The role of Women in Africa

An excerpt from Archbishop Rowan's observations on the role of women in Africa

"The Mothers' Union is one of those Anglican agencies regarded with a rather patronising affection by large sections of the British public - part of the warm beer, church bells and cricket-on-the-green image of a rather tired Englishness. This is an image that is ludicrously wide of the mark. In much of Africa, it is quite simply the most effective agency for the empowerment of women. Burundi is a majority Roman Catholic country, with international Catholic aid agencies at work; but the Mothers' Union remains an important player. Its creation of a network of literacy schemes, of programmes for sex education and nutritional advice, of training in conflict resolution, of micro-finance projects and trading initiatives, all have immense potential. How is this potential to be developed?"

The President of the Republic of Burundi has pledged his government to universal free education for primary school children across Burundi. They find themselves overwhelmed, by not only six year olds but older children "! even teenagers, who have never had the chance to go to school. Who is going to teach literacy and numeracy to the teenagers? The Mothers' Union has taken on the task, but finance is in short supply. This is one reason we ask support for the Mothers' Union Literacy and Development Programme.

Diocesan Membership of the MU - is this for you?

On Sunday 11th December, three of our congregation were admitted to the MU as Diocesan Members and one as a Branch Member. I have been asked to explain the difference.

Diocesan Membership is open to everyone who has been baptised in the name of the Trinity and who supports the aims of the MU, ie. to provide Christian care for families worldwide. As a Diocesan Member you receive publications to keep you informed and invitations to local events. The publications include the quarterly Home and Family and Contact magazines, and the Prayer Diary and Encompass (twice yearly). For further information please ask Margaret Symonds.

ps. Joint membership is available at a reduced rate.

pps. Membership of the MU does not require regular attendance at parish meetings. Your prayers and support are essential however.

January MU meeting

The MU meet on Thursday 19th January. Millie Hodgson will be speaking on the Theme for 2006, Answering God's Call. Subscriptions must be paid if still outstanding. The meeting, as always, is open to everyone.

Margaret Symonds