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PATRIOTIC CANDLE CEREMONY #1 |
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| Go to Ceremony #2 Narrator: It was a colonial custom to place a lighted candle in the window to guide loved ones home. Today, let us revive the custom and place in the windows of our hearts a candle to guide our own thinking in understanding the many bounties that have been given to us in this country. As we recall some of these bounties, we will add ten candles to brighten the beacon and help us impress upon our hearts the trust that is placed upon us. #1: I light this candle for the community we live in and for the power we have of striving to make it better for all of us. #2: I light this candle for the homes in our community, for the homes lived in, loved, and for the unafraid affection of families for each other and their children. #3: I light this candle for the open doors of schools, for the teachers and volunteers in them, skilled, devoted, kindly and for the free inner growth that we find there. #4: I light this candle for the open doors of our houses of prayer, and the freedom of worship for all who may stand with an uplifting song in their hearts. #5: I light this candle for our Girl Scouts, other youth and community groups, and for their service to our community and to the welfare of all. #6: I light this candle for the good earth, and for the working hands of free women and men who sow, cultivate, and keep the harvest we enjoy. #7: I light this candle for long rows of freely chosen books, old and new in libraries everywhere with the hope that their words of wisdom, courage, and delight may be more widely used. #8: I light this candle for the right to free discussion, the right to say what we as loyal Americans believe at our meetings, in our stores, in newspapers, on our streets, in our school, in our offices and wherever else we may gather, so long as our words do not endanger the welfare of our community and our nation. #9: I light this candle for hope, a hope that time will come when the American dream of respect and justice for all people of the word will come true, when we will not hurt one another by word or deed because of what differences we have. #10: I light this candle for hope, a hope that one day every child, woman, and man in American and the world will have enough food, clothing, shelter, and opportunity for creative growth and the hope that all may have the right to follow her own desire. Narrator: These candles symbolize the many bounties that
have been given to us. There are two ways of spreading light - to be the
candle or the mirror that reflects it. Let us make our candles a lighthouse
on the hill, a beacon to guide us in appreciation. As we reflect on these
symbols, let us all stand and recite our promise followed by
singing_________________ . (America, God Bless America, The National Anthem,
or Lift Every Voice and Sing.)
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| TO REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 - A Candlelight Scouts'
Own Narrator: It was a colonial custom to place a lighted candle in the
window to guide loved ones home. Today, let us revive the custom and place
in the windows of our hearts a candle to guide our own thinking about the
tragedy that has befallen our nation. As we recall those Involved in the
tragedy, we will light ten candles to brighten the beacons of thanks,
understanding and hope in our own hearts. #1 I light this candle for those involved in the initial attacks, both in the airplanes and in the buildings. May the dead rest in peace and the living find peace of mind. #2 I light this candle for the BRAVERY of fire fighters and police officers who gave their lives that others might live and for those who continue their dangerous jobs in New York and Washington. #3 I light this candle for the CARING of all volunteers, especially those providing food for rescue workers. #4 I light this candle for those who gave LIFE to the injured by donating their own blood. #5 I light this candle for the VALOR of ordinary American citizens who gave their lives that an airplane in Pennsylvania might not destroy other lives. #6 I light this candle to remember the DUTY of those called to serve, especially service personnel who leave their own families to serve America and her citizens. #7 I light this candle for the PERSEVERANCE of rescue workers and medical personnel. #8 I light this candle for PEACE, in our land and in our hearts. #9 I light this candle for the UNITY of our country. Though our individual differences are many, may unity be our strength. #10 I light this candle for HOPE that we may together grow strong as a nation, so fear does not prevail. Narrator: These candles symbolize the good things we can glean from such a tragedy. Let us make our candles a beacon of remembrance to us and those around us. Indeed, let we ourselves be beacons of hope for the future of an America united and strong. |