A New Tradition comes to St. Paul's
Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 12:03PM
On February 22nd, St. Paul’s United hosted a “Scouts’ Own” to celebrate “Thinking Day”, followed by a “Mug-Up” in the courtyard. The event was well attended by all levels of the Scouting and Guiding organization. The groups that meet regularly at St. Paul’s and some from other locations in the community. Members of the congregation and the Oakville community were welcomed as well.
To those unfamiliar with the Guiding and Scouting movements, here’s a little background.
Thinking Day has been held annually, on February 22nd since 1926. Lord Baden-Powell the founder of Scouts and his wife Olave , who served as World Chief Guide shared the same birthday, February 22nd. The Girl Guides created this special day to think about their fellow Guides the world over.
In the past, St. Paul’s has been host to the Scouts and Guides on a February Sunday designated for the celebration. Over the years, it has become more and more difficult to get the children out on Sunday mornings in addition to their regular evening during the week. Thanks to our own Scouter Rob Phillips, the idea of a shorter, more informal event known as a “Scout’s Own” took shape for this year’s recognition of these very valuable organizations that have been a part of St. Paul’s as long as we have existed.
A Scouts’ Own or Guides’ Own is an inspirational, informal ceremony held as part of Scouting or Guiding activities. It is usually short and made up of a mixture of readings, prayers, reflections and music.
The girls and boys engaged the congregation in an inter-active version of the Stone Soup story by passing out vegetables (and a rubber chicken) as folks entered the sanctuary. A Scout shared a ‘homily’ called The Truth About Geese. Tom Allen and Brian Lyttle played and sang good old-fashioned camp songs that were familiar to everyone, ending with a wonderful sing-a-long of Kumbaya.
Afterward, everyone was treated to a traditional “Mug-Up” on the lawn in the courtyard.
The dictionary of Newfoundland English defines a mug-up as a cup or mug of tea and a snack, between any of the main meals or in late evening. The weather was fine and those in attendance mingled outside, much as the Scouts and Guides would before heading off to their tents on a camping trip, with hot cocoa or apple juice and cookies.
It was a refreshing way to spend time on a Wednesday evening, relaxed and informal. For the parents and members of the regular congregation of St. Paul’s, it was an easy and enjoyable way to show our support. We hope that this is the beginning of a new tradition at St. Paul’s.
