What an amazing showing from our Girl Scout members in their participation of Girl Scout Sunday or Sabbath this year! Look at these numbers:

• 494 girls
• 104 troops
• 64 faith partners

No matter how Girl Scouts express their spiritual and religious preferences, the Preamble of the Constitution of the Girl Scouts of USA states that “we believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one.” Girl Scout Sunday/Sabbath gives girls an opportunity to attend their place of worship and be recognized as a Girl Scout and connect the Girl Scout mission with their faith. Fill Your Troop’s Spirit with Reflection and Gratitude on Girl Scout Sunday/Sabbath

Here’s what our volunteers had to say about their experience:

“The girls were happy to attend Girl Scout Sunday at Compassionate Tabernacle of Faith Missionary Baptist Church. They stood during the service to recite the Girl Scout Promise and participated in Children’s Church. Based on their smiles-you can tell how proud they were to be Girl Scouts!”

-Kenya Hite

“Our girls and volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds (some religious, some not). The girls really enjoyed it, though! One doesn’t attend church, but really liked it; another is used to a more contemporary service and liked this traditional service better. Some even participated in Communion for their first time. It was a great experience!”

-Liz Wade

“We had an amazing experience. We nominated Cindy Heath from Troop 1147 for the God and Service Award, and our Pastor presented it to her during the service. Also, one of our girls, Ruth Lahl wrote and gave the sermon.”

-Tricia Lahl

“This is the fifth year some of these girls have participated in Scout Sunday at our host church. They helped the Daisies (Troop #1826) master their cookie booth & money management skills before and after the church service. The Juniors had the opportunity to serve as greeters, during the service as ushers (including collecting the offering), and one girl lead the congregation in the opening prayer. The pastor spoke about how the girls have been helping with church wide service projects, and spoke directly to the girls by providing an update on the Habitat for Humanity build where the girls served lunch at on “wall raising” day. As a leader, I loved standing back and watching the Juniors take the lead initiating the cookie booth practice with the Daisies. Watching their maturity develop over the last several years has been amazing.”

-Angie Gehrt

Finally, a huge thank you to our friends and partners for giving our troops the opportunity to express their faith, gratitude and appreciation for your continued support of Girl Scouts, the preeminent leadership development organization for girls!

Patches are being distributed to Membership Directors this month to deliver at volunteer meetings.

Comments or suggestions for Girl Scout Sunday or Sabbath for next year’s celebration? Contact Brooke Banson Vallely at bbanson@nccoastalpines.org.