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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian Anglican

July 2004

 

  


GIRL Thing - learning how to change a tyre


Organiser Gill Briggs received a big ‘thankyou’ at the end of the GIRL Thing event.

 

It’s GIRL Thing - brand new outreach event

by Will Briggs

 

 

During the second week of the school holidays a group of volunteers from the Anglican Parish of Burnie ran a brand new outreach event - GIRL Thing (GIRL stands for ‘God In Real Life’) - a holiday programme aimed at 10-14 year old girls.

Developed by team leader, Gill Briggs, in conjunction with some women from the parish, GIRL Thing has been designed as more than just the ‘typical holiday programme.’ It seeks to provide foundations for life with opportunity for learning skills important to ‘real life’ - from Bible knowledge and experience with deeper things, through to cooking, hair-care, and basic mechanics.

Boa

In its first event, GIRL Thing ran as a week-long programme. After an introductory session on a Sunday afternoon, it continued from 12:30pm to 5:00pm each day, ending with an early evening graduation meal on the Saturday. The leadership team spent time with fifteen girls, helping them to achieve a goal of ‘making something’ (in this case, a polar-fleece boa scarf and hat) and leading times of Bible reflection and personal understanding. Visiting ‘experts’ shared their skills in money management, skin and hair-care, conflict resolution, tools, cooking, and car maintenance.

The week ended with a graduation meal which the girls helped plan. Parents and special people joined the girls and leaders for this semi-formal meal of spaghetti bolognaise and apple crumble! All the girls received a certificate.

Missional experiment

GIRL Thing has been a missional experiment for the Parish of Burnie. It has taken a lot of hard work by some incredibly dedicated volunteers, including the need to overcome the odd glitch. The excitement lies in the fact that there has been tangible spiritual growth amongst the girls, including a Christian commitment, a desire for baptism, and non-Christian families wanting to come to church - that achievement is our Lord's alone and it is a privilege to be a part of it.

The GIRL Thing team looks forward to a reunion soon, as well as future events and regular activities. Stay tuned!