President: Cheryl Millington
The Girls’ Friendly Society (G.F.S.) at St. Gabriel’s comprises of fifteen members with the Diocesan President Albertina Whittaker, Ashley Cox and Cheryl Millington as advisors. Meetings are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month and membership is open to girls and young women in the community between the ages of seven (7) and thirty (30) years of age. The goal of the G.F.S. is to help in the moral, social, and cultural development and religious awareness of its members.
In 2010, we participated mainly in indoor activities such as sewing and crocheting. Our only outdoor activity was a trip to the Brooklyn Zoo. In the Fall our focus was on preparation for the Annual Latin American Mother’s Day Awareness Luncheon which was held on December 5, 2010. We thank all who helped in making the luncheon a success and particularly those persons who help us year after year to prepare for this occasion. We cannot possibly thank these persons enough for their constant support. We are very grateful and pray that God will continue to bless them with health, strength and the willingness to continue helping others. Thanks also to the parents of the G.F.S. members for encouraging their children to be involved in the G.F.S.
The money raised at the Latin American Mother’s Day Luncheon is used to help offset travel expenses for the members who wish to attend G.F.S. World Council Conferences held every three years. World Council Conferences allow members to meet sister groups and experience the cultures of other countries. In August of 2008, a group of six members and advisors of St. Gabriel’s G.F.S. attended the World Conference in Seoul, South Korea. The next World Council Conference will be held in Ireland in 2011 from June 25th to July 3rd. Non-members may also attend.
We recruited two (2) new members in 2010. In 2011 we aspire to recruit more young people from our church as well as from the community. We plan to include more outdoor activities, other handicraft and cooking.
If you are interested in joining THE GFS, please contact the persons listed:
Cheryl Millington: 718-252-5962
Albertina Whittaker: 718-789-1096
Ashley Cox: 347-350-9963
or call the church office: 718-774-5248
YOUTH MUSIC AND DANCE
Contact:
Choir Director: Ronald Lashley
Dance Director: Nichola Lashley
Advisors: Ursula Brown, Andrea Flynn, Pearl Johnson, Suzette Ottey, Allison Ross and Trisha Ross
The Ministry’s goal is to praise God and minister to others through song and dance. Its focus is to foster Christian growth and development to all youths within the church and the community. Our membership consists of 25 choir members and 20 dance members under the leadership of a Choir Director, a Dance Director, and 6 Advisors.
The choir and dance groups have participated in various activities, such as:
- The Gospel Explosion at Brooklyn College sponsored by St. Augustine’s Church;
- The Susan McKinney Nursing Home;
- Neighborhood Street Fair;
- Showcase on the television program “Teens and Tots” on the BCAT Channel;
- Cultural fundraising event sponsored by Ms. Una Clarke;
- Church of the Evangel’s Christmas Program.
Some of our upcoming activities are:
- Entrepreneurship Workshop;
- Presentation and Public Speaking Skills Workshop;
- Black History Month Presentation;
- Art Exhibit and Competition;
- Resume Writing Workshop.