Thinking Day Candle Ceremony
Setting: One large candle preferably multi coloured. Six smaller candles on the table, preferably in six different colours. Each participant should have their own candle, mixed colours is best. Start with the large candle lit and light the six candles off it as the following are read:
I light this candle in friendship for all of the people who are older or younger, taller or smaller, richer or poorer than me.
I light this candle in friendship for all people who worship differently from me.
I light this candle in friendship for all people of a different nationality or ethnic group from me.
I light this candle in friendship for all people who are a different colour from me.
I light this candle in friendship for all people who come from other countries than me.
I light this candle in friendship for all people who don't run, walk, see, hear or learn the same as me.
I light this candle for me, for I am unique and special.
(At this point pass the light from person to person, with each saying the above line as they light their candle--after everyone's candle is lit continue with the following)
Watch the flames closely - the light from each candle is the same, even though the outside of each candle is different. So, too, are all of us in the world.
We wear different clothes, speak different languages, follow different religions or beliefs, like different foods, sing different songs. And yet, we all belong to the same human race.
Inside we are all the same. We all wish to be recognized, we all wish to be called by name, we all wish for friends, we all wish for peace.
In the spirit of international understanding, we pledge ourselves to world friendship.
In the spirit of international understanding, we pledge ourselves to peacemaking.
In the spirit of international understanding, we pledge ourselves to accept the challenge to "look wider still."
Stars that shine together form a galaxy; Flowers that grow together create a garden; Buildings that stand together begin a city; People who work together make a difference. This is what valuing differences is all about.
