TransmissionThe magazine of Us. The new name for USPG. Founded 1701. Autumn 2013

Communitydevelopment inthe PhilippinesPage 6

A revolution in mission

n African communities, we have looked to the west for so long. But God has already

given us skills and resources to become what God has called us to be.’

These are the words of the Revd Fedis Nyagah, speaking at our annual conference in June. Fedis is working with Us to support community development in Zimbabwe.

For me, this powerful statement sums up how mission is changing. Our early missionaries travelled the world to share their faith and share ideas for development. They did great work. But, sadly, the flow of ideas was often one-way, which led in many cases to a sense of dependency on the ‘rich west’.

But there are signs this is changing. Our vision is a global church in which we are all sharing and learning from one another. We believe in inter-dependency, rather than dependency. We need each other.

Mission is an opportunity to inspire every person, in every community, to discover their strengths and resources. We are working with our partner churches to train leaders and empower families and communities by building up existing skills and creating new ones as they plan a path to a better future.

Janette O’Neill Chief Executive, Us

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Cover: Pancy Pangcog harvesting rice in Besao, Philippines. More on page 6. (Us/Leah Gordon)

We are a Christian charity working in partnership with local Anglican churches around the world. Together, we work with local communities to improve health, put children in school, tackle discrimination, give a voice to women, nurture leaders, and much more.

Us in BritainUs., Harling House, 47-51 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BS020 7921 2200info@weareUs.org.ukwww.weareUs.org.ukRegistered charity number 234518

Us in IrelandUs in Ireland, Egan House, St Michan’s Church, Church Street, Dublin 7+353 (0)86 858 6337Us@ireland.anglican.orgwww.weareUs.ieRegistered number 438966/CHY7998

Transmission is the magazine for supporters of Us. The views expressed here may not always represent the official position of Us. ISSN 0967-926X

Edited by Mike BrooksDesigned by Monika Ciapala Printed by Grange

Transmission is sent free of charge, although donations to cover the cost of publication are appreciated.

Receive our publications by emailIf you’d like to receive Transmission or Pray with Us by email, please send your full name, title and postal address to Eunice Kasirye at eunicek@weareUs.org.uk

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Us worldwide

Africa’s first Anglican female bishop, the Rt Revd Ellinah Wamukoya, Bishop of Swaziland, was a specially invited guest at the official launch of Us in Ireland.

Us in Ireland works directly with the Diocese of Swaziland, focusing on support for people with HIV, food supplies for schools, and a farming initiative.

Speaking at a service in St Michan’s Church, Dublin, which is also the new headquarters of Us in Ireland, Bishop Ellinah said: ‘Please pray for us to remember that in whatever small way, even us

in Africa, we are created to serve, saved to serve, gifted to serve, commanded to serve. Our service is needed, and we serve because of Jesus.’

Linda Chambers, National Director of Us in Ireland, said: ‘Many people in Swaziland are poor and hungry, and HIV infection is the highest in the world. Meanwhile, the church is reaching into every community and helping all, regardless of colour or creed. Much is achieved with few resources. Whatever we can do to help can make a difference to many people's lives.’ ■

Overseeing dozens of parishes is one thing, but in some countries in Africa and Asia the local bishop also has to oversee schools, hospitals, bible colleges and more.A bishop in this situation faces an extraordinary number of responsibilities and expectations. This is why we developed a support programme for bishops.

The Revd Canon Edgar Ruddock, Us Director of Global Networking, said: ‘My experience of working with church leaders around the world in the past decade has given me a huge respect for the bishops of the Anglican Communion.

‘They live pressured lives dealing both with strategic issues and a constant flow of people seeking their advice, financial support or some other favour.

‘Many bishops do not have a support network so they can be easily overwhelmed by problems, rather than inspired by possibilities.’

The Us programme does not teach or train bishops. Rather, we offer bishops in small groups time out to share with each other about their ministries, dreams and disappointments. There are strict rules about confidentiality, with an emphasis on mutual support and finding new ways to deal with the challenges of their vocation.

