P.R.A.Y. Update - June 2018
Information on the Protestant Christian Program Series
Jesus and Me Coming September 2018
The new curriculum for children in kindergarten and first grade will be ready for the fall in time for the new program year. Jesus and Me introduces Jesus as the Son of God but in familiar terms so that young children can see Jesus in their own day-to-day experiences, i.e. as storyteller, teacher, friend, and healer. The Jesus and Me curriculum is meant to be interactive and experiential. The Counselor Manual helps introduce music, art, movement, games, discussion and wonder into the program. The “Jesus Scroll Craft” is a hands-on component that builds from lesson to lesson and helps children tell their story of Jesus and me together. Children will make a “scroll” using paper towel tubes and add a story to their scroll after each Bible lesson. P.R.A.Y. recognizes that parents and guardians are responsible for the faith development of their children, so the Jesus and Me program will require their participation and encourage parent-child interaction. Be sure to add your name to the P.R.A.Y. email list to be notified when the Jesus and Me booklets are available.
Be a Part of the Jesus and Me Support Team
Make a Financial Gift Today
Jesus and Me has truly been a team effort. P.R.A.Y. has been blessed with volunteer writers from different denominations, a teen volunteer artist from American Heritage Girls, and numerous people from all backgrounds who have reviewed outlines, drafts and provided important feedback and insight into the program.

Just as important are the donors who have stepped forward with financial gifts to help fund the Jesus and Me curriculum. Initial startup costs are estimated to be $10,000. To date we have raised over $6,500. We need your help. Please consider a financial gift to P.R.A.Y. to launch the Jesus and Me curriculum. Thank you for being a part of our team!
Joan Walker Announces Retirement
P.R.A.Y. Honors Joan's 30 Years of Service
Joan Walker has announced her retirement after working 30 years at P.R.A.Y. Joan was the Retail Orders Manager and was responsible for order processing and fulfillment. If you have ever called the P.R.A.Y. office, you have undoubtedly spoken with Joan. One customer referred to Joan as “the voice of P.R.A.Y.” How true! Joan has been the first point of contact and the cornerstone of P.R.A.Y.’s outstanding customer service for 30 years. Her dedication to P.R.A.Y. is unrivaled. Joan is retiring after getting P.R.A.Y. through an important transition period the past two years with a brand new online processing system and new CEO. She is leaving P.R.A.Y. in good shape. At her retirement celebration, Joan expressed gratitude for P.R.A.Y. “It was never a job. Work was fun and the P.R.A.Y. office was like family. It was a labor of love.” Joan looks forward to spending more time with her three granddaughters. On behalf of the P.R.A.Y. organization and Board of Directors, CEO Jason Noland stated, “We are grateful to Joan for her years of service and her support of our ministry. She will be missed!”

Please join P.R.A.Y. in wishing God’s richest blessings on Joan upon her retirement.

[Pictured with Joan is her husband David]
Include P.R.A.Y. Patches in your Summer Programs
P.R.A.Y. offers two different patches, both of which can be used in your summer programs:
  • Promotional Puzzle Patches – The “puzzle” patch is a simple promotion patch with one goal in mind: promoting religious emblems. Click here for details.
  • Bible Basics RP3 Series – Each of these patches focuses on 3 Bible stories. The ones with outdoor themes are especially suited for camp. The lessons are discussion based and are available at no cost. Click here to request your free copies. Patches can be ordered ahead of time in the P.R.A.Y. webstore. 
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Recognizes Seven Four-Star Recipients
On May 6, 2018, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Apple Valley, Minnesota, presented the P.R.A.Y. Protestant 4 Star Award to seven Scouts who have completed all four of the P.R.A.Y. Protestant religious emblems. They were among 35 total Scouts who received religious emblems at this year’s religious emblems award ceremony.
The seven 4 Stars, pictured, left to right, are: Andrew K., Douglas H., Lindsay B., (Bob Elliott, God & Life counselor), Grant H., Ben S., Nicholas R., and Mason C.
 
Bob Elliott, SOTV’s God & Life counselor for the past 11 years, attributes the achievements by these 7 Scouts to their desire to learn about Christ and their dedication to the P.R.A.Y. program, and also to their parents’ steadfast encouragement and support for their Christian education. “Once Scouts reach middle school age, their willingness to participate in the P.R.A.Y. program is essential, and the parent’s scheduling prioritization to drive them to class is just as essential. The P.R.A.Y. program truly is a family program, from beginning to end.”
 
Lindsay had this to say about The P.R.A.Y program: “This program has led me to see God in a whole new light. Without the P.R.A.Y. program, I would not be where I am today. Many aspects of my life can be related back to what I have learned throughout each portion of the program."
 
Mason noted that: “Throughout my Scouting career, the P.R.A.Y program has brought me closer to God and expanded my knowledge in faith.”
 
Andrew said that: “This program has helped me understand my relationship with God and to always make room for God in my everyday life, no matter how busy I may be.”
 
The unwavering support of the pastors and staff at SOTV is another indispensable part of the program: providing 3 classrooms for each class date and hosting an awards ceremony for Scouts, their families and friends, conducted by a pastor and a pianist.
 
Since SOTV started offering religious emblems classes in 2002, a total of 490 boys and girls have earned a total of 700 religious emblems. Of those 490 Scouts, 27 have earned the 4 Star Award (so far, since many more are too young to have completed all four levels yet). This year’s group of seven 4 Stars is by far the largest in the history of SOTV.  

For usage statistics on the Four Star award, click here .
Interested in starting a P.R.A.Y. ministry in your congregation? Click on Getting Started .
Girl Scouts Make "God and Family" Pizzas
Girl Scouts from 3 different troops – all members of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Bay Shore, New York – worked together with their P.R.A.Y counselor and their families on the God and Family program. After making the "program" cardboard pizza, the girls had one final meeting and made real pizzas and shared them with their Pastor, Christian Baudler as they reviewed with him their journey. The girls worked not only with their Counselor, Meredith Wendt Smallacombe, but with their moms as well at each meeting. According to Meredith, “It was a wonderful bonding for all parties and it opened up better communication channels for these young ladies and their families. They enjoyed the closeness and understanding of Family and God's importance in their lives. It was a great experience for everyone!”

Click here for more information on the God and Family program.
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Building Faith in Youth
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