Press Releases30 May 13

Myriad of Voices Raised in Joy for Us. Celebrations

A joyful gathering marked the celebration of a new name and a new home for Us. (formerly USPG) in St Michan’s Church, Dublin, yesterday evening, Wednesday May 29. The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, presided over the Eucharist and the preacher was Africa’s first Anglican female bishop, the Rt Revd Ellinah Wamukoya, Bishop of Swaziland.

The service was attended by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson; the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel and Ossory; the Rt Revd Trevor Williams, Bishop of Limerick; the Rt Revd Patrick Rooke, Bishop of Tuam; the Rt Revd Ken Clarke, Mission Director of SAMS UK and Ireland; the Very Revd Victor Stacey, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin; and the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Clergy from around the country were also present.

The celebrations were joined by Senator David Norris, Judge Catherine McGuinness, the All Ireland President of Mothers’ Union Phyllis Grothier and the All Ireland President of GFS Sylvia Quinn. The CEO and General Secretary of Us. in Britain, Janette O’Neill was also there along with the National Director of Us. in Ireland, Linda Chambers and many Us. staff and volunteers.

Music was provided by a consort of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir and the Discovery Gospel Choir. The organist was David Bremner.

In her sermon Bishop Wamukoya spoke on the theme of serving others. “We become Christians through God’s unmerited favour, not as a result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness and merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we can do can help us to obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church,” she said.

The Bishop concluded by appealing: “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.”

Following the service, Bishop Michael Burrows, chair of Us. in Ireland said it had been a marvellously well attended and joyous occasion with a “myriad of voices raised in joy to the Lord and in thanks for the new name and new home” of Us. He praised Linda Chambers for the work she does for Us. in Ireland. “She is the soul person [of Us.] in Ireland – she is its incarnation and its epiphany,” he stated.

Janette O’Neill stated that the new name was something everyone could share in to give every community a full life, bringing in all the people who exist on the edge.

Linda Chambers thanked everyone for coming and said they appreciated the efforts everyone had made to get to St Michan’s.

Us. (the United Society) is the new name for USPG – an organisation which works in direct partnership with Anglican Churches in over 50 countries, helping to support vital work, including healthcare, education, leadership training and action for social justice. The name USPG – United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel – was derived from a name coined in 1701.

Us. in Ireland works directly with the Diocese of Swaziland where they have been building up strong networks over the last five years working with all members of the community.