One bishop told Us: ‘This is absolutely what I needed. It’s reminded me I am here to listen to people, not tell them what to do. I want to be more of an encourager, and less of a director.’ ■

Africa’s first female bishop speaks at launch of Us in Ireland

Programme will support bishops

If your church is holding a special event to celebrate or remember the world church and the work of Us, please send your photos to Transmission editor Mike Brooks at mikeb@weareUs.org.uk

Send Us your news!

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From Left: Us in Ireland volunteer Jan de Bruijn; Linda Chambers, National Director of Us in Ireland; Us Chief Executive Janette O’Neill; and Ellinah Wamukoya, Bishop of Swaziland.

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Us worldwide

The Anglican church in Dickoya, central Sri Lanka, is reaching out to parishioners, with the support of Us, after flash floods caused chaos.

A tropical cyclone in May caused torrential rain, flooding and landslides. Seven people died and an estimated 115,000 had to evacuate their flooded homes.

An emergency grant from our Rapid Response Fund was sent to Christ Church, in Dickoya, where Us supports development work among tea plantation communities.

Funding from Us purchased bedding, cooking utensils, medical supplies, food, replacement school

books and roofing.Fr Andrew Devadason, one of

our church partners in Sri Lanka, reported: ‘The force of water was like a minor tsunami, destroying roads, bridges, walls and houses. It happened very suddenly. A woman and her child died because the water forced their door of their home shut and they were trapped inside as the water level rose.

‘Water came inside the vicarage and church precincts up to seven feet, washing almost everything away.

‘The damage has been severe for all. Thankfully, I have also seen the grace of God. The catastrophe

Donations to our Rapid Response Fund ensure we can send emergency grants in times of natural disaster. Call 020 7921 2200 or visit www.weareUs.org.uk/donate

Church reaches out after flash floods hit central Sri Lanka

brought out our great love and care for one another, so we can rejoice in the Lord for this show of human kindness. My parishioners, the youth, and members of neighbouring churches all helped to clean the area. And two local tea plantation estates allowed workers to join the clean-up operation.

‘I lost almost everything, but I am not perplexed at all. I know the grace of God is sufficient to provide for my family. Meanwhile, we are working to help 65 families around the church, including Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians.’

Flood in MalawiA grant from our Rapid

Response Fund was sent to the Diocese of Upper Shire, Malawi, after flooding washed away houses, crops and livestock.

Diocesan worker Denis Chitimbe told Us: ‘It was distressing to see people looking helpless and completely exhausted. This happened at a time when the economy of Malawi was already not doing well.’

The Us grant helped to fund supplies of maize for those made homeless. ■

Support our Rapid Response Fund

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Flood waters half-way up the walls at Christ Church, in Dickoya, Sri Lanka.

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Us worldwide

The threat of military escalation in Korea and Japan and the peaceful reunification of North and South Korea were among the topics discussed at the Second Worldwide Anglican Peace Conference, in Japan.

Among the 80 international delegates was Rachel Parry, the Us Programme Manager for Asia. She said the joint hosting of the conference by the Anglican Churches of Korea and Japan was itself a powerful demonstration of the commitment of Anglicans in the region to reconciliation, trust-building and hope.

She explained: ‘The joint hosting of this peace conference shows how far the churches of Japan and Korea have come in terms of relationship building, and in terms of their desire to share their learning with other countries

in Asia, and indeed the world. The witness of this reconciling ministry is an inspiration to the whole Anglican Communion.’

The conference agreed a seven-point action plan for addressing peace in the Pacific, including advocacy for those whose voices are rarely heard, especially women and children.

Rachel said: ‘It was important

for Us to be at the conference. We are committed to working in partnership with churches and people in this part of the world whose voices are not often heard.’

The Most Revd Paul Keun Sang Kim, of the Anglican Church of Korea, said: ‘A hard journey toward peace lies before us. Jesus is telling us it is time to go. Now we must respond.’ ■

We are at the heart of an advocacy initiative set up following the clothing factory disaster in Savar, Bangladesh, last April.

Official figures state that 1,127 were killed and 2,500 injured when the eight-storey Rana Plaza collapsed. Cracks had appeared in the building the previous day, but the warnings were ignored. Many of those killed were young women

and their children who were in daycare in the building.

The Church of Bangladesh provided food and water to rescue workers, many of whom are volunteers.

