Let us enjoy good food and good drink, And let us thank all whose efforts have set them before us; Let us enjoy good fellowship, And let us each one be good company to the others; Let us enjoy ourselves, without guilt, But let us not forget that many are less fortunate. ___________________________________________________________________________ As we enjoy the support within the “family of Rotary”, help us to reach out to those families less fortunate than us within our own community and around the world. As we appreciate our health, give us the means through our work with the Rotary Foundation to help cure the ills of the world. And may we see the day soon when polio will be eliminated from the face of the earth. ___________________________________________________________________________ Let My Eyes Be Opened Let me awake and see the beauty that surrounds me all around. Let me hear the singing birds make their wonderful sound. Let me thankful for my health that has been good to me so far. Let all my dreams come true when wishing upon a star. Let me be thankful for friendship that was lovingly given me. Let me never forget the caring that was made for me to see. ___________________________________________________________________________ As we join together as Rotarians and friends, we acknowledge our many fortunes in life. Although we sometimes have problems with business, we are thankful that we have the opportunity to achieve. Although we sometimes are troubled with concerns about our home and families, we are grateful that we are blessed with homes and families. Although we sometimes complain of aches and pains, we are appreciative of our health and of our capacity to heal. We are thankful for the food that is before us and for our many blessings. We are thankful for the privilege of belonging to this organization of Rotary, for the fellowship and support from our friends here this evening, for the opportunity to share ideas, but mostly for the opportunity to serve. ___________________________________________________________________________ We appreciate how fortunate we truly are – with more than simply the necessities of life, with prosperity, with family, with friendship. As we enjoy the support within the “family of Rotary”,
help us to reach out to those families less fortunate than us within our own community and around the world. As we appreciate our health, give us the means through our work with the Rotary Foundation to help cure the ills of the world. And may we see the day soon when polio will be eliminated from the face of the earth. ___________________________________________________________________________ As we enjoy this meal together As we join together today as Rotarians and as friends, We acknowledge that wherever we go. We pray that our Actions may reflect this awareness For whatever our future will bring. If we must face disappointment, help us to learn patience. If we must face sorrow, help us to learn sympathy. If we must face pain, help us to learn strength. If we must face danger, help us to learn courage. If we must face failure, help us to learn endurance. If we achieve success, help us to learn gratitude. If we attain prosperity, help us to learn generosity. If we win praise, help us to learn humility. If we are blessed with joy, help us to learn sharing. If we are blessed with health, help us to learn caring. And as we stand before You today, Help us to learn the value of Service Above Self. ___________________________________________________________________________ From http://www.secularseasons.org/celebrations/graces.html •
A classic humanist alternative to a Christian Grace is: A Secular Grace: For what we are about to receive let us be truly thankful …to those who planted the crops …to those who cultivated the fields …to those who gathered the harvest. For what we are about to receive let us be truly thankful to those who prepared it and those who served it. In this festivity let us remember too those who have no festivity those who cannot share this plenty those whose lives are more affected than our own
by war, oppression and exploitation those who are hungry, sick and cold In sharing in this meal let us be truly thankful for the good things we have for the warm hospitality and for this good company. •
There is also this from the humanist writer Nicolas Walter: Let us think thrice while we are gathering here for this meal. First, let us think of the people we are with today, and make the most of the pleasure of sharing food and drink together. Then, let us think of the people who made the food and drink and brought it to us, who serve us and wait on us, and who clear up and clean up after us. Finally, let us think of all the people all over the world, members with us in the human family, who will not have a meal today.
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For those who find these humanist graces too long, or don’t want to be reminded of the suffering of others just before a celebratory meal, there are these simple words of secular thanks and good wishes: We are thankful for the food on this table. We are thankful for this time together. Our thoughts go out to family and friends; We hope that they are safe and well.
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Or these words of humanist benediction: For the meal we are about to eat, for those that made it possible, and for those with whom we are about to share it, we are thankful.
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George Rodger, of Aberdeen, Scotland, used this god-free grace at the start of a wedding meal: Let us enjoy good food and good drink, And let us thank all whose efforts have set them before us; Let us enjoy good companionship, And let us each one be good company to the others; Let us enjoy ourselves, without guilt, But let us not forget that many are less fortunate.
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Here’s a beautiful Buddhist meal gatha that is entirely secular:
We receive this food in gratitude to all beings Who have helped to bring it to our table, And vow to respond in turn to those in need With wisdom and compassion. •
Or how about this variation on a Native American thanks giving: We give thanks for the plants and animals who have given themselves so that we can enjoy this meal together. We also give thanks for our friends and family who have traveled here today. May this meal bring us strength and health.
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A secular version of the famous “Serenity Prayer” can also work before a meal: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. The Quaker tradition of "silent grace" before meals also works well for a dinner party with people of diverse religions and beliefs. All present join hands in a circle around the table, and are silent for half a minute or so as they collect their thoughts, meditate or pray. Then one person gently squeezes the hands of the people seated adjacent; this signal is quickly passed around the table and people then begin to eat and talk.
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Sweet Reason, the humanist advice columnist, responds to a father's request for a "secular grace" for his daughter's wedding reception. And finally there are these words of wisdom from William Shakespeare: "…good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people" Sir Henry Guildford: Henry VIII, I, iv
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Sample Invocations from Rotarians http://www.kvtoastmasters.org/info-invocations.php
Emily Dickenson once said, "I dwell in Possibility." By joining Rotarians and coming here each Wednesday night we are choosing to dwell in Possibility. As we gather around these tables may we acknowledge the courage that it has taken each one of us to take this step towards realizing all of the potential that life has for us. Let us continue to dwell in our possibility with enthusiastic and passionate resolve.
Albert Einstein said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” May we learn from yesterday's mistakes and challenges. Tonight may we live in the moment, taking joy in our meeting. And may we increase in hope for our works of tomorrow through the helpful support and learning that we receive tonight.
On this very frigid evening, may we warm our hearts and minds with the company of our fellow Rotarians. Let us put our best foot forward so that we may encourage and help our new Rotarians become better community members and leaders. As always let us learn from each other as each of us brings something unique to the Rotarians' table.
The strength of Rotarians is its members. It isn't in strength in numbers, but strength in our actions. In this meeting tonight, may each one here give and receive supportive coaching so that we continue to develop and grow our leadership and communication skills.
