“Scout Sunday aligns with the anniversary of the birthday of Scouting,” said Pine Tree Council Vice Chairman Dr. Scott Valcourt who also chairs the Diocese of Portland’s Catholic Committee on Scouting.

“The tenets of every religion have some connection to the Scout Oath and Scout Law,” he said, in a Scouting news release. 

Cubs and Scouts recently attended local Scout Sunday services in Skowhegan, Augusta, Gardiner, China and Camden. According to the release, Scouting encourages each youth and adult to develop a strong, personal relationship with God without, as an organization, putting any one faith above another and so Scout Sunday services were held in many different churches representing different faiths.

On February 5, Scouts from Pack 684, Pack 603 and Troop 603 were visible at St. Mary’s Catholic Church greeting worshippers as they entered and handing out bulletins; taking part in the collection and bringing the gifts to Father Nathan March who is an Eagle Scout himself.

“Scouting was a big part of my life,” said Reverend March. “I am always happy to give back.” 

He stressed that one of the important teachings of Scouting that he appreciates is that we should always leave the world a better place than we found it.

Other Scouts from Troop 603 attended Scout Sunday at the South Parish Congregational Church in Augusta. Gardiner area Scouts did likewise at Christ Church Episcopal on February 12. Other Scouts from Troop 603 attended Scout Sunday at the South Parish Congregational Church in Augusta. Gardiner area Scouts did likewise at Christ Church Episcopal on February 12. 

Scott St. Amand, Cubmaster of Gardiner Pack 672, said, “The Parish in general seemed to really enjoy having the units join in. I think they did really well as Scouts, everyone was respectful and well behaved. Pastor Kerry Mansir did a great job threading in Scouting and the history with the church into the service.” 

Scouts took part in nearly every part of the programs at the China Baptist Church and at First Congregational Church at Camden, United Church of Christ where on February 12 Gavin Moore, a member of the Butter Patrol in Troop 200, read from the Gospel of Luke “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” Members of Pack 200 and Girl Scout Troop 1341 fulfilled their “Duty to God” and other members of Troop 200 led other parts of the worship service including Scoutmaster Ed Weber who provided the sermon.

In Skowhegan, Webelos Scout Joshua Gilpin from Pack 485 in Skowhegan  received his Parvuli Dei Catholic Religious Emblem at Scout Sunday on Sunday, February 5 at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in the Parish of Christ the King in Skowhegan. Dr. Valcourt pinned the award on Joshua.

Valcourt said, “While Scouting is non-sectarian,over 100 religions offer a Scouting religious emblem that a Scout can earn.  Besides meeting the Twelfth Point of the Scout Law—A Scout is Reverent—the religious emblems program helps Scouts to recognize how the fun they experience in Scouting is in harmony with their religious beliefs and can lead to understanding one’s purpose.” 

Shelley Connolly, Scoutmaster of Pittsfield Troop 428, stressed these awards to her Scouts.

"In observance of Scout Sunday, we encourage Scouts to celebrate the day with their families and encourage them to complete their Duty to God requirements," Connolly said.

Gorham’s Cressey Road United Methodist Church also celebrated Scout Sunday with representatives from Gorham, Maine Boy Scout Troop 73, Pack 85 (both of Gorham) and Girl Scouts USA Troop 29 (of Hollis). Another one of Webelos scouts celebrated with his faith Family at Galilee Baptist Church in Gorham. In Scarborough, Scouts in Troop and Pack 47 cooked and served a pancake breakfast  to the members of the First Congregational Church.

John Humpage said, "What a great way to connect with members of our community." 

Last Fall, the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting formed a "Duty to God" Committee to promote Scout Sunday participation and the religious emblem program.