GFS World Council Jane Cairns

I had never been to a GFS World Council before this year, so when I got news about having been chosen to be Junior Delegate for Ireland I was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to get to Dublin. Having been a member of GFS since I was four, I had always heard so much about the exciting trips fellow diocesan members had made to previous World Councils and I had always hoped I could attend one sometime too. What better opportunity to start attending World Councils than in my own country!? And what a great time was had by all!

I was so surprised how much I felt at home when I settled in at World Council. I soon realised that GFS is such a close knit ‘family’ even with members thousands of miles away from each other, and the challenges of culture and language differences. We are all joined together by and worship the same God which is something so precious to share with friends all around the world.

One of the most interesting parts of World Council was when we all met to discuss various matters in GFS. It was great to see how women and girls from all over the world could make good decisions that will further enhance the futures of world GFS. On many occasions we felt ‘challenged’ to make a ‘change’, which proved our themed very appropriate.

Aside from all the important meetings we had many opportunities to have lots of fun doing other activities such as visiting the beautiful Powerscourt and Glendalough, a sightseeing tour of Dublin, a visit to the Zoo, a spot of shopping, and of course you can’t come to Ireland without a good old bit of Irish Dancing! I felt these were great opportunities just to relax and get to know everyone a little bit more.

Another highlight of mine has to be the International day. It was so great to see so many girls from all across Ireland coming to meet together and having lots of fun!

I will never forget my experiences at World Council, Ireland 2011. It was such a privilege to attend as Junior Delegate and to be part of such an amazing event and to have met so many wonderful people. Many memories have been made and great friendships gained. I can’t wait to see everyone again in Wales in 2014!

The Girls Friendly Society in Ireland Report on the World Council Conference

The 20^th triennial World Council meeting was held at The King’s Hospital, Palmerstown, Co. Dublin, from 24^th June –4^th July 2011,attended by 250 members. The venue proved excellent, with helpful staff, good food and facilities. It has been exactly 30 years, since Ireland last hosted this International event, so it gave us great joy to extend a welcome to delegates and observers from fourteen countries. In these countries the Society is active with its specialised ministry, supporting young girls and women in their personal journey of faith, providing recreation and encouraging those who work alongside them to play a valuable role in guiding and helping them face the daily challenges that are along life’s path.

There were so many memorable events, activities and workshops during the conference which I would love to share, but unfortunately space would not permit- I do hope you will grasp from this report, a glimpse of the wonderful experiences and the fellowship that was shared with our world-wide members. How blessed we are to be part of such an organisation. The G.F.S. is alive and vibrant!

The G.F.S. World President Mrs Emila Corrigan chaired the meetings. In her opening address, she welcomed all present and thanked all those who had helped with the planning and preparations over the past three years, especially the members of the G.F.S. World Executive Committee.The business sessions were well time-tabled; all delegates were encouraged to participate in the discussions, thus providing a bigger picture of the work carried out by the Society in many countries around the world.

On Saturday morning 25^th June, a fleet of buses were waiting to transport us to the opening service in St.Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. What a welcome we received on our arrival! The branches from the diocese of Armagh hosted wonderful receptions at four different venues, a large number of young members were present to entertain us with singing and drama. The service in St Patrick’s Cathedral was a most inspiring and memorable event. The parade of banners was truly magnificent and, to add to the colour display, each country wore their G.F.S. uniform or traditional costume. The singing was greatly enhanced by a specially formed choir of G.F.S. members. The special preacher was the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Most Revd Alan Harper.Following the service; we were entertained to a beautiful banquet in the Armagh City Hotel.

On Sunday morning, we had a choice of attending morning worship in the city of Dublin, at a church of our choice.

I choose St Patrick’s Cathedral; others joined the congregations at St Bartholomew’s, St George & St Thomas and C.O.R.E. (St Catherine)

The week commenced with a varied programme, providing wonderful opportunities for participants both to talk and listen to one another. Morning & evening worship; keynote speakers, guest speakers and so much more!

The theme for the conference “ Challenges and Change- A Time for New Thinking “ In her address our keynote speaker, Mrs Rosemary Kingston M.U. used the theme to remind us of the words in Romans 12:v2 “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rosemary urged us to think positively –success will always depend on what you think- what you tell yourself. Other guest speakers included; Right Rev Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel & Ossary, Scott Evans, Diocesan Youth Officer from Cashel & Ossary & representatives from the Girls & Boys Brigade.

We were privileged to have in attendance Mrs Rosemary Kempsell, World-wide President of the Mother’s Union, & Mrs Ruth Mercer, All Ireland President of Mothers Union.

These two Christian organisations hold so much in common!

An application to join GFS World Council was received from G.F.S. in the Solomon Islands.It is very encouraging to hear of the spread of the work of the Society. In relation to their admission, it was agreed that the G.F.S. World Project 2011-2013 would give financial aid and prayerful support to their project, which is to equip women and girls with the necessary skills to carry out activities in leadership for community development.

Ample leisure time away from business matters was allocated.

A visit to the ancient monastic site at Glendalough and the beautiful gardens at Powerscourt was thoroughly enjoyable. Our outing was greatly enhanced by the hospitality of Dublin & Glendalough G.F.S. members, the Rector and Parishioners of Donoughmore Parish, and to add to their hospitality, the children from the nearby primary school came and entertained us to song and traditional dancing.  Our next outing was sight seeing around the city of Dublin from an open top bus.

Our visitors were introduced to many areas of Irish culture, Irish dancing demonstration, and a traditional ceili. The workshops and handcraft sessions provided opportunities to be creative. The demonstrators had planned and prepared well in advance, hence the sessions were pleasurable and enjoyable.

