On this day, all GFS branches and Dioceses throughout the world are linked in prayer. This year's service is being written by GFS in Japan. Proceeds from the offerings on this day help fund the current World Project - For more information, contact

GFS/NJ members also spent their annual week at Holiday House with their leaders. Each day was packed with pure fun - Bible study, worship, team building games, crafts, group time, chapel, the beach, the water park, the mall, the arcade …. The leaders had as much fun as the girls! Days were filled with activities as well as opportunities to meet new friends and get to know old friends better. Leaders also found that the week offered them a retreat that helped them focus on their important work of GFS and provided opportunities to support each other and help bring out each others strengths.

Holiday House, Cape May, New Jersey GFS/PA members ages nine to fourteen spent the week at Holiday House with their leaders. The girls made their own T-shirts representing "2007 Junior Week" and performed skits depicting Bible verses. The girls were always on the go and ready for the next adventure, whether it was going to the beach, the mall, the board walk or the Nature Center of Cape May.

GFS members from around the world gathered in Dublin, Ireland for their 20th World Council meeting.

We were so excited to be a World Council in Ireland. 74 of us traveled from difference parts of the United States to Ireland to experience yet another wonderful World Council. We were especially pleased to bring such a large number of youth with us. We feel strongly that experiencing World Council and making global GFS friendships will go a long way to cementing the future of GFS/USA. The week that was spend at World Council together we deliberate the business of GFS worldwide . World Council enables the girls and leaders to make friendships with GFS sisters around the world that will last a lifetime. The next World Council will be held in Wales three years from now. More information about our organization and World Council can be gotten from Lyn Evans Carter GFS/USA President, carterle@aol.com or Delores Alleyne GFS/USA Vice-president

We have been very busy in the USA working on Branch Development. Six new branches received their GFS/USA charters this past year. World Day of prayer 2010 was celebrated throughout our country. At our National Assembly held on the West Coast of California, we used bright silk cloth symbolizing the five continents that our GFS sisters come from. We were all moved by the worship services presented at World Council in South Korea. We are excited to think of the inspirations for worship that we will bring back from World Council in Ireland. Our branches continue to engage in a wide variety of activities. , “Not So Quiet Day”, “Pep Rally for the Lord" that was a lot of fun in Lent. The girls were involved in cheers, praise music, crafts and a variety of discussions. A Zumba Creative Arts Day: “mind, body and spirit”, Mother and daughter teas, many of the Dioceses have camping experiences for the girls. But most importantly, GFS/USA is involved in outreach, and service to others, making a difference whether it is serving the homeless a hot meal, visiting the elderly, sending care packages to the military and their families or helping other teens that are in shelters. Our outreach allows the girls and leaders to realize how blessed they are when they interact with people that are less fortunate than they are. In addition, it helps us to appreciate where other people are coming from, learning about diverse cultures by interacting with people that have different life experiences. Helping people is an important part of what GFS/USA is about “Bearing One Another’s Burdens” It does not have to be money or tangible things it may only be a good GFS SMILE and a HUG that makes GFS/USA a place to be for girls 5-21 years old. Our GFS girls do make a difference.

The Diocese of Los Angeles has continued with a surge of energy from the National Assembly spent with our sisters from the East Coast! We passed out the backpacks for Military Kids in August, 2010 and January, 2011. It was a real honor to meet children, siblings and spouse of the military men and women who are protecting our country.

In November, many of us attended the Brass Rubbing Centre in nearby Long Beach and learned about the art of brass rubbing. This was followed by ice cream sundaes. Thank you to National for the Diocesan Special Event Assistance Grant to support this event.

Have you seen the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on TV? Well, GFS members helped decorate the floats. A group of us spent 8 hours in a warehouse, trimming roses to just the right length, dabbing them in floral preservative, and inserting them into water tubes. We also learned how to "fluff" carnations. Who knew? We all enjoyed talking with each other while we prepared thousands of roses. Later, we walked around the warehouse and saw different floats being built and covered in flowers. Our favorite was the one with the bulldogs skim boarding down a slope. Many of our girls attended the parade to see the floats on New Year’s Day.

