American Heritage Girls
Troop PA 3031
God and Church

Our Pioneer girls of American Heritage Girls troop PA 3031 completed the God and Church Bible study this fall. We started the study over the summer and loved the way our group could meet to learn about Jesus and to socialize too. We had amazing conversations and discussions around the kitchen table in my home. We learned so much about how Jesus relates to His church and how we are part of the Church now. We learned about serving other, worshipping God, and inviting others to church. This Bible brought our girls closer together and closer to the Lord!

Eagle Scout
Troop 323
Land O Lakes, FL
Four Star Award

Spence: “I don't really remember much from God & Me because it was so long ago but I remember that I enjoyed it.  One of my favorite parts of God & Family was making the pizza. We got pizza boxes from a local pizzeria and were able to keep all of our course materials in the box too.  When we did God & Church, I enjoyed learning more about the history of the church and it was during this course that I accepted Jesus as my Savior.  For God & Life, my pastor was actually our counselor and I really learned a lot from him.  I'm glad I went through all four levels and was very honored to receive the Four Star Award.”

And for my comments as a proud mom:

“We are so very proud of Spence and his accomplishments.  He earned his Eagle in July 2015 and then decided he wanted to finish out the PRAY program.  Once we got schedules straightened out, he worked with Pastor Russ to complete God & Life.  I served as Spencer's mentor for God & Me and then as a co-counselor for God & Family and God & Church, so I've seen first-hand how he has grown in his faith through the PRAY programs.”

Me, Family, Church, Life, Four Star
Upton, MA

Thirteen girls and boys completed the requirements of the P.R.A.Y. Awards program at United Parish in Upton. All four program levels were represented. United Parish also recognized its first Four Star recipient, Aidan L.

All P.R.A.Y. participants took part in a community service project to benefit “Project Just Because,” a nonprofit offering relief and support to those in need. Using prepared kits, the students tied the fleece layers together creating a day blanket, rolled them into a bed roll, and attached a message of encouragement and hope of their choosing.  15 blankets were delivered to the office of Project Just Because. 

Congratulations to these youth and their families for committing time to strengthen their faith as children of God and demonstrate their Duty to God as Scouts. 

Blessings to Orianna, Erin, Autumn, Timothy, Dillon, William, Cordilla, Megan, Jack, Jack, Ivie, Madison, and Aidan.

Thank you to counselors Leanne Luetkemeyer, James Ray III, Dawn LeClaire, and Rochelle Ray.

Building Faith in Youth Award
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
Oak Grove, MO

Darlene Phillips and Christina Gorsline were presented with the Building Faith in Youth Award by Pack 266 Cubmaster Tim Butters. The Building Faith in Youth Award recognizes adults for outstanding service teaching the P.R.A.Y. Program. 

Oklahoma City, OK
God and Family
Faith, Hope, Life Nazarene Community Church

“I loved volunteering the most. [My favorite family project] was
when we sat down and shared our gifts.”

Corvallis, OR
God and Family
Lebanon Mennonite Church

“My favorite parts were reading the Bible stories. The most interesting family project was talking to my mom about her spiritual growth.”

From Dad: “I enjoyed the curriculum … the comparison to making a pizza was relevant and fun. I think this is a solid program and was beneficial for my son and myself.”

Our Saviors Lutheran Church
Everett, WA

David Salzer (3-star Recipient) and Brandon Johnson (4-star recipient) are promoting the P.R.A.Y. Program at a church fair at Our Saviors Lutheran Church

St. George Episcopal Award
St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church
Prairie View, Texas

Dr. Seab Smith was recognized by the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church (Prairie View, TX) on Sunday, September 25, 2016, as a recipient of the St. George Episcopal Award.  Pictured with Dr. Smith are the Rev. C. Engle and members of Troop 1906.

Roni Luckenbill, CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, and Angela Woods, CEO of Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council, serve on the P.R.A.Y. Board of Directors and work to strengthen the faith component in Girl Scouting. Here they are hard at work!

Isaiah is a bright young man, but when the God and Family evaluation form asked for his favorite part of the program, and all Isaiah wrote was “the pizza,” Pastor Coralee felt she needed to write a letter of explanation. She explained that Isaiah has a very difficult and complicated life and is in the full custody of his Great Grandmother. It was with his Nana that Isaiah participated in the God and Family program, and they loved it. Isaiah understood quite well all the layers, and then the baking and sharing. From the very beginning Isaiah said he would make a real pizza for the last session. And so he did. According to Pastor Coralee, “For a lot of reasons, last night’s pizza was the best I have ever tasted.”  The pizza was a celebration of Isaiah’s “exploring, identifying, using, and celebrating his spiritual gifts/talents, appreciating the family he has (in his Great Grandmother, here at our church, and in scouting) and learning more about God through His Word.”

Thank you, Pastor Coralee, for sharing Isaiah’s story. May God continue to bless your ministry to children (and great grandparents!).