Troop 87 – Annual Report for 2014

About the Troop: 2014: For the boys and families of Troop 87, 2014 can best be summarized as a year of fun, community service, and a big helping of American history. In addition to Summer camp, fundraising, and the many other camp-outs and adventures throughout the year, the boys visited the USS Massachusetts in March, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in July, and West Point in October. For community service they sorted food at St. Mary our Mother’s, laid wreaths at Woodlawn National Cemetery, banded geese for the DEC, participated in two food drives, and distributed Christmas baskets for needy families in Big Flats and the surrounding area. They are an energetic crew, planning for both the near term and for more ambitious trips on an 18 month cycle. In the near term they are planning a February snow shoe hike in the Catskills, ice fishing, NYLT (Youth Leadership) training, and a trip to Washington, DC. For the next “big” trip, the Troop is considering either Alaska, or Sea Base in Florida. These larger trips require additional planning and funding. If you wish to help, the easiest way is to drop off your returnable bottles and cans in the recycling bin next to the clothing shed. Please deposit often, it really helps!

Background:

Our church has been the chartered organization for BSA Troop #87 since its founding by Rev. Marcy Punnett in 1965. Since then, Troop #87 has produced more than 40 Eagle Scouts and positively influenced countless others.

The objectives of Boy Scouting are to develop character, citizenship, and personal fitness. There is a strong spiritual component, and Boy Scouting is very much a part of the mission of our Church. We are one of many civic, faith-based, and educational organizations that operate Scouting units to deliver these programs to youth members, as well as the community at large.

Pastors Message – December ’14 / January ’15



"Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the Way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace. By reflection and prayer, by reading and meditation, we can make our hearts a place where a blessing of peace would desire to abide and where the birth of the Prince of Peace might take place….
Daily we can make an Advent examination. Are there any feelings of discrimination toward race, sex, or religion? Is there a lingering resentment, an unforgiven injury living in our hearts? Do we look down upon others of lesser social standing or educational achievement? Are we generous with the gifts that have been given to us, seeing ourselves as their stewards and not their owners? Are we reverent of others, their ideas and needs, and of creation? These and other questions become Advent lights by which we may search the deep, dark corners of our hearts." An Advent Examination — Edward Hays

Dear friends,

Christmas brings with it many festive activities. There are some who will be celebrating without loved ones and all of the cheer. Our prayer this Christmas and throughout the new year is that our rooms and hearts will be open to others in a renewed sense of love and peace. We are called to share our gifts of love and compassion with our neighbors in need. In this season we celebrate the revelation of God to us in Jesus Christ. May this Advent season be a special one for our church community. May we grow in our faith and seek peace. Let us think of ways we can inspire someone else by lending a hand or an empathetic listening ear. Let us wrap others in the love we have to share.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year.