27.05.2013
Girls Friendly Society Diocesan Festival Service Held in Redcross
The Girls Friendly Society Diocesan Festival Service took place yesterday, Sunday May 26, in Trinity Hall, Redcross. The service was led by the rector of Dunganstown, Redcross and Conary, the Revd Roley Heaney and the preacher was Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Also present was the All Ireland GFS President, Sylvia Quinn and the Dublin and Glendalough Dioscesan President, Myra Moody along with representatives of GFS branches in Dunganstown, Donoughmore and Athy. The rector of Athy, the Revd Cliff Jeffers and the rector of Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin, the Revd Olive Henderson, were also in attendance.
Mr Heaney welcomed everyone to the service and remembered in particular Doreen Quinn of the parish who had founded the local branch of the GFS and who had died recently.
In his sermon, the Archbishop referred to the theme of the service ‘Servant Leadership Heart of God’ and said that GFS was about bearing the burden for one another so that the law of Christ could be fulfilled. He explained that everyone was part of the work of God until God’s work was brought to completion.
“Doing good things with and for people brings God’s work to completion. Helping someone brings God’s work to completion. Being a friend to someone who has no friends brings God’s work to completion. That is doing the work of God,” he said. “The Girls Friendly Society is not confined to those who are members. But those who are members set an example and give encouragement to others.”
Archbishop Jackson presented the Bible study awards during the service. One special national award was presented to Evie Kemp who won third place in the whole of Ireland in her category.
Following the service members of the GFS provided entertainment and further awards for work carried out during the year were presented.