Each year at Dunwoody United Methodist Church we set aside a time to recognize and celebrate Girl Scout Sunday. Typically, this falls on the second Sunday in March.

Virtually all of us are familiar with the Girl Scouts. Maybe you participated in it when you were a child, or have sisters or daughters who were or are a part of the Girl Scouts. However, even if that is not the case, many of us look forward to the yearly purchase of Girl Scout cookies. Many of you are like me and buy enough of the cookies during their sale to last all year long.

Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in 1912, in Savannah, Georgia. She believed that all girls should have the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments, into community service and the open air, Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars and studied first aid.

Today, Girls Scouts is a global organization that is 2.5 million members strong, with 1.7 million girls and 750,000 adult volunteers. They have 50 million living alumnae who excel in a wide range of careers, including 90% of female astronauts, 80% of female tech executives, 69% of female US Senators, and every female US Secretary of State. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor; music artist, Taylor Swift and athletes, Serena and Venus Williams were all Girl Scouts.

DUMC has been associated with the Girls Scouts for many years now. We have nine troops meeting in the Scout Lodge, and as a church we help support their Bridging Ceremony, Badge Swap nights and monthly SUD meetings. Similarly, the Girl Scouts support various ministries of the church, including the Great Day of Service, Holiday Festival and Foodstock.

This morning, the Girl Scouts will be participating in all three Worship Services, as they help greet, usher, read scripture and assist with communion. Please join me in being a source of encouragement to these young ladies and to those who are volunteering to help them.

Blessings,
Dan