The Dedication of Edward “Teddy” [watch here]
I share this child dedication service with the permission of Teddy’s parents.
Welcome & Introduction:
I would like to invite Teddy’s family forward, or I will proceed forward as I say this…
Behold this child.
He comes forth with star dust in his hair, with the rush of planets in his blood, and his heart beating out the seasons of eternity.
We have all noticed a shining in his eyes like sunlight, and with hands to shape the world that will be. It is a beautiful thing, and today is a celebration of the miracle of life in general, but one starring this child. When a new baby comes to us it is the symbol of all birth and life, and therefore it gives us a chance to smile and even rejoice. So with our kids around us we all have permission to lose our hearts to this child.
As presently the smallest of a long series of “Ted’s” he reminds his father and mother, and reminds us all really is that life is a gift. This little boy is now the link, in blood, to a new family, a family that comes together from a number of other families.
Please Join me in Responsive Reading: #717 by George Kimmich Beach. It appears on the order of service.)
Parental Intro and Covenant:
Ed and Jen, you have come here today to dedicate your child: to name him before this assembled gathering of family and friends, in this house dedicated to spirit, and to bless him before God? In doing so, we ask that you actively commit yourselves to healthy and loving ways of parenting her, and to dedicate him to the longstanding principals of the Christian tradition.
If you will do that say “We Will”
Ed and Jen say “We Will”
You do so with the charge from this church that you will prepare your child to be a good citizen of the planet earth. A child who will grow in awareness of the world as it is, and also as it ought to be. It is your charge from this church that you maintain an awareness of the power of love to redeem the world and our hearts, and aware that this life demands courage as well as affection.
If you agree to that please say “We Will”
Ed and Jen say “We Will”
I say thanks.
Would the Godparents please step forward, (or I will turn to them)
(Then I will switch and refer to what I like to call Teddy’s soon to be fairy Godparents)
Jen and Ed you have chosen Stacy, Amy and Dan to be this precious little boy’s Godparents. Godparents are an additional guide to a child on his journey. You are called to be a friend, mentor, and supportive companion in his lifelong search for truth and meaning.
If you accept that role please share a resounding “We Do!”
Thanks, but Teddy is a lucky little kid, because his parents have also asked Teddy’s cousins Mikey, Joey S., Briana and Cole S., and their own parents Bob and Robin G., and Carole and Ed D. to officially be a part of the guides and mentors who will shape him as he grows.
Will you now as the cousins and Grandparents of Ted pledge to guide and nurture this newest member of your family to live according to the values freedom, tolerance, compassion, and service; always honoring his individuality as a unique child of God.
The family and the grandparents ideally say: “We Will”
He’s certainly gonna get a lot of love and advise that is for sure.
You have all pledged to nurture Teddy as he grows in spirit as well as in body?
May this beautiful child to remain attentive to the call and example of Jesus to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
May this sweet little boy always amidst the noise of modern life honor his spiritual nature, and to seek after truth with an open mind and loving heart.
May he see all human beings as children of God?
You have been charged with the great responsibility and privilege of being mentors.
May you and this child prove to be a blessing to each other.
Jen and Ed what name or names have you chosen for this child?
You two say “Edward _____, ______”
And now all of us – (this will be in the order of service)
Congregational Covenant
Minister: By this service of dedication, we commit ourselves to the care of this child. Are you ready to dedicate yourselves to little Edward
Gathered: We are prepared. We dedicate our minds and hearts to this child and her parents.”
Minister: Will you strive to love him in times of struggle as well as gladness?
Gathered: We will love and cherish him always.
Minister: Will you acknowledge the divine spark in this child:
Gathered: May we all be worthy guardians of this young life. May we build a community in which he will grow surrounded by beauty embraced by love, and cradled in the arms of peace.
Minister: Amen
It is a tradition in UU congregations that at a child’s dedication ceremony, a baby or young child is given a rose with no thorns. A thorn-less rose represents both the beauty of life and the promise of the congregation to protect the child from harm. This is different from the tradition of the coming of age ceremony, where confirmation age teens are given a regular rose, thorns and all. They are handed a rose with thorns to serve as a reminder that we must hold onto the beauty of life even though it contains moments of danger and pain.
That’s enough for just words.
Water Blessing: As I put the water on Teddy’s head I will say the following:
Water rejuvenates, sustains and brings life, dulls rough edges and brings life and teaches us. Although it may be a cultural instinct to see this water as washing away some original sin- in this case the water should be seen as more of a blessing. Babies are a great reminder of where we came from, and of the great gift that life is.
Prayer: We pray that this child may bear his name with dignity and that he will bring joy and honor to him and all who love him.
May he be cradled in affection and tutored in wisdom, that he may make for himself a special place among those who are dedicated to the transformation of the world into a community of peace and reverence.
And may this occasion work its miracle in our own hearts, as well so that we may mold our lives more and more in accordance with the truth beauty and goodness we hope for our children.
The Parents sign the book.
Amen