Girls' Brigade

"A Christ-centred community"

Growing in FAITH

Rejoicing in HOPE

Sharing God's LOVE

Girls' Brigade

Girls' Brigade is an international, Christian youth organisation for girls aged from 3 to 18. GB in Northern Ireland has 23,000 members in 300 companies attached to various churches, with 167th NI Company meeting at Braniel Church on Friday evenings, from September to Easter. All Officers and Leaders at our Company in Braniel have up-to-date Child Protection training, as well as other skills and interests that help the girls each week.

The very nature of GB is that it is a Christ-centred youth organisation and this touches every part of the programme, from the youngest girls in our Junior Explorer section right up to our oldest Brigaders as they prepare for adult life. The GB programme is made up of four parts: spiritual, physical, educational and service.

Our Junior Explorers (age 3 to P1) and Explorers (P2 to P4) meet each Friday at 6:45pm. They hear a Bible-related story, play games and sing songs, with craft proving a winning favourite amongst this age group!

The Juniors (P5 to P7), Seniors (Form 1 to 3) and Brigaders (Form 4 to 18 years) meet at 7:00pm. They all attend a weekly Bible class aimed at their age group, which challenges them to think about their own relationship with God, as well as learn new skills and meet friends, both old and new.

To close the 2009/2010 session, the whole Company, from the youngest Explorer to the oldest Brigader, joined together to climb Braniel's high-rise flats to raise funds for mission projects that two of our members served on. Grace Kyle travelled to Moldova with Exodus and Trudy Reid served in Kosova with Smile International.

The highlight of the year, for girls and parents alike, is our Parents and Friends evening, where every girl receives an award and takes part. Recent items have included "The Braniel Estate Circus", "Strictly Come Dancing" and our "Gold" theme to help celebrate our Church's 50th anniversary.