2016 Invocations (11)
In 2016, 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.
7 November 2016 - Longwood City Council
Randa Black - 271 words
Good evening! I am happy to be here tonight to give a secular invocation and words of encouragement and inspiration. It is an honor to be given a voice. I speak for those in the community who identify as being secular humanists, atheists, and one of the fastest growing groups in America, the non-religious.
We are so fortunate to live in a country founded and formed to recognize the importance of the individual, where no one shall be made to hide nor justify their personal beliefs, and where no government shall impose a singular religion on its citizenry.
Let us be mindful that this room is filled with our diverse human family with common values and needs. Let us cherish and celebrate our shared capacity for reason and compassion. Our similarities and our ability to recognize the value and worth of our entire community is what moves us forward.
Instead of bowing our heads, please lift them up and look around you. Take a moment to look at your fellow citizens. Look past their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other arbitrary label. Look past their politics, and their beliefs or religion. Every single person in this room has inherent and unquestionable value as a human being.
The original motto of the United States of America was one of inclusion. “E Pluribus Unum”, which translates, “from many, one.” It doesn’t seek to exclude or extol any citizen for any reason. Thank you, Mayor and Commissioners for your continued efforts to make Longwood a great place to live. Please know that we don’t take for granted your service to this community.
24 October 2016 - Sanford City Council
Jocelyn Williamson - 283 words
Thank you, Mayor, Commission Members, Staff, and community members for the opportunity to offer opening words for this meeting.
Tonight, let us leave our stressful lives outside as we consider the tasks at hand and focus on the challenges facing the City.
Undoubtedly, you will consider many issues during this meeting. The public trust requires that every issue be considered on it's own merit...be analyzed thoroughly...and decided through rational problem solving...guided by ethics and integrity.
Albert Einstein said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
Tonight, may we learn from yesterday's mistakes and challenges. May we focus on the tasks at hand, use reason to guide our decisions and take joy in our work. And may we always increase the promise for opportunity and the hope those in our City might have through the wise decisions being made on their behalf this evening.
Let us welcome the challenges of the future we see before us and be undaunted by those yet to be known.
The strength of the City of Sanford is in its residents, city officials and hardworking city employees.
May we be mindful of the unity we have in our single, yet diverse human family with common values and shared needs. May we work together toward a cleaner environment, safer neighborhoods, stronger schools, and a viable economy with sustained employment opportunities for all who seek them.
May we provide for well-trained and equipped firefighters, emergency responders, law enforcement, and our military, and may we never forget their sacrifices.
As we forge ahead toward a common good for the City of Sanford, may we all benefit from the enduring power that can only come from working together.
Thank you.
26 September 2016 - City of Orlando Council
Jocelyn Williamson - 368 words
LThank you Mr. Mayor, council members and citizens.
Let us take this moment, before we begin, to pause and reflect on why we have come together.
Sometimes it seems we are inundated with bad news on a daily basis with tragedies around the globe. Our news feeds can feel as if they are filled with sadness. And life can seem too busy as we hustle to barely keep up with it all.
Let us remember that these events are truly only a small fragment of what is happening in our world. Just consider that which you will contemplate today – where we see an outpouring of love for our community - The Pride Parade, the mile walk for a cure for Downs Syndrome and the art exhibition for breast cancer. And the proclamation to recognize that Native Plants are an important part of providing a better environment, not just for our native animals, but for us all.
So let your hearts be filled with hope as we plan for a brighter future.
Life's fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. That is what brings us here today.
We are working together to the benefit of the society - which we want to see for ourselves and our children.
Today – we leave our busy schedules outside for just a little while. During this meeting, let us remember to be concerned for the well-being of all among us, to use reason to guide our debate, to be committed to the diversity with which we thrive, and to respect all those of differing views. For without disagreement, we may not learn from one another.
The City Beautiful presents many challenges to its leaders, but none which are too great for us to meet together. Everyone brings unique abilities with them to help us solve the problems at hand. And all the knowledge we need is right here, in this room.
No matter what work lies ahead, let’s remember the words of the great Arnold Palmer. He was our King even before Orlando had a castle. He said: “The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.”
Thank you.
12 September 2016 - Osceola County Council
Michael Mello - 228 words
http://www.osceola.org/events/2044075-bcc-regular-meeting.stml
Good afternoon. Our original national 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 no matter who we are or our beliefs.
We are a nation of many different people working together. We are diverse nation in regards to race, ethnicity, politics, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, to name a few. What makes our nation great and different from any of the other nations is accepting our differences yet working together despite these differences for the greater good of society and focusing on those things we do have in common.
We are the United States of America, united under our secular Constitution and laws that guarantee we are all treated with equality in our great nation. We are only great when we treat people with different beliefs equally, ensuring minority groups have the same rights to liberty and freedoms as all others, and when we understand and collaborate with each other on a common goal.
