Standing Committee & RB10 Oct 13

Church Of Ireland Standing Committee Resolution On New Girlguide Promise

At the most recent (September) meeting of the Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland it was resolved to convey the following statement to Girlguiding Ulster and Girlguiding UK:

‘The Church of Ireland wishes to convey to Girlguiding Ulster and Girlguiding UK the high value it places on their work with children and also the partnership between the Church and Guiding through the provision of premises, leadership and other support.

‘However, we are deeply concerned that, as of 1st September 2013, all new members and leaders will be expected to make a new promise “To be true to myself and develop my beliefs”, replacing the previous promise to “love my God”. We regard the words in the promise “To be true to myself” as falling far short of Christian values and therefore cannot support this promise being used.

‘We request that Girlguiding Ulster and Girlguiding UK, as soon as possible, provide its many children and leaders from a Christian background the option to make a promise to serve God.

‘In addition, we request that no Church of Ireland based Guiding unit compel its new members to make this new promise containing the wording “to be true to myself”.’