2014 Invocations (12)
In 2014, the Central Florida Freethought Community offered secular invocations at civic meetings across our region. Each reflection centers on shared human values—compassion, reason, integrity, and service—while respecting freedom of conscience and the separation of religion and government. Below are the invocations from this year.
3 December 2014 - City of Tavares City Council
Jocelyn Williamson - 222 words
This moment of reflection reminds us that we gather to make decisions for our community. I applaud everyone’s civic-mindedness. That we all cooperatively work to make Tavares a healthier, happier, fiscally responsible, vibrant community – is wonderful.
Each of us is here to help our community thrive and to create a strong city for future generations. We are leading by example.
Distractions abound in our modern life. We multi-task and rush from moment to moment barely pausing to consider what was just done. Take this moment to pause. Reflect. And be focused on the task at hand.
As you work together today on behalf of all who live in this city, may you draw strength and encouragement from one another through compassion and reason.
May today we use only our best skills and judgment keeping ourselves impartial and neutral as we consider each matter that is placed before us and always act in accordance with what is best for human welfare and our community as a whole.
Former President Clinton once said, “Citizen service is the very American idea that we meet our challenges not as isolated individuals but as members of a true community, with all of us working together.”
Today – Through YOUR thoughtful and committed help – you are planning the future for the City of Tavares. YOU are changing the world.
1 December 2014 - Town of Lady Lake City Commission
Robert Ridgard - 340 words
First, let me thank you for the opportunity to provide a Humanist Invocation to begin your deliberations today. As this body convenes to do the business of the Town of Lady Lake, I suggest that you look ahead, with anticipation and enthusiasm, for the task set before you.
Humanists, by their very nature, believe that we all have the power to solve problems within our own capabilities, through science and reason. And, that by applying this science and reason with the strength found in empathy and compassion for our fellow humans, we can overcome any hurdle we encounter.
We don’t have to agree with each other's views, but we do have to respect each other's right to hold those views and practice their beliefs without fear of persecution; as long as no one infringes upon the rights of others.
Morality holds us all together by the promises we make and keep with each other. We rely and trust those promises and depend on each other to do that which is right and necessary for us to live in a society.
This moment of reflection is to remind us that we are here to work in harmony for the good of, and in service to, our community. We gather together this evening to share our collective wisdom in response to the needs of our citizenry. We are here to consider many issues and find the optimum solutions.
The success of our government stems from commitment of all to serving the entire community, not just a favored few. It isn't through strength in numbers, but strength in our actions that we find success.
I wanted to close by quoting from two presidents, admired by many of us--one a Republican and the other a Democrat.
First, the Republican:
When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion.
Abraham Lincoln
And now, the Democrat:
It's remarkable how much you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit.
Harry S. Truman
Thank you.
20 October 2014 - Osceola Board of County Commissioners
Michael Mello - 242 Words
Our original nation motto, E Pluribus Unum, Latin for, “out of many, one”, is something we can all learn from. It is a motto that unites all the people of our county and our great nation.
We are a nation of many different people working together. We are a diverse nation in regards to race, ethnicity, politics, gender and sexual orientation. A nation of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, agnostics, atheists and many, many others. Too many to name, in fact.
This body has shown tolerance and acceptance and it sets an example for neighboring counties by demonstrating what makes our nation great—working together despite our many differences for the greater good of society, and focusing on those things we do have in common.
The Osceola County Commissioners understand this guiding principle and demonstrates it in their actions by treating members of all religious groups and those from the atheist community, like myself, the same as all the others.
We can hope that others learn from this commission and those around the country which understand that we are only great when we treat people with different beliefs equally—when we understand that collaborating with each other on common goals, and ensuring that the majority does not take away the freedoms and liberties of others is what makes us strong, united and free.
Thank you for leading a county that consists of many differences and uniting us as one. E Pluribus Unum.
7 October 2014 - Ocoee City Commission
James Bartel - 249 words
First, let me take a moment to thank you all for this opportunity to deliver a secular invocation to start off this meeting. Usually at this time you are told to lower your heads in prayer. I want instead for us all to keep our heads raised and to look around this room today.
In the past our city was small enough for us all to know each other’s names, relationships, and even values. But now we look around and see new faces, new individuals who each have their own ideals, values, and moral dilemmas. Because of this, how are we able to stand here and pray to only one god while leaving the others out? We have citizens who are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, and people who profess no religious belief at all. We all have differences in belief but my wish here today is that you will believe in each other and yourself. That we can make our own sound judgments, our own reasonable questions, and create a more unified city.