And now the church has launched a campaign for better rights for garment factory workers, with the backing of Us and other churches and organisations in Britain and Ireland. Part of the

campaign includes lobbying British clothing manufacturers and shops to honour the rights of garment factory workers.

Bishop Paul Sarker, moderator of the Church of Bangladesh, said: ‘We acknowledge the inhuman and vulnerable condition of garments workers in Bangladesh, and feel strongly that their rights must be protected and security must be ensured.’ ■

Anglicans call for peace in the Pacific

Us at heart of ecumenical response to Savar tragedy

Us/Rachel Parry

Round table discussion at the peace conference

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The Episcopal Church in the Philippines, in partnership with Us, is supporting community development in Besao, in Mountain Province. Pancy Pangcog told Us about the community co-operative started by her local church.

The church has supported us and brought the people together’

‘

hen I got married, my husband didn’t have a

job and I did not have a source of income, so we started farming to support ourselves and raise our children. All in all, I have nine children and thirteen grandchildren.

When our children started school, paying for their education became difficult. Later, when they went to college, they would write letters. If they only asked us to send rice, that was ok, but if they asked for money it was a big problem because it meant we had to borrow money.

Fortunately, when the older children graduated they started working and could help us to support their siblings.

Then their father suffered a stroke. Our children said we should stop farming and let them support us. But I told them if I stopped working I couldn’t give them sweet

potato or rice as gifts. Also, I like to work because I do not have any illness and, when life is difficult, work is the type of thing that keeps us going.

It’s really difficult when somebody who is strong suffers a stroke. My husband was left partially sighted, with poor hearing. I take care of him. I prepare his breakfast, wait for him to finish eating before I go to the farm, then I come home at noon to feed him. I do what I can. I do some manual work. And today, because of the co-

operative, I can employ someone to plough the field. It’s difficult but I thank God we are still alive and can see our many children.

Co-operativeThe co-operative was started by

the church during a really difficult time for our community. The church gave us some capital and we also started collecting a membership fee. Then people could start borrowing, especially to support their children’s education. Since we started the co-operative, more people have started attending church because they appreciate what the church is doing for them.

When we need money, we do not need to go to our neighbours to ask for a loan. This is very helpful for those who have children in school. And now our children have grown up, they can borrow money to send their children to school.

Pig projectWe also received piglets from

the church. I tell my neighbours to have patience and to raise their piglets well. Some sold their piglets or killed them for meat. But I kept one for breeding. It is now four

Pancy Pangcog feeds one of her pigs at her home in Besao, Mountain Province, in the Philippines.

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The co-operative was started by the church during a difficult time for our community.Pancy Pangcog

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2,160The number of people in 54 communities in the Philippines being trained by the church as community development volunteers.

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The church in the Philippines is encouraging communities to make the most of their own skills and resources – and we want you to do the same.

Our FREE Harvest pack contains prayer, worship and bible study material to inspire your church to ‘Bring what you have’ – and make a difference by using your skills to fundraise for your local community and the work of Us.

To order a pack, call 020 7921 2200 or visit weareUs.org.uk/harvest

Be inspired this Harvest

years old and having piglets of its own. I sell the offspring and use some of the money to buy feed or pay for labourers on my rice farm.

Sugar caneIt is three years since we started

planting sugar cane, and the project has expanded. Before, we were each growing and processing sugar individually. But, now, the work is shared by the whole community. The co-operative is united in doing this. The church supported us in this project, which has really brought the people together.

But I do not sell the sugar. I prefer to share it with visitors and with our children. I find joy in

sharing, and it is a great help to my children because they do not need to buy sugar – because this is expensive muscovado sugar.

I pray to God to give us strength when we work on our farms. I am

thankful that God has given me a healthy life, and I pray that he will also give us a long life so we can live to see our remaining children get married and see our grandchildren. ■

Us/Leah G

ordon

Pancy Pangcog at home in Besao, in the Philippines.

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was raised in a Christian family in Korogwe. My father was a

nurse assistant and my mother a subsistence farmer. I was the first born among 11 children.

I had my first child at the age of 21. Three others followed, to different fathers. My fourth child, a girl, was very poorly and died after 12 months. This was ten years ago, and I had been suffering from ill health for a few years.

