P.R.A.Y.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

In observance of Independence Day, the P.R.A.Y. office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th, and Friday, July 5th.

The office will remain closed as staff will be attending the Philmont Training Center from July 6th through the 13th for Interfaith Week with volunteers from many faith traditions across the country.

Shipping will resume with normal business hours on Monday, July 15th.

In addition to being closed for the observance of the Independence Day holiday, July 4th and 5th, the P.R.A.Y. office will also be closed from July 8th through the 12th while staff are away at the Philmont Training Center for Interfaith Week. Shipping will resume when the office reopens on July 15th.

For timely responses, please send an email to [email protected].

Registration is open now!

Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church, P.R.A.Y., and the national committees and associations of Protestant faiths are excited to announce that national virtual programs are returning October 6th. While not intended to supplant in-person religious emblems or awards participation, this program will be of great assistance in making the religious emblems available to all youth, especially those who are having difficulty finding an in-person class or support near them. Any Protestant, Non-Denominational, or Independent Christian youth are welcome to take these classes. Registration is free and now open. Classes in each of the five program levels are offered and will be presented over Zoom. There is room for 2,000 (500 per program offered) total students.

This program is open to any youth in any organization, grades Kindergarten through 12th grade interested in exploring their faith.
Detailed information for each program and registration can be found by clicking the link below and selecting the "Class Ticket."

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-virtual-pray-emblem-classes-registration-795561835867?aff=oddtdtcreator

Would you like to invite others or promote the sessions? Please download the flyer to share!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10f1ujkaQCoz2QmmhYf63l1Brgjd1r2Bz/view?usp=drive_link

There's space for you (and your family)!

Join your fellow BSA Adult leaders this summer at Philmont for Religious Relationships Week, July 7-13 2024. In addition to breakouts by faith traditions, there will be opportunities to learn for Religious Emblems Coordinators, Chaplains, Chartered Partners, and Clergy. Additional sessions for Interfaith Hikes and Services, Membership Growth in faith-based units, Building Relationships, and more.

Details on registering at Philmont are here:
https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/ptc-conferences/

Details for the week can be found here: :
https://dutytogodbsa.org/portfolio/2024-religious-relationships-week-ptc/

2024 Religious Relationships Week @ PTC Join people of many faiths at Philmont Training Center in July 2024.

P.R.A.Y. will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth Federal Holiday.

Shipping will resume on Thursday, June 20.

Originally established during the Civil War, Memorial Day honors those who have died in military service for our country.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." – John 15:13, NIV

In honor of Memorial Day the P.R.A.Y. offices are closed on May 27th.

P.R.A.Y. is grateful for your continued support and ministry. Beginning the week of Memorial Day through Labor Day, the P.R.A.Y. office is closed on Fridays.

Our office hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CDT, Monday - Thursday. Orders received will be shipped within 48 hours of receipt. Shipping occurs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Those orders placed late Thursday or Friday will ship the following Monday.

Give us a call, at 314-845-3318, if we can help serve you and the work you do. We are always available via e-mail at [email protected].

P.R.A.Y. is proud to serve as a faith partner for other traditions. This announcement confirms the ministry of Scouting in the Orthodox tradition and strengthens our partner EOCS - Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting.

Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting Joins Orthodox Youth & Young Adult Ministries The EOCS will continue to promote scouting in the Orthodox church as a ministry of OYM.As of March 15, 2024, The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS) is working in collaboration with Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries (OYM) in accordance with the express wish of the Assembly of Bisho...

Please note that P.R.A.Y. will be closed May 7th and 8th so staff may participate in the Boy Scouts of America's National Annual Meeting.

P.R.A.Y. will ship on Monday, May 6th, then reopen and resume shipping on Thursday, May 9th. Thank you for your patience.

Updated to include patch information. There is still time to sign up.

Duty to God has been one of the most important principles of Scouting from the beginning. In 1916, James E. West, the BSA’s first Chief Scout Executive, helped install what is now known as the “Declaration of Religious Principle” into the original BSA constitution and by-laws.

The Scout Oath begins with, “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.”

The Scout Law ends with, “A Scout is reverent. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.”

In just under one month, on May 2, 2024, at 5:30 pm local time, in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, young people from more than 100 Councils across the globe will make history by sharing the readings of their faith's sacred texts. Cubs and Scouts can participate in three ways:
1 - Read your faith’s sacred texts at home with your family.
2 - Ask your clergy to read at their house of worship. Faith leaders may suggest the readings, promote, or broadcast to their congregation or to the general public.
3 - Invite a Scout friend to participate in this event at their home or Faith location.

The event begins with Scouts from the Far East and Transatlantic Councils. That means Scouts will start reading at 5:30 pm in the Far East, seven hours later, Scouts read in Europe, we cross the Atlantic and seven hours later, Scouts begin reading on the East Coast, then Midwest, and finish in Hawaii.

