Opening Words

Chalice Lighting
Each girl is presented with a chalice to keep and lights her own chalice for the first time.

Unison Reading by girls: "We light our chalice to symbolize the warmth of love, the light of truth, the wisdom within each one of us, and a beacon of service to humankind."

Please face one another and sing twice Hymn #402.

An explanation of the Girl Scout Religion in Life program.

The Unitarian Universalist Principles (lighting of the candles).

Hymnal Reading #594.

The Girl Scout Law (lighting of the candles)
I will do my best
To be honest, To be fair
To help where I am needed
To be cheerful, To be friendly and considerate
To be a sister to every Girl Scout
To respect authority, To use resources wisely
To protect and improve the world around me
To show respect for myself and others through my words and actions.

Music: "Leaves" by B*Witched

Reading: "It Matters What We Believe" by Sophia Lyon Fahs (read by the mothers). Hymnal Reading #657.

Girls' Statement of Evolving Beliefs
Presentation of Gifts to the Church
Awarding of the Recognitions to all participants
Awarding of the Religion in Life Emblem

Unison Affirmation
"We celebrate you and the depth of your study. We honor you as loving and caring young women. We invite you to join with us in the ongoing exploration of the Great Questions and in the evolution of our own thinking. We challenge you to stand up for yourselves and for those who need your help. Above all, be true to your own inner wisdom."

Pebble Ceremony: "Ripples on the Water"

Reading: "Hope" by Robert F. Kennedy
It is from numberless, diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped.
Each time a man or a woman or child stands up for an ideal,
Or acts to improve the lot of others,
Or strikes out against injustice, they send out a tiny ripple of hope.
And crossing each other,
From a million different centers of energy and daring…
Those ripples build a current
Which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance

Music: "The Circle of Life" from the Lion King

Invitation to Reception

When these girls became Girl Scouts, they learned about the Brownie elf who cleans up the house, who does sweet things for others, and who is kind. They wanted one in their home and asked the wise old owl how to find an elf. The owl said she would reveal the elf to them and sent them to a pool of water. To reveal the elf, they were to turn around three times and say:
"Twist me and turn me
And show me the elf.
I look in the water
And I see ________."

Water is a powerful symbol; dropping even a pebble in water makes ripples that can have influence far away. Today, we will use the symbol of pebbles in the water to signify influence in the world. Today, the girls are celebrating more than a year’s study about Unitarian Universalism. They have learned some of the principles and beliefs of a number of the world’s religions. They have discussed the Girl Scout Law and the UU Principles in their lives. They have learned some of what others think about the Great Questions (those questions about which there is no Truth with a capital T). Over their lifetime, they will learn from many great teachers and from life itself, but it is through their own thinking that they will develop the beliefs and principles that will guide their lives.

Closing Blessing by Gary Kowalski
Go in peace.
Speak the truth. Give thanks each day.
Respect the earth and her creatures,
For they are alive like you.
Care for your body; it is a wondrous gift.
Live simply. Be of service.
Be guided by your faith, not your fears.
Go lightly on your path.
Walk in a sacred manner.