Girls Friendly Society Diocesan Festal Service at St Fethlimidh’s Cathedral, Kilmore
On a beautiful sunny Pentecost Sunday (24th May), the GFS Diocesan Service was held at Kilmore Cathedral, led by Dean Nigel Crossey.
The address was given by Luke Hawkins, Church of Ireland Youth Development Officer, who opened by asking the girls what their most precious possession was. Answers ranged from siblings and teddies to, memorably, a fire extinguisher! Luke reminded us all that The Bible is the most precious thing we can have. He spoke on the Parable of the Sower and encouraged the girls to root themselves in God’s Word.
Gillian Kellett then introduced trainee teacher Oriel Waters, from Longford Branch, who will be representing Ireland at the GFS World Council in Sri Lanka this July. Oriel described the GFS as “so special” and we wish her every blessing on her trip.
Dean Crossey then announced that the service would include the dedication of a very special addition to the Cathedral’s furnishings. Gillian Kellett and Sylvia Quinn took part in the ceremony. The side chapel at Kilmore is now home to the Lord’s Table that was originally made for the GFS at Oak House. It had been housed in Christ Church, Leeson Park, until that church closed last year and has now returned to what can truly be described as its spiritual home in Kilmore. The beautiful embroidery on the table was the work of girls from this very area, and we were blessed to have two of those gifted needlewomen with us: Elsie Heaslip and Elizabeth Hislop, who stood proudly beside their handiwork, along with the Kilmore GFS banner they also helped to create.
The moment the girls had all been waiting for then arrived as Gillian Kellett presided over the prizegiving. Girls from across the Diocese collected a wonderful haul of cups, plaques and certificates, with notable success in the All-Ireland competitions. Gillian especially highlighted the girls’ outstanding achievement in Bible Study. It has been another wonderful year for the GFS. Well done, girls!
The service was followed by a lovely spread of tea and refreshments in the cathedral hall, the perfect end to a joyful and memorable day.
