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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-11-10, Page 3•1,ue•kno.w Sentinel, Wednesday, November 10. 1993 - Page'. Who are the Canadian Girls in Training? by Pat Livingston • Her distinctive middy blouse, with a Navy -influenced collar, navy tie and skirt sets her apart in a crowd. She may be a young girl, a teen or a, mature woman. Who are these females? • They are Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT). The younger ones are learning to Cherish Health, Seek Truth, Know God and Serve Others, which forms the fourfold CGIT Purpose. This purpose is based on Luke 2:52 - "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." The adult women are leaders of the CGIT, sharing and teaching how to live "Life With a Purpose." History CGIT, an inter -denominational church -centred program for• girls across Canada, was established in 1915. Laura Lee Cayley, one of the Lucknow leaders, said, "A group of women felt girls needed a weekday meeting as well as • their Sunday School classes. Here they would have fun, make and do things and learn about other people." The middy blouse was adopted as the uniform in 1919, being the blouse that girls wore in that era. It was around 1918 that the first Lucknow CGIT group was formed. Historical information shows that meetings were •held in the Orange Hall, the present day site of the Bell Telephone building, on Campbell Street. Lucknow's Helen Thompson is a charter member of this group. Mrs. Cayley said there is no record of how long the program continued in those early years. After a lapse of many years, the National Girl's Work secretary met with teenage girls in Lucknow lin 1943. "Once more CGIT was or- ganiced with leaders Gladys Mac- Donald (Robertson)• and Marion MacDonald (Mundell)," said Mrs. Cayley. After three years those girls moved on to The Young Peoples' Guild. In the fall of 1954, CGIT was organized at South Kinloss Pres- byterian Church and has continued to the present time in different churches. Many leaders have .given of their time and talents for arca tgenaged girls. Leaders Mrs. Cayley, as a teenager, was a CGIT. Her involvetnent with the organization spans many years. You could say she followed in her mother's footsteps, who was also a CGIT leader. }mss. Cayley attended Camp Council in 1954 and put her leader- ship' skills to work leading CGIT groups in, Oakville and 'Burlington. She has been involved with the local group since 1969 and has been one of those instrumental in keeping the organization going. Her enthusiasm. for, and belief in, CGIT has been responsible for many young -girls -joining the -organization - and for recruiting many dedicated and caring leaders to work with the teenagers. Currently, Mrs, Cayley is the field representative for the Ontario CGIT Association. In that capacity she assists the few groups in Bruce, Huron and Perth Counties. • Doreen Mali, another one of the local adult leaders, has been in- volved with the group for ap- proximately five years. The mother of four children, Mrs. Mali said, "I was interested in working with teenaged girls." In addition to teaching the girls, Mrs. Mali said being a leader has been a learning experience for herself. "1 have grown as a person as well, becoming more knowledgeable about the Bible and building more self-esteem and confidence." In addition, there is the social aspect of the weekly meetings, which is fun, she said. Mrs. Mali was also in CGIT as young girl. Karen Spanswick is a former Explorer and CGIT member. As the mother of two children, Mrs. Spanswick volunteered -to be a leader when her daughter became involved with the local branch. "As a teenager, I really enjoyed CGIT, and thought with my background experience in the organization and as person who enjoys craft work, I had a lot to offer." Mrs. Spanswick said she looks at CGIT as a strong basis for young girls; one they can return to as adults. Alesha Moffat and Amy Austin are both graduates of CGIT. They have returned, as teen leaders. Both attended Camp Council. Amy, who had been a CGIT member for six years, said being a leader gives her the opportunity "to share • experiences from Camp Council and teach the girls what I have learned. I get to put my leadership skills to work." Alesha, also with six years as a member,' said she particularly en- joys' the "friendship of the girls and it's an opportunity to give back to CGIT what I have gained." Both of these young leaders agree that CGIT is a great group for teens. "They can be themselves." Activities The weekly meetings consist of sing -songs, worship, games, business and a study, activity or project. The UNICEF collection on Hal- loween has been carried on since 1958. Originally the CGIT did the canvassing. Now members prepare the boxes, promote the collection and count money from two schools, said Mrs. Cayley. Some other special events con- tinue each year. There is the Christmas Vesper Service in which ail girls