Ashes
Ceremonies The Campfire
Ashes Ceremony
Ashes
taken from a campfire are sprinkled into the flames of the new campfire.
Next morning, when the ashes are cold, they are stirred, collected, and
evenly distributed into small packages so each Girl Scout present at the
campfire may take some with her to share with other Girl Scouts at other
camp fires. If more than one Girl Scout brings ashes to the same campfire,
the lists are pooled, the dates and places of all the campfires are recorded
and passed on. This ceremony is a very special one and should be used only
at meaningful occassions. It stresses our commitment to International Friendship
and Comradeship.
CEREMONY From the North, the South,
the East, and the West the spirits of past campfires are here with us tonight,
carrying fellowship in these ashes from other campfires, thus uniting us
with freinds and comrades in other lands. (Add new ashes here)
May the joining of the
dead ashes from our campfires of long ago with the leaping flames of our
campfire tonight symbolize once more the unbroken chain binding Girl Scouts
and Girl Guides around the world. Greetings to all campfires of the past.
These are the things I
prize and hold of dearest worth,
- Light of the sapphire
skies, peace of the silent hills. Music of the birds, murmur of little
rills,
- Shelter of forests,
comfort of the grass. Shadows of clouds that swiftly pass, and after
the shower
- The smell of flowers
and of the good brown earth. And most of all, alond the way, FELLOWSHIP
and mirth,
- May naught mar the
joy of FELLOWSHIP here. May none remain hungry and lonely of heart among
us,
- Let none go hence without
the joy of new FRIENDSHIP. Give us more capacity for love,
- And a richer consciousness
of being loved. Help us overcome our coldness and reserve that we may
throw ajar,
- The gates of our hearts
and keep open house this day and ALWAYS.
Now let us pray together:
Oh, Lord
we pray:
For those who blindly seek God,
May they find him.
For those who believe they know God,
May they seek him.
For those who are afraid of the future,
May they have confidence.
For those who have failed,
May they have a fresh chance.
For those who doubt,
May they not despair.
For those who are alone,
May they find someone.
For those who hunger,
May they be satisfied.
For those who are satisfied,
May they be humble.
All sing: Taps
Benediction: "May
the Great Father, Master of all Scouts, Bless you and keep you, until
we meet again."
-- Thanks to Sue Moore,
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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