THIS IS A SUGGESTION

TO HELP YOU WRITE YOUR OWN

CHILD NAMING CEREMONY

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A CHILD NAMING CEREMONY for

CHILD’S FULL NAME

DATE

REV EDDY ADDRESSES THE CONGREGATION FAMILY  AND FRIENDS

Every culture recognizes, ceremonially,  the central significance of  parenthood.  In the Western European tradition within which our religious community evolved, this ceremony was called Christening.  In it, the newborn child was welcomed into the local parish family and the larger community known as Christendom.  For many centuries, in Europe and later in America, Unitarians and  Universalists were not allowed to be part of those orthodox Christian communities, so we created our own congregations and over the years those congregations created new ceremonies to name their children and help parents celebrate their dedication to  their children’s spiritual growth.  This is one such ceremony.

Unitarian Universalists do not impose creedal tests on  potential members, neither do they require parents to vow to raise their children in any particular vision of the good, the true, and the beautiful for we believe that every child has the right to see many visions of truth and to follow, or create, one that gives meaning to his or her life.

Kalhil Gibrhan said it well when he wrote,

“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 may 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 the bow that is stable.”

Kalhil Gibran (1883-1931) in The Prophet”

composed in Arabic and first published in English in 1923.

PARENTS NAMES

Will you as CHILD’S NAME’s Parents:

provide them not only the means to develop physically into a healthy adult, but also the means for then to find and live a vision of life that will sustain their spirits  through all tribulation?

If so, say we will.

WE WILL

I ask you,  GOD PARENTS NAMES , will you act as moral and spiritual examples for CHILD’S NAME?  Will you help PARENTS NAMES to provide an environment that allows CHILD’S NAME the freedom to seek truth and to find a vision that gives meaning to their life.

If so, say we will.

WE WILL

I ask, you,   INSERT  EITHER “THE MEMBERS OF  NAME OF CONGREGATION” or “FRIENDS  AND FAMILY” “will you assist  CHILD’S PARENTS NAMES  and GOD PARENTS NAMES as they help CHILD’S NAME find a vision of life that will sustain HIS OR HER  spirit through all tribulation?

If so, say we will.

WE WILL

Rev Eddy takes CHILD’S NAME  in his arms and says,

CHILD’S NAME on behalf of your parents and Godparents and this congregation, and in the name of all that is holy,  I name you

CHILD’S FULL NAME

REV EDDY GIVES HIM OR HER  A ROSE

REV EDDY SAYS

Go now in peace, Go now in peace

And may the spirit of love of surround you

All your life, all your life.