Proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ
The Parish Church of St Mary, Atherstone
Girls’ Friendly Society
A note from the Central President:
GFS has a remarkable history. The vision and commitment of our founder Mary Townsend over 100 years ago, has established one of the most enduring and effective Christian societies in recent history
GFS is committed to offering care, friendship and fellowship to girls and young women throughout the country and all over the world. Our motto, "Bear one another's burdens" is as relevant to the work of GFS today as it has ever been.
GFS is a Christian Society and fellowship. Our roots in the Christian Gospel and the social dimension which emerges from the life of Christ make the name of GFS synonymous with Christianity in action amongst girls and women who may never have had the opportunity of discovering the faith for themselves.
Our history is full of stories of individual commitment and faith as well as the sense of a fellowship of women committed to helping vulnerable young women in every age.
Branches, housing schemes and projects throughout the country are an excellent testimony to our attempts at pastoral care and friendship wherever we have been able to offer it.
Our story is now truly international. We easily forget that the message and ethos of GFS spread quickly throughout the world so that branches were set up in many different countries and cultures giving women a chance to exchange experiences and views on being members of GFS across the world....
We are all individuals made in the eyes of God. But there also has to be a sense of belonging, of allegiance and movement of which we are all part. Our strength is in the sheer number of women who want to share in the vision of GFS....
We hope that you will join us!
Pauline Searle
GFS has a remarkable history. The vision and commitment of our founder Mary Townsend over 100 years ago, has established one of the most enduring and effective Christian societies in recent history
GFS is committed to offering care, friendship and fellowship to girls and young women throughout the country and all over the world. Our motto, "Bear one another's burdens" is as relevant to the work of GFS today as it has ever been.
GFS is a Christian Society and fellowship. Our roots in the Christian Gospel and the social dimension which emerges from the life of Christ make the name of GFS synonymous with Christianity in action amongst girls and women who may never have had the opportunity of discovering the faith for themselves.
Our history is full of stories of individual commitment and faith as well as the sense of a fellowship of women committed to helping vulnerable young women in every age.
Branches, housing schemes and projects throughout the country are an excellent testimony to our attempts at pastoral care and friendship wherever we have been able to offer it.
Our story is now truly international. We easily forget that the message and ethos of GFS spread quickly throughout the world so that branches were set up in many different countries and cultures giving women a chance to exchange experiences and views on being members of GFS across the world....
We are all individuals made in the eyes of God. But there also has to be a sense of belonging, of allegiance and movement of which we are all part. Our strength is in the sheer number of women who want to share in the vision of GFS....
We hope that you will join us!
Pauline Searle
Here at St Mary’s we have three age bands:
Junior Members ( girls from age 6 )
Members ( girls from age 9 ) and
Senior Members (teenagers).
Adults may become helpers or leaders.
For all these girls there is a growing understanding of, and commitment to Jesus Christ, in whose service they are enjoying life. We, as the family of St Mary's support them in love and prayer as they seek to follow Him.
Junior Members ( girls from age 6 )
Members ( girls from age 9 ) and
Senior Members (teenagers).
Adults may become helpers or leaders.
For all these girls there is a growing understanding of, and commitment to Jesus Christ, in whose service they are enjoying life. We, as the family of St Mary's support them in love and prayer as they seek to follow Him.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY
To give glory to God by bringing girls and women into the full life and fellowship of the Church and by helping them to know, love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
To give glory to God by bringing girls and women into the full life and fellowship of the Church and by helping them to know, love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
G.F.S. Junior Members Promise.
I promise to learn to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ and to help other people.
I promise to learn to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ and to help other people.
G.F.S. Members Promise.
As a member I promise with God's help: To learn to know and love Him. To serve Him faithfully by worshipping as a member of His Church and by following our Lord Jesus Christ in my daily life.
As a member I promise with God's help: To learn to know and love Him. To serve Him faithfully by worshipping as a member of His Church and by following our Lord Jesus Christ in my daily life.
You can find out a lot more about GFS by visiting the GFS website:
w w w . g f s p l a t f o r m . o r g . u k
w w w . g f s p l a t f o r m . o r g . u k