Diversity ruled at the "Pep Rally for the Lord," a Girls Friendly Society-sponsored "Not-So-Quiet Day" on at St. John the Divine Church, Costa Mesa, California on the West Coast.  Girls and women of all ages and backgrounds formed a conga line, weaving among the pews while praise music rang out during worship. The event was open to all girls in the diocese. They made bottle cap jewelry and megaphones, learned a cheer to bless the Lord, and discussed how they are a blessing in small, age-appropriate groups. Women supported and participated in activities at this inter-generational event. What a great day “PRAISING THE LORD”

Our biggest news of all is that two additional new branches were established this year. We welcome St. Stephen's, Beaumont and Holy Trinity and St. Benedict in Alhambra. We call GFS the "fastest growing organization" in the Diocese of Los Angeles!

The Girls’ Friendly Society, USA, held its triennial national meeting from June 26th to July 2nd , 2010 at Chapman University in Orange, California. The assembly provided an opportunity for members across the United States to meet, worship, and fellowship together. The theme of the 60th National Assembly of Girls Friendly Society, USA, was chosen by the girls at the close of the previous Assembly in 2007: “May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience”-Colossians 1:11-12. In keeping with the theme verse, the assembly events were structured around the keywords of the Bible text. We all are looking forward to the next National Assembly being held in New Jersey summer 2013.

GFS Diocese of Connecticut mission project was to help give 12 young women in New Haven, Connecticut on the East Coast a brighter Christmas this year. You see, these young women, just girls really, have no real home (or family) to call their own. That is, HAD no home, until Youth Continuum helped them. Youth Continuum is a community-based, not- for- profit agency in New Haven, Connecticut, serving at-risk youth ages 13-23. Youth Continuum protects and promotes the well-being of at-risk youth and provides them with the skills necessary to take advantage of opportunities for a healthy and productive future. Two years ago, GFS held a fundraiser to collect toiletries for youths living on the streets and for those living in the Youth Continuum homes. Our girls, with the help of their churches, collected toothpaste, shampoo, shaving items, etc. for this purpose. Last year, 2009 we were notified of a shortage of gifts for Christmas for 12 of their girls in their program. Unfortunately, we could not help at that time but we decided not to let that happen again and agreed to sponsor them for our 2010-2011 mission project. Our goal is to raise $100.00 for each girl to give them “special”, more personal gifts for Christmas. Along with this, during the month of October, we are asking for donations from within our own parishes of women’s adult scarves, mittens, hats, and medium to large size pajamas. This outreach program continues to reach girls and making a difference in their lives not only at Christmas time but also throughout the year.

It is our treasure thanks to the Diocese of Pennsylivia for keeping it running so efficiently for us. Holiday House is a Christian retreat house Holiday House offers sea breezes, three wonderful porches with rocking chairs, clean and pleasant rooms, two meals a day, and a warm and friendly atmosphere. In the early 1900’s the Girls’ Friendly Society had 21 Holiday Houses and 14 lodges in multiple States.   Today, the only remaining house is our beloved Holiday House in Cape May, New Jersey. Holiday House in Cape May, New Jersey offers a chance to get away from the pressures and technology that bombard us daily.  The House has three floors, A, B, and C.  Each floor has from 10 - 13 rooms and the House can sleep 50.  Rooms are furnished, some with a sink.  Restrooms are at either end of large hallways.  Large windows lend it well to making the refreshing sea breeze available to our guests.  It is a GREAT PLACE to spend the weekend to get away from the fast pace of daily living. The operation of Holiday House includes a Manager, Assistant Manager, and Cook. The cleaning and service staff are young adults from within the Girls' Friendly organization who are learning about service, community, teamwork, leadership, and responsibility. If you ever visit Cape May, New Jersey stop by in June-early September and say Hello. For information about Holiday House contact

On this day, all GFS branches and dioceses throughout the world are linked in prayer. This year's service is being written by GFS Cameroon. Proceeds from the offerings on this day help fund the current World Project - The Empowerment and HIV/Aids Campaign in Zambia.
For more information, contact Lois Frankforter at 203-288-2599 or loisfrankforter@comcast.net

GFS invites all women and girls to join them for an afternoon tea. The guest speaker will be Nancy Wilcox, a well known historian and doll collector, who will share part of her Halloween collection. Every girl who attends the event will have the opportunity to make a Halloween costume for an 18" doll or stuffed animal. The tea will feature a variety of treats including cookies, sandwiches and an assortment of teas. Reservations are required.
For more information or a registration form, contact Lois Frankforter at 203-288-2599 or loisfrankforter@comcast.net

GFS members from around the world will gather in Seoul for our 19th World Council.
For more information, contact Lois Frankforter at 203-288-2599 or loisfrankforter@comcast.net

GFS/NJ members also spent their annual week at Holiday House with their leaders. Each day was packed with pure fun - Bible study, worship, team building games, crafts, group time, chapel, the beach, the water park, the mall, the arcade . The leaders had as much fun as the girls! Days were filled with activities as well as opportunities to meet new friends and get to know old friends better. Leaders also found that the week offered them a retreat that helped them focus on their important work of GFS and provided opportunities to support each other and help bring out each others strengths.

