Diocesan President

Mrs Jane Tanner

It is one which I have been challenged with, especially since participating in the Special World Regional Meeting at Toowoomba earlier this year. It has certainly extended my horizons to catch a glimpse of the extending horizons of MU Worldwide.

We were told by CEO Reg Bailey that some people think of MU as a gathering of older women drinking cups of tea, but just that we are certainly not! Seeing pictures of MU members in action and outreach was one of the highlights of the gathering for me, some of which I shared at our own Council Day. It was particularly special to meet MU members and workers and to share stories of activities and spiritually affirming experiences like workers in Myanmar who walk and ride bikes to villages then set up sewing machines to teach sewing to girls and women, giving them useful skills to earn an income and help sustain their own family's existence. It has been suggested that educating communities through families should be the MU focus at the international policy level. It is certainly where its programs at grass roots level are having effect - the Literacy and Development Programs, the Parenting Education Programs and the Family Life Programs.

We do need to look at the issues in our own communities and consider how appropriate it is for MU to be involved, just what we can do, and how we can contribute to our mission of sharing Christian care for families. We must not overlook our opportunities to lobby our own governments as individuals of concern, not overlook our basis of prayer and local church. We extend our horizons as we do things - and do things in new ways - and this is up to us all as members, branches and dioceses.

Keep on revisiting your vision ... it's worth extending horizons..

Jane