The death of my baby set me thinking. I had heard about an incurable disease called HIV, so I decided to go for testing, and was told I was HIV-positive.

Until this point, my relationship with my family had been wonderful. But then I told my parents I had HIV, and my troubles started. My mother said I had brought shame to the family, and she rejected me. She told me I had been irresponsible, both morally and religiously.

With my father having been a nurse assistant, I thought he might understand. But he ordered me to move out of the family home with my three children. He said if I remained at home my younger siblings would follow in my

footsteps and get HIV too.My family had deserted me.

I was isolated. I felt lonely, and thought I was a bad person. Sometimes local women would start screaming at me, telling me to keep away from their husbands.

I started a course of anti-retroviral herbs – the only medication I could get – and I was sent for counselling for three weeks. Then, in 2005, I was transferred to St Raphael’s and put on a different course of anti-retroviral treatment.

In 2006, my father fell sick. He had a fever and lost a lot of weight. Eventually, he called me from his hospital room and asked me to go and see him.

He asked everyone to leave the

room, so we were alone. With tears dripping from his eyes, he said he regretted what he had done – he called it evil – and asked me to forgive him. He then told me he was HIV-positive. Then my mother was called into the room and, for the next five minutes, the three of us wept bitterly. The next day my father fell unconscious, and two days later he died.

Later, in 2009, I got married. I conceived, and joined PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission), a medical programme for mums with HIV, at St Raphael’s. I gave birth to a boy in 2010, and HIV tests continue to show he is not infected.

HIV has taught me that life goes on and there’s always a tomorrow. I thank God for all that has happened to me, and I pray for my family.

‘Monica is a blessing’Dr Damian Mpundu, medical superintendent at St Raphael’s Hospital, said: ‘Monica is a role model. She helps at our HIV treatment clinic two days a week. She has become an important agent of change. Her openness has helped to reduce the fear of stigma.

As part of the support she offers, Monica gives advice on nutrition and she advocates farming and small-scale entrepreneurship as a key to staying productive and getting well. She is a blessing to us.’ ■

Monica Steven, now aged 41, counsels women with HIV at the Us-supported St Raphael’s Hospital, in Tanga, Tanzania. Here is her story in her own words.

Rejected for being HIV-positive

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Ignorance about HIV means people are frightened. And frightened people do not behave rationally.Monica Steven

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The total population of the local communities served by St Raphael’s Hospital. The hospital has 54 beds. Staff deliver 40 babies a month.

70,000

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Adam North spent a year on placement with the Anglican Church in Zambia through our Journey with Us programme. He explains how the love of God helped him to put a painful childhood behind him.

I learned what I am capable of’

was working as a parish assistant, and I felt lost. I didn’t

know what direction my life was taking. I felt trapped in the place I had grown up. I had an unhappy past, a disjointed childhood as a foster child, which was a stigma I found difficult to live with.

While God was good and called me to faith, I was still in an unhappy place. I didn’t feel I had anything to offer. Then I heard about Journey with Us (formerly the Experience Exchange Programme) and decided to apply. I was accepted, which I thought was bizarre: people wanted to invest in me, which wasn’t something I had experienced before.

I had been estranged from my father for years and, at this time, he passed away. It felt like it was time to go. So I left my home of ten years, gave away most of my belongings, and flew to Zambia.

My mentor in Zambia was Fr Sam Zulu, the dean of the cathedral in Ndola. He showed me great compassion and encouraged me to have experiences. He allowed me to share in the ministry of the cathedral and the cathedral school.

I could feel myself becoming free from the shackles of the past. Instead of simply existing or surviving, thanks to the love and support of the cathedral family, I felt I was coming alive!

When I returned to England I was desperate to continue searching for meaning in my life. I started as an independent theology student, and one year later I started training to become a priest.

It has been a journey of self-discovery, and a painful one at

times because I have been learning about who I am, which led to a period of depression. However, with the help of some wonderful people, I have been able to put the past behind me and see the future as full of potential.

Journey with Us has taught me lessons and brought relationships into my life that I didn’t think were possible. It has shown me what I am capable of, and shown me that I can be a resource to the church, both at home and overseas. ■

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Journey with UsJourney with Us is the new name for both our Experience Exchange and Expanding Horizons Programmes.

