December 2004
The God and Country Bulletin is designed specifically for users of the God and Country program. This means that it is written for pastors, counselors, mentors, and parents associated with Protestant and Independent Christian churches. It includes program helps, best practices, and special features to support a God and Country ministry. We hope you enjoy this bulletin and take the time to share it with others.
New Recognition for FOUR STAR Recipients
P.R.A.Y. has announced a new recognition for four-star recipients (a four-star recipient is someone who has earned all four levels of the God and Country series). Four-star recipients will receive a certificate and letter of congratulations from P.R.A.Y. A special pin is available at additional cost. Click here to view the pin.
The application form in the new God and Life booklet includes the four-star pin. God and Life candidates can indicate whether or not they have completed all four levels and then order the four-star pin at that time. Young people who became four-star recipients prior to December 2004, may go to the P.R.A.Y. web site and print out a special application/order form. The four-star status is not automatically granted – P.R.A.Y. will verify that candidates have earned all four levels of the God and Country program before sending special recognition.
Revised God and Life Curriculum Now Available
God and Life (for high school students) has been revised and is now available from P.R.A.Y. This is the fourth and final program to be revised in the God and Country series. Unlike the other three program revisions, the God and Life curriculum maintained its basic outline:
1. Before his conversion, Paul persecuted Christians. ►God calls all kinds of people.
2. Paul was helped by Ananias and Barnabas. ►God doesn’t expect us to do it on our own.
3. Paul was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. ►Each of us must make a personal response to the call of God.
4. Paul faced many difficulties and endured much pain. ►God gives strength to face adversities.
5. Paul’s faithfulness was a tool God used to strengthen and grow the church. ►God can accomplish great things through those who are willing to do God’s will.
The revised curriculum includes several new features:
· Improved Counselor Manual with sample lesson plans, opening activities, discussion helps, and additional resources for class settings.
· Space to record answers in the Student Workbook
· New embroidered patch [click here to view]
· Program resources on the web
The new curriculum became available December 20, 2004 from P.R.A.Y. The new books are not compatible with the old (i.e., you cannot use an old Counselor Manual with the new Student Workbook). All local council stores were notified of the changes and P.R.A.Y. has offered to swap their old books for new, but during this transition, please double check that you have the correct books.
New Multiple Order Forms are now available at all four program levels. These forms allow the counselor to submit all the names of the recipients on one sheet of paper (instead of collecting individual application forms from each recipient). These forms are included in the new Counselor Manuals and also on our web site [click here]. Please note that the Multiple Order Form is a two-sided form – both sides must be filled in and submitted to P.R.A.Y. before your order can be processed. These Multiple Order Forms will simplify the application process.
A new course was announced for Philmont Training Center entitled “Religious Emblems for Youth and Adults.” It will be held during the relationships week August 7-13, 2005. Council professionals and volunteers responsible for membership, as well as individuals interested in promoting Duty to God and the religious emblems programs of all faiths, should plan now to attend. Click here for more information, a tentative syllabus and registration brochure.
Boy Scout Sunday is typically celebrated the first or second Sunday in February, and Girl Scout Sunday is typically celebrated the first or second Sunday in March. We wanted to share some resources to help you plan for that day. Here are some links that provide sample sermons, litanies, prayers, and general ideas for celebrating Scouting as part of your church’s ministry.
http://scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Traditions/ScoutTraditions.htm
http://www.scouting.org/relationships/05-961/
Thanks to everybody who responded to our God and Country Bulletin and sent in ideas for implementing the God and Me program. Here are some of the ideas and suggestions that were submitted to P.R.A.Y.:
· The memory game (Section 1) went over especially well. We used animal stickers instead of drawing.
· We had 5 meetings that allowed us to spend 8 hours together on this program. Each child’s mentor was present. The children couldn’t wait to share with each other the activities they had done with their family and/or mentor.
· Memory game (Section 1) – I took a headshot picture of each participant and made matching cards (i.e. Son and Father, the two made a match). They liked seeing their pictures.
· We role-played the Christmas Story (Section 2).
· A silver tray with the items from Section 3 “I Can Talk with God.” I used as many actual items as possible and pictures for the ones I could not get miniatures for (i.e. Doll mini’s for TV, computer, phone, and full size tape, CD, stamp, pen, etc.). I placed the tray with all the items on the table for 30 seconds and then we played the game.
· We placed paper footsteps all over the room to make our PATH (Section 3).
· I liked the prayer hand with the meanings for each finger (from the Mentor Workbook). I copied it and gave it to our den leader to use as a craft for the kids to make.
· We drew the last game (Section 4), a board game, on the back of the game box. All we have to do is turn the game box over to play it. Since it is a hard surface, we don’t have to worry about finding a place to play.
· I designed bookmarks for the shut-in people of my church and to give away to the congregation on my God and Me ceremony day.
· We asked our students to read the “Songs of Praise” that they had written on page 8 during the worship service.
· We offered the God and Me class as part of the Lenten Bible Study time for adults. The kids were in their own room while the adults held their own class. Both groups enjoyed that.
· I thought it very helpful to have more curriculum than we needed. It was helpful to have choices -–the boys differed developmentally and I was able to adjust to their needs. The gamebox idea was fun!
· One suggestion would be to add a simple crossword puzzle, word search, maze, or “what is wrong with this picture” at the end of chapter so the faster children have something to do while the others caught up.
· Our students already knew the Lord’s Prayer, so we substituted the 23rd Psalm.
· We invited the Bishop to our last class for the children to show what they learned and be interviewed. They played the games and had refreshments.
· Two of the five kid/parent teams were unchurched families. This was their first exposure to religion and Christian values together through scouting. We are in Seoul, Korea and are excited to use this curriculum to reach unchurched youth AND parents.
· We made prayer rocks that children could keep on their pillows to remind them to say their prayers at night.
· We went on morning prayer walks and read the Bible together every morning before the bus came to pick him up for school. It was a special time for us.
· I wear my God and Me charm as a constant reminder for me to continue to be an example of Christ to my sons.
These were the ideas that were submitted to P.R.A.Y. To read more comments and suggestions from God and Me users, click here. To read other comments about how children and parents responded to the program, click here.
Next Issue: God and Family
The next God and Country bulletin is scheduled for March 2005 and we will feature the God and Family program for grades 4-5. Please share your ideas for pizza crafts, family activities, service projects, presentation ceremonies, and photos. We are also looking for “success stories” or testimonials on how the program has impacted children and families.
You may respond to this email or forward your comments to debh@praypub.org. Again, thank you for sharing.
Please forward this email to other people you feel may benefit from this God and Country Bulletin. You could share this information with your pastor, youth group leaders, Sunday school teachers, Scouting leaders, and others.
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