The Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) is a worldwide organization of women and girls throughout the Anglican Communion that has been in existence in the United States since 1877. The organization ministers to girls of every race, creed and religion. We have a fourfold program of worship, study, service to others and recreation. Our purpose is to provide a program that includes all of the above, focusing on girls from 5-21.
There has been a GFS Branch at St. James’ for over 50 years. A junior group meets on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This year as part of their focus on service to others the girls have raised money for Episcopal Relief and Development, specifically for Katrina relief, continued to support St. Mary’s Bainbridge by baking cookies once a month for their soup kitchen, shopped for Christmas gifts for children at St. Mary’s Family Respite Center and collected socks for Covenant House.
On May 12th we celebrate GFS Day, when all branches in the Diocese of Pennsylvania come together at one location for fun and fellowship. Each Branch will showcase their activities over this past year. There will be games and songs and each girl will make a prayer bead bracelet. The day ends with worship that will highlight the prayer beads and their use in worship.
Each summer the girls can attend a week of summer camp at the GFS Holiday House in Cape May, New Jersey. Senior girls are eligible to serve as part of the Holiday House wait staff during the months of July and August.
A very enthusiastic sponsors’ group who support the work of the girls is active within the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Julia Almont, chair of the diocesan sponsors' group can be reached via email at gfsjul@comcast.net
If you would like more information about the Girl's Friendly Society at St. James, please call the church office at 610-489-7564.
We invite all girls from the parish and local community to join us.
