Child Dedication
In this ceremony we formally welcome the presence of a new child in our community and renew our commitment to him. We bestow upon him today the love and blessings of this community for as long as he may live. At the center of our ceremony are four symbols: a flower, water, soil, and a name.
[Minister raises a flower] The flower represents the individual self – each and every one beautiful and unique. As each flower grows and blooms and shows its colors out of its own inner nature, so it is with each child. Each and every child is an irreplaceable expression of beauty and grace.
[Minister lifts a small bowl of water] The water symbolizes the creative, cleansing and life-sustaining power of the universe. Just as a flower can be encouraged to bloom or kept from blooming depending on the amount of sun, air and moisture made available to sustain it, so too are our children dependent on the environment and quality of life created by this community. The love, compassion and support we offer them is life-enabling, life-sustaining, and life-affirming.
[Minister lifts vessel of earth] Earth is the embodiment of home – it is the place where flowers put down roots, it is the place in which flowers belong. So too is our church community a home, a place where our children know they can come and be loved just as they are, where they know they will always belong.
The naming of a child announces to our community that a new life is here among us. It is through our names that we are known to and affirmed by those who serve as our companions on the journey of life.
Will the parents and the child to be dedicated today please come forward. [Wait]
Parents, I ask you, as we dedicate your child today, do you promise, to the best of your ability, to raise him by exploring faith, sharing love and striving to live justice? If so say “We do”. [Parents]: We do.
What is the name you have given this child? [ Parents]: Lucas James Crawford
Lucas James Crawford,
With this earth, we bless you so that you will remain grounded wherever you journey, knowing that you are at home in yourself. If you ever forget this truth, we hope that you can reconnect to it here in your spiritual home. May the soil of your life be rich and nourish your growth.
[Minister touches soil to child’s hand.]
This flower symbolizes the unfolding of life and love. May you see and cherish the wonder around you, smelling the sweetness of life and feeling the soft tenderness of love on your skin.
[Minister gives child or parent the flower]
With water we anoint you, for it is the symbol of purity and life. May you always find that which quenches your thirst. May your tears bring healing when you are sad. May the rain cleanse you of your burdens and your fears. May you know that what you seek is within you for you are a blessing.
[Minister anoints child with water, a drop on forehead]
Members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie, will you join us in the act of dedication by saying the words on the screen?
[Congregation]: Lucas – we dedicate you today, declaring you forever welcome here, no matter which church, which city, or which state you call home. We commit to supporting you on your life journey, and to learning from you as we would have you learn from us. We also recognize that by your human nature you will make mistakes, and we pledge in those times to offer you grace and forgiveness. We will do our best to model for you living and relating with love, kindness and compassion.
[Minister]: Parents, will you please share with us your words of dedication?
[Parents]: Lucas – we dedicate ourselves to providing you with roots, so that you may feel safe, and wings, so that you may fly. We will strive to share with you the beauty and goodness of life. We renew our dedication to this church community as you dedicate yourselves to the blossoming of our whole family. We encourage you to be Lucas’s faith community, to love him and to guide him. To learn from him and to grow with him.
[Minister]: As the poet C. Day Lewis wrote “We time-worn folk renew ourselves at your enchanted spring, as though humankind’s begun again in you.” Lucas, you have our blessings and our love.
[Minister raises a flower] The flower represents the individual self – each and every one beautiful and unique. As each flower grows and blooms and shows its colors out of its own inner nature, so it is with each child. Each and every child is an irreplaceable expression of beauty and grace.
[Minister lifts a small bowl of water] The water symbolizes the creative, cleansing and life-sustaining power of the universe. Just as a flower can be encouraged to bloom or kept from blooming depending on the amount of sun, air and moisture made available to sustain it, so too are our children dependent on the environment and quality of life created by this community. The love, compassion and support we offer them is life-enabling, life-sustaining, and life-affirming.
[Minister lifts vessel of earth] Earth is the embodiment of home – it is the place where flowers put down roots, it is the place in which flowers belong. So too is our church community a home, a place where our children know they can come and be loved just as they are, where they know they will always belong.
The naming of a child announces to our community that a new life is here among us. It is through our names that we are known to and affirmed by those who serve as our companions on the journey of life.
Will the parents and the child to be dedicated today please come forward. [Wait]
Parents, I ask you, as we dedicate your child today, do you promise, to the best of your ability, to raise him by exploring faith, sharing love and striving to live justice? If so say “We do”. [Parents]: We do.
What is the name you have given this child? [ Parents]: Lucas James Crawford
Lucas James Crawford,
With this earth, we bless you so that you will remain grounded wherever you journey, knowing that you are at home in yourself. If you ever forget this truth, we hope that you can reconnect to it here in your spiritual home. May the soil of your life be rich and nourish your growth.
[Minister touches soil to child’s hand.]
This flower symbolizes the unfolding of life and love. May you see and cherish the wonder around you, smelling the sweetness of life and feeling the soft tenderness of love on your skin.
[Minister gives child or parent the flower]
With water we anoint you, for it is the symbol of purity and life. May you always find that which quenches your thirst. May your tears bring healing when you are sad. May the rain cleanse you of your burdens and your fears. May you know that what you seek is within you for you are a blessing.
[Minister anoints child with water, a drop on forehead]
Members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie, will you join us in the act of dedication by saying the words on the screen?
[Congregation]: Lucas – we dedicate you today, declaring you forever welcome here, no matter which church, which city, or which state you call home. We commit to supporting you on your life journey, and to learning from you as we would have you learn from us. We also recognize that by your human nature you will make mistakes, and we pledge in those times to offer you grace and forgiveness. We will do our best to model for you living and relating with love, kindness and compassion.
[Minister]: Parents, will you please share with us your words of dedication?
[Parents]: Lucas – we dedicate ourselves to providing you with roots, so that you may feel safe, and wings, so that you may fly. We will strive to share with you the beauty and goodness of life. We renew our dedication to this church community as you dedicate yourselves to the blossoming of our whole family. We encourage you to be Lucas’s faith community, to love him and to guide him. To learn from him and to grow with him.
[Minister]: As the poet C. Day Lewis wrote “We time-worn folk renew ourselves at your enchanted spring, as though humankind’s begun again in you.” Lucas, you have our blessings and our love.