GFS/PA members ages nine to fourteen spent the week at Holiday House with their leaders. The girls made their own T-shirts representing "2007 Junior Week" and performed skits depicting Bible verses. The girls were always on the go and ready for the next adventure, whether it was going to the beach, the mall, the board walk or the Nature Center of Cape May.

GFS members, leaders and sponsors gathered for our 58th National Assembly. Our theme for the previous three years "All things are possible for those who believe!" was evident in all aspects of our time together. Our agenda was ambitious, but our business sessions were very productive. We voted to expand our GFSUSA family by amending our bylaws to include sponsors and sponsor groups. We also shared our ideas and experiences on the key strategic planning issues of developing branches, programs and leaders. Our worship services reflected our diversity and gave us an opportunity to express ourselves in different forms of prayer - including a Taize service and liturgical dance. Of course there was ample opportunity to simply have fun! Whether it was a competitive game of Wink or the equally challenging task of mastering the New York mass-transit system. Many took a step back in time with a trip to Ellis Island. Others experienced Times Square and saw their first Broadway show. A special thanks to the Diocese of New York for being wonderful hostesses!

Rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the GFS members as they enjoyed their annual camp weekend at the Episcopal camp at Incarnation Center. The weekend started Friday night with a pizza party followed by games and dancing. The next morning just as they were headed down to the lake-side outdoor chapel - the thunder started. Plans were shuffled and the girls spent the morning making T-shirts with thumb-print designs. By afternoon the thunder had stopped but the rain continued. The girls were not deterred and spent the afternoon swimming and boating in the lake. Saturday evening found them indoors for their campfire - but the smores tasted just as delicious! Sunday morning after chapel the girls took to the trees and participated in team building activities and a high ropes climbing course.

GFS members and friends spent a fun filled day participating in games, crafts and a sing-along, as well as a skit about GFS and our motto "Bear ye one another's burdens." Through role play and discussion they explored the importance of accepting one another, sharing each others burdens by supporting each other with words and actions, and how we are all stronger when we join together.

At the World Council in 2005 the GFS member countries selected The Empowerment and HIV/Aids Campaign in Zambia as its World Project. The project is an initiative of the GFS within the Anglican Church in Zambia and its primary purpose is to contribute to the long term empowerment of the youth and young women within the church and community. The project has focused on ways: to promote participation and life skills training among women and girls; to promote the level of knowledge, awareness and understanding of HIV-AIDS through informed education and skills building to increase non-risk behavior among girls and women; and to provide school supplies and uniforms for children who have been orphaned by AIDS.
Offerings may be sent to Michelle Boothe, GFSUSA Treasurer.

GFS members have created a tradition of sewing quilts every summer for Project Linus. This summer GFSers drafted the boys' group and friends from the community in their work force. Over 3 afternoons, totaling 8 hours, 7 piece work quilts were created. Each one was unique and made completely from donated fabrics. It was a fun challenge to pull together the different fabric donations and to try out new patterns. The completed quilts are distributed by Project Linus to children in crisis.

Two GFS senior girls took the lead in helping the Youth Continuum, an agency that aids homeless and at risk youth with housing, counseling and tutoring service at several housing unites in the Greater New Haven, Connecticut area. The agency is able to provide the bare necessities needed for these young people, but was in desperate need of items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, tooth brushes and tooth paste. The girls organized collection efforts at both Grace-St Peter's Church in Hamden and St. Paul's Church in Wallingford. Items were collected for a full month, and by the end the parishes had donated many bags and boxes of the needed items.

GFS members brightened the holiday season for one family in their community. The family received a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments that the girls had made themselves. The tradition of helping others during the holiday season started 8 years ago when the branch was asked to help provide gifts on one family's "wish list". The girls enjoy their annual shopping excursions and the have added the tradition having a group photo taken with Santa.