We recognize that having an “invocation” or “grace” at the aforementioned events is a long-standing tradition. However, we must recognize that not all of our employees, partners, and clients subscribe to the same belief systems and/or practices. This movement away from religiously based formal prayers may be difficult for some employees and volunteers to accept and that is understandable. While it is understandable, we as an organization must take a stand and request that alternatives to formal prayers be used at events where we may have traditionally said, “grace” or invoked the name of “God” and/or “Jesus.” Recognizing that this transition may be difficult for some the following information includes some frequently asked questions followed by some suggested alternatives that OSU Extension colleagues have found effective.
Constructing
an Inclusive Public “Prayer”
- Seek the highest common denominator without compromise of conscience.
- Use forms and vocabulary that allow persons of different faiths to give assent to what is said.
- Use the language most widely understood by the audience, unless one purpose of the event is to express ethnic/cultural diversity, in which case multiple languages can be effective.
- Consider other creative alternatives, such as a moment of silence.
- Remain faithful to the purpose of giving thanks and that it is not used as an opportunity to preach, argue or testify.
- ((Examples taken from http://www.ediversitycenter.net/prayer.php developed by Harvey Lineberry, II, Assistant Dean for Personnel, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, National Diversity Center 2005)
Alternatives to
opening prayers, invocations, vespers, etc.
The following are some examples of different types of
openings and ways of giving thanks in a large group setting.
Meals at OSU
Extension sponsored events:
- Offer a non-religious inspirational reading or poem that ties to the goals and mission of the event followed by a moment of silence
- Thank everyone for their contributions to the organization and ask for a moment of silence
- The following are examples of invocations that have been used at OSU events including commencement and convocations. They can be reworded to reflect the specific community event, fundraiser, etc.
I.
For those who pray: Please join me for the guided reflection, in
recognition of the various values, beliefs, and faith traditions.
For a quiet moment, I invite you to
express gratitude, for goals met, honors, and the gift of intellect, mentors,
the support of family and friends, and a society that encourages and funds
education.
Continuing, reflect with gratitude and
ask for blessings, on the mission of the university and those given the public
trust, the graduates, that they may use their knowledge, reason and skills to
strive for peace, understanding and the common good.
Please end this reflection according
to your own tradition.
II.
As we gather, recognizing our diversity
in beliefs, values, faith traditions, but honoring our unity in gratitude, I
invite you to reflect quietly on all that is yet to be while expressing thanks
for: the gift of intellect, goals met, the support of family and friends,
mentors, and a society that encourages and funds education.
Continuing to reflect with gratitude,
ask for blessing on the mission of this university and for those given the
public trust. As we journey forth filled
with knowledge and dreams let us continue to
learn from our diversity, filled with compassion, to honor the peaceful,
nurture the fragile, empower the impoverished, sensing wonder in the ordinary.
May the gratitude that we experience on
this day of new beginnings be the focus for all that is to come.
III.
Sisters and Brothers, we gather on this
grand day, understanding that we come from different places, hold different
values, and cherish different beliefs.
Yet, today we are united in gratitude.
In a world where many cannot study, we
are thankful for the achievements, degrees, and honors that we celebrate today.
In a world were many have no future, we
are thankful for the dreams, hopes, and plans that have been nourished in the
community of this institution.
In a world where many have no
community, we are thankful for the support of mentors, teachers, family, and
friends.
As we go on from this grand day, on
different paths, to different experiences, and different destinies, may our gratitude unite us in the desire of using all
that we are and all that we have for the common good so that reasons to be
thankful will fill every life.
May our gratitude on this grand day grow
into peace for each, and freedom to live, work, and serve throughout all our
days. May It Be So
Examples
of Inclusive Reflections
Appropriate
examples for use as a meal is served (these can be easily modified to begin or
conclude a meeting):
LET
US PAUSE:
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We meet together in an effort to build community, to
advance education and understanding. We
seek the patience of one another as we strive to learn and grow and the
stamina to make a difference in our state, nation, and world. We express our thanks for the gifts of life
and for the food that we are about to partake of.
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OR
LET
US PAUSE:
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We gather here today as colleagues and friends with
attention to a common goal. That goal
is the continued service to the citizens of our state through our programs
and information. We understand our
responsibilities as committed educators as well as learners – personally and
professionally. It is obvious that we
work and live in challenging times. We
seek the patience of each other as we strive to learn and grow, and the
stamina to make a difference in our state, nation, and the world.
