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Nov. 11th, 2005 09:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rivkaTomorrow my parents are coming into town, because on Sunday Alex is being dedicated at our church. Child dedication is what Unitarian-Universalists generally do instead of baptism, although the set of potential liturgical elements our ministers sent us to choose from did include a full service of Christian baptism. We put together what I think is a lovely ceremony. I get teary just reading it over, so I imagine that I'll be a bit of a basket case in church.
After church, we're having a luncheon at the house for a dozen people. Nothing fancy - a deli tray and some kaiser rolls for sandwiches, pasta salad with artichoke hearts, vinaigrette, and feta cheese, brownies, and lemon bars. I'm glad my mother will be in the house to supervise the making of the lemon bars, as they are both deceptive and tricky.
A. OPENING WORDS
Minister: Dear friends, we have come together in the fellowship of this community to welcome a child into our religious family. From time immemorial, men and women have gathered to give thanks for the miracle of a new life.
Representative of Congregation: We see our children as endowed with all the blessing of Creation. We see their future in the promise of a loving home and community. We welcome and dedicate this child to the search for truth and hope, and to the work of building a more just and peaceful society.
Minister: We pause now in awe and thanksgiving in the presence of this child, rejoicing in the hope and promise which resides in every child.
All: We seek for ourselves that spirit of consecration, which may hallow our joys, and give meaning to our responsibilities.
B. READINGS
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said,
Speak to us of children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You can give them your love, but not your thoughts,
for they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might,
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
-- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
C. CHARGE TO PARENTS AND COVENANT
MICHAEL AND REBECCA, you stand today on ground made holy by the dreams and visions of generations of men and women. I ask you now to search your hearts. It is an awesome task to raise a child. Do you now freely promise to love and nurture this child to the best of your ability, in struggles as well as joy? Do you promise as well to introduce her to truth and wonder, duty and joy, courage and integrity, through your own lives?
(Parents: We do.)
E. EXTENDED FAMILY
You who are members of this child's family have been blessed by her birth. Yet this birth also confers on you a serious obligation. Will you promise now to lead this child by your own example, so that she may learn the difference between right and wrong, and will you also promise to befriend and be concerned for this child according to her spiritual and emotional needs?
(Family Members: We do.)
F. CONGREGATIONAL CHARGE AND COVENANT
If she is like most of us, Alex will find both gifts and chal-lenges as she grows up. All of you, young and old, can make her life easier.
I ask you now to search your hearts: Will you who are gathered here today join with me in committing ourselves to her physical and spiritual wellbeing?
(Congregation: We will.)
G. DEDICATION AND NAMING
The water which we use in this dedication
is an ancient symbol, a sign of our common heritage.
As the source of life, the purifier and the refresher,
water symbolizes the endless cycle of generation
and the mystery of birth.
The rose which we present is an ancient symbol of beauty,
A sign of the unfolding of new life
and of the divine image within each one of us.
The candle which we present
reminds us of our flaming chalice.
Its fire is an ancient symbol,
which for us stands for the light of knowledge,
the flame of commitment,
and the warmth of our communal bonds.
The power to grant a name
is one of the greatest moments of human life.
By granting a name,
we bestow identity.
By the act of naming,
We confirm the uniqueness of each person.
[turning to child]
What do you name this child?
(Parents: ALEXANDRA CALVERT WALD.)
[touching the child's forehead with water]
ALEXANDRA CALVERT WALD,
we dedicate you in the name of truth,
in the promise of love,
and in the fellowship of life.
J. PRAYERS, BLESSINGS AND BENEDICTIONS
Eternal one who is the loving creator of all life, grant this child beauty of soul and strength of spirit, that her life may be a blessing to all she meets. May she find comfort and peace with you, that she may endure sorrow, surmount temptation, conquer fear. May she find the gifts that you have hidden within her small body, and use them wisely and generously.
Grant her family the gift of faith, that they may offer the very best of themselves to this little baby. Let them see your eyes when they look into her eyes. Help them remember that she is your child, as they, too, are your children.
Grant each person in this room the ability and the resolve to fulfill the sacred responsibilities they have undertaken this day. May we be reflections of your glory.
In the name of all that is holy, Amen.
(to Alex:)
May you have joy in listening and joy in singing;
joy in hearing and joy in seeing;
joy in thinking and joy in learning.
May your hours be forever bright
in play and in work, in friendship and in love.
-- Eloise Greenfield
After church, we're having a luncheon at the house for a dozen people. Nothing fancy - a deli tray and some kaiser rolls for sandwiches, pasta salad with artichoke hearts, vinaigrette, and feta cheese, brownies, and lemon bars. I'm glad my mother will be in the house to supervise the making of the lemon bars, as they are both deceptive and tricky.
