2026 Will Be a Year of Hope
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
It’s time to investigate the FBI!
That is, the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.'s Faith-Based Initiative.
FBI is a strategy for growth and retention. It is an approach to developing partnerships between local GSUSA councils and congregations, creating sustainable troops that benefit from shared resources and goals. It leverages religious recognitions as membership tools and connects Girl Scouting with faith communities, promoting spiritual growth and intergenerational ministry.
This isn’t exactly new for the GSUSA. Faith has been part of Girl Scouting since its beginning. It’s part of the Girl Scout promise: “On my honor, I will try: to serve [God] and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.” (Girl Scouts may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.)
And Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, said, "My purpose . . . to go on with my heart and soul, devoting all my energies to Girl Scouts, and heart and hand with them, we will make our lives and the lives of the future girls happy, healthy, and holy.”
Church partnerships with GSUSA can be fruitful. In Girl Scout troops, members receive citizenship training, character development, fitness, leadership experience, life skills, values, etc. They have opportunities to experience high adventure, educational growth, and achievement.
GSUSA vets, trains, and supports its leaders. With self-ownership, the risk is extremely low and the reward incredibly high. A church-Girl Scout partnership can be a stable and significant investment in the community and church.
Here are some ways that churches can get involved:
Learn more at Faith Based Initiative (P.R.A.Y.)
Bishop Schwerin looks ahead to 2026 by turning to scripture; specifically, Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” He ponders, What kind of spiritual focus is nee…
Rev. Lora Zink, a retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
Mrs. Freda Whittle, surviving spouse of Rev. Paul Whittle Jr., a deceased member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on April 16, 2025.
This summer, churches across the conference brought vacation Bible school to life, each one putting its own unique spin on the beloved tradition. From creative scheduling and special…