AURORA, Ill., Feb. 26, 2019–Flowing Forth United Methodist Church in Aurora celebrated annual Scout Sunday, Feb. 24, with scouts and adult volunteers leading the weekly worship service. Scout Day is held by Boy Scouts of America to recognize contributions of church young people and adults to Scouting.

Ron DeBaun of Batavia, church member and assistant scoutmaster of Troop 21 at Holy Cross Church in Batavia, presided at a worship service led b Scouts at Aurora Christian School.

Scouts represented Troop 21 and Troop 104 at Living Waters Church in North Aurora. Four assistant scoutmasters participated from Troop 21.

Scouts and adult leaders served as ushers, read scripture, led prayers and collected donations during the service.

Scouts who participated were Eagle Scout Thomas Larsen of Naperville, who sang and played guitar as co-worship leader; Max DeBaun, Austin Parmalee, Ethan Tarver and Seth Tarver, Batavia residents and members of Troop 21; and Graham Butler, member of Troop 104. Troop 21 assistant scoutmasters who participated were Kim Tarver, Bill Tarver, Cliff Parmalee and Ron DeBaun, all Batavians.

Rev. Derek Rogers, Flowing Forth pastor, invited congregants with Scouting experience to stand, with many doing so. He said, “The Scouting program is more than just an activity for our youth to learn about the outdoors. Scouting provides fun, fellowship, and training to our youth as well as youth in our community. It emphasizes honesty, self-reliance, and respect.

“Through a year-round program, it affects character, citizenship, and personal fitness. But the success of Scouting depends on volunteers, who serve in a variety of leadership roles so that our young people may benefit from Scouting. We salute the splendid volunteers who serve as Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and Venturing Advisors, and in other positions of leadership.”

Flowing Forth UMC was founded last year in the merger of the former Flowing Grace and Fourth Street UMC churches in Aurora. Worship services are held at 10 a.m. Sundays at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Rd. in Aurora. Visitors are welcome. Call (630) 239-2321 for information.

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