By SUZANNE PECKHAM
The Press
The Girl Scouts of Troop 43001, led by Scout leader Leah Burnett, recently met at the Tom and Ann Stuart Community Center in Martin to earn the My Promise, My Faith pin.
The workshop was led by Monica Christian, director of the Interfaith Student Center at UT Martin, and Lee Clements, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Martin.
The special workshop encouraged the girls to explore how Girl Scouting and faith offer similar ideas about how to act, and how Girl Scouting can tie into faith. Female Volunteers from several Christian Protestant backgrounds joined Burnett, Christian and Clements to support the girls as they worked to earn their My Promise, My Faith Pins. Among the volunteers were Sarah Cooney, Brooke Kane, Shelby Stout, and Robin Last. The girls in attendance included Cali Arnold, Johana Romero, Gabrielle Reed, London McDonald, Amiracle Gardner and Sh’Mya Crosby.
The girls began their afternoon by gathering for pizza, introductions and ice-breakers, followed by introduction of the Girl Scout Law:  “I will do my best to be courageous and strong.”
Clements led the first activity and introduced the story of Ruth, and Christian introduced the story of Mary and Martha. The girls broke into groups and chose which story they would like to read. Volunteers led discussions on what the line in the Girl Scout Law and the story they chose have in common, and how the women in the story displayed strength and courage. The girls talked with the volunteers about how they use the line of the Girl Scout Law in her own lives.
“My favorite part was when Mrs. Lee was talking about being courageous and strong with us after we read the stories from the Bible. She talked to us about what it takes to be a courageous and strong person,” said Cali Arnold.
Each girl was given a prayer square, included with quotes by women that fit the line of the Girl Scout Law to keep with her. Near the end of the workshop, each girl was given a poster board and created a drawing or collage to remind her of what she had learned that day.  Each girl presented her poster to her fellow Scouts and volunteers and shared what they had discovered about faith and Girl Scouting.
“You should try hard to be courageous every day,” said Amiracle Gardner.
“I learned that becoming a courageous person takes a long time,” said Johana Romero. “You earn courage and strength through your life experiences, and there are people who help you move along through tough times in your life.”
The girls closed the afternoon by singing “This Little Light of Mine” and a departing blessing was lead by Christian.
For more information on how to get involved with Girl Scouts, please contact Troop #43001 leader Leah Burnett at leah.burnett@girlscoutshs.org.

Published in The WCP 3.5.13