300 Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to attend two-mile hike to learn about commonly shared values of diverse religious faiths

DETROIT-300 Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from throughout the metro Detroit area will hike two-miles throughout Trenton, MI on Saturday, September 29, 2012 and learn about commonly held values of diverse religious faiths as they make their way to five churches and a synagogue along the route. This bi-annual event is jointly presented by Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) Religious Relationships Committee, and Boy Scouts Religious Activities Committee.

The hike starts at 9:00 am at the historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2565 3rd Street. Clergy of Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim faiths will present lessons on commonly held values among their diverse religions like honesty, respect for self and others, the importance of prayer, and more. Scouts and their families will also visit:

• St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2550 Edsel                                                       (10:30am)
• St. Thomas Episcopal, 2441 Nichols                                                      (11:05am)
• Congregation Beth Isaac Synagogue, 2730 Edsel                                     (11:30am tours of synagogue begin)
• St. Timothy Catholic Church, 2849 Manning Dr                                    (12:50pm)
• First Presbyterian Church, 2799 West Road                                    (1:25pm)

Participating clergy and Scouts who will lead lessons and prayers include:

Hon. Ray Clement, President of Congregation Beth Isaac—Trenton

Imam Mohammed Elahi, the Islamic House of Wisdom—Dearborn Heights

Fr. David Burgard, Chaplain ACCS and Pastor, St. Mary’s Parish—Wayne

Mallak Koussan, Girl Scouts Troop 48050 GSSEM—Dearborn Heights

Christopher Schumm, Troop 1061 BSA—Allen Park

*Partial list

The conclusion of the walk will be at St. Joseph Catholic church with a closing ceremony in the parking lot where all attendees will join in singing, “God Bless America,” which is the theme for this year’s event.

###