Ensuring that the majority does not take away the freedoms and liberties of others is what makes a strong, united and free. We should never forget this is what makes us great. Thank you for leading the county that consists of many different people and uniting us as one.
9 August 2016 - Seminole County Commission
Chris Jepson - 295 words
Thank you, commissioners and staff.
All of you have made sacrifices in your commitment to community.
Kudos to the staff of Seminole County as well. Good government requires an informed and engaged public, committed elected officials such as your self and a competent, professional staff to ensure the execution of sound public policy as well as the management of county services. Again, Kudos to you all.
As we begin today, let us pause for a moment and consider who we are and why we’re here TOGETHER as citizens of Seminole County.
Today’s agenda reveals a growing county, one with many strengths. Challenges, too. We avoid the challenges at our peril.
One outcome for today is that we will have come together cooperatively to do the public’s good work.
We convene today because - as county stakeholders, - “We the people” represent democracy in action. Local government, above all others, welcomes direct participation in a unique way.
No matter who you are – you have a voice in how government works for you. Some voices are loud, some insistent, but all are welcome. All of us are due consideration.
Let us take a lesson from the Great American Free Thinker Robert Ingersoll and strive to:
• Be sincere.
• To utter honest words
• To love liberty,
• To Receive new truths with gladness, and, finally,
• To Cultivate hope - as we do the best – that can be done.
Let me close with Robert Ingersoll’ most famous quote:
“This is my doctrine: - Give every other human being - every right- you claim for yourself.” End of quote
We are here - as Seminole Countians - to hopefully pursue all these things today.
As One people, - one county, -
as one nation, -
all strong –
and indivisible.
Thank you.
25 July 2016 - City of Casselberry Commission
Jocelyn Williamson - 223 words
Thank you Mayor Glancy, commissioners and city staff. As we begin this evening, let us pause for a moment and consider who we are and why we’re here TOGETHER for the citizens of the City of Casselberry.
Tonight’s agenda reveals a growing city with many needs. We cannot avoid the challenges which we find in our way, but we can choose our behavior and set the example as community leaders to overcome them as a team.
Our full focus and care of all stakeholders must be given to ensure an outcome that embodies the concept of “We the people” because this meeting tonight reflects democracy in action. Local government, above all others, welcomes direct participation in a unique way.
No matter who you are – you have a voice and it will be heard. Some voices will be loud, some will be insistent, but remember that all – no matter how quiet, or ineloquent -- should be welcome from beginning to end. And all should be given consideration.
Let us take a lesson from Robert Ingersoll and strive to:
• To be sincere
• To utter honest words
• To destroy prejudice
• Receive new truths with gladness, and
• Cultivate hope as we do the best together.
We endeavor in all these things tonight, one people, one city, as one nation, indivisible.
Thank you.
21 July 2016 - Volusia County Council
Jocelyn Williamson - 322 words
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller.
Thank you Chairman Davis, Commission Members, Staff, and the community for the opportunity to offer opening words for this morning’s meeting.
Today as we pause for before we begin the meeting, let us remember to check our personal conflicts at the door. The purpose of this meeting is to benefit the more than half a million people of this county.
Sure, this is a room in which there there can be challenging debates, moments of tension, and of ideological divisions. But let us remember this room contains fellow members of our wonderfully diverse human family with shared values, needs in common, and similar hopes and dreams. Let us cherish and celebrate our shared capacity for reason and human compassion. It is our similarities that move us forward and our ability to recognize the value and worth of our entire community as well as the dignity of each individual that makes us great.
Wisdom is often called for as these meetings begin – REMEMBER - all the knowledge needed is already right here in this chamber. Your fellow commissioners, the hard-working county staff, as well as citizens and business owners have come along to serve with you and to be a resource to be called upon.
As American Hall of Famer and former Senator Bill Bradley once said - “Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore thoughts candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.”
Thank you.
11 April 2016 - City of Casselberry Commission
Jocelyn Williamson - 347 words
Thank you Mayor, Commissioners, Staff, and community members for the opportunity to offer opening words for the meeting on behalf of your residents and for the benefit of each of us here.
This evening as we pause for before we begin the meeting, let us remember to leave our personal conflicts at the door. The purpose of the meeting tonight is for the good of the people and the City of Casselberry. It is for all of us to work together and to help make Casselberry“a great place to live.”
I know this is a room in which there there can be challenging debates, moments of tension, and of ideological divisions. But let us also be mindful that this room contains members of our wonderfully diverse human family with common values, needs, hopes, and dreams—many of which we share. Let us cherish and celebrate our shared capacity for reason and compassion. Because it is our similarities that move us forward and our ability to recognize the value and worth of our entire community as well as the dignity of each individual that makes us great.
As American Hall of Famer and former Senator Bill Bradley once said - “Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.”