participate. This year's will be based on the theme "Making Sense out • of Christmas" and will take place at the Lucknow Pres- byterian Church, on Dec. 5. The girls will lead the evening worship service which is especially written ford all groups across Canada. Each spring there is a dinner or tea for mothers and . - ial ests. The Lucknow CGIT has sup- ported foster children since 1970 by making Easter eggs. Girls in Peru, the, Philippines and now id Kenya have been helped to have a better life. Both Alesha and Amy talk with enthusiasm about the letters they receive from their current foster sister, 16 -year-old Beatrice of Kenya. Mrs. Cayley said several girls, during the last 20 years, have had the privilege to attend Ontario Camp Council, a leadership training camp for senior girls. Many Luck - now graduateshave and are giving leadership in area groups. - Since 1975, CGIT Jamborees have been held every five years. Mrs. Cayley said the weekend camp for all groups in Ontario will be held in Owen Sound in 1995. Jessica Steffler is in her first year of CGIT. Why did she join? "Mrs. Cayley, my Sunday School teacher, talked to me about CGIT and gave me some pamphlets to read," said Jessica. Her mom and grandma were both involved in the organization and for Jessica the opportunity to go camping caught her attention. Summing it up, she said, "CGIT is pretty cool!" Other members of the local group said at CGIT they learn more about Jesus, them_ selves, the Bible, other countries, different people and life issues. Mrs. Cayley said, "Many people ' have been supportive so that CGIT can help girls 'to become the girl God would have me be'." Anyone., interested in joining CGIT is welcome to call any of the leaders for more information. yf. Many hands - Yes it takes Tots of hands to roll the coin col- lected during the UNICEF canvass on Halloween. These girls were just a few of the 18 members of the 'Canadian Girls in Training who were kept busy last week counting and rolling. UNICEF has been a project of Lucknow CGIT since 1958. (Pat Livingston photo) It was a record canvass for the 1993 UNICEF Many students carrying orange boxes on Halloween and generous .donations from residents of the area have made the UNICEF total $1415 for 1993. Both -Lucknow Central, with $665, and Brookside, with $750, raised over $100 - more than last year, said Laura Lee Cayley, who chairs the canvass. More than 180 million children in the developing world are caught in the •Hunger Circle. This Halloween's campaign will help protect the right of every child to have good nutrition.' UNICEF works , in many countries to improve nutrition, provide clean water, health care and education. Mrs. Cayley said one loonie will buy a half pound of pea seeds, three packets of lettuce seeds, six, baby fish to help stock a pond or Vitamin capsules to protect 30 toddlers for one year against nutritionally caused blindness. Thanks to all .who helped UNICEF this year, including, Lucknow CGIT who counted and rolled the donations from the two schools. • LUCKNOW DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE l,i(ins I3ingO • Nov. 14/eJ3 S,IIIIr,I.11 \', k'rnlx'I 21) I ut kri (hemhcr "1 ("rnn), n t ( hmun.n Path 1 ntl.n Nincrnhcr 26 tih,uu, m Uurrun 11111'a 11 5,,t trtl. t N„tcmhcr 27 J ,1n kikrt-( nch • OPEN DATES 1 nil., , Ni, cmhcr I ) 1 r14.1,1, I).. rnhcr 111 1' 22 3 "ONLY" ('ALL 528-3532 c) a.m. - 5 p.m. LUCKNOW & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB Dabber Bingo. Lucknow Community Centre NEXT BINGO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14/93 $1000 - Jackpot Winner Mildred Johnston RR#6 Goderich Community Centre opens at 6:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:15 p.m. TOWNSHIP OF ASHFIELD 1993 TAXES Final Installment Due On or Before November 15, 1993 Taxes may be paid in. person at the Municipal Office located on Huron County Road. #20. Lot 5, Conc. 9 E D Ashfield Township or mailed to Township of Ashfield.. RR #7 Lucknow NOG 2H0 NOTE Persons who have acquired properties and, have not received a tax bill should contact the Clerk's Office Failure to receive a tax 'bill does not relieve a taxpayer from responsibility for pay- ment of taxes, nor from�enal- ty for late payment. •• Linda Andrew A.M C.T Clerk -Treasurer Township of Ashfield Knechtel Knows Support. For years people have relied on their community to sponsor local teams, host events and raise money for local charities. At Knechtel, we haven't forgot ten that we"rc hart of yoilr community. Wc.want y()i to Charlie Hopper • know we're here to help your organization. If thtare's a way that we can help your organization meet it's goals, just Come Into your local Knechtel store. We'll help vour 1ir(laniNation set up a fund-raiser, or explain how to become part of our (:are and Share Program, or our Save -A - Tape Program. Because the better N, VC dt't tO knoNv you, the more reasons you'll flet to know Knechtel. Knechtel Knotts Food. WINGHAM K FOOD 205 Josephine Street, Wingham