Child Dedication

PRELUDE

INTRODUCTION

(GREG)

A church is charged to do many things in this world

- to care for those in need

- to give sanctuary to the lost

- to work for justice

- to worship what is worthy

- and to offer witness to the moments of new beginnings. To notice what has fallen away to make room… To notice what has emerged… and take to heart, in this newness, what is now being asked of us.

(CAROL)

Louis Schwebius said that…

The general purpose of a dedication service is always the same: to bless. We don’t bless to make the child sacred but to express as parents and as a community our recognition of and devotion to the child’s innate sacredness. We do not so much call forth the divine to care for the child as invoke the divine within the child. And we commit ourselves to nurture this newborn divinity.

(GREG)

A friend of mine once told me something their spouse said that gave her new life. Her spouse told her that ‘she was some of God’s greatest work.’ Those simple words had a profound impact on her. It gave her new strength… confidence… joy. Imagine what it would feel like if there had been at least one person, everyday who told her that – that you are some of God’s greatest work. Would your life be different? Would the world be different due to that extra bit of joy you brought to it?

(CAROL)

The general purpose of a dedication is to imagine that happening here, beginning now… with us. We have the chance to have that kind of impact on this life. And if we can keep this pledge we make today, she may, one day, grow up to look at everyone she meets that way. And thus profoundly change the world. That is why we are here to dedicate ourselves to Charlotte Grace and Ivy Eloise Turgen.

(Greg)

Will Penelope and Charlotte please come forward? Penelope, when you were very young, you were dedicated in a church very much like this one. The minister who blessed you was a nice man who held you before the congregation and blessed you with holy water while every person in the church was asked to send you love. Because you carry that blessing, it is important that you help today by being the one to bless your younger sister, Charlotte. Charlotte Grace, you were not yet born when Penelope was dedicated. So today, to infuse in you the spirit of love, Penelope will dip her hand in the holy water (which has sparkles in it) three times and touch your forehead until it is sparkly.

- by recognizing the miracle and mystery that is the source of your life

- by the beloved community in which you share your life and find meaning

- and by the Spirit of LOVE that lives within, among and beyond you and will never die.

(CAROL)

Charlotte, now you are blessed and dedicated by this congregation which means that you carry all the love they have to offer in your heart. This love is powerful. It is not only meant to help you feel love and joy… it is meant that you become someone who shares love and joy. So we are asking you to begin in that role today by blessing your little sister, Ivy Eloise. Charlotte, will you dip your hand in the holy water (which has sparkles in it) three times and touch Ivy’s forehead three times until it is sparkly.

- Ivy, this recognizes the miracle and mystery that is the source of your life

- by the beloved community in which you share your life and find meaning

- and by the Spirit of LOVE that lives within, among and beyond you and will never die.

(GREG)

Kim and Ken,

You realize that now that you have child number three, you are now outnumbered. What some Catholics call the Holy Trinity, Zorba the Greek called, ‘the Fully Catastrophe.’ It is time to let you know that whatever life you once had is now officially over. Fortunately, it is Easter. Which means that, by some miracle if you managed to get to this point, relying purely on the love you carried in your heart, it is time to open your hearts to a new possibility – that a new life and new love is possible. A love which will extend your care, fortify your courage, sharpen your understanding and sustain you even when your children grow beyond your reach. That love is larger because it is sustained by everyone here. If you share your love of your children with this community it will return to you a hundred fold. If you are ready to extend that love here, please say, ‘we will.’

Will the members of the congregation stand:

(CAROL)

In the words of Maria Harris, a congregation does not choose a curriculum to teach its children… the congregation is the curriculum. From you, Ivy will learn some of her most valuable lessons – how to honor the diversity of which she’s a part; how to love people, especially when things aren’t going well. How to be patient and kind, thoughtful and understanding; and how to see beyond what is, to what could be. Are you, the members of UUMAN willing to be this kind of curriculum for the raising of this child – if so please say we will.

(GREG)

May we celebrate in knowing this marks a commitment of love and positive change not only for these two, but for all of us. Let us celebrate by sharing the blessing of Peace and Joy by saying aloud these two words:

Shalom (Shalom)

And Allelujah!