AMERICA
A Candlelight Scouts' Own Ceremony

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 worlds 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 world 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.)

Written for the Girl Scouts of Chicago American Bi-Centennial Celebration
by Anita Alcatara