GFS Sydney met on the 27th September at Di’s home, to attend our World Day of Prayer service. Thirteen women gathered in the lounge room to join in the service of prayer, songs and a devotion looking at Isaiah 2:2-5. Roslyn listed the countries of the world where GFS is currently active and we had fun identifying the countries on a map. Praise God for GFS throughout the world!

Following the service, we moved into Di’s family room for afternoon tea, where members enjoyed chatting over a cuppa. Thank you to Di and her daughter, Sophie, for welcoming GFS Sydney into their home.

We considered visiting the Sisters having met them at Neidra’s funeral and the closing night of the Camden branch last year. So, when Jennie proposed a night sky viewing in August, we thought Theresa Park could be a good place with little ambient light.

Roslyn became our go-between, phoning, emailing and even visiting the site before arranging a suitable date. The weather forecast was a little worrying during the week for high winds and clouds but came the day and the clouds scurried away and the wind died down. Those who arrived early had time to look at the various buildings, including some covered shelters where we thought we would have afternoon tea. But that wasn’t the Sisters’ plan – they invited us into their main building, an old school house with a kitchen and large dining area. Here we shared in afternoon tea with tea and coffee supplied by the Sisters. The Senior Sister (Sister Elpida) and Sister Anayah spent the whole afternoon with us.

During the afternoon tea, I overheard a phone conversation where the Senior Sister mentioned the 3.00pm prayer service. As it was already 3.15 by then I checked whether she needed to leave. “Oh no, when we are finished here do come and join us in the chapel”. What a glorious time that was. There were three other sisters waiting in the chapel and one playing the organ. We were able to take part in their simple service, unlike any I had been to before. The theme was “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, starting with the familiar hymn and biblical prayers with other songs all new to us.

After the service Sister Elpida gave a history of the chapel (originally St Peter’s Anglican Church) and pointed out how they had restored it. We then proceeded to the Prayer Garden, moving through scenes from “Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. It is modelled after the Garden of Jesus’ Sufferings at their headquarters in Germany. The reliefs in the garden invite the visitor to quietly reflect on the great love of God in sending His Son Jesus to die for us, and on Jesus’ great love, to willingly endure such suffering for our sake. Great comfort comes from knowing that God identifies with us in times of suffering. With Him suffering and death are never the final outcome, but resurrection and eternal glory.”

Then back to the warm dining room and coffee and a snack before Sister Anayah came in to say the barbeque was ready – come and help yourself from the kitchen. All the while the sun is going down and Jennie, her husband Philip and Heather’s husband, Geoff ducked out to set up the telescopes. And we were even amazed at the sky without the telescopes – I think Heather saw about six satellites.

Through the telescopes we first focused in on the “Jewel Box” which is in the Southern Cross formation. Even with the naked eye this hazy patch between two bright stars was visible but with the telescope we could see more detail, a colourful collection of stars. And after everyone saw that we concentrated on the moon, getting a high-definition view of a crater.

Many thanks to the Sisters for welcoming us to their home. I believe they want us to return so they can look at the stars again – they all came out to the lawn to join us and the telescopes. Thankyou too to Jennie for arranging the equipment, three telescopes more than enough for the fifteen who enjoyed this very special outing.

GFS Sydney celebrated 150 years since the start of the Girls’ Friendly Society began in England by inviting our current GFS World President to visit us from 14^th to 16^th February. We asked anyone in GFS Australia to join us. Some members from Brisbane, Perth. Newcastle and Tweed Heads came to join our celebrations.  

Saturday 15th February was our main celebration.

Once guests arrived and signed in, a delicious morning tea of fresh home-made scones and home-made jam and cream was served. Everyone chatted and looked at the history and uniform display.

We all moved to sit around the “Campfire” where everyone was officially welcomed by Jennie Young  (GFS Sydney Chairman) especially our esteemed guests GFS World President, Jeanne and GFS Australian President,  Julie and our GFS Sydney Patron, Cailey.

Mava then played the guitar so we could sing some old camp songs from the Camp Howard song books. Four songs were sung: Standing on the Promises of God, Kum Ba Yah, My girls a Corker and Waltzing Matilda.

We shared memories and showed memorabilia while sitting around a “campfire”.

Hilda brought many items from when she was a branch leader at Kingswood to things she was given during World Council. Heather read a card she had kept from the 1970’s.  Roslyn can’t quite fit into her original uniform any more but she still treasures it. Dianne brought a photo and memorabilia from when her Mum was in GFS.

Doreen brought a blackened cross. It had a story. It was the cross on the top of the Blaxland GFS banner in 1968. The banner was in the church when a bushfire burnt the church down. The next day Doreen and her husband Ern went to the church to see if anything was left and found this cross. Although it was blackened, it had not been deformed. It had been through fire. Doreen likened this to Jesus who also went through trauma for us by dying on the cross. She never got this cross re polished so that it always reminded her of how Jesus must have suffered on the cross.

Julie (Australian President) then interviewed Jeanne (World President) and asked her about her GFS World theme “Rooted in Faith … Reaching for the Stars” She explained that first we need to establish a strong foundation in Christ.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”Colossians 2: 6 – 7

You must then rely on Jesus alone. By establishing a strong faith and reliance on Jesus so that you will not fall or be tossed around during trials. Then we will Bear fruit for the Kingdom and bring glory to God with our lives.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

A bright future beckons. The onus is on us through hard work, honesty, and integrity, to reach for the stars.  – Nelson Mandela

Jeanne challenged us to:        Spread your wings and fly. You never know what you can do till you try. Get out of the boat. Get your feet wet.

A gift was given to Jeanne, from GFS Sydney, thanking her for visiting us and sharing her insights and encouraging us to stay

Next Jennie (GFS Sydney Chairman) gave us a talk about the stars. She showed us images of Alpha Centauri, the closest star to Earth (apart from our Sun). From our back yards, it looks like one star but when we use telescopes, we find out it really is a binary star system. And if we get even better images, we can see a third star. She likened that to when we meet a person, we don’t really know much about them but once we get to know them, they are more than we may realise. Dawn was such a person who when in her 90’s decided to learn to make jam and sell it at church and give the proceeds to the GFS World Project. In this way she was able to help girls who she would never meet. Jennie quoted “No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark where no one will ever know or see.”

After this talk, a question arose as to what GFS is doing now? Deidree then spoke about the Arundel project and invited two of our bursary recipients to stand up. To our delight Makenzie asked if she could speak to the audience. She wanted to thank GFS for helping her at a time when she needed it and express how much she appreciated receiving such a bursary. Next Klancie also asked to speak and impressed on everyone how grateful she was for receiving the GFS bursary.

Following this we had a special surprise for two members – Cheryl and Lynne were made Life members. Two very worthy recipients. Both of these ladies have done so much for GFS over more than 60 years of their lives. Jennie Young presented each of them with a citation and a Life Member badge. Neither of them knew this was planned so it was a very special time for both of them.

Stephanie, our Chaplain, said grace and we all enjoyed a catered lunch.

After lunch, we asked the World President, the Australian President and our oldest Life Member, Doreen to cut the cake.

Once our tummies were full, we joined in a meaningful Thanksgiving Service prepared by our Chaplain, Stephanie. She spoke on 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1. Reminding us to persevere in our faith, hope, and love, not grow weary in doing good and to rekindle our zeal. The way we do things may change but Christ’s love will never change.

To conclude our day we participated in making star cards, wrote our GFS memories on star shaped post-it notes, ate cake and had another drink and of course, continued to share more memories with friends.