Calvary church's Missionettes earn 35-year badge
The Missionettes Girls Club of the Calvary Assembly of God in Connellsville will hold a reunion celebration to mark its 35th anniversary. The special reunion event will be held starting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Calvary Assembly of God Church.
"We would love to see ladies from the area who were part of the group as girls come back for the event," club sponsor Carol Hull said. "We thought that a reunion event would be something nice to have this year."
The club is part of a worldwide program that was founded in 1956 by the Women's Ministries within the Assembly of God. Similar to a Girl Scout program in structure, girls within the group are divided into subgroups according to age.
Meeting weekly, the Connellsvile group -- which numbers about 20 -- is awarded badges for completing projects and studies.
There is a related Rainbow Club, which is for girls ages 3 to 5, a Daisies Club which is for young ladies of kindergarten age and a Star group for those who are in grades three through five.
The top award that a Missionette can earn is an Honor Star, which is a distinction that they are given after completing 29 badges and eight honor steps. Since 1979, 11 girls from the Connellsville group have received the award.
"The girls work on all different kinds of badges," Hull said. "There are badges such as a Grooming badge, My Church badge and a Life of Christ badge."
Hull got the idea for the reunion after she posted a few photos on Facebook that were taken at a camp years ago.
"I had on the photos, 'Look how happy they are,'" Hull said.
It was then suggested to Hull that she have a get-together for past members and sponsors.
"It would be so nice to see ladies come back," Hull said, "maybe they would then like to get their kids involved."
Group Coordinator Rachel Porterfield had been involved for many years as a young girl and now is one of the adults who help weekly.
"This is something that is in my heart," Porterfield said of the group. "I love to work with God's word and I love to work with children."
The reunion will begin with a welcome that will be followed by dinner and fellowship.
"We will have ham and drinks and a cake and we'd like everyone to bring a covered dish," Hull said.
After the meal, Hull hopes that those attending the reunion will share stories and memories of their special times that they spent and remember from being a part of the group.
"All past members and sponsors are invited to come," Hull said. "We'd like to see as many ladies get together as we can."
To attend
Call for a reservation by Oct. 16 at 724-880-4328 or 724-570-2286.
