Protestant Youth Religious Emblems

1. Protestant Youth Religious Emblems • All religious award programs are faith-based CHURCH awards used by the Boy Scouts of America (and other youth organizations) • “Duty to God” is recognized by all programs • Catholic programs administered by the local diocese • Protestant programs administered by your local church and P.R.A.Y.

2. What is P.R.A.Y.? • Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) is a not-for-profit organization whose national board of directors includes representatives from Protestant and Independent Christian Churches and the national youth agencies. • Vision Statement Young people are brought closer to Christ through dynamic programs that enable adults in their ministry with youth. Our programs and resources are offered through churches and youth agencies for them to work together for the benefit of youth.

3. All Awards • God and Me • Girls and boys in grades 1, 2 & 3 are eligible to participate • The new God and Me curriculum is designed to help children become best friends with Jesus and tell their story of “God and Me” together • God and Family • Girls and boys in grades 4 & 5 are eligible to participate • The new God and Family curriculum is designed to help youth understand the importance of family and God’s role in a healthy family. The God and Family Program provides an opportunity for young people and their families to explore their faith together • God and Church • Girls and boys in grades 6-8 are eligible to participate • The God and Church program will lead young people on a journey. It will be a faith journey with three parts: meeting Jesus, worshiping God, and witnessing and ministering for Christ • God and Life • Young women and men in grades 9-12 • The God and Life program is the fourth program in the God and Country Series. It is a reflective type of curriculum: students will study the lives of men and women in the Bible and discover what their lives teach them about God.

4. Program Summary:God and Me (grades 1-3)

5. God and MeGrades 1-3 • Theme: “Best Friends with Jesus” • Hands-On: GAMEBox • Memory Requirement: The Lord’s Prayer • Schedule: minimum 4 sessions

6. God and Me:Prayer Cube • Favorite lesson: The lesson on prayer • Kids use P-A-T-H* to learn four parts of prayer and they make a prayer cube. * Praise - Apology - Thanks - Help

7. God and Me:Award • Red is the color for the God and Me program. • Red symbolizes love and the blood of Christ. • When children wear the recognition, they are reminded that they are “Best Friends with Jesus.”

8. Program Summary:God and Family (grades 4-5)

9. God and Family:Grades 4-5 • Theme: “Growing in God’s Love” • Hands-on: PIZZA • Memory Requirement: The Ten Commandments • Schedule: minimum 6 sessions

10. God and Family:Grades 4-5 Table of Contents • Crust – Foundation – We Are God’s Family • Sauce – Family Heritage, Spiritual Heritage • Toppings – Our Talents and Gifts Strengthen Our Families • Cheese – In God’s Family We’re Loved No Matter What! Because We’re Loved, We Follow Rules • Bake – Being in God’s Family Helps Us When Things Are Tough • Eat, Share, Enjoy! – In God’s Family, We Share as a Response to God’s Love

11. God and Family:Award • Yellow is the color for the God and Family program. • Yellow symbolizes sunlight and joy. • When children wear the recognition, they are reminded of the joy and blessings of family as they seek to “Grow in God’s Love.”

12. Program Summary:God and Church (grades 6-8)

13. God and Church:Grades 6-8 • Theme: “My Journey with Christ” • Hands-on: Video or Photo Album • Memory Requirement: Creed • Schedule: minimum 12 sessions • Daily Bible Reading Requirement: 3 weeks min. • Service Projects: Community and Church service projects

14. God and Church:Award • Blue is the color for the God and Church program. • Blue symbolizes loyalty and truth. • When young people wear the recognition, they are challenged to uphold these values as they continue a lifetime “Journey with Christ.”

15. Program Summary:God and Life (grades 9-12)

16. God and Life:Grades 9-12 • Theme: “Called by Christ to Serve • Daily Bible Reading Requirement: 3 months minimum • Schedule: minimum 12 sessions plus 5 Service Projects • Required: Write a Personal Statement of Commitment

17. God and Life:Award • Green is the color for the God and Life program. • Green symbolizes new growth and eternal life. • When young people wear the recognition, they are strengthened in the knowledge that they are “Called by Christ to Serve.”

18. Four-StarRecipients • Four-star recipients are those individuals who have earned all four levels of the P.R.A.Y. series. • Four-star recipients will receive a certificate and letter of congratulations from P.R.A.Y. A special pin is available at additional cost. 

19. Central Minnesota Council • How rare is this award in our BSA Council? • All of 2012 only 14 awards were given out for the God and Me program and 29 for God and Family – and that’s ALL!

20. Adult Religious Emblems Adult Nomination Forms: • Adult recognitions are given to adults for outstanding service to youth through both their church and one of the national youth-serving agencies (Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire USA, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., American Heritage Girls). • Adult awards are not earned like youth awards: An outside party must nominate an adult to receive an award by submitting the requiredapplications, letter of recommendation, and resume of activities.  Self and spouse nominations will not be accepted.

21. How to Get Started • Go to www.praypub.org • Click on BSA Video and view • Click on religious emblems • Search by your faith • Lots and lots of other materials and ideas

22. Central Minnesota CouncilLocal Contacts • Jon Meinke – jonemeinke@gmail.com • Loren Meinke – nerolb@charter.net • 218-270-2261