A. OPENING WORDS
Minister: Dear friends, we have come together in the fellowship of this community to welcome a child into our religious family. From time immemorial, men and women have gathered to give thanks for the miracle of a new life.
Representative of Congregation: We see our children as endowed with all the blessing of Creation. We see their future in the promise of a loving home and community. We welcome and dedicate this child to the search for truth and hope, and to the work of building a more just and peaceful society.
Minister: We pause now in awe and thanksgiving in the presence of this child, rejoicing in the hope and promise which resides in every child.
All: We seek for ourselves that spirit of consecration, which may hallow our joys, and give meaning to our responsibilities.
B. READINGS
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said,
Speak to us of children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You can give them your love, but not your thoughts,
for they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might,
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
-- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
C. CHARGE TO PARENTS AND COVENANT
MICHAEL AND REBECCA, you stand today on ground made holy by the dreams and visions of generations of men and women. I ask you now to search your hearts. It is an awesome task to raise a child. Do you now freely promise to love and nurture this child to the best of your ability, in struggles as well as joy? Do you promise as well to introduce her to truth and wonder, duty and joy, courage and integrity, through your own lives?
(Parents: We do.)
E. EXTENDED FAMILY
You who are members of this child's family have been blessed by her birth. Yet this birth also confers on you a serious obligation. Will you promise now to lead this child by your own example, so that she may learn the difference between right and wrong, and will you also promise to befriend and be concerned for this child according to her spiritual and emotional needs?
(Family Members: We do.)
F. CONGREGATIONAL CHARGE AND COVENANT
If she is like most of us, Alex will find both gifts and chal-lenges as she grows up. All of you, young and old, can make her life easier.
I ask you now to search your hearts: Will you who are gathered here today join with me in committing ourselves to her physical and spiritual wellbeing?
(Congregation: We will.)
G. DEDICATION AND NAMING
The water which we use in this dedication
is an ancient symbol, a sign of our common heritage.
As the source of life, the purifier and the refresher,
water symbolizes the endless cycle of generation
and the mystery of birth.
The rose which we present is an ancient symbol of beauty,
A sign of the unfolding of new life
and of the divine image within each one of us.
The candle which we present
reminds us of our flaming chalice.
Its fire is an ancient symbol,
which for us stands for the light of knowledge,
the flame of commitment,
and the warmth of our communal bonds.
The power to grant a name
is one of the greatest moments of human life.
By granting a name,
we bestow identity.
By the act of naming,
We confirm the uniqueness of each person.
[turning to child]
What do you name this child?
(Parents: ALEXANDRA CALVERT WALD.)
[touching the child's forehead with water]
ALEXANDRA CALVERT WALD,
we dedicate you in the name of truth,
in the promise of love,
and in the fellowship of life.
J. PRAYERS, BLESSINGS AND BENEDICTIONS
Eternal one who is the loving creator of all life, grant this child beauty of soul and strength of spirit, that her life may be a blessing to all she meets. May she find comfort and peace with you, that she may endure sorrow, surmount temptation, conquer fear. May she find the gifts that you have hidden within her small body, and use them wisely and generously.
Grant her family the gift of faith, that they may offer the very best of themselves to this little baby. Let them see your eyes when they look into her eyes. Help them remember that she is your child, as they, too, are your children.
Grant each person in this room the ability and the resolve to fulfill the sacred responsibilities they have undertaken this day. May we be reflections of your glory.
In the name of all that is holy, Amen.
(to Alex:)
May you have joy in listening and joy in singing;
joy in hearing and joy in seeing;
joy in thinking and joy in learning.
May your hours be forever bright
in play and in work, in friendship and in love.
-- Eloise Greenfield
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no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 03:58 am (UTC)I hope that the day is pleasing and empowering for you. Know that your prayers will be lifted up by those far away from your church building.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 03:59 am (UTC)What time should I show up? And would you like me to bring the minivan to provide transportation?
no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 02:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 04:08 am (UTC)Have a very happy day. I'll be thinking of all of you.
P.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 02:57 pm (UTC)Thanks for your good wishes.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 04:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 04:37 am (UTC)Speaking of names, how did you decide what Alex's last name would be?
no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 02:53 pm (UTC)We haven't mentioned Alex's last name to Michael's father, though, and we probably won't.
sappy
Date: 2005-11-12 04:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 05:52 am (UTC)Lovely
Date: 2005-11-12 05:57 am (UTC)Re: Lovely
Date: 2005-11-12 02:49 pm (UTC)Please?
Date: 2005-11-12 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 06:09 am (UTC)-J
no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 03:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 08:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 12:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 03:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-12 06:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-13 12:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-20 01:49 am (UTC)love to all of you.