Scout Sunday (Saturday for some) - When things go perfectly!

 

A Scout is Reverent...

Sometimes as a leader, Reverent is one of the more personal aspects of our Scout Law, and sometimes difficult to demonstrate without impressing on someone else's child my own beliefs of faith, and spirituality. Yes, one of the requirements of Scouting is the belief in a higher power. However, just because a child is in your troop does not mean they follow your same faith. Interfaith ideals are important, helping teach scouts how to respect others of different faiths is important.  In your own troop, your scouts can be members of any faith, so explaining your Duty to God, may not be their Duty to God. Allowing Scouts to learn to appreciate the faith of others is an important factor in Scouting.  I have attended some Vespers at events that I loved. I learned about others' faiths, and how they reflect on my own, maybe with a different "Big Guy" but the messages are the same. You can read the words of another religious text, and still find the imagery beautiful. I have also had the thought, that my own pastor's head may explode calling that church service. However, Reverent is still an important part of Scout Law. Just remember that Reverent and Morally Straight, can be defined differently by different people, so keep an open mind. If one thing I have learned in Scouting is that these two topics can be touchy subjects, but lead to some of the best adult idea exchanges I have had scouting.

So today was our Scout Sunday. I have only experienced this once before, in February 2020.  This was right before Covid-19 took its toll on any in-person gatherings, and is still having its effects. In 2021, there was no Scout Sunday. I remembered enjoying the time with the pack and wished we would have had our last one. However, it was not to be last year. 

2022 was time to bring it back. Our Troop was excited about this event coming back. It brought a sense of normalcy. Yes, we had to mask at the request of the church, but this was something small to be part of something bigger, a national day of recognition. We share our charter organization with a Pack, and Troop for boys.  Once again, our brother organization was the example of how cooperation and comingling can be done successfully for the benefit of all our kids. 

Our church has sponsored a girls troop since 2019, due to just getting things started, they missed Scout Sunday in 2020. While the members of our charter organization knew we existed, they have not seen us in existence. Today that changed, and it was perfect. 

Our Scouts served in a few ways today, some were greeters, some held the door, some did readings for the service. Each Scout got the opportunity to take on the challenge they were most comfortable with. For some simply saying good morning, and handing out a bulletin or worship aid was assertive enough. It had them use the communication skills we work on in a real-world environment. Some held the door because a Scout is helpful.  Lastly two girls, and two boys elected to read scripture. We showed the organization, and greater scouting community that we can have young men, and young women working together to serve, and nothing bad comes from that. They came together to worship, and it was beautiful. 

Scout Sunday is an important event to help solidifiy your relationship with your charter organization. This is time when you get to meet with the leader of the congrigation. You can learn what the organization needs in terms of service. The example is that in the bulletin, it noted they were looking for help with cleaning the cemetary. Amazingly we were already looking to work with a local stone cleaner to learn the process of resetting, and cleaning headstones. It is a win-win. The pastor was so excited that we are volunteering to be the point on this activity. We are adding value to our organization, and making ourselves part of part of the relationship, and not just a group that needs a meeting space. We got to meet the members of the church and start building relationships. You never know what may come from that. Lastly, I got to see my 8th grade English teacher, introducing my daughter was a fun experience. My teacher was unsure how I have a child that old, when she hasn't aged a day. 

Demonstrating our skills, and completing public speaking requirements at the same time is another great benefit. Reading in front of a large group, and showing the skills, that we profess we are giving, is a great way to really demonstrate that it is more than words. We shared the reading responsibilities with the boys troop because that is how it should be done. We met with the leaders as equals, as it should be. We showed that while we are both members of this charter organization, we are different Troops that both add value to their church. 

Finally, and most importantly, the sermon focused on the values of Scouting.  The opening speaker made the connections to Scout Law and the church.  The pastor did a sermon on asking to help others, because a scout is helpful. While I am sure somehwhere the pastor takes the opportunity to focus on reverent, however,  this time the pastor showed that the works we do are all reflective in our duty to God.  He made good works, and good living a simple yet powerful way to show that you are reverent. 

Afterwards the fellowship brunch gave a chance for so many adults to interact with the Scouts, and leaders.  For our Troop is was an opportunity for many of the older members to talk about how wonderful it was to see our girls doing Scouts. There were statements of how they wish they would have had the same opportunity, and statements of encouragement to keep doing the good work. We got the kids together for a picture, and they all got together. As you can see we share the same aims, but we have our own identies. These opportunites are also important because we are not just helping them learn how to be scouts, but how to interact and appreciate each other. They are learning that boys and girls, and work together and mutually respect one another. They learn that as their own worlds go further, leaders come in many forms. However, most of all, they laughed, and enjoyed this momemt. These good times will help them rely on each other when things get tough. 

I could not be more proud of these girls and their commitment to each other, their goals, and most importantly to Scouts BSA. I am glad I get to be a part of their journies.

Scout Sunday Theme - 

On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.  

I hope you have the same experiences.