Scouting Connection
United Methodist Men have a long-standing commitment to Scouting
ministries. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire, and other youth service
organizations are designed to instill values in young people. Among these
values is the importance of duty to others. Scouts take seriously such
principles as helping the less fortunate.
The programs under Meals for Millions are great opportunities for United
Methodist Men to strengthen their Scouting ministries. In particular,
gleaning events stand out as a tremendous way to include Scouts in
partnership with United Methodist Men in helping others. Two basic
approaches can be taken toward this end. First, United Methodist Men
groups should invite all youth service organizations they sponsor to
participate in the planning of gleaning events and in actually gleaning
and distributing the food. Individual scouts will get credit for
participation in a service project while the ties between the sponsoring
organization and the troop, pack, or other sponsored organization are
strengthened.
| The second approach is to encourage Scouts who must plan and lead major
service projects (such as Eagle Scout candidates) to choose gleaning. This
approach would place the United Methodist Men group under the leadership
of the young person, but at the same time it would demonstrate
dramatically the United Methodist Men commitment to the scouting program.
By actively participating in gleaning with scouts, United Methodist Men
demonstrate to young people the willingness of Christian men to translate
their faith into action. The influence of adult men in this regard is
extremely important in the development of young people. Through their
participation in Meals for Millions gleaning events with sponsored youth
service units, United Methodist Men give evidence of their faith and lead
by example. They affirm through their willingness to help the less
fortunate that they want the best for everyone, and they act to make that
happen. |
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