"The Duty to God for 2018 program at St. Paul's Lutheran Church has wrapped up. It was a fantastic journey this year starting the first Sunday in November and wrapping up with Scout Sunday. We had a nice graduation ceremony February 11th. We were blessed to have 2 God & Me classes, a God & Family class, a God & Church class and a God & Life class. There were a total of 30 Scouts with various projects and service hours including volunteering at Table Grace, working at the church and Scout Sunday. Thank you for creating such a wonderful program. It's a nice resource to help engage the Scouts and encourage them along their faith journey."

Submitted by Bob Austin,Omaha, Nebraska

Asbury UMC sponsors two Packs and a Troop, teaches the God and Me and God and Family awards, and hosts their District’s Scout Sunday Celebration. Here is a picture of the P.R.A.Y. awardees surrounded by all Scouts and Scouters in uniform singing Scout Vespers for the closing.  

Submitted by retired UMC pastor Rev. Realff Ottesen, Hampton, IL

Pack / Troop 416

Trinity United Methodist Church

Red Springs, NC

Participants in the 2017-2018 God and Family class in Red Springs, NC proudly display their family pizzas!

P.R.A.Y. is accustomed to receiving photos and stories from Tricia Burgess showcasing the Scouts who have earned their P.R.A.Y. awards over the years. How pleased we were to receive a photo of Tricia herself receiving the United Methodist God and Service Award in recognition of her hard work – her ministry! Lorraine Land, speaking on behalf of Salem Boy Scout Troop 123, said, “Mrs. Burgess has been doing P.R.A.Y. classes for not only our scouts, but her church children, and other troops since 2008. She is very dedicated and works extremely hard at bringing these classes to these individuals to help them grow spiritually. She is a blessing not only to the scouts, but to our parents and community.” What does Tricia’s ministry look like? Click here to view the picture of 5 Four Star recipients coached by Tricia in Salem United Methodist Church.

Interested in recognizing an individual? Visit P.R.A.Y.’s Adult Nomination page.

Logan is a Bear Scout in Cub Scout Pack 2187 in the Transatlantic Council. He completed the God and Me requirements with his father and had his final review with Rev. Wilfried Nausner, the UMC District Superintendent responsible for Albania, Croatia and Macedonia. Logan received his award at the United Methodist Church in Skopje, Macedonia. Congratulations, Logan!

Avery B. is a PRAY Four Star Recipient. When she attended the National G.I.R.L. event in October 2017 and recognized P.R.A.Y. in the Hall of Experiences, she stopped to chat and take a picture for her Mom. We asked Avery (and her mom) to reflect on their experiences and share what they learned. Two things stand out for Avery: faith and friendship. FAITH, because "I have learned how … to take ownership of my faith, to deepen my relationship with God, and to offer my own gifts and talents in service to the church" and FRIENDSHIP, because of the awesome experience she had earning God and Life with her close friends and Girl Scout "sisters," Emma and Genevieve. [Photo L-R: Avery, Pastor Kelly Brumbeloe, Emma and Genevieve]

Click here to read Avery’s (and her mother’s!) reflections on the Four Star journey.