More youth ministries needed, bishop says

Area executives of the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire USA and 4-H joined United Methodist pastors at Tarrytown UMC, Austin, for the Bishop’s Banquet for Scouting. The May 10 event was an effort to strengthen the Austin District’s outreach ministry to children and families.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez gave an inspirational talk about the need for church leaders to form additional youth ministries with dedicated youth workers. The desired result would be to support and create a network of hope around all children.
Current youth participants of the scouting, 4-H, and Camp Fire USA programs gave personal testimonies about the benefits of their experiences. This real-world view of UMC-sponsored youth organizations was a powerful stimulus to Austin-area church leaders to form additional youth ministries in their churches.
The 22 participating United Methodist churches were strengthened in their commitments in the following ways:
> A number of churches committed to explore the formation of a ministry of scouting: six through Girl Scout troops; 10 through Boy Scout troops; one through Camp Fire USA; and three through the 4-H Club system.
> There were seven new commitments to appoint a scouting ministries coordinator to church councils.
> There were five new commitments to work with the Austin District scouting coordinator to strengthen our ministry of scouting.
> There were 10 new commitments to encourage participation in the God and Country religious education programs for youths and adult mentors.
> There were 15 new commitments to observe annual Scouting or Youth Ministry Sundays.
> There were 10 new commitments to promote outdoor Sunday worship programs on campouts.
The event was funded by 18 units of the Austin District UM Men, to whom Ralph Eckwall, the conference UMM president, and Andrew McVeigh, the conference scouting coordinator, extend their thanks.