GFS girls may write an acrostic poem (a poem in which certain letters of each line spells out a word, name, or phrase when read vertically. Most often, it’s the first letter of each line that spells out the word) at Christmas. Try to use each letter in the word CHRISTMAS to start each line. Girls can share their Christmas message in cards or decorations with others this Christmas.
THE G.F.S. GIRLS
All the girls at G.F.S.
Are very, very keen
To learn and understand God’s Word,
And know just what it means.
And each of us live by God’s law,
We fought off Satan’s curse,
And we love to read the Bible
And study on each verse.
Some have been here for a while,
And others have gone for years.
Yet others have just started;
Fighting off their fears.
But no matter how long we’ve been going,
We’re all in the G.F.S. Troop,
And we’ll always stick together;
As the happy old G.F.S. group!
By Simone Museth (Reprinted from GFS Sydney Circular March 1986)
” So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
This is our Foodies File.
This resource contains recipes that can be made by the girls in your group and/or enjoyed for supper.
Below are some other recipes.
In 1953, Deaconess Joan Ash was appointed the GFS Sydney Organising Secretary. At the time there were 38 branches in the Diocese. When Joan retired in 1965 the number of branches had multiplied to 154. She was responsible for general organising of GFS and its activities, for the establishment of new branches and training of women for leadership. Joan also believed that training of leaders was essential for the future of GFS. She diligently worked with this object in mind during her 12 years of service to the Society thus playing a major role in developing a Leaders’ Training Correspondence Course.In 1953 Joan was a delegate to the GFS Commonwealth Council held in Victoria. In 1959 Joan took on the role of Commonwealth Leader Training Officer. Her training sessions were character building and were great times of spiritual self-examination. Joan had a wonderful knowledge of the Scriptures and a talent to interpret the message from the Bible . These sessions were a time to experience relationships with other people and with Jesus Christ. They were also great fun as Joan had a wonderful sense of humour.
In 1957 Rev Neville Bathgate from the Youth Department introduced the concept of Christian Camping to Sydney. He encouraged Joan to share his vision which she did and became the Director of the Camp Howard Girls’ camp. Each year Joan would spend 4 weeks at Christmas organising weekly camps for up to 120 girls and 30 staff as well as other school holiday and GFS camps throughout the year. Her organisational ability was outstanding.
In 1962 Joan was appointed as the Director of GFS in the Diocese of Sydney and was granted leave to attend the GFS World Council in Belfast, as the Australian delegate.
In 1965 Joan retired from the Society to further her ministry in Japan. Through some good friends there, she was introduced to the wife of the Bishop of Korea who was very impressed with the GFS movement in Japan. Joan encouraged Korean churches to initiate GFS in that country. GFS Korea still remembers ‘Australian Joan’ and the ministry she had with them.
Joan returned to Australia and became a divinity teacher. The first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease were then noticed which she fought for the next 8 years. In 1986 she was honoured with a Life Membership of GFS Sydney. Sadly she died in 1989. A most appropriate memorial was erected in the grounds of the Chaldercot campsite along the Port Hacking River, south of Sydney, aptly named the “Joan Ash Quiet Room”. It is to be used for small meetings or quiet prayer. The money for this building was raised by donations from family and GFS members as a thank offering to God for His obedient servant, who inspired so many and encouraged them in their faith to make a difference with their lives.
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” Ephesians 1:11 (ESV)
LIFE MEMBERS in GFS SYDNEY
GFS has had some wonderful mentors as members. Below is a list of our past Life Members. Those that are highlighted have some information about their work in GFS.
Mrs Howe
Mrs Lucy Tyler
Mrs Ellen Mallinson
Mrs Fulford
Lady Patricia Loane
Mrs Dorothy Abbott
Mrs Iris Langshaw
Mrs Joy Buchanan
Mrs Marie Robinson
Miss Pat Byron
Mrs Mildred Rigby-Knight
Mrs Beryl Robinson
Mrs Margaret Deeth