ABOUT
What is GFS?
GFS or the Girl’s Friendly Society (its original name) began in England in 1875 when Mrs. Mary Townsend ( with the support from the Archbishop of Canterbury) saw need to provide a safe and friendly environment for young girls moving to the cities during the Industrial Revolution and later as migrant servants around the world. GFS began as groups of young women and girls meeting in parish halls.
GFS came to Australia from England in 1879 with the daughters of the new Governor to South Australia, the Ladies’ Jervois, and since that time has spread to all States in Australia, operating in fourteen Anglican Dioceses. A number of years ago, the Australian National Executive made the decision to change the name to GFS – An Anglican Ministry. The reasoning for this was that the original name was deemed to be no longer a relevant or appropriate name in today’s society. We retain the initials as part of this revised name, as GFS is a world-wide family and we are members of that world community.
In recent years to accommodate both the boys and girls now attending our groups in branches across Australia, the name Kids Plus+™ has begun to be used.
What is KidsPlus+?
Kids Plus+™ is a registered, alternative name for groups who wish to minister under the auspices of GFS, however Kids Plus+ groups have a separate identity.
They may follow the traditional single sex model or minister to both boys and girls. In most dioceses,
Kids Plus+ groups pay fees to GFS and receive in return, leader training, resources and voting rights on National Council.
Many dioceses have found that parishes welcome the flexibility that Kids Plus+ offers in ministry to children.
Expressions of interest in establishing a Kids Plus+ group should be made to the Diocesan Chairman.
Our Purpose
Is to bring others to Christ through our activities and as a serving organization through our motto – Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2)
Our Vision Statement
Gives us a clear direction for the work we undertake in the name of GFS:
‘To provide a vital ministry that will empower people to build a continuing relationship with Christ, to value themselves and one another, and to experience life within a faith community.’
We are passionate about Children’s Ministry and believe it has much to offer parishes and communities across Australia. If you want to ‘grow your Parish’, GFS is certainly an avenue which can assist with this.
What we do
- Provide a balanced program of activities that provide fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth in children (from age 4), young people and adult members.
- Provide children’s programs which address spiritual, physical, mental and social needs.
- Provides women with leadership training for church and community.
- Provides bursaries and mentors.
- Some adult members meet as groups called Townsend Fellowships – after Mary Elizabeth, the founder of GFS.
- GFS Brisbane has an Outreach Group that provides an opportunity for past and present members to gather together twice a year one being the GFS World Day of Prayer 29th September, St Michael and All Angels Day
GFS Brisbane Diocesan Project
Each year Brisbane chooses a project. The current project is the Anglicare Youth Homelessness Build.
GFS World Project
GFS meets as a world body every three years and chooses a World Project. The current project is: GFS Skills Acquisition For Disadvantaged Young Women In Cameroon
Today GFS is active in
Angola, Australia, Cameroon, Canada, England, Eswatini, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Honduras, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Rawanda, Sierra Leone, The Solomon Islands, South Sudan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, USA, Wales, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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