The Girls Friendly Society
20th G.F.S. World Council
-GFS World Council took place in King’s Hospital, Dublin from 24th June to 4th July. Over two hundred members of GFS from eighteen different countries gathered together to renew friendships, develop links between countries and to choose a new World Project to support.
- The theme for World Council was Challenges and Change- A Time for new Thinking
- The opening service was held in Armagh Cathedral on Saturday 25th June where the speaker was The Most Reverend Archbishop Alan Harper.
- The closing service took place in Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday 3rd July, conducted by The Most Reverend Archbishop Michael Jackson. The speaker was the Rt Rev Kay Goldsworthy, Assistant Bishop Perth Dioceses.
-Both services were very colourful events as each country wore their GFS uniform or traditional dress.
- GFS in Armagh Diocese hosted the day in Armagh. The delegates were brought to four different places and the local branches organised lunch; there was a range of displays of the girls’ work and of course opportunities for the Irish GFS girls to meet and chat with the various delegates. After the service, Armagh Diocese hosted the opening banquet.
- On Friday 1st July Rosemary Kempsell, the MU Worldwide President spoke to the delegates.
- Saturday 2nd July was our International day. An expected 1000 GFS members from Ireland attended. This was an opportunity for the wider community to see the work that is going on in GFS in other countries, sample some craft ideas from around the world and partake in a variety of entertainment activities. International day was from 12 to 4.30.
- Throughout the week as well as attending to our many business sessions our visiting GFS delegates had an opportunity to experience a sample of Irish culture including visits to Glendalough and Powerscourt, traditional craft workshops, an Irish dancing demonstration and a traditional ceili.
- At the closing service the new GFS World President was commissioned – Glenys Payne, GFS Wales.
- GFS Ireland has been preparing for this event for the past 3 years and it would not have been possible if not for all the generous support that we received. We sincerely thank all those who supported our many fundraising efforts.
World Vice President Mrs Ruth Choi
