Forms are a way of life for many organisations including GFS Sydney.
On this page we have a list of the GFS Sydney forms and why they are needed. Please read through this linked page to understand the reasons we have such the forms.
Once you have read through the GFS Sydney forms and why we use them page on the website, please do a simple test.
GFS Sydney Administration Test
Next is the GFS Branch organisation section
GFS Branches
GFS Branches are groups of girls, lead by a Leader-in-Charge and her team, who meet weekly at a local church. Each branch runs a variety of activities suitable for the age and interests of the girls and includes Christian teaching.
Within a branch/group, membership may include:
New members may be welcomed to the organisation using an approved GFS Sydney order of service at a branch/group meeting or church service.
Affiliated Groups
Other groups which are not identified as GFS branches can also be linked to GFS Sydney. These groups may include both boys and girls. Suitable age appropriate activities are provided which also include Christian teaching.
These groups may be known as:
Townsend Fellowship
The Townsend Fellowship consists of Townsend Members. The Townsend Fellowship meets on special occasions for fellowship, worship and social events.
Townsend Members can meet for:
This assistance may be to:
GFS Sydney Membership
GFS members and 18+ years are eligible to join GFS Sydney. GFS Sydney membership fees are determined by GFS Sydney and are payable annually.
Generally adults members are known as Townsend Members.
GFS Sydney members receive:
Life Membership
Life membership can be awarded to GFS Sydney members for outstanding service to GFS Sydney.
GFS Australia Membership
GFS Diocesan members can apply for membership of GFS Australia. GFS Australia membership fees are determined by GFS Australia and are payable annually. GFS Australia members are eligible to attend GFS Australia events and the Australian Council. Those in attendance can vote at GFS Australia meetings.
GFS Australia members receive:
GFS World
Each GFS member country may send a Senior Delegate and a Junior Delegate to each World Council. The National Chairman of GFS Australia is the Senior Delegate. The Junior Delegate is normally chosen from members between 16 – 30 years of age. Other GFS members may attend as observers.
World Link Countries
The countries which make up the World Council of GFS are linked together in groups. The groupings are revised at each World Council. The aim of linking countries is to offer prayer support, exchange ideas and share resources where possible.
Australia is currently linked with:
NEW ZEALAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND SOLOMON ISLANDS
More information can be found in the GFS Sydney Constitution, Policies and Procedures found on our GFS Administrative Documents page
Once you have read through the GFS Membership section, please do a simple test.
Next is the GFS Administration section
The structure of GFS follows the same basic structure of the Church. GFS is organised on a Parish, Diocesan, Australian and World levels.
Members are usually part of a branch or group on a parish level.
Each branch/group is part of GFS in the Diocese.
GFS Dioceses are affiliated with GFS in their country.
GFS member countries are represented on a GFS World Council.
The role of the GFS branch/group is to be a active part of the parish family and will help carry out the task of growth of the church. The President of each branch is the parish priest. Management of a GFS branch is in the hands of a leadership team made up of a Leader-In-Charge, leaders, helpers and members.
At the diocesan level, the President is the Bishop of the Diocese. There is usually a Diocesan Council with an executive committee running the every day tasks for the Council. It acts as a link between branches and between other levels of GFS. It helps to support the leaders of the branches and represents the branches at the Australian level. In GFS Sydney there is a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and at least 3 ordinary Board members on the executive committee. They also provide wonderful opportunities for fellowship between leaders and members of different parishes.
GFS on a country level, also has a Council meeting.The GFS Australia Council meets every year usually at the beginning of the year. It’s man functions are:
The GFS World Council consists of representatives from all countries affiliated and meets once every three years in the country of the current World Chairman. Its purpose is to strengthen the bonds of friendship and to promote fellowship between members of GFS throughout the world.
At the first World Council in 1955 it was decided to hold a World Day of Prayer each year on 29th September, St Michael and All Angels Day.
At World Council meetings:
To find out more about GFS Sydney, GFS Australia or GFS World go to their websites. From these websites you can learn more about GFS in other countries and other dioceses.
Once you have read through the GFS Structure and visited the websites of GFS Sydney, GFS Australia and GFS World, please do a simple test.
Next is the GFS Membership section
In 1872 in England, Mary Elizabeth Townsend became aware of the situations of young girls who worked as factory workers living away from their families often in cramped conditions, working long hours, on shift work and were paid little money. Some of these girls were jailed for petty offenses such as stealing a loaf of bread. The real crime was their environment: abominable housing and lack of food.