I stated how we all have our differences but we share a common trait. We are all part of this Earth; we are all here wanting to do what is best. Let’s work to make a positive change in our community where no one is left on the sidelines.
I leave you with a quote from Albert Einstein, “Nothing truly valuable can be achieved except by the unselfish cooperation of many individuals.”
Thank you.
9 September 2014 - Seminole County Commission
Jocelyn Williamson - 223 words
Thank you Mr. Chairman, board members and fellow citizens of Seminole county.
I would ask that you survey the room and regard our community gathered here.
This moment of reflection is to remind us that we are here to work in harmony even when there may be honest disagreement. We gather together this morning to share our collective wisdom to face the needs of our county. We are here to consider many issues and find the optimum solutions.
As you work through the agenda today, be confident that what you are doing serves to build a better Seminole County. In the words of Albert Einstein “Nothing truly valuable can be achieved except by the unselfish cooperation of many individuals.”
THAT is what is happening here today.
The success of our government stems from commitment of you and your staff to serving the people. It isn't in strength in numbers, but strength in our actions. May we learn from how we faced our past challenges and in This meeting This morning, may each of us here give and receive the supportive communication we need to develop and grow our county, together.
I would like to close with a quote from Henry Ford.
“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
May today’s meeting be nothing but successful.
Thank you.
26 August 2014 - Lake County Commission
Paul Tjaden - 291 words
Members of the County Commission and staff, citizens and guests of Lake County, for today's invocation, rather than bowing your heads, please take a moment to look around at others who are here this morning. Fifty years ago had you done that the people you'd be looking at would be folks pretty much like yourself; people who had grown up in Lake County and who shared the same faith and culture.
But since then, our community has seen incredible growth. People have moved here from other states and from countries and cultures around the world. We have citizens who are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, and people who profess no religious belief at all. Because of that, I believe that any prayer in this diverse setting could cause at least some of our citizens to feel like outsiders—that they had entered a place where their requests or problems might be considered with suspicion or indifference because their beliefs differed from the majority.
Because of this, and in respect to all of our citizens, I come before you not to pray, but instead to invoke the spirit of good will between all of us. To be sure, we don't agree about everything and sometimes we feel fiercely protective of what we do believe, but there's one thing on which we can all agree: we share the goal of making our Lake County the best place it can be.
It is my hope that at this meeting, we will work together to make positive changes in our County. lt is my hope that respect is always extended to others and it is my hope that logic and reason guide the decisions of all within and outside of this room.
Thank you.
17 July 2014 - City of Eustis Commission
David Williamson - 212 words
(Note: The agenda had the speaker's name and the correct name of the organization, but the title "Pastor" and the word "Church" were added to the introduction.)
As the community gathers this evening, let us briefly reflect on the things you, as a Commission, bring with you to do the business of improving the City of Eustis for residents, the many businesses, and its cherished visitors.
Compassion is essential for effective public service and it is cultivated through a lifetime of learning about the needs of everyone in the community and the harm that follows when those needs are neglected.
Your integrity and honesty are earned through life lessons you take from family, friends, and your own personal experiences of these principles in everyone around you.
Wisdom is often called for during an invocation, however all the knowledge needed is already right here in this chamber. Your fellow commissioners, the hard-working city staff, as well as citizens and business owners come to serve along with you and to be a resource to call upon.
As we unite with the common goal of improving the lives of all stakeholders and even those who will be affected by this evening’s decisions for generations to come, take solace in the fact that on our own we can do this, because of who we are, because we have one another, and simply because it must be done.
We are all in this together. We will make it happen.
14 July 2014 - Winter Park City Commission
Chris Allen - 201 words
Let us give thanks for the opportunities we have to strive to reach our potential, to create happiness for ourselves and others.
Using the means we have within ourselves, determination, passion, intelligence, and sincerity in purpose, we can do more than dream.
Each person has the potential to persevere, to reach one's goals, and to make the best use of the life they have.
Our ability to achieve fulfillment should also be linked to a strong desire to help the less fortunate among us.
Helping others with no expectation of reward is noble but more importantly a means for one to achieve personal happiness.
