FALCONER, N.Y. — The story of St. Francis of Assisi and the wolf and the meaning of the Shma prayer will both be addressed during Sunday’s Scout Sunday observance, hosted by the Allegheny Highlands Council (AHC), Boy Scouts of America
The event will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday via Zoom.
Scout Sunday celebrates the 12th point of the Scout Law, “A Scout is Reverent,” and traditionally is observed annually on the first Sunday of February. Typically, observances are held in houses of worship across the nation, including those in the local area. Because of COVID-19, this year’s observance is taking a virtual turn.
“Because so many of our Scouts are not comfortable attending in-person religious services because of the pandemic, the Allegheny Highlands Council opted to organize a virtual ecumenical service for Scout Sunday 2021,” said Nathaniel Thornton, AHC Scout executive. “We are very excited to welcome Scouts and Scouters from across the nation, as well as from our five-county service area.”
Presenters will reflect on “A Scout is Reverent” from four faith traditions, including Rev. Dr. Anthony Evans, a pastor and mayor of Portville, on the Protestant tradition; Julie Carr of Temple Beth El in Bradford, Pa., on the Jewish tradition; Saleh Gamaly, an international Scouter, on the Islamic tradition; and Alice Miller Nation of St. Bonaventure University on the Catholic tradition.
They will be joined by numerous Scouts, including Colin Evans of Portville, an Eagle Scout who has earned the most merit badges in Portville Troop 631 history; Ezelea Isaacs of Eldred, Pa., a Venture Crew member at Elk Lick Scout Reserve in Smethport, Pa.; and Whesley Carey, an Eagle Scout and St. Bonaventure University junior education major.
Additional participants will include the Rev. Ross Chamberland, ofm, an Eagle Scout who is the National Training Committee advisor to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting; Dr. Douglas Cashing of Cuba, an Eagle Scout and AHC Council Commissioner; Michael Kelley of Olean, AHC board president; and Thornton, who also is an Eagle Scout.
The observance is open to the public, but participants are asked to register to ensure adequate space is available for the event. Registration is at www.alleghenyhighlands.org/events-1/scout-sunday.
The Allegheny Highlands Council, BSA, delivers the Scouting program to youth in five counties — Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua in New York, and Potter and McKean in Pennsylvania.
