Faith-Based Programs My Promise, My Faith and Religious Recognitions

Preamble to the Constitution of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “We, the members of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, are united by a belief in God. …We believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one.”

To Serve God All Girl Scouts promise to serve God. Girl Scouting encourages girls to grow in faith.

Faith-based awards include: My Promise, My Faith Pins Religious Recognitions

My Promise, My Faith (MPMF) Pin The MPMF Pin: Is created by the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Is found in the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. May be earned every year. Is worn on the front of the uniform

My Promise, My Faith (MPMF) Pin

The MPMF Pin: Helps girls connect Girl Scouting with their faith.

My Promise, My Faith (MPMF) Pin The MPMF Pin: Helps ADULTS make the connection between Girl Scouting and faith.

My Promise, My Faith (MPMF) Pin Requirements may be completed within a Troop setting. Religious institutions may also host MPMF events. MPMF can strengthen the partnership between the local Girl Scout council and the faith community.

Make the Connection! Congregations need to see the connection they can have with Girl Scouting They are connected through faith based awards

Requirements Activities are based on the Girl Scout Law. Girls will examine a line of the Girl Scout Law and consider how it ties to their faith.

Requirements Step 1: Choose a line of the law and relate it to a song, prayer, reading or tradition of your faith Steps 2-5: Continue to explore that line of the law through interviews, reflection, creativity, and commitment.

Requirements Step 2: Girls interview a woman from their faith about how she tries to apply the line of the law in her life. Step 3: Girls gather three inspirational quotes by women that fit with the line of the Girl Scout Law they have chosen. Step 4: Girls make something to remind them of what they’ve learned. (It might be a drawing, painting, or poster; or even a story or a skit.)

Requirements Step 5: Girls find out if their faith community offers a recognition program for Girl Scouts. They talk with friends, family, or a group in their faith community about what they’ve learned about their faith and Girl Scouting. Girls ask them to help them live the GS Law and their faith.

New Updated Description There are 2 updates to the MPMF description. The current Girl’s Guides to Girl Scouting do not reflect these updates.

Find out about Religious Recognitions P.R.A.Y. website

New UPDATED Description Requirement #5 is “Keep the Connection Strong.” Girls are instructed to “Find out if your faith community offers a recognition program for Girl Scouts.” The MPMF pin does not replace Religious Recognitions: it complements them.

New UPDATED Description As part of the MPMF requirements, leaders should help girls find out if their faith community offers a Religious Recognition Go to for information on religious recognitions offered by different faith communities, and for resources to make presentations on the religious recognitions programs.

Resources: Booklets for Older and Younger Girls Include activities to explore the GS Law Help girls complete the first requirement (to choose one line of the Law) Encourage girls to complete the rest of the requirements Booklets are not required to complete MPMF Are available online

Younger Booklet

Older Booklet

Booklets Include activities to explore the Girl Scout Law Booklets are NOT required to complete the MPMF Help girls choose a line of the Girl Scout Law Step 1: Choose a line of the law and relate it to a song, prayer, reading or tradition of your faith

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My Promise, My Faith (MPMF) Pin In summary, the MPMF pin: Helps girls make the connection between their faith and the Girl Scout Law Points to the Religious Recognitions Provides new opportunities to partner with the faith community

My Promise, My Faith (MPMF) Pin Questions? Your local Girl Scout Council should have a person designated as the faith lead, and you can direct questions to that person.

Religious Recognitions

Are created by national religious organizations. Are designed to help girls grow in faith. Are taught by parents and religious leaders.

Religious Recognitions Lessons are based on religious beliefs and tenets Earned with others of the same faith Requirements differ for each religion and are available from the national religious organizations/committees

Religious Recognitions Are your “foot in the door” as you approach congregations Before you approach a congregation, become familiar with their Religious Recognition program

Religious Recognitions Are worn on the official Girl Scout uniform.

Religious Recognitions Are presented to the girls by clergy, usually in a worship service in the recipient’s congregation (recipients are also recognized in a Girl Scout setting, such as an award ceremony).

How to Get Started on Religious Recognitions Step 1: Girls must obtain the specific booklet for their religion.

Obtain the specific booklet for your religion African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) P.R.A.Y S. Towne Square, Ste. B St. Louis, MO 63123; / Anglican Church in North America P.R.A.Y S. Towne Square, Ste. B St. Louis, MO 63123; / Baha’i Baha’i National Center, Office of Education & Schools, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL (847) /

How to Get Started on Religious Recognitions Step 2: Parents must review the program guidelines.

How to Get Started on Religious Recognitions Step 3: Families should talk to their religious leaders and show them the booklet before beginning any program.

How to Get Started on Religious Recognitions Step 4: Girls need to complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the recognition or pin.

Adult Awards

Adult Recognitions By nomination only Require a minimum number of years of service Require the completed nomination form, resume of candidate’s activities, and letters of recommendation from the Girl Scout Council and the religious institution Congregations are encouraged to use these adult recognitions to support their adult volunteers. These recognitions can revitalize volunteers in their service through Girl Scouting.

Resources

Faith-Based Programs Girls are encouraged to earn both the MPMF pin and the Religious Recognition for their specific faith. As part of the MPMF requirements, leaders should help girls find out if their faith community offers a Religious Recognition. Visit the P.R.A.Y. website for resources on Faith-Based Programs: