I normally attended a Methodist church, but we had boys from several different churches, including the Catholic church, which was right across the street from the Baptist church. This was back in the 1950's, when Catholic boys weren't supposed to go to Protestant church services. Nevertheless, loyalty to Troop One overrode other loyalties, so we all went to show our gratitude to the First Baptist Church for being our sponsoring institution. Incidentally, it was a tradition for the Catholic boys to trek across the street after the Scout Sunday service so they could confess their transgression. Of course, they'd come back the next year.
Since this was an AMERICAN Baptist Church (and they're the ones who split with the SOUTHERN Baptists over slavery), and since Scout Sunday was always the closest one to Lincoln's Birthday, we always heard a sermon about Abe on Scout Sunday. The date also coincided with Baptist College Day, held at Peddie Academy in Hightstown, NJ. The preacher would invite us all to go visit representatives from Baptist colleges around the country. As a 10th grader, I went and met the Director of Admissions from Ottawa University. That's the first time I ever heard of Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. The next year, I went again and he REMEMBERED me. For someone growing up in NJ, this was an unusual experience. By my senior year, it was clear that I was going to OU, but we met again at Baptist College Day.
When people learn that I grew up in NJ, they often ask how I came to Kansas. After flippantly answering that I came by train, I'll often think about the chain of events that was responsible. It's also why, when Tom belonged to a Pack other than the one sponsored by our church, I always INSISTED that he attend Scout Sunday services at the church that sponsored his Scout unit.
Feel free to e-mail me at: don@shorock.com or just mention to me that you visited this page when you see me around town.
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