As decisions are reached this evening, keep in mind the common goal of improving the lives of everyone in the City and even those who will be affected by this evening’s decisions for generations to come. Wisdom is something that is often called for as these meetings begin – REMEMBER - 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.
I will close with a quote from Helen Keller – ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ‘
Thank you.
16 February 2016 - Lake County Council
Michael Rowe - 318 words
Thank you so very much for inviting me. By opening this invocation to myself and others you have helped to make a better democracy. One of the biggest threats to democracy is apathy, and if everyone cannot feel welcome and accepted to join and participate than they will simply shrug their shoulders and let a chosen few make all the decisions. If the citizens of their cities, counties, states and countries were fully involved in their political events it would be a far more effective determent to their enemies.
Let us open our hearts to the welfare of all the people in our community by respecting the inherent dignity and worth of each person, and realize our differences of race, politics, religion, and social standing are merely superficial. Our common humanity unites us all, and may we recognize that, through our interdependence - that we share a common fate.
In order to achieve the greatest good as citizens of Lake County, it is important for us to maintain an open mind, and honor and respect the human rights of each other. We should consider the benefit provided by differing perspectives, and be willing to question assumptions that serve only to obstruct our path to progress.
Rather than bowing our heads and closing our eyes in deference, we should open our eyes widely to face the reality that confronts us and not lose sight of our ideals of what we could achieve. Through the prudent use of reason, compassion, listening to constituents and inviting their feedback, we can ensure success and a feeling of community in this great county.
Lastly, we must remember that in the face of adversity we need not look above ourselves for answers, but instead recognize the proven potential in ourselves and each other to overcome any challenges we face. Members of the board I respect and appreciate your service to the county.
Thank you.
25 January 2016 - City of Maitland Council
Simon Bravo - 380 words
Thank you for this opportunity to "invoke" a minority point of view. Each of us is a minority in some way. It might be race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or any other aspect in which we may be regarded as different. Each of us is also part of some majority. It is when we wear our majority hats that we need to be most mindful of how we treat others. We must pledge our best efforts to help one another, and to defend the rights of all of our citizens and residents.
What divides us is not so much our religious differences in this diverse country, but the degree of commitment we have to equal freedom of conscience for all people. Only those remarks that regard the common interests of all in attendance—and not just to the beliefs of some—can embrace the entire room, can speak on behalf of the community as a whole, and will be shared by all those who know Maitland as our Maitland.
We are gathered today, both naturalist and super-naturalist members of our community, with the shared belief that we must treat our fellow human beings with respect and dignity. In this invocation, I don't ask you to close your eyes, but to keep your eyes constantly open to the serious problems that city government can 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 issues that confront us.
As you work together on behalf of all who live in this city, may you draw strength and sustenance from one another through reason and compassion. Your decisions are important to me and my family: we live in Maitland; my wife teaches at a local school, the same school my daughter attends; we play tennis at the Maitland Community Park; we buy our oranges at Hollieanna Groves; and we vote right here in Downtown Maitland. So your Maitland is our Maitland. And that is a happy fact of this natural world.
I'd like to close by quoting a brief definition of peace by the great Benito Juárez: “Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others means peace.”
Thank you very much.
11 January 2016 - City of Maitland Council
Randa Black - 403 words
Good evening! I am happy to be here tonight to give a secular invocation and words of encouragement and inspiration. Thank you, Mayor and Commissioners; it is an honor to be given a voice. I speak for those in our community who identify as being secular humanists, atheists, and one of the fastest growing groups in America, the non-religious.
We are fortunate to live in a country founded and formed to recognize the importance of the individual, where no one shall be made to hide nor justify his or her personal beliefs, and where no government shall impose a singular religion on its citizenry.
I know this is a room in which there are many challenging debates, many moments of tension and frustration, and of ideological division. But let us also be mindful that this is a room full of our diverse human family with common values and needs. Let us cherish and celebrate our shared capacity for reason and compassion. It is our similarities that move us forward and our ability to recognize the value and worth of our entire community that makes us great.
Instead of bowing our heads, please lift them up and look around you. Let us take a moment... look at your fellow citizens. Look past their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other arbitrary label. Look past their politics, and their beliefs or religion. Every single person in this room has inherent, unequivocal, and unquestionable value as a human being.
The original motto of the United States of America was one of inclusion. “E Pluribus Unum”, which translates, “from many, one.” It doesn’t seek to exclude or extol any citizen for any reason.
I love living in Maitland! Thank you for your service to make Maitland a great place to live. When we say, “It’s My Maitland,” I’m grateful to live in a community that is inclusive of everyone. Thank you for recognizing that “It’s My Maitland,” too!
I want to close by quoting two presidents…
Abraham Lincoln was once asked about his religion and he remarked that it was very much like that of an old man named Glenn in Indiana whom he had heard speak, "When I do good I feel good; when I do bad I feel bad; and that's my religion.”
Harry S. Truman said, “It's remarkable how much you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit.”
Thank you.