22.05.2017
GFS Members Return to their Roots to Celebrate 140 Years in Ireland
Hundreds of past and present members and leaders of the Girls Friendly Society converged on Christ Church Bray yesterday (Sunday May 21) to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the organisation in Ireland.
The church was filled for the service which was celebrated by the All Ireland Chaplain, the Revd Tanya Woods. The wonderful music was led by the Belturbet Praise Band and the preacher was the Revd Janice Aiton. GFS Patrons, the Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin, were present and brought greetings to the service. They were joined by the Bishops of Derry and Raphoe, Kilmore and Limerick and Killaloe.
GFS All Ireland President, Sylvia Quinn, gave an appreciation of all the society stands for and thanked all who helped to organise the service.
Current members and leaders joined past presidents, past central secretaries, past office holders and leaders from all over Ireland. A huge number of diocesan and branch banners was processed into the church, including that of the Bray branch where GFS first began Ireland.
During the service Sylvia Quinn was commissioned as senior delegate and Tamara McKenzie as junior delegate to the GFS World Council which takes place in Perth, Australia, in July.
For her interactive sermon the preacher drew on Luke 15:11–24, Luke 5:17–26 and Hebrews 13:8. She focused on making choices highlighting the good and bad choices made by the prodigal son. She looked at the welcoming, forgiving, caring and loving character of the father and said that Jesus had the same qualities adding that we can trust in him as he is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The first official meeting of the Girls Friendly Society was held in the Marine Hotel in Bray on February 22 1877. The Viscountess Powerscourt presided and also in attendance were Viscountess Monck, the Hon Mrs Greene, Mrs La Touche, the Revd JG Scott (Rector of Bray), and the Revd JA Cross (Hon Sec). They made plans to form GFS in Ireland. The Countess of Meath became the first Central President in 1878.
The society was founded in London in 1875 by an Irishwoman, Mrs Elizabeth Townsend, to provide support and skills training for girls who came from the country to work in the city. It is the oldest Church of Ireland organisation for girls and women.
