Posts From March, 2017

First United Methodist Church

Lawton, OK

God and Me, God and Family, God and Church
Adult God and Service Award
Baptism

“During Scout Sunday at First United Methodist (Lawton, OK), over 52 scouts participated in the service, 27 youth received their religious award, and one adult received the God and Service religious recognition. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers participated in the Flag Ceremony, Offertory (Bell Choir), Invitation, Baptism, Scripture Reading, Special Music, Ushering, Sermon, and Offering.  Scouts have been active in First UMC since 1934.” - Submitted by Paul Greene

What a celebration! It’s obvious that Scout Sunday is not just a token day to showcase a few Scouts, but truly a celebration of a comprehensive Scouting ministry that is an integral part of the church’s ministry. The baptism is a case in point. According to Paul, “Jayme had just completed her God & Me.  Our church had a baptism service on 1 Jan 2017, and she started asking her family questions.  Yes, she wanted to be baptized.  So after meeting with the Pastor, it was determined a good time to do it was Scout Sunday, since she and her whole family are involved in scouts. The pastor, Rev Dr. Randy Scraper, is also an Eagle Scout, so he was honored to fulfill her request to be baptized on Scout Sunday.”

Thank you, Lawton First United Methodist Church, for your Scouting ministry!

P.R.A.Y. Board Member Meets P.R.A.Y. Four Star Recipient

Former Board President John Fenoglio poses with Shannon M., a proud Four Star recipient. Shannon earned her P.R.A.Y. awards while a Girl Scout and is now a member of Crew 100 in Mt. Diablo Silverado Council. P.R.A.Y. Board members work hard to support the P.R.A.Y. ministry. How exciting to meet a P.R.A.Y. award recipient in person. Congratulations, Shannon on your accomplishments!

 

Click here to submit a photo.

Click here to meet the P.R.A.Y. Board Directors.

Click here for information on the Four Star Award.

PRAY Program Growing

Serving Youth AND Church Relationship

St Marks United Methodist Church in Midlothian, Virginia has begun to reap rewards from the PRAY program.  The Pack chartered to the church, Pack 1879, has offered God & Me and God & Family programs for several years now.   Each year the pack had between 8 and 10 Scouts participating in the two programs. 

Twenty three youth completed the programs this year!  Ten Scouts from the pack participated (some taking God & Family after completing God & Me last year).  There were two scouts from another pack who are members of the church.  Eleven youth from the church, not in scouting programs completed the programs as well.  This year the classes were offered at 9:45AM when the church holds its contemporary service.  Some parents stayed in the classrooms and some attended the service.  Many of the families whose sons participated in the program do not regularly attend any church.

This year, with additional completion time required the presentations were planned to be made at the contemporary service which happens to be the one service with the highest attendance of younger families and often higher attendance than the blended service.  This allowed more members of the church to be exposed to the PRAY programs, to the pack, as well as offering church to those who do not generally attend.  A great success by any measure!

God & Family class. 

Also pictured are Reverend Fran Cooper and Religious Emblems Coordinator Laura Russell.

 * Some students not present.

 
   

 

God & Me class. 

Also pictured are Cubmaster (and church member) Ron Flournoy, Laura Russell, Religious Emblems Coordinator (and member of church) and Pastor Fran Cooper.

 * Some students not present.
 

Submitted by Bill Chaffin
Virginia United Methodist Conference Ministry of Scouting Coordinator