THINKING DAY (TD), February 22nd, is when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts everywhere remember each other and reaffirm their commitment to international friendship and understanding. The chosen date in February each year marks the joint birthdays of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, the founders of the Scout and Guide Movements.

This year THINKING DAY fell on a Sunday, and Guiders here on Ascension agreed to start the day with a special mini service incorporated in the Family Service at St. Mary’s Church. This year, too, we were delighted to have the Scouts and Cubs join us at this rather special event, as well as parents and friends. Our service included an introduction and explanation of why Thinking Day is celebrated and prayers by Guides and Scouts, the renewal of Promises by all Guide and Scout Units, an explanation by the Guides of the World Badge and what it symbolises, a reminder of the Scout Laws, a brief talk about Founders Day by the Scout Leader and a simple yet meaningful Candle Ceremony.

Traditionally, the Girls shine pennies and add them to their weekly subscriptions and make a donation at our TD ceremony each year. This collective donation is then sent off to the Thinking Day Fund at Girl Guide Headquarters in London. This year we decided to try and boost the donation by asking the girls to take home a Thinking Day envelope bearing the symbol of Thinking Day for a family contribution. Well, we had a really good response to this and the grand total of £121.00 will be sent off shortly and we can be sure that it will be put to good use, along with all other TD donations from around the world, towards such activities as the relaunching of Guiding in different countries, AIDS awareness campaigns in Africa as well family life education programmes in underprivileged areas of the world . The Fund helps to finance Guider training, as well, particularly in developing countries. So, a huge thank-you to all Guiding families and Leaders who generously donated. To the Guides, Scouts, Brownies, Cubs and Rainbows whose shiny coins were placed on the map of the world as they lit a candle for brothers and sisters around the world - a big thank-you to all of you, too. Remember - your generosity and thoughts will go a long way in helping to bring a little light into the lives of others less fortunate than ourselves.

Following our joint service, all uniformed units went across for refreshments and activities at the Saints Club Hall where members of the congregation joined us as well. The girls and boys participated in circle games and then learnt a Country Dance demonstrated by our very able Brownies and were then invited to try it for themselves!! Such was the enjoyment, that I have since heard that Freddie will be playing more of that type of music at the weekend from now on!!!! Rainbows, Brownies and Guides then finished with their closing songs, and so ended a morning of FUN, FOOD and FRIENDSHIP for another year and another THINKING DAY.