Girl Scout Troupe 619 from the innercity of St. Paul, Minnesota, is ethnically very diverse, but this group of fifth and sixth grade girls holds one thing in common according to troupe leader Julie Schrampke. “They see an awful lot of concrete and pavement.” Julie’s goal for the girls is “to help them experience green space and respect living things.” They do things like horseback riding and camping. They also plant and tend perennial gardens at the homes of neighborhood senior citizens and local churches.

The Mission Committee at Knox Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, decided to use 40 percent of the 2003 Pentecost Offering to support the work of Troupe 619. The girls attended worship at Knox Presbyterian on Pentecost Sunday and provided the minute for mission. As a result this year’s Pentecost Offering was the largest ever received at Knox. “The money was very appreciated,” reported Julie, “but the greatest gift was the support the girls felt for the work that they are doing.”

According to the Rev. Dan Johnson, redevelopment pastor at Knox, “there are plans to create a long-term relationship between Knox Presbyterian and Troupe 619. The Troupe is holding its weekly meetings at the church and plans are being made for the girls to participate in Scout Sunday next spring.

Dan Johnson
Knox Presbyterian Church
St. Paul, Minnesota