Adam N

orth

Adam North meets local children while on placement in Zambia.

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difference for me was the gap between rich and poor. Unlike in Northern Ireland, the poor in South Africa do not have access to an NHS or social welfare. I saw a massive difference in the quality of housing between the black and coloured townships and white areas of the city, which had tall fences around them – giving them a feeling of being hemmed in.

Back home, what keeps coming back to me is the biblical principle that we are called to look after widows, orphans and strangers, meaning those who are marginalised.

I would like to thank Us for facilitating my sabbatical, and the clergy and parishioners of St John the Baptist for their kindness and hospitality. ■

The Revd David Skuce, from County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, writes about his three-month sabbatical spent in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, through our Journey with Us programme.

I was challenged by my experience’

y bishop suggested I take a sabbatical and, with the

help of Us, I was given a placement at St John the Baptist parish church, in Port Elizabeth.

I hoped to experience church life in a different culture, and get a feeling for South Africa as it emerges from years of conflict.

In particular, it was interesting for me to compare Northern Ireland with South Africa.

Both countries have segregated areas: South Africa from the apartheid years and Northern Ireland as a result of people moving to live with their own co-religionists.

Both countries, on the surface, live in reasonable harmony, but when you scratch beneath the surface, old divisions can bubble up.

I heard that many white people were moving overseas; they feel they have no future and face too much discrimination. For example, a black person will get a government job in preference to a better-qualified white man. In addition, there seemed to be a strong feeling that aid is not going where it is really needed.

But perhaps the greatest

M

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Journey with Us arranges placements with the world church for volunteersfrom Britain and Ireland, aged 18 to 80. We also organise placements for clergy on sabbatical and ordinands in training.Call Habib Nader on 020 7921 2215 or visit www.weareus.org.uk/journey

David Skuce

David Skuce (left) helps wit went to Port Elizabeth, South Africa on Sabbatical for 3 months

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We put the spotlight on Rajshahi Hospital and Nursing School. Both are run by the Church of Bangladesh, with the support of Us. Together they offer a vital health service to people of all faiths from vulnerable communities, with a special fund for patients who cannot afford medical fees.

Hospital in Bangladesh in showing patients the love of God

Juliet: nurseFor Juliet Mondol, being a nurse is not just a way to earn money and support her family. It is also an opportunity to show the love of God through caring for her patients.

Juliet comes from a poor family in the village of Bollobhpur, in south-west Bangladesh. Her father is a farm labourer. Her younger sister struggles with an acute kidney condition.

Through the church, Juliet was given a place at a girls’ boarding school. She went on to complete a diploma in nursing and midwifery at Rajshahi Nursing School.

Now Juliet is working as a nurse at Rajshahi Hospital. The profession is not well paid – and she knows it never will be – but she is able to help her family, and her sister.

‘I feel very happy that I am able to contribute positively to society,’ said Juliet. ‘I believe nursing is a noble profession. I can show God’s care to my patients.’

Ruth: studentRuth Biswas Sumi has a similar story to tell. She is currently a first-year student at the nursing school.

Her father is a casual worker at a jute mill; her mother is nearly blind. She has four brothers and

sisters, but Ruth is the only one who was been able to attend school on a regular basis.

Ruth said: ‘I will be able to stand by my patients with the love of Jesus, and help my family to reduce the poverty they are in.’

Roghu: bible teacherRoghu Murmu is aged 77 but still very active. He volunteers to run a bible class for the communities surrounding Rajshahi Hospital. He translates the Bible into the local Santali language and explains the stories. He is much liked by his class.

Roghu used to be in the navy and was a soldier. He says he now fights the ‘authorities of darkness’.

In February he experienced severe stomach pains and was advised to visit the hospital. The doctor found a hernia and said an operation was needed.

Roghu admitted he couldn’t afford the full cost of treatment. However, there was help for him

because the hospital has a fund to support vulnerable patients.

Now Roghu is well again and teaching his bible class once more.

Birsing: unable to workBirsing Mardi is aged 45. He lives with his mother in a small house some distance from the hospital.

