The Christian Community in Scouting - ScoutBase UK

page 4 of 5Holy Days and festivalsThe two major celebrations for the Christianchurch are Christmas and Easter. Christmas is onthe same day every year and Easter movesaround. The actual date for Christmas and Eastercan be different between different denominationsof Christianity. Some other festivals are based onthe date of Easter, so their dates will move aroundas well.The Christian church year is divided into seasons.The year begins on the fourth Sunday beforeChristmas with Advent. The major seasons areoften indicated by the use of colour and thewording of services. Denominations will vary intheir recognition of other seasonal times andcelebrations. The church year is as follows:• Advent. A time of preparation before Christmas.Seasonal colour of purple. Symbolism of darknessand light.• Christmas Day, Epiphany and Christmastide.The celebration of the birth of Christ. Seasonalcolour white.• Lent. The 40 days leading up to Easter, beginningon Ash Wednesday. It is a time of penitence andcan include ritual fasting. Seasonal colour purple.• Easter, Eastertide, Pentecost (Whitsun) Themost important Christian festival, it is thecelebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Seasonalcolour white.Christians may also celebrate Saints days. Saintsare men and women whom the church believes tohave led particularly holy lives and have shown agood example of Christian living. Several Saintsdays are associated with particular customs andcelebrations. Some Christians may celebrate thename day of the saint that shares their name.Some churches do not recognise special holidays,and may also discourage the celebration of Easterand Christmas.Behaviour and ValuesThe behaviour and values of Christians are basedon the Ten Commandments of the Old Testamentand the teachings and behaviour of Jesus Christ.The teachings of Jesus are based on the love ofGod and for your fellow human beings.The Christian church believes that all humans arefaced with choices in life and one of the biggest iswhether to follow the path of good or evil. Theforce of good in the world is God and the force ofevil is traditionally referred to as the Devil.Family and CommunityChristianity differs from some of the other religionsin the fact that not all members of a family may beChristians. Christians are encouraged to take theirbeliefs and live them out within their lives.Christian families may spend time together inprayer during the week and give thanks beforeeach meal.Christian ScoutsFrom the very early days, the Christian faith haswarmly embraced the values and ethos ofScouting. Many of the first Scout Leaders in theUnited Kingdom were members of the clergy andrespected members of the Christian church.As there has been a long history of close linksbetween Christianity and Scouting in the UK,many Scouts are Christian, and our practises andvalues are often closely linked.Some Christian Scouts will be required to attendan act of Christian worship on a Sunday morning(or another day depending on their particulardenomination). This may prevent them from takingpart in Scout activities on that day. During camps,most Scout campsites will be able to offer acontact with local churches in the area. Thecampsite may also have a Christian minister as asite chaplain who may be available to offerworship on the campsite.Some Christian young people will attendconfirmation classes as part of becoming a full