Shawn L. Bird

Original poetry, commentary, and fiction. All copyrights reserved.

invocation: peace November 9, 2016

Filed under: Poetry,Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:14 pm
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We have been shattered into pieces

divisive patter has demeaned us

Let’s commit to redeem peace around us.

In this room

In this city,

Let our faith bloom in the gritty places

Among all creeds and races.

Let our Rotary service

shine to all who observe us.

.

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For free use within Rotary.  Please give acknowledge Shawn Bird of Shuswap Rotary as the author when you present the invocation.  Please also leave a message for her in the comments so others know where and when this invocation has been used.

 

invocation- strife November 1, 2016

Filed under: Poetry,Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:33 am
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At this difficult season

When opinions impale reason

May we not divide

but warmly abide

within a strong fellowship

built on relationships

of respectful courtesy

as we serve our community.

May we rise as *votary

to the service of Rotary.

.

*vocabulary- a ‘votary’ is a devoted adherent.

 

For free use within Rotary.  Please credit Shawn Bird of Shuswap Rotary, District 5060 with authorship when you present the invocation at your club, and please leave a comment below so Rotarians know when and where it’s been used.  Thank you.

 

Invocation- calm September 20, 2016

Filed under: Poetry,Rotary,Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:20 am
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In times of fear and panic,

Let us be a force of calm.

Let those who are trembling,

find us safe to lean upon.

May we be the voice of reason.

May we comfort the oppressed.

May we show our compassion

to those who’re most distressed.

.

.

Free for use in Rotary Clubs.  Please credit Shawn Bird of Shuswap Rotary (5060 BC Canada) when you use it, and leave a note in the comments below so folks know where it’s been used.  Thanks.

 

poem- service October 1, 2015

A Rotary Invocation poem:

.

Service happens in laughter and friendship.

Service happens in quiet conviction.

Service happens with firm intention.

Service happens in growing kinship

to all humanity in attention.

to Service Above Self.

 

invocation- for an auction November 16, 2013

Filed under: Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:54 pm
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Duplicate post (also on rotaryinvocations.wordpress.com)  Tonight my little Rotary Club held our annual auction.  With the support of very generous guests, we raised over $37,000 for our projects.  We are a small but very active club.  Two of our members regularly travel to Africa to a school where we sponsor 200 school lunches, some members sponsor tuition, and we help them with other projects, like a computer lab, and a water tower.  One of our members takes a dental team to the mountains of Ecuador.  We donate funds to vaccinate 20 children against polio every week.  Closer to home we have many community projects.  Here is the non-sectarian invocation that I presented tonight:

Margaret Mead said,

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Let us be thankful for the small group of committed people who, with your help tonight, are changing the world

one lunch,

One polio vaccination

One dental filling

One community project at a time.

Let us be thankful for the opportunity to gather together for a good meal with good friends.

Let us be thankful.

 

June thankfulness June 5, 2013

Filed under: Poetry,Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:25 am
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Skies bluer than sapphires

Sun glowing, turned the world into High Definition.

Birds calling, trilling, chirping, clicking, singing

Swooping, sailing on a sky sea

Warm breeze a caress,

blowing sultry scents into nostrils.

Barbeque sauce tangoing on the tongue.

With friends, in fellowship,

we celebrate service above ourselves.

There is a lot to be thankful for in June.

.

June is Rotary Fellowships month.  Fellowships are Rotarians who share a passion, like chess, travel, puzzles, etc.

 

Spring invocation March 5, 2013

Filed under: Rotary,Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:53 am
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Snows are melting; spring is come

This Rotary year is almost done.

As we reflect on projects from the year

upon our activities both far and near,

We’re thankful for successes enjoyed

We’re thankful for resources employed

in the service of others, in service of peace,

for in serving others our joys increase.

Let’s be thankful at this meeting for food and friends,

for hearts to serve and helpful hands.

.

(c) Shawn Bird.
  For free use within Rotary, but please leave a comment saying when and where you use this invocation, and credit Shawn as the author.
 

Invocation for the new year 2013 December 27, 2012

Filed under: Commentary,Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 7:15 pm
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Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. ”

As we come together each week in 2013,

What makes a beginning is spinning us onward

We keep together progressing through weather

We work  without rest until success.

What keeps us together is unity, fun, and focus.  Let’s change the world this year.

.

 

(c) Shawn L. Bird.  Free use within Rotary, but please credit me, and record your use of the this invocation in the comment section below.
 

Thanksgiving invocation October 7, 2012

Filed under: Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:48 am
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May we each be thankful for the friends that surround us, the trials that strengthen us, the work of our hands, and the joy in our lives.

(c) Shawn L Bird.  Free use within Rotary, but please give credit, and identify in the comments below, the name of your club and the date  you used it.

 

invocation on sport August 3, 2012

Filed under: Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 5:57 pm
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At this moment, thousands of athletes are battling on their fields of endeavour in search of glory.  Through dedication and sacrifice they strive to be the best for one brief moment in time.  They glow with satisfaction as they achieve their best and receive the accolades.

For one shining moment, they achieve glory.

Let us be thankful for hard work and dedication which unite us in celebration of success.  Let us work together to achieve our club goals, that we may celebrate together the improvements we, as Rotarians, make in our communities and our world.

(c) Shawn Bird.  Free use within Rotary.  Please credit Shawn, and record your club and the date you used this invocation in the comments below.

 

 
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