COP26 Count’.
-
As part of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) Environmental Issues Network we were part of the Climate Sunday initiative ahead of COP26.
Similarly, USPG is inspired by the racial justice work being undertaken by the Diocese in Europe summaries in its 'Breathing Life’ report and we are excited to support this ongoing work.
The panel at our Rethinking Mission Day Conference 2019
Continental Europe
Since 2015, USPG has worked in close collaboration with the Diocese in Europe giving particular focus to projects that support the settlement of refugees and asylum-seekers. This has included working with Chaplaincies in Greece, Turkey, Morocco, France, Belgium, Germany and Finland.
Here’s an insight into the refugee-centred projects that USPG currently supports across Europe:
Belgium
At Holy Trinity Brussels, ‘Community Kitchen’ is a project run by volunteers who provide food for the many in the city who are hungry, homeless or vulnerable. The volunteers also provide employment advice and legal assistance. Click here to read more.
France
In Northern France, USPG is partnered with the Diocese of Canterbury and the Diocese in Europe to jointly fund a bilingual Refugee Project Officer role based in the Calais-Dunkirk Coastal Area.
Germany
USPG awarded a two-year grant to St Catherine’s Anglican Chaplaincy in Stuttgart, Germany to benefit their ministry amongst the refugee population. A core volunteer team, some of whom have a refugee background, offer drop-in sessions (Offene Stunde), a clothes bank (Kleiderkammer) and other integration support that is sensitive of gender and culture. There are ongoing plans to develop language courses (Stammtisch) and a reading and homework club for children.
Ukraine (and the diaspora)
The joint USPG/Diocese in Europe appeal for Ukraine raised over £400,000 in 2022. The Appeal has enabled a deepening of ecumenical partnership with some support going towards the humanitarian response of Caritas and the Lutheran World Federation. The rest of the proceeds from the joint USPG and Diocese in Europe Ukraine appeal supported chaplaincies in countries bordering Ukraine and in Eastern Europe – namely Latvia, Finland, Poland, Hungary and Romania - provide support for the displaced people.
For the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, USPG and the Diocese in Europe shared some stories from the response of Chaplaincies across the Diocese. Watch this inspiring story from the Vallila Help Centre in Helsinki, Finland:
USPG has also facilitated programmes in North Africa to support the increasing number of people on forced journeys of migration in this region.
Morocco
Thanks to USPG’s Exchanging Places programme, Father Dennis Obidiegwu, a Nigerian priest who has trained and served in Ghana and Togo, took up post as Chaplain of St Andrew's Tangier, Morocco. St Andrew's has a growing ministry among migrants and refugees from sub-Saharan African countries. As an increasing number flee north towards the Mediterranean shores of Morocco, Father Dennis’ experience in the challenges that West Africans face helped make St Andrew’s a safe space in the heart of Tangier.
We have also supported personnel from the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippines) to cover an interregnum at St John’s Anglican Church in Casablanca scoping and developing the ministry to the Filipino community.
To support our work in Europe and other projects like it: Donate Here