Happiness, of course, is a goal for every person. By giving ourselves our time, talents, and treasures we can achieve greater joy.
If we judge a community in terms of the welfare of the weakest among us then personal giving, caring, and sharing are vital individual traits that when combined with others who care create and sustain a thriving civil society.
Let us realize and believe in our hearts that in order to improve ourselves and our families and to elevate the human condition each of us has to be that someone who does something for others.
7 July 2014 - Groveland City Council
Paul Tjaden - 300 words
For tonight’s invocation I would ask that instead of bowing your heads you would just take a moment to look around at others who are here tonight. Fifty years ago, had you done that, the people you would be looking at would be people you had known most of your lives. They would be old friends from school or the church you attend on Sunday.
But since then, our community has seen incredible growth, with people moving here from other states and from countries around the world. We have citizens who are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, and people who profess no religious belief at all. I believe that any prayer in this diverse setting would cause at least some of our citizens to feel like outsiders, that they had entered a place where their requests or problems might be considered with suspicion or indifference because their beliefs differed from the majority.
Because of this and in respect to all of our citizens, I come before you to invoke the spirit of goodwill between all of us. To be sure, we do not agree about everything and we often feel fiercely protective of what we do believe. But there is one thing on which we all agree: We share the goal of making our community the best place it can be. We unite here with that aim and common purpose.
It is my hope that, at this council meeting and others, we will work together to make positive changes in our community. It is my hope that we challenge ourselves and others to improve our quality of life. It is my hope that respect is always extended to others. And it is my hope that logic and reason guide the decisions of all within and outside of this room.
3 July 2014 - Volusia County CouncilJack Maurice -221 words
Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't ask you to close your eyes, but to keep your eyes open to the serious issues this county government can and should solve or improve. I don't ask you to bow your heads, but to look up at what you can accomplish by applying your considerable talents and experience to the problems that confront you.
We gather here today on this eve of our celebration of independence to not only meet with our colleagues and friends with attention to a common goal but also to hopefully to commemorate the 238th anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776.
I and other non-religious citizen’s thank you, for allowing a secular humanist to have this opportunity to "invoke" a minority point of view.
Consider this: each of us is a minority with respect to something. Each of us is also part of some majority.
Whether we have a minority or majority viewpoint we must pledge our best efforts to help one another and to defend the rights of all of our citizens and residents.
As you work together on behalf of all who live in this great city of DeLand may you gain strength and cooperation from one another through reason and compassion.
To all, have a great and safe holiday weekend.
23 June 2014 - Orlando City Council
Chris Allen - 193 words
Let us give thanks for all that we have, cherish and possess--especially for the capacity to care and love, to improve ourselves, our families and community.
Whatever one’s viewpoint, either derived from faith or from reason informed by science, having the capacity to appreciate and thank others is ingrained in the DNA of The Human Condition.
We give thanks to the volunteers, the heart and soul of our community, who donate their time and talents to help the less fortunate.
And, in this setting, let’s recognize and laud the sacrifices made by many government workers, especially firefighters and police officers who risk their lives to safeguard others, no matter where residents live or if they are rich or poor.
Understanding the awesome responsibility of public service, we thank you, the mayor and city council members for using compassion and fairness, and for not acting for personal gain, or out of fear or favor.
As citizens and voters, we possess great hope that our elected officials make choices that give all people in this community, to the extent they can, an opportunity to achieve The American Dream…and to help build a greater Orlando.
16 June 2014 - Osceola County Commission
David Williamson - 199 Words
Through the millennia we as a society have learned the best way to govern the people is for the people to govern themselves.
Today, in this tradition, we travel from our homes and businesses across the county; citizens, staff, and those elected converge on this chamber to work as one community united and indivisible by nearly every measure.
Each of us arrives as individuals with unique ideas and experiences but all with a need or, in a spirit of goodwill, to fulfill the needs of others.
Citizens request assistance and offer their concerns and we are ever grateful for their interest and for their trust in the process. Staff provides invaluable expertise in their particular field and we truly appreciate their continued service.
Elected officials listen, debate, and choose the path forward for us all out of a sincere desire to serve and honor the people of Osceola County while shaping its future.
We all offer our thanks in that often thankless task.
When we leave this chamber this evening let us carry with us this same spirit of service and goodwill tomorrow and every day that follows.
This is how we assemble to serve and to govern, ourselves.