The Girls Friendly Society in Ireland is hosting the World Council in The Kings Hospital School, Dublin from today, 24th June to 4th July. Over 200 delegates from 18 countries will attend the conference.
The opening service of this 20th GFS World Council will be held in Armagh Cathedral on Saturday 25th June where the speaker will be Archbishop Alan Harperp and the closing service is in Christ Church Cathedral Dublin on Sunday 3rd July at 3.30 conducted byArchbishop M Jackson. The speaker will be the Rt Rev Kay Goldsworthy, Assistant Bishop Perth Dioceses. Both services will be very colourful events as each country will wear their GFS uniform or traditional dress.
On Sunday 26 June, members of the World Council will worship in St George and St Thomas’ Parish Church, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1 at 11:15am.
Emila Corrigan of Ireland is the World President of GFS. The Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union Mrs Rosemary Kempsell will be visiting the conference. There is a close link between both organisations.
The delegates to the World Council renew friendships, develop links between countries and to choose a new World Project to support. The theme for World Council is Challenges and Change – A Time for new Thinking
GFS in Armagh Diocese are hosting the day in Armagh. The delegates will be brought to four different places where the local branches have organised lunch; there will be a range of displays of the girls’ work and of course opportunities for the Irish GFS girls to meet and chat with the various delegates. After the service, Armagh Diocese are hosting the opening banquet.
On Friday 1st July Rosemary Kempsell, the MU Worldwide President is coming to speak to the delegates.
Saturday 2nd July is International day. In the region of 1000 GFS members from Ireland will attend. This will be an opportunity for the wider community to see the work that is going on in GFS in other countries, sample some craft ideas from around the world and partake in a variety of entertainment activities. International day is from 12 to 4.30 and all are welcome.
Throughout the week as well as attending the business sessions , visiting GFS delegates will have an opportunity to experience a sample of Irish culture including visits to Glendalough and Powerscourt, traditional craft workshops, an Irish dancing demonstration and a traditional ceili.
At the closing service the new GFS World President will be commissioned- Glenys Payne, GFS Wales.
GFS Ireland has been preparing for this event for the past 3 years and they pay tribute to all the generous support that they have received and sincerely thank all those who supported their many fundraising efforts.