Here’s a quick catch-up from Australia.
Life imitates art.
I like the change from `country’ to `community’ most of all.
I still remember my Brownie and Guide promises, but think that the Chorister’s prayer takes a lot of beating.
Bless O Lord us thy servants who minister in thy temple. Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts we may show forth in our lives, through etc, etc.
Don’t know why this isn’t an essential part of the Voice for life scheme, same as the Brownie/guide equivalents are to their development process.
The only one of the above I could take (Pam’s chorister’s apart) without serious finger-crossing is the Rainbow pledge. I MIGHT want to serve my community, but it would usually be by challenging it, and that is, based on childhood experiences and why I never got to play Mary in the nativity play (despite being in every other way well qualified) that is NOT what people want from children, generally. Or adults, by and large.
> To be true to myself and develop my beliefs,
This is meaningless. Beliefs, in themselves, are neither good nor bad. Nor are all beliefs equally valid or moral – people can have horrible beliefs.
Indeed Robin -and similarly, on occasion setting about me with a mace would have been being true to myself, and not a good thing to do, but THINKING about what one believes, and being kind and helpful … yes, let’s stick with the Rainbows.
Agreed. I like the Rainbow pledge.
Yup – promise less, deliver more. Way to go.
Don’t forget these also go with the Brownie and Guide Laws (the Rainbows don’t have a separate law)
Brownie law
* A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself and does a good turn every day.
Guide law
A Guide is honest, reliable and can be trusted.
A Guide is helpful and uses her time and abilities wisely.
A Guide faces challenges and learns from her experiences.
A Guide is a good friend and a sister to all Guides.
A Guide is polite and considerate.
A Guide respects all living things and takes care of the world around her.
What I like is the organization consulted with the Guides and even the Brownies when considering changes to the promises and not just those over 18.
A soundbite from John Riches’ sermon this morning has stayed with me through the day: “Be like God … become human.”
Spotted an excellent sign along the road: No Dogs Allowed (includes Cats)
Well, the frantic work put in by so many people over the last couple of weeks paid off and a good Christmas time was had by all at church. The nine lessons and carols brought in a big crowd, despite it being at 1830 on Christmas Eve. They got some fine music, including a positively…
Tonight, let this be the stable. Let us close our eyes to the gothic cathedral in which we sit. Let us see the stable, not the soaring gothic arches. Tonight, let us listen again anew to the story. Tonight, let us look again into the manger and see for ourselves that the good news is…
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