In honor of Girl Scout Sunday, on March 12, 2017, a half dozen Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts from troop 1504 participated in church services at Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL. March 12 is the 105th anniversary of the founding of Girl Scouts in the United States. Juliette Gordon Low–nicknamed “Daisy”–initiated the program in Savannah, GA, in 1912. She patterned it after Boy Scouting in Great Britain, Europe, and other countries around the world. Girl Guides is the name of the girl’s organization outside the U. S.
The morning began with a privilege at 10:00 a.m. Congregant Richard Swanson led the Scouts to a sanctuary “closet” to pull the church bell rope. Three times the bell called people to worship at 10:15. At left he is shown with Yvette Stafford. At right, Maya Wakeman, Yvette, Annabelle Blevins, and Peyton Lowrey are partially visible in the tight space.
Maya, left, and Annabelle were acolytes.
Twenty-five Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts, in grades Kindergarten through fifth, had prepared for this day. Their goals were to tell people about Girl Scouting, make the service special, and thank the church for offering a meeting room. They
- brought a sunny, yellow bouquet for the altar
- handed out programs
- lit candles
- told the congregation what they like about Girl Scouts, using a vest patch as a visual aid
- thanked the church for letting them meet there in January and February
- contributed Girl Scout cookies for the Fellowship Hour
- offered a handy order form for those who wished to order cookies.
Hillary Blevins shared the activities, service, and events this multi-age troop has enjoyed to date. Left-to-right are volunteer leader Andrea Ramirez and daughter Maya Wakeman; Blevins and daughter Annabelle; Yvette Stafford; Peyton Lowrey; Emmeline Rider; Riley Oncken and volunteer leader Kelsie Lowery; Pastor Ryan Sutton.
Girls who earned their “My Promise My Faith” religious recognition pin, for the first or second year, received it from Pastor Sutton. Each girl earned a Girl Scout Sunday event patch for her vest.
