Penny Douglas Diocesan President     Cape York Adventures September 2009 News - March 2010

Psalm 121: "I look to the hills! Where will I find help?
It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth.
The Lord is your protector, and he won't go to sleep or let you stumble."

The words of these first 4 verses and the remainder of the Psalm send the message that the Lord will protect His people.  So now I have stepped out in faith. That is how I feel as the newly commissioned Diocesan President of North Queensland. Like many other Dioceses we encompass a vast area of our colourful and magnificent country. We are at the threshold of the Barrier Reef, our amazing rain forest, the out-back, from the sugar cane fields to the mining fields.

The “Building Relationships”, Conference hosted by the members from the Torres Strait was a wonderful success providing a colourful expression of their worship choruses, island dress and happy personalities. We entered the election phase with 4 positions vacant and finished with all positions filled; Praise the Lord. History was made when Ed Bray was appointed as Treasurer. Ed is the first male to undertake an executive position in North Queensland. Husband to Deane Bray our Australian President, Ed comes with a great deal of knowledge not just about MU but also on the inner workings of the Dioceses so we welcome you Ed with pride and thanks-giving. Also making history is Beauty Chitumbura. Beauty immigrated to Australia from Zimbabwe two years ago and is multi talented and an enthusiastic person. Beauty’s mother is a member of Mother’s Union in Zimbabwe. Although Beauty was not a member she travelled from Mt Isa (at the urging of her mother who is still in Zimbabwe) to experience the MU feeling. As a result Beauty accepted the appointment to be the Leaflet editor on Executive; along with the role of Western Region Vice President. Beauty was duly commissioned as an MU member by Bishop Bill and later commissioned to duty. What an example she has set, remember if you want new members look, ask, encourage and then support. 

It is my pleasure to introduce you to our 6 Regional Vice Presidents: Starting from the Torres Strait we have Salu Blanco; in our Peninsular Region is Maureen Mossman; in the Northern Region is Loryanna Smith; in the Central Region is Aileen Morrison; in our Southern Region is Roz Cave: and as I introduced earlier Beauty Chitumbura is in our Western Region.

Now, the introductions to the members elected and appointed to the Executive Departments;  Nancie Irvin, my Immediate Past DP has been appointed to Secretary, (there is no rest for some); Ed Bray, as I introduced earlier is the Diocesan Treasurer; Fr Don Ford is our Chaplain; Dr Robin Ray has offered to manage Promotion and Development; Carolynn Ford has coupled Diocesan Education with her Australian Council Education portfolio; Lala Leftwich remains as our Overseas and Northern Outreach; Barbara Wicks is covering GFS;  Prayer and Spirituality is managed by Lyn Faulkner; Publication is managed by Kath Glew; Social Responsibilities is covered by Anne Watkins; Leaflet editor is Beauty Chitumbura, our IT expert; and the important connection to Lone Members remains the joy of Brenda Murdock.

So with the formalities of Conference 2009 now history, I have the challenge of office ahead of me and I pray that with the grace of God I can maintain the previous standard and also bring a touch of myself to the Diocese. 

Shalom to you
Penny Douglas
Diocesan President
North Queensland    

Email: pennymunq@websecure.net.au

last updated 29/3/2010