They have no land, but Birsing used to bring in an income by working hard as a farm labourer. Then, ten years ago, he found he could no longer work due to an uncomfortable medical condition: a build up of water in the scrotum.

Birsing tried herbal medicines, but there was no change. Unable to work, and not able to marry due to his condition, life became difficult for Birsing, who did not feel happy talking about his situation.

But he finally travelled the 50 kilometres to the Rajshahi Hospital, where a doctor identified the problem – known as hydrocele – and arranged an operation. Indeed, the doctor said it was the most extreme case of his type he’d seen.

Birsing’s operation was funded by the hospital. He is now recovering and has been able to return to work. He says he feels like a new man. ■

The percentage of students (15 girls, 4 men) who passed their final exam at Rajshahi Nursing School to become government certified nurses in June this year.

100%Main: Roghu Murmu. From top: Ruth, Juliet, and Birsing with his mother.

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You, your church and UsMeet our new team members Carrie Myers and Heather Skull, who are helping churches in Britain and Ireland to get more involved with Us and the world church.

Carrie Myers, Volunteering Manager

As Volunteering Manager, my role is to support and equip our volunteers so they can spread the word about Us and our work around the world.

Since starting a couple of months ago, it’s been really inspiring to meet so many people who have been committed supporters of Us/USPG for decades, and to meet those who are new to our work too.

I’ll be at more events for Us this year, and visiting as many of our volunteers around the country as I can.

Look out for more news about volunteering resources and opportunities on these pages and on our website. And if you’re wondering how you could volunteer with Us, I’d love to hear from you!

Heather Skull, Outreach and Engagement Officer

Since joining Us last year I’ve been travelling a lot. That one sentence covers several hundred miles from General Synod in York to churches in Wiltshire, Kent, Hampshire and Derbyshire.

I’ve been struck by the sincerity and concern of our supporting churches to engage deeply with global mission and to see lives transformed.

It’s been great to talk to you about how to make these various links more effective. And I hope to meet many more of our supporters in the coming months and years. But, in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Your views and input are vital as we work together to further the gospel.

To request an Us Speaker to visit your church:Call Heather Skull 020 7921 2224 or email heathers@weareUs.org.uk

To find out more about volunteering with Us:Call Carrie Myers 020 7921 2220 or email carriem@weareUs.org.uk

To find out how your church can get more involved with Us:Call Heather Skull 020 7921 2224 or email heathers@weareUs.org.uk

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Coming soon from UsLook out for these special appeals and free resources.

Life-giving giftsWe are pleased to offer alternative Christmas gifts this year. Each gift you buy will help to fund work we do in partnership with churches around the world, reaching out to people who struggle with poverty, disease and hardship. Your gifts will literally change lives. Look out for our catalogue in the post and online in October.

Advent appeal 2013Our Advent appeal for 2013 will focus on the community work of St James’ Mission Hospital, in Mantšonyane, Lesotho. The hospital, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is providing a vital health service in a remote mountainous area. Increasingly, medical staff are venturing outside of the hospital to talk to communities about their concerns and support preventative healthcare. Your donations will help more people to stay healthy and receive the treatment they need. Find out more in the next edition of Transmission.

Lent 2014: Exploring missionFor Lent next year, we will be examining what mission means today. We will be looking at the different ways in which this word has been used and understood, and asking how we can live out God’s mission today, both locally and globally. In the next edition of Transmission you will be able to order our free five-week Lent study course, which will be looking at the mission of our church partners, including the Anglican Church in Myanmar.

To find out more, pre-order free resources or make a donation, visit www.weareUs.org.uk, call 020 7921 2200 or email info@weareUs.org.uk

Bring what you haveHarvest 2013

This Harvest we invite you to make use of the gifts, skills and talents you have in your church. Use them to raise as much money as you can – then divide the money 50-50, with half benefiting your local community, and half supporting the community work of Us around the world. Draw inspiration from people like Pancy Pangcog in the Philippines, who is part of a church programme where

people are discovering their strengths and using them for the good of their community.

Order our FREE Harvest pack, containing a bible study, all age service, prayers, sermon notes, school assembly, fundraising toolkit, and poster. www.weareUs.org.uk/harvest

Be a blessing to your local community and the world church.