In the Unitarian Universalist tradition a child dedication ceremony pledges the congregant to join with the parents in the rearing of their child.

Unitarian Universalists welcome babies, toddlers and children into the congregation through a Dedication ceremony. Sometimes it is called a Baby Blessing or a Baby Naming, but the goal is the same: To have the congregation dedicate itself to the well being of the child, and to have the child dedicate him or herself to a life of righteousness and compassion. Sometimes the grandparents are involved in the ceremony, as are godparents. Sometimes readings are included, such as this famous passage of Kahlil Gibran:

“Someone once asked a wise man, ‘Speak to us of children’ and the wise man said: ‘Your children 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 gladness; for even as he loves the arrow that flies, so he loves also the bow that is stable.’”

The minister will work with the parents or guardians to craft a service that is personal and powerful.

Those wishing to undertake this relationship with the congregation should contact our minister by phone or email: Office: 1-757-627-5371×3, Mobile: 1-757-354-4541; email – minister@c-vuu.org.