Discussing ‘Brave Steps’ with Us

The High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire ... the venue for the Us conference, ‘Brave Steps’ (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

I am in London for two days meeting directors, staff and key supporters of Us, the Anglican mission agency formerly known as USPG (United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel).

The topics for discussion include “Brave Steps,” this year’s Us Annual Conference, which takes place from Monday 24 June to Wednesday 26 June 2013 at the High Leigh Conference Centre near Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.

This is the first annual conference since the society changed its name from USPG to Us last November.

The conference starts at 4 p.m. on Monday 24 June, and ends at lunchtime on Wednesday 26. Supporters of Us are also welcome to attend the special Day Conference on Tuesday 25 June.

This year’s conference is a chance to meet people whose lives have been changed through an encounter with Us, with workshops, activities and ideas to take back to the parishes.

The conference them, ‘Brave Steps,’ is inspired by II Corinthians 5, where Saint Paul says “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

The conference will be looking at the challenges and the blessings that come from walking by faith. There will be first-hand accounts from Us partners who are stepping forward into the fullness of life that Christ promises us.

The guest speakers include:

● The Revd Floyd P Llawet, Provincial Secretary of the Episcopal Church of the Philippines (ECP): Floyd was formerly the head of ECP’s development office and will share experiences from his church’s staunch commitment to human rights and social justice.

● The Revd Fedis Nyagah, Church and Community Mobilisation Process Facilitator, working throughout Africa and with Us in Zimbabwe. Fedis is spearheading a faith-based approach to community empowerment that radically challenges the idea that poor people need to be dependent on aid to end poverty.

The cost for the three-day conference is £140 (not sharing), or £70 (sharing). The cost for Tuesday’s Day Conference is £25, including lunch, and free for those in training for ordained ministry.

For further information, email Lyn Samms or phone 020 7921 2203.