P.R.A.Y.

Religious Award Program

(Programs of Religious Activities with Youth)

 

Overview

     This is the national youth religious award program for Protestant and Independent Christian churches.  It is a program of the church, and is recognized by the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts U.S.A., and other youth organizations as an official award.

 

     The following are the four age groupings for the P.R.A.Y. program:
           God and Me          -    Red     -    Grades 1-3
           God and Family    -    Yellow  -    Grades 4-5
           God and Church   -    Blue    -    Grades 6-8
           God and Life         -    Green  -    Grades 9-12
           Four Star Award   -    Awarded to youth who have completed all four age programs

 

Summary

     The Christian Church seeks to provide opportunities for worship, for study, for outreach and service, for prayer, and for fellowship.  The Programs of Activities with Youth, or P.R.A.Y, is one means of nurture and growth for the development of Christian faith and discipleship, recognized by congregations of the United Church of Christ.  Its objectives are to help young people grow in their understanding of what Christians believe, to help young people see how other people have translated belief into action, and to provide young people with the opportunity for Christian service to others.  A conscious effort has been made to develop each unit of the program without theological bias; yet each program is designed to permit the introduction of particular theological and denominational viewpoints on the material being studied.  It is the responsibility of the counselor to provide this input.  The P.R.A.Y. Series has been recognized by several national youth-serving agencies as the religious emblem program for Protestant and Independent Christian churches.

       A young person voluntarily chooses to enroll in one of the four programs under the supervision of the minister.  In committing oneself to this program, the young person chooses to go beyond the regular expectations of worship and Sunday school experiences to become involved in an intentional and personal study program.  It is a program that requires a commitment of time and energy to study and to act out the faith, along with an expectation to seek to continue in growth.

     For Protestants, it is also recognized as the official religious program of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire U.S.A., and American Heritage Girls organizations.  Although, many Protestant and Independent scouts participate in this program for their scouting religious award, a youth does not need to be in a scouting organization to earn this award.

 

 

God & Me - P.R.A.Y.

2016 - April/May

    The God & Me religious educational program is published by the Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.).  It is the national religious award program for Protestant and Independent Christian churches for 1st - 3rd graders.  Cub Scout Tigers, Wolves, and Bears; and Girl Scout Brownies and older Daisies can receive their scouting religious award by completing this program.  However, this program is not just for girls and boys in scouting, it is open to all 1st - 3rd graders.

     We are planning on offering this course in April/May of 2016, depending on interest and schedules of participants.  If you are interested in participating in this upcoming God & Me course, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.

 

 

God & Family - P.R.A.Y.

2014-2015 School Year

    The God & Family educational program is published by the Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.).  It is the national religious award program for Protestant and Independent Christian churches for 4th & 5th graders.  Cub Scout Webelos and Girl Scout Juniors can receive their scouting religious award by completing this program.

     We last offered this course during the 2014-2015 school year.  If you are interested in participating in a future God & Family course, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.

 

 

Schedule

Upcoming Courses

God & Me  - TBD - April/May 2016

God & Life - TBD - 2016-2017 School Year

 

 

Previously Offered Courses

God & Family - March & April 2014

     To view pictures, click on this 2014 God & Family pictures link.

God & Church - June through August 2014

     To view pictures, click on this 2014 God & Church pictures link.