For more information please visit: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2024/02/28/heres-how-you-can-participate-in-the-national-day-of-prayer/ or https://stlbsa.org/Scouts-read-sacred-texts-worldwide/

For registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gQ2-I06bsR9rV0DaJ5g93sa55gK7TgZTlvyZlr8fQhA/viewform?edit_requested=true

To help promote, please share the information above and a promotional video: https://vimeo.com/915976646?fbclid=IwAR2Pm-ENxIBQOMmefyXnCb3K7BITArQptelw7iuVhjZ04efpj1dFqYXbrp8

To purchase patches, please visit: https://www.scoutingevent.com/312-SacredPatchOrder

On March 26, UMCOS and PRAY, led a one-night session on developing and delivering a PRAY program. Participants learned how to organize, promote, and lead a PRAY program at their congregation. All five levels of the PRAY programs from K through 12th grades were covered and ideas were shared for finding a program coordinator, getting your church and its clergy involved, engaging volunteer leaders, promoting the program in your community, and creating a calendar to help you organize it.

For those of you who couldn't join us, a recording is now available on the PRAY YouTube channel for you to view at your convenience.

Organizing an Annual P.R.A.Y. Program During this one-hour session on developing and delivering a PRAY program, you will learn how to organize, promote, and lead a PRAY program at your congregati...

Today is the holiest day in the Christian calendar. It marks the celebration of the promise of eternal life.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter.

And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.
- 1 Corinthians 6:14

We wish you a Holy Week full of happiness and prayer.

Please note that in observance of Good Friday, the P.R.A.Y. office will be closed on March 29. Shipping will resume on April 1.

We hope you can join us this Tuesday night, 7:00 pm EDT, for an informative webinar on “How to Organize a P.R.A.Y. Program”. Details are below. There is no need to register. Click on the link below and join us at the appointed time.

Join UMCOS and PRAY on March 26, from 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT, for a one-night session on developing and delivering a PRAY program. Learn how to organize, promote, and lead a PRAY program at your congregation. The session will cover all five levels of the PRAY programs from K through 12th grades. It will offer ideas on finding a program coordinator, getting your church and its clergy involved, engaging volunteer leaders, promoting the program in your community, and creating a calendar to help you organize it.

All Protestant traditions and agency affiliations (BSA, GSUSA, AHG) are welcome to participate.

There is no registration needed - you can join the meeting with this link: https://bit.ly/3Oz52mj

Duty to God has been one of the most important principles of Scouting from the beginning. In 1916, James E. West, the BSA’s first Chief Scout Executive, helped install what is now known as the “Declaration of Religious Principle” into the original BSA constitution and by-laws.

The Scout Oath begins with, “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.”

The Scout Law ends with, “A Scout is reverent. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.”

In just under one month, on May 2, 2024, at 5:30 pm local time, in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, young people from more than 100 Councils across the globe will make history by sharing the readings of their faith's sacred texts. Cubs and Scouts can participate in three ways:
1 - Read your faith’s sacred texts at home with your family.
2 - Ask your clergy to read at their house of worship. Faith leaders may suggest the readings, promote, or broadcast to their congregation or to the general public.
3 - Invite a Scout friend to participate in this event at their home or Faith location.

The event begins with Scouts from the Far East and Transatlantic Councils. That means Scouts will start reading at 5:30 pm in the Far East, seven hours later, Scouts read in Europe, we cross the Atlantic and seven hours later, Scouts begin reading on the East Coast, then Midwest, and finish in Hawaii.

For more information please visit: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2024/02/28/heres-how-you-can-participate-in-the-national-day-of-prayer/ or https://stlbsa.org/Scouts-read-sacred-texts-worldwide/

For registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gQ2-I06bsR9rV0DaJ5g93sa55gK7TgZTlvyZlr8fQhA/viewform?edit_requested=true

To help promote, please share the information above and a promotional video: https://vimeo.com/915976646?fbclid=IwAR2Pm-ENxIBQOMmefyXnCb3K7BITArQptelw7iuVhjZ04efpj1dFqYXbrp8

To purchase patches, please visit: https://www.scoutingevent.com/312-SacredPatchOrder

There is no registration needed - you can join the meeting on March 26th through this link: https://bit.ly/3Oz52mj

Join UMCOS and PRAY on March 26, from 7:00pm - 8:00pm Eastern Time, for a one-night session on developing and delivering a PRAY program. Learn how to organize, promote, and lead a PRAY program at your congregation. The session will cover all five levels of the PRAY programs from K through 12th grades. It will offer ideas on finding a program coordinator, getting your church and its clergy involved, engaging volunteer leaders, promoting the program in your community, and creating a calendar to help you organize it.

All Protestant traditions and agency affiliations (BSA, GSUSA, AHG) are welcome to participate.

There is no registration needed - you can join the meeting with this link: https://bit.ly/3Oz52mj

Just over a day remains to register. If you haven't signed up already, there is still room to join in with more that 500 people like you from across the country.
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The National Religious Relationships Committee of the BSA is hosting a nationwide religious emblems promotion night on February 22nd from 7pm-8pm Central time. This event is appropriate for unit leaders, youth, faith leaders, and BSA professionals. The first 10 minutes will consist of a quick overview of religious emblems and how to find more information about them. Then breakout rooms by faith tradition will be open to an informational session and Q&A. As youth will be present, this program will NOT be recorded. However, all presentation materials will be available at dutytogodbsa.org following the event.
Registration begins here: http://www.tinyurl.com/religiousemblemsnight

2024 Religious Emblems Night Sign-Up Thank you for choosing to attend the Thursday, February 22nd Zoom meeting to learn more about Religious Emblems recognized by the Boy Scouts of America. We ask that you sign up for each device (not each person that can attend on the same device). This allows us to open the program for more people to...

