Girls' Friendly Society |
St. Paul’s Girls’ Friendly Society Fall 2019 Update
St. Paul’s GFS has been meeting on the first Saturday morning and third Tuesday evening since September. This is a report of our activities for the Fall season!
At our first meeting in September, the girls put together dog and cat treat bags to be given out at Celebrate Wallingford, inviting people to our annual Blessing of the Animals. The girls assembled over 400 bags and had a fun time doing it!In October, we met on a Saturday and baked quick breads. The girls measured ingredients, cracked eggs and mixed and poured the batter into the pans for baking. We made our breads to place in our Thanksgiving bags which will be distributed to our senior and shut-in members of the parish. At our second October meeting, the girls made “Funky Pumpkins” out of rolls of toilet paper, material and a cinnamon stick for a stem! Fun and practical!
At our November 2 meeting, the girls joined our sister branch at Grace and St. Peter’s Church in Hamden. The morning began with a prayer service with each of the girls participating and music provided by Father Bob on guitar! The morning continued with a yummy brunch and then an art project. The girls decorated canvas bags to be given away at our GFS World Council meeting in South Africa this August.
Speaking of World Council, Kate Adams, our co-leader and parishioner, has been chosen to be the Connecticut Delegate to World Council! What a wonderful opportunity for her to meet with young women from around the globe!Following our WDP service day, the girls helped put together “Blessing Bags” for the homeless. We were asked to make up these bags by a friend and former parishioner, Bruce Clarke, who currently lives in Boston. Bruce contacted me and stated that he has been very troubled by all of the homeless people he encounters on a daily basis in the city. He asked if we would like to make up “Blessing Bags” for him to distribute. (Blessing Bags contain items such as a new pair of socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, Kleenex, hand warmers and some snack food items.) Twenty bags were blessed on Sunday, November 3. Bruce said he will start giving them out when the weather turns colder. We thank Bruce for giving us this opportunity to serve. What a blessing and an example of “helping to bear one another’s burdens”, which is part of our GFS prayer!
At our November 19 meeting, the girls will decorate the Thanksgiving bags, sign cards and fill the bags with their breads and other care items. The bags will be distributed on Sunday November 24 by the girls and other volunteer parishioners.
On December 7, the girls will meet to discuss Advent and make a holiday craft. On the Sunday of our parish St. Nicholas celebration on December 8, we are holding a Christmas bake and crafts sale after both services. We will be selling fresh baked items, handmade craft items (made by our girls) and some other Christmas items. Money raised will support our branch efforts. On December 17, we will meet for the last time in 2019 and have a Christmas Party!
Thank you for continuing to support the St. Paul’s Girls’ Friendly Society!
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Rowe, Branch Advisor, Jane Smith, Leader, Kate Adams, Leader
St. Paul’s GFS has been meeting on the first Saturday morning and third Tuesday evening since September. This is a report of our activities for the Fall season!
At our first meeting in September, the girls put together dog and cat treat bags to be given out at Celebrate Wallingford, inviting people to our annual Blessing of the Animals. The girls assembled over 400 bags and had a fun time doing it!In October, we met on a Saturday and baked quick breads. The girls measured ingredients, cracked eggs and mixed and poured the batter into the pans for baking. We made our breads to place in our Thanksgiving bags which will be distributed to our senior and shut-in members of the parish. At our second October meeting, the girls made “Funky Pumpkins” out of rolls of toilet paper, material and a cinnamon stick for a stem! Fun and practical!
At our November 2 meeting, the girls joined our sister branch at Grace and St. Peter’s Church in Hamden. The morning began with a prayer service with each of the girls participating and music provided by Father Bob on guitar! The morning continued with a yummy brunch and then an art project. The girls decorated canvas bags to be given away at our GFS World Council meeting in South Africa this August.
Speaking of World Council, Kate Adams, our co-leader and parishioner, has been chosen to be the Connecticut Delegate to World Council! What a wonderful opportunity for her to meet with young women from around the globe!Following our WDP service day, the girls helped put together “Blessing Bags” for the homeless. We were asked to make up these bags by a friend and former parishioner, Bruce Clarke, who currently lives in Boston. Bruce contacted me and stated that he has been very troubled by all of the homeless people he encounters on a daily basis in the city. He asked if we would like to make up “Blessing Bags” for him to distribute. (Blessing Bags contain items such as a new pair of socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, Kleenex, hand warmers and some snack food items.) Twenty bags were blessed on Sunday, November 3. Bruce said he will start giving them out when the weather turns colder. We thank Bruce for giving us this opportunity to serve. What a blessing and an example of “helping to bear one another’s burdens”, which is part of our GFS prayer!
At our November 19 meeting, the girls will decorate the Thanksgiving bags, sign cards and fill the bags with their breads and other care items. The bags will be distributed on Sunday November 24 by the girls and other volunteer parishioners.
On December 7, the girls will meet to discuss Advent and make a holiday craft. On the Sunday of our parish St. Nicholas celebration on December 8, we are holding a Christmas bake and crafts sale after both services. We will be selling fresh baked items, handmade craft items (made by our girls) and some other Christmas items. Money raised will support our branch efforts. On December 17, we will meet for the last time in 2019 and have a Christmas Party!
Thank you for continuing to support the St. Paul’s Girls’ Friendly Society!
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Rowe, Branch Advisor, Jane Smith, Leader, Kate Adams, Leader