Mary wrote “If we only knew how many poor girls are lost, how many lives wasted that might have been given to the service of their Lord, not for the want of schools or refuges, not for the want of money or expensive organisation, but just for the want of a little love, a few kind words, a smile of interest, to show that they are cared for.”
Mary Elizabeth Townsend jotted down ideas, prayed and had many discussions which then laid down the blueprint for the Girls Friendly Society. By 1874 called a meeting with the permission of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to consider her scheme for an association of girls.This meeting now known as the “Historic meeting of Five” was attended by Mrs Tait (The Archbishop’s wife); Mrs Townsend; Reverend T.V. Fosbery (Vicar of St Giles’ Reading; Mrs Harold Brown (wife of the Bishop of Winchester); and Mrs Nassau senior. From this meeting it was decreed that the Girls Friendly Society would start on 1st January 1875.
Work started immediately and by its stating date the Society operated in 4 dioceses. By the end of the first year there were 25 branches in 15 dioceses.
In a matter of years GFS became a world wide society and by 1878 it was in northern England, Scotland. Ireland and USA.
GFS began in Australia in 1879 in Adelaide with Lady Jervois (wife of the Governor of South Australia) being the president of the first GFS branch in Australia and her daughters Lucy and Carrie became Secretary and Treasurer.
In 1880 GFS started in New South Wales followed by Victoria in 1881, Queensland in 1882, Western Australia in 1884 and Tasmania in 1901.
The first branch in Sydney was started by Mrs Alexander Gordon in 1880. The branch was in
Leichhardt.
In 1918, Mary Elizabeth Townsend passed away.
In 1947 the first GFS Australia Council was formed. Mrs B.P. Robins was elected Chairman and Mrs B.P Bright-Parker as Secretary.
In 1955, the first GFS World Council was formed and the first meeting held in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. Mrs H.E. Woodward (from USA) was elected the first World Chairman.
Today, GFS still holds the vision of Mary Elizabeth Townsend. The challenge for the future is to be continually conscious of the needs and pressures confronting girls and women today. GFS seeks to bring faith and purpose to their lives as it endeavours to extend God’s Kingdom.
Here is a document with a simplified history suitable to use in your branch or group with younger members. GFS History for Girls
Once you have read through the GFS History and GFS History for Girls Handout, please do a simple test.
Next is the GFS Structure section
From the start, GFS recognises that there has always been a need to share the love of Jesus Christ to the world and to encourage those who follow him to live a Christian life.
Thus GFS has developed various principles to remind us where GFS is focused.
The GFS Purpose expresses the aim of GFS. It illustrates the relationship of GFS within the total mission of the Church.
Our GFS Definition is a practical statement. It explains what GFS is and what it seeks to do. It shows that GFS exists to help each Member grow as a whole, in order that she may serve God more effectively in the extension of His Kingdom.
GFS has changed over the last 140 or so years but the Objective is the same.
There are 4 parts:
Prayer = fellowship with God
Service = work for another
Purity of life – not a rule book but turns one around to a positive Christ centered life
for the Glory of God – the difference in attitude between a Christian and a non-Christian.
Our Motto is a rule of conduct. It is the fundamental principle to be known and understood by GFS Members. It comes from Galatians 6:2. We are to help one another just like the good Samaritan.
The GFS Prayer used in Australia was updated in 1982. It is used at GFS meetings and events. We also have a simple GFS Teddybears Prayer. Prayer is being able to talk with God at any time. Thus we know he is with us as a friend and helper.
Our GFS Junior Promise and our Member Promise remind us of the way we should live our lives. These Both these promises encourage members to make a definite attempt to try with God’s help to keep them At the Welcoming Service, new members are expected to make one of these promises.
The first Central Rule is a Pledge for all GFS members.
GFS members recognise that living as a Christian is not easy. In order to keep the Promise made, a member will need to live her life according to certain Ideals. It is necessary for her to ask God to give her grace to keep them. Our Ideals for Daily Life points out that being a part of GFS involves responsibility and privileges as its members seek to bear one another’s burdens and to enlarge and deepen this fellowship. Let us all grow to be worthy friends and followers of Jesus Christ.
Please read and download the attached document. GFS Principles Handout These statements are the foundation of GFS. By reviewing them often, it will help you to keep in your heart the principles of GFS.
Once you have read through the GFS Principles Handout, please do a simple test.
Next is the GFS History section