UPDATED!

There is no registration needed - you can join the meeting on March 26th through this link: https://bit.ly/3Oz52mj

SAVE THE DATE!

Join UMCOS and PRAY on March 26, from 7:00pm - 8:00pm Eastern Time, for a one-night session on developing and delivering a PRAY program. Learn how to organize, promote, and lead a PRAY program at your congregation. The session will cover all five levels of the PRAY programs from K through 12th grades. It will offer ideas on finding a program coordinator, getting your church and its clergy involved, engaging volunteer leaders, promoting the program in your community, and creating a calendar to help you organize it.

All Protestant traditions and agency affiliations (BSA, GSUSA, AHG) are welcome to participate.

There is no registration needed - you can join the meeting with this link: https://bit.ly/3Oz52mj

In observance of President's Day, P.R.A.Y. will be closed on Monday, February 19th. Staff are working remotely. The office will reopen and shipping will resume on Tuesday.

If you haven't signed up already, there is still room to join!

The National Religious Relationships Committee of the BSA is hosting a nationwide religious emblems promotion night on February 22nd from 7pm-8pm Central time. This event is appropriate for unit leaders, youth, faith leaders, and BSA professionals. The first 10 minutes will consist of a quick overview of religious emblems and how to find more information about them. Then breakout rooms by faith tradition will be open to an informational session and Q&A. As youth will be present, this program will NOT be recorded. However, all presentation materials will be available at dutytogodbsa.org following the event.

Registration begins here: http://www.tinyurl.com/religiousemblemsnight

Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and
protection from harm. - Psalm 34:9

A Scout is Reverent! Today, our BSA partners begin celebrating Boy Scouting's anniversary. Scouting's Anniversary recognizes the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting and the strong bond between Scouting and faith-based organizations. Every unit and member can celebrate these days as they choose — you can attend a worship service wearing a full field uniform, participate in a worship service, or conduct a service project for a religious organization. While most units will celebrate on the best day for their congregation closest to the 8th, activities will occur all month long.

Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
- Luke 2:11-12

Merry Christmas to you and your families on this blessed day.

Beginning December 22, the P.R.A.Y. Offices are closed so we may observe the holiday with our families. Blessings to you and yours. Safe travels wherever the road takes you.
The office will reopen on Wednesday, December 27, and shipping will resume.
The webstore is open 24-7 for your curriculum and recognition needs. Please visit us at https://store.praypub.org/ to place an order for delivery soon.

On this special day, we wish our friends and their families the gift of faith and the blessing of hope this Thanksgiving Day!

The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.
Psalm 67:6

Girl Scout Week 2024 has been announced. In addition to the celebrations and activities, it’s also a time when many troops celebrate the connections between Girl Scouting and their faith, learn more about other faiths, and thank faith partners for their support throughout the year. Girls can join in the festivities on three specially designated dates (or a day of your choosing):

Girl Scout Sunday: Sunday, March 10, 2024
Girl Scout Jummah: Friday, March 15, 2024
Girl Scout Sabbath/Shabbat: Friday, March 15 – Saturday, March 16, 2024

Now is the time to start planning and engaging your congregation in the celebration. These are great opportunities to recognize members and adults with their religious recognition.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/GSUSACelebrateFaith2024 for tips and resources including sample service ideas, pre-and post-service helps, sample prayers, and patches.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) designates the weekend that falls nearest February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scouting Anniversary Weekend. However, each chartered organization or congregation can adopt a specific date within the house of worship’s calendar to celebrate. This is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting and the houses of worship that serve as partners in the delivery of the BSA’s shared mission.
On these important days, which are timed to fall near the anniversary of the BSA, Scouts give back in visible and meaningful ways. In some units, that means simply wearing the full field uniform to worship services, where the worship leader presents religious emblems and awards to Scouts and Scouters respectively. In others, the pack, troop, or crew conducts a service project that benefits the faith-based organization.

Boy Scout Jumuah: February 8-9, 2024
Boy Scout Sabbath/Shabbat: February 9-10, 2024
Boy Scout Sunday: February 11, 2024

Now is the time to start planning and engaging your clergy in the celebration.
Please visit https://tinyurl.com/BSAAnniversaryCelebration for additional tools and resources to build your celebration. The 2024 patch has not been released yet, but the information for the Scouting Anniversary Month Presentation is applicable for any year.

Scout Sunday The Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. However, each chartered organization can use either of two other options to celebr...

On November 22nd at noon CST, the P.R.A.Y. Offices will close so we may observe the holiday with our families. Blessings to you and yours. Safe travels wherever your road takes you.

The webstore is open 24-7 for your curriculum and recognition needs. Please visit us at https://store.praypub.org/ to place an order for delivery soon. The office will reopen on Monday, November 27th and shipping will resume.