18-19 Reaching Out:issue 1 27/8/08 15:45 Page 17
lots of areas where we can improve what we
are doing now, what we need to stop
(because the project no longer fulfils a need)
and also identified new needs. It is easy to
keep on doing things because “we’ve always
done them” but we must be meeting current
needs or it is a waste of effort.’
Mind the gap…!
As groups of members have come
together on a Reaching Out day, they
have found that setting aside some
time in a busy schedule has really
helped to identify some strategic Out resources to help them decide together
opportunities. what the priorities should be for their work
in the future. In summarising what the day
Part of the Reaching Out process had helped them realise, they decided: ’We
includes identifying what members feel need to stay relevant to be a 21st century
should be the priority issues and needs for Mothers' Union. We don't want to be
Mothers’ Union to address, and then invisible to the Church. We do want to be
comparing that with the things they are women of wisdom and experience who
actually doing – is there a good match, or understand and can fulfil Mothers' Union
are there some gaps? mission through practical outreach work.’
One group felt that offering marriage
preparation to couples should be their
Mothers' Union… women of
diocese’s top priority, because if couples are
wisdom and experience
secure in their relationships, that in turn will
create and sustain a nurturing environment
for children. Yet, when that same group
Exploring possibilities
talked about the work members in their If you’d like to consider setting up a
area were actually doing, no-one was Reaching Out session in your diocese, get in
involved in marriage preparation, or any touch with your diocesan Action & Outreach
form of relationship support. They felt co-ordinator. The resource can be used at a
challenged to go away and consult with the diocesan or more local level, and is easy to
clergy to see if there were ways members adapt. A summary of the Reaching Out
could get involved in this important resource appears on the members’ section
ministry. of the website (See Action & Outreach, UK),
or email outreach@themothersunion.org for
A vision for the future
the full, free resource. And if you organise a
In Liverpool, a group of members got Reaching Out event, we’d love to hear how
together and used some of the Reaching it goes.
familiesworldwide – Issue 1.09 17
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