Child Dedication
Adapted by Kellie Kelly
from a service by the Rev. Chip Rousch
WELCOME
Welcome and blessed be,
to the blessing of Sean William,
son of Kathleen and Kieran,
and little brother to Trevor and Elizabeth.
We are here to participate in,
and bear witness to,
the dedication of his shining spirit to a lifetime
of grace, gratitude, truth, goodness and beauty.
INVOCATION
The Spirit of Life pulses in our veins and lungs,
it drives the flower through the stalk
and thrives, even in the hottest, coldest,
driest and wettest places on our earth.
Therefore, our invocation is less a request
that the Spirit make itself known to us,
than a reminder to ourselves
to be more gratefully aware
of that Mystery from which we come,
and to which we return,
and which changes us in ways
we cannot change ourselves.
So may we be.
FIRST READING
Our first reading this afternoon is adapted from Kahlil Gibran:
“Our children are not our own.
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.
They come through us but not from us,
and although they are with us,
they do not belong to us…
We are the bows from which our children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and bends us with might
that the arrows may go swift and far.
May our bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness.”
SECOND READING OR SONG
{Kieran to speak}
CHARGES
Kathleen and Kieran, would you please bring Sean William forward?
Kathleen and Kieran,
as Sean’s parents,
do you take upon yourselves
the privilege, responsibility, ache and joy
of caring for him in body, mind and spirit?
If so, say “we do.”
We do.
Would Matt and Colleen –
Sean’s godparents –
please come forward?
Colleen, please hold Sean. {she takes the baby}
Kathleen and Kieran chose you to be Sean’s spiritual guides and friends.
They see in both of you
unique and wonderful qualities
and they hope Sean will grow to become like you
and embody those good qualities.
Matt, you will teach Sean to be loving, devoted to family, loyal and kind. From you, he will learn to be sensitive to the needs of the people around him; he will learn consideration, understanding, forgiveness and patience.
Colleen, you will teach Sean to be loving, passionate, encouraging and kind. From you he will learn what it means to have faith in something bigger than himself; he will learn about the beauty of art and nature and how to have a spiritual connection with the world around him.
Matt and Colleen, as Sean’s godparents,
do you promise to live your life
as a model for him to follow as he grows?
We do.
Do you promise to bring to him your personal caring and insights
about the wondrous gifts of life and love
into which we may all learn and grow?
We do.
Would Sean’s grandparents please come forward?
{they do}
Do you promise to respect the choices made by Kathleen and Kieran,
in the raising and nurture of their son, Sean?
We do.
Do you promise to love him and protect him,
and to tell him your family stories,
so he feels connected to his heritage?
We do.
Thank you.
ACT OF DEDICATION {using a rose, dipped in tepid water}
Trevor and Elizabeth, can you come forward and help, please?
Please hold this cup of blessed water and this cup of blessed earth.
{hand them the water and soil}
Sean William, unique in the universe, precious and powerful:
I touch your brow to dedicate you to a life of careful and good thinking.
I touch your eyes to dedicate you to a life of unclouded by prejudice or fear.
I touch your mouth to dedicate you to a life of powerful and honest speech.
I touch your heart to dedicate you to a live of generosity and love.
I rub this earth into your hand to dedicate you to a life of hard work,
and to remind your parents to teach you
that it is good to get a little dirty doing the work of the world.
May you be blessed, all the days of your life.
PRAYER
Let us all take a deep breath…
feel your lungs move, feel the life, pulsing in your veins…
Let our awareness focus deeper into our bodies…
Let us connect with that source of compassion and courage within,
by whatever names we call it.
Spirit of Life, Source of Change and Unceasing Love,
we are grateful for this day;
we are grateful for the opportunity to be here with Lowell,
and his family and those who love him,
as we dedicate him to a life of meaning and purpose;
we desire health and joy, and challenge and fulfillment,
for him throughout his days on earth;
we desire the same blessings for all those here present,
and, indeed, for all persons everywhere;
we pledge to pursue beauty and truth and goodness with our own lives,
as models for him to watch and learn;
praise for Sean’s life;
praise for all life.
So may we be.
BENEDICTION
Now, having blessed Sean William
to a life of value and meaning,
and having rededicated ourselves to the same,
let us go forth, in love and in joy,
and may we live out the promises we have made.
Go in peace; be peace.
So may we be.