UPDATE OCTOBER 2019

We're back! So much has happened since our last Update in April - so we'll attempt to let you know what's been going on, if you haven't already caught up with the news via other avenues. Noeleen

I write with some exciting news. Last week, after 13 years of discussion about the potential sale of Townsend Lodge, GFS signed a contract for $6.5 million (plus GST) with Finbar Western Australia’s largest and most trusted apartment developer for the sale of Townsend Lodge.

Just in case you haven’t heard of Finbar. Here are a few details from their website - Finbar listed on the Australian Stock Exchange 1995, and in the following 23 years, has gone from strength to strength. Since humble beginnings operating out of a 2 bedroom Como apartment as a makeshift office with just 3 staff, Finbar quickly found its niche as a residential apartment developer in Perth, Western Australia.

Settlement on the property is due on 31^st January 2020. Once it’s completed, we’ll start looking for premises that will become our new Headquarters. We’re able to stay in Townsend Lodge until 30^th June. We’ll stop running the Lodge at the end of March.

We’d love all members to find a way to be part of this next season in the life of GFS here in Perth. We have much to look forward to. Josie

We have been working with Hancock since the beginning of the year with increasing our Social Media presence. We have a monthly mentor session as well as full day training's which we have attended 3 so far with one more to go. This is very useful with great speakers and catching up with fellow grant recipients to work through our highs and lows together. We have been slowly growing our following on Facebook and we hope that this continues to be a place where we can help share the GFS message.

So if you are on Social Media - look us up (the links are below) and follow what is happening, join in the conversation and help us get GFS growing again.

News from GFS Australia

For most of you this news will be a repeat from the GFS Australia Newsletter but here are the main points that you need to be aware of before the end of October.

This is just a reminder that the applications for Vice Chairman are to be returned to me or Cheryl by the end of THIS month. Could you please remind anyone in your diocese who may be considering this call upon their lives to offer to fulfill this role on National Executive Committee? We are waiting patiently upon the Lord for this right person to be called. Letter from GFS President
I have just sent out an email to those who have indicated they are attending World council with details about payments (we are sending just one payment per country not individual payments) and so if you know of anyone who is still to send back a form, they may need to know about this!! Please remind them of the need to send a form to Cheryl for signing.
And a further reminder about our AGM in Brisbane next year (Friday 3 January - Sunday 12 January) - we would love to see at least one if not two people per diocese attending as we will have many issues to be discussed, particularly our governance - do you have this in your diary?? There are lovely hosts who can billet you for the weekend (if you would like to come along get in touch with us here in Perth for more details)

Julie Smith - Secretary
GFS Australia Inc

WONGAN HILLS HOLIDAY CLUB

In the July school holidays we went to Wongan Hills to hold a holiday club on a Friday and Saturday with the children presenting a drama of the Good Samaritan at the Sunday morning service.

27 children and 2 helpers came along to enjoy the SonQuest Rainforest program learning about some of the parables from the bible. Many thanks to Karen and the parish for all their help and use of the facilities and for Janine from Uniting Generations who came on the road trip with me.

The pictures of Joshua and Peter with their grass heads are from a few weeks after the holiday club to show me how they had grown since we made them.

Do you follow us on Social Media?

GFS WORLD JUNIOR DELEGATE

Again most of you would have read about the appointment of the Junior Delegate to World Council being Stephanie Stewart. She is very excited about representing GFS Australia and Perth at World Council next year. Stephanie is attending the AGM in Brisbane and if you are able to come for the weekend I am sure it would be wonderful to have your support during this exciting time.

ROAR HOLIDAY CLUB

During the first week of the school holidays we ran a 4 day holiday club at the Mt Pleasant Uniting Church in partnership with Uniting Generations. Janine (UG) and 6 Penrhos year 9 and 11 girls came to help out over the 4 days.

Lots of fun was had on our bible based adventure learning that :

When life is unfair... God is good!
When life is scary... God is good!
When life changes... God is good!
When life is sad.... God is good!
When life is good.... God is good!

We enjoyed visiting Imagination Station, Stampede Sports, Hungry Heard Cafe, KidVid Cinema and Wild Bible Adventures. It was great to welcome Jill from Melville with her lovely grandsons for the day on Wednesday - thanks so much for your help and input Jill.

Thanks also to Arnold and the Mt Pleasant church for letting us "take over" the hall for the week.

GFS WOMEN'S GROUP

Back in July this year we began a GFS Women's Group which meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. We have had some old GFS people coming along as well as some new women interested in the work of GFS here in Perth. If you would like to join us we meet in the hall at Greenwood Anglican Church, 15 Calectasia Street from 7.30pm - 9.30pm.

If you would like more information please call the office or Noeleen on 0414 505 064

Please hold the following in your prayers:

For our Executive Committee- Josie, Carole, Chris, Alison, Jenny, Alex and Noeleen
We give thanks for our GFS sisters around Australia and in New Zealand, Solomon Islands and PNG
Be with GFS Australia under the leadership of Revd. Cheryl Selvage and her executive team
For the right person to fill the role of GFS Australia Vice President
For our world, especially those places ravaged by war, famine and drought, for the people who live there and those that are helping them
For the staff at Townsend Lodge - Alexandra, Sharon, Jenny, Ronny and Joel and those they care for, whilst staying with us.
For our communities, friends and families
For our World President Thembeka and her team in the organisation of the World Council in 2020
We give thanks for all the past Branches, Groups, Members and Committees who have ministered to many people for the past 130 years. May we be strengthened and guided as we forge a future for GFS in Perth
We pray for Alison and Janine and Uniting Generations as we work together to provide great teaching and opportunities for new partnerships

It is a blessing as believers to be able to share your burden with others. We will gladly join our faith with yours in prayer over your needs. These prayers are confidential and will only be shared with those on the prayer chain.

http://gfsperth.com.au/prayer-page/