We
express our thanks for an opportunity to gather together where we can
reinforce our community principles of openness and engagement for all people,
for the gifts of life and for the food that has been prepared for us. For all this, we are thankful.
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TO
BE USED IN ANY SETTING:
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A
Prayer for the World
Let
the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds held and
nurtured over generations. Let the
rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect. Then let the sun come out and fill the sky
with rainbows. Let the warmth of the
sun heal us wherever we are broken. Let
it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly, so that we can
see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender, or skin color. Let the warmth and brightness of the sun
melt our selfishness so that we can share the joys and feel the sorrows of
our neighbors. And let the light of
the sun be so strong that we will see all people as our neighbors. Let the earth, nourished by rain; bring
forth flowers to surround us with beauty.
And let the mountains teach our hearts to reach upward.
Rabbi
Harold S. Kushner (with slight modification)
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(Examples taken
from http://www.ediversitycenter.net/prayer.php
developed by Harvey Lineberry, II, Assistant Dean for Personnel, College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, National
Diversity Center 2005)
Mealtimes at Camp:
- Offer a non-religious inspirational reading or poem
- Ask each person to take a moment to reflect on the day
- Ask a camper to offer a thought or words of wisdom
Some examples of non-religious reflective readings are:
My Prayer….
That I will have the strength to carry on,
the patience to try again when things go wrong,
the ability to see beauty where others see none.
That I will have the hope of a new dream
waiting to be dreamed, the chance to reach out
and the wisdom to look forward to tomorrow.
Donna
Wayland
From “Don’t Ever Give up Your Dreams,”
a Collection of Poems edited by Susan Polis Schulz
Sample Grace excerpted from a pamphlet, Thanksgiving Graces and Blessings: a Collection of prayers, thoughts,
and poems.
“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will
be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from
the lips, and shows itself in deeds”.
Theodore
Roosevelt
“…Help us make the most of this life we are living. As we are about to partake of this bountiful
meal, let us not forget the needy and the hunger they feel. Help us to show compassion in all that we do,
and for all our many blessings we say thank you.”
Helen
Latham
“Reflection of Peace”
Adapted from “Prayer
for Peace” by Sonia Gonzalo Reyes
A thought to reflect upon, “I ask thee with all the strength
of my soul, of my heart, of my creative energy, of my vital energy, with your
divine assistance allow me, for goodness, love, peace, union, through, justice,
and equity from all our Brothers of the Earth, that all souls that inhabit this
Beautiful Planet Earth be aware of the necessity that we have of love,
participation, service, help, of being just, truthful and equitable among ourselves
and with others.” (Taken from http://www.luisprada.com).
Other resources:
Hendricks, Gay.
1998. 365 Daily Inspirations for Creating a Life of Passion and Purpose, A
Year of Living Consciously. Harper Collins. San
Francisco, CA. ISBN# 0-06-095472-8 (Hallmark Edition). Contains inspirational sayings as well as
questions that may be used for evening reflection.
Polis Schutz, Susan, editor.1987. Creeds
to Live b, Dreams to Follow. Blue Mountain
Press. Boulder, CO. ISBN #0-88396-248-9. This is a beautiful book of poems by a
variety of authors that are encouraging and at times spiritual but not
religious.
Polis Schultz, Susan, editor. 1983. Don’t Ever Give Up Your Dreams. Blue
Mountain Press. Boulder,
CO. ISBN # 0-88396-183-0. A book of poems that encourage people to
search for and work toward attaining their dreams.
Suggestions for
evening reflection at camps (vespers):
“We must assert that which already exists deep within
us—namely a sense of kinship with all those with whom we share this earth”
(127)
“Focus on: the sanctity of human life, the dignity of
humankind, the right of every human being to freedom and well-being” (124)
“Have respect for yourself; find respect for others; take
responsibility for all your actions” (123)
“Character is what you are; reputation is what others think
you are” (418)
“You gain strength, courage and confidence from every
experience which makes you stop, look fear in the face, and do the thing which
you think you cannot do” (362)
“Actions, carefully considered, speak louder than words,
even if they are shouted” (237)
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried
anything new” (220)
Baird, David.
2000. a Thousand Paths to enlightenment.
Sourcebooks, Inc. Naperville, IL. ISBN #1-57071-525-4
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