The highlight for the branch members was on Saturday 2^nd July- International Day. In the region of 1000 girls attended. This was their day! They had an opportunity to visit the country stalls which were set out with displays of photos and cultural goods, sample some craft ideas from around the world and partake in a variety of entertainment activities. The proceedings drew to a close at 4-30p.m.as the girls boarded their buses for the long journey home. Later that evening, it was time for “skits night ” good old fashioned-light hearted entertainment performed by each member country.

The closing service and commissioning of the new G.F.S. World President in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Sunday 3^rd July was a memorable occasion. The cathedral was full to capacity, the music and singing was beautiful, and the parade of banners and the national costumes brought a spectrum of colour to this site of unique heritage. Most Revd Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin, conducted the service. Right Revd Kay Goldsworthy, Assistant Bishop of Perth Diocese, Australia gave the address. During the service, the new G.F.S. World President Mrs Glenys Payne from Wales was commissioned by Right Revd Michael Mayes.Following the service; the M.U. very kindly organised and served refreshments in the Cathedral crypt.

The closing banquet was held at Springfield Hotel, Leixlip.This was a delightful occasion.

In concluding, I thank all those who contributed so much of their time and work in making the event so enjoyable and memorable.

Florence Higgins

G.F.S. Central President

Solomn Islands World Project Report Aug 11

Joan Haeta Solomon Islands at her stand on International day.

Our New GFS Project Solomon Islands

Their report to World Council
MAKEM STRONG GFS
GFS SOLOMON ISLANDS
2011-2013

Background Information
The Girls Friendly Society was introduced in Melanesia in the late 1990’s and was established under the Mothers’ Union in 2005. The organization was piloted in two dioceses in the same year and has grown in number since,

The Girls Friendly Society is active in five parishes under the Dioceses of Central Melanesia and the Dioceses of Hanuato’s, Solomon Island. Since its establishment in 2005 the total membership stands at 120 young girls and 23 women.

Lack of funding has made it impossible to carry out all our planned activities and anticipated objective of having the organization established in eight of the other dioceses in the Anglican PROVINE OF Melanesia. This is a hindrance to the development of the society and its programs.

Solomon Island as a developing national has encountered problems which affect young people, especially rising social issues within families and communities. Some of the social issues that are on the increase are those of teenage pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, teenage marriages, domestic violence, substance abuse and criminal activities.

School drop outs do hot have access to any opportunity, e.g. job, training skills, sewing, and craft, weaving and catering. Financial illiteracy has also restricted the potential for communities to seek new sustainable livelihood and business opportunities.

Target Groups and Final Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries will be young girls who have left school and are engaged in the Society as volunteers and also young women who will be supporting the Society in the communities.

Direct Beneficiaries.
With the training received, training will be done in one central place for leaders and supported by external trainers and internal trainers (those who have trained twice with Australian leaders the last two years). The local trainers with the assistance of the Mothers’ Union who have been the great support financially in the previous years will be part of the activity.

Indirect Beneficiaries
Communities will indirectly benefit from this program as the impact will change their lifestyles and spiritual growth.

Objectives:
• To equip women and girls with the skills necessary to carry out activities in leadership for community development
• To enable women, girls and youth to participate in community affairs and development especially in decision making processes.
• To equip an empower young women with knowledge and skills to be bale to support the GFS programs in the communities and churches.
• To raise awareness on the impact of social issues affecting families and communities.

Description of the Action

Activity One: Training of Trainers- there will be a centralized training for 10 people from the dioceses. Each Diocese is to nominate a Townsend member and one GFS leader. Training will be for five days. Trainers will be coordinator of GFS – Joan Haeta and her CV is attached.

Topics: Worship, GFS Knowledge, Biblical Knowledge, Leadership, Communication, Needs and Relationships. Health Issues, Practical Skills

Activity Two: There will be training in eight dioceses. Five of the ten will be GFS leaders and five will be Townsend members.

Activity Three: Follow up and monitoring will be done after five months of the activities to assess the progress and constraints faced by the people trained,

Implementation: the responsible office will be the Mothers’ Union in the Anglican Church of Melanesia and Provincial Coordinator who oversees the operation of the whole project in the 8 dioceses. Eight Dioceses will have coordinators who work in 8 locations in the Province of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Report to World Council: A report on the progress of the project will be provided to the World President of GFS at least annually, it will include information and photos that can be distributed to all world countries.

Contributions: The GFS members and supports are oganising fund raising activities. Opportunities to seek assistance from other organizations to support some activities that supplement the GFS could be looked at. To date, no request has been submitted to other donors.

Control of funds: The monies for carrying out the program activity in the Solomon Islands will be received, kept by and administered the Melanesian Board for Mission (MBM) Anglican Church of Melanesia. Funds will only release at the request of the GFS Provincial Coordinator for an activity according to its budget line and timeline activities. Reconciliation of the use of funds will be done after each request tot the MBM Accountant. Signatories will also be the Mission secretary of the Melanesian Board of Mission (MBM) and MBM Accountant/

Audited Statements: A Statement of all monies received and expended will be provided to the World President of GFS in the form of a statement audited by a registered auditor in the Solomon Islands together with GFS Australia Inc providing an audited statement of any monies they received and expend, at the completion of the project.

Contact Person : GFS Coordinator –m Ms Joan Mary Haeta, Province of the Church of Melanesia, PO Box 19, Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Declaration: I Edith Koete submit this proposal and undertake that all funds provided will be expended for the purposes for which they are provided.

Signed: (original was signed by Edith Poete), Provincial MU President
(Original was also signed by Joan Haeta, Provincial GFS Coordinator