Summer has gone (well it never really came actually)…Autumn here we are., and Welcome to our third issue of Connected At A Glance where the spotlight is now on our own Stephanie Neilands (as was Glenn) and her work with the Girls Brigade.

Q. Tell us about your roll in Mossley Methodist GB presently?

My role within the Company is Acting Captain and is a role I have had for about seven years now. We currently have about 25 girls in the Tines and Explorer Section and about 15 in the Company Section. I have 3 leaders in the Company, Lynn, Catherine and Carol. G.B. could not function without these leaders who faithfully come each week, but really we are stretched thin and greatly need additional help, so if your over 18 and free Tuesday nights please get in touch.

Q.Tell us your story growing up in Mossley Methodist, and the journey that helped you choose your vocation.

To me, Mossley Methodist will always be the place I call home, the place I learnt most of what it means to be a follower of Christ, from everyday normal people who have struggles and questions, but who remained and remain to this day, people who strive to follow Christ. Growing up through Sunday school, which back then used to be the hour before church, and participating from a young age in church services. Then as a teenager I attended Youth Fellowship, where it was ok to be yourself. I spent a year in Mossley Outreach Ministries as a youth intern. I have to say that all these groups moulded and shaped me, allowing me to explore Christianity and what God had, and still has, in store for my life.

So where am I now? Currently I work in two very different ministry posts within two separate churches. The first being Ballynafeigh Methodist Church, where I have been a pastoral assistant for the past two years, now entering my third. Being a member of Mossley Methodist has definitely helped me in understanding the importance of those who are of a mature age within our churches, for the wisdom they hold and the battles they have fought for the future of the church. Being able to visit those people who have built up Ballynafeigh, hear their stories and to be able to support and journey alongside them is an absolute pleasure.

My second post is within Sydenham Methodist Church as Family & Children’s Worker. This post is very different to the first, mainly as I spend most of my time with children, being involved in schools work, taping into the church organisations like Messy Church, Mums & Tots and kids clubs, alongside trying to support church families.

Mossley Methodist has definitely helped me in preparation for these to post, as it gave me so many opportunities to work along side people of all ages. I am very grateful for all Mossley Methodist prepared me for.

Q. Recently you celebrated your 1st Wedding Anniversary (which can be seen posted in the NEWS SECTION). Looking back over that year how on earth do you juggle your different jobs and married life along with church commitments?

Life is definitely busy, but thankful I have a husband who also works for the church, as a Youth Worker, and therefore understands just how busy life can become from week to week! For the first year of marriage having and being able to support each other has been and continues to be really important.

Q. Back to your roll in GB, explain the aims and what it means to you?

I have been in the Girls Brigade for about 22 years now, so I am a G.B. girl through and through! For me, the GB is definitely an organisation that can support all girls through every stage of life. The Girls Brigade accepts and values girls for who they are with the aim to make them feel loved and supported. It also provides a safe space to learn about Christ and how to follow Him in everyday normal life.

The Company plays an important role in the community as parents feel secure in leaving their girls with us each week. They are sure in the knowledge that their child is loved and being taught values and important skills that will help them throughout life.

Q. As your ‘girls’ grow up into young ladies and move on, how does that make you feel?

Being a leader of the girls brigade definitely brings a range of mixed emotions. Each girl that comes through our doors every week is different and has something unique, which they bring into the Company. Seeing them grow from week to week, and year to year is a pleasure and creates many happy memories and stories.

However life can get extremely busy for children and young people and sometimes we have those who leave or cannot commit long term to the girls brigade. This can leave you feeling sad, but hopeful, that in the years they have spent with us, they have learnt some thing’s that will help them in life or simply that they go knowing that they were valued and loved and always will be.

When a girl completes 18 years of the Girls Brigade it brings a sense of achievement and pride for both them and us as leaders, but it also brings sadness as most girls move on to university and move away from home, so when they finish the girls brigade it’s an end to a big chapter of their life, not just an end to a life within the Company. Each girl who has left and gone on to the next part of their journey is greatly missed and will always have a place if they ever want it within the Company.

Q. Is there anything you would like to say to encourage girls reading this to come along to GB? Or if there is any encouragement you can give to someone who is thinking they would like to help out?

Mossley Methodist Girls Brigade is a place where girls or all ages and background are welcome. Our aim is to simply make all girls feel valued and loved and create a safe space where they can be themselves and have fun. So if you have or know a girl aged between 3-18 they would be more than welcome to join us each week.

Over the past few years, due to other commitments, we have lost a few leaders, …unfortunately they have never been replaced. You can understand that some weeks it becomes difficult to juggle so many younger children. The result is that there is a desperate need for people to volunteer their valuable time. We are very blessed in faithfulness of the few leaders we have, and the girls really love each of them, but for Girls Brigade to run smoothly each week, we do need more help for this we would be incredibly grateful

If you are unable to help practically, then you can definitely play a part in prayer for the Company: pray for every girl that is in our care each week, for continued safety and a reassurance that they are in an environment in which they feel valued and loved. But most of all pray that it is a place where they see God’s love and the plan He has for each or their lives.

Each week brings its blessings in seeing children become more confident in the little or big person they have been created to be. To hear the laughter and see the smiles of the girls enjoying all the things they do each week, for me is seeing God’s Kingdom being built here on earth. I would pray you get the opportunity to see that too.

Thank you Stephanie for giving up your time to answer my questions. If anyone reading this feels they want to join or help out please contact us. FURTHER DETAILS on what to expect every Tuesday night are listed below:

Mossley Methodist Girls Brigade meet every Tuesday evening from 6.30pm to 9pm and is for all girls aged between 3-18 years. The girls are split into two main sessions, Tinies and Explorers, and the Company Sections that consist of Juniors, Seniors and Brigaders. The Tines and Explorers meet from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and are aged between 3-8, each week they play games, sing songs and have a story and craft time.

The Junior Section meets from 6.30 to 8.15pm for those in P5-P7, each week the girls play games, complete a scripture course, skip, bake, arts and crafts with a few other exciting things added in.

 The Seniors and Brigaders meet from 7.30pm to 9pm for those 1st year and up, each week the Seniors and Brigaders complete a scripture course, bake, dance, play sports, get crafty and most of all have lots of laughs.

 The aim of the Girls Brigade is to give all girls a safe and loving environment where they feel valued, nurtured and prepared for life, It also aims to allow all girls the opportunity to learn more about Christianity and help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility, to find true enrichment of life.

The motto of the Girls Brigade is to ‘Seek, Serve and Follow Christ’