Dear WUUs,
Please mark your calendars for Feb. 3, when WUU will host a ceremony of child dedication. In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, a child dedication ceremony invites the young child’s family and their congregation to bless the child and dedicate themselves to the child’s well-being as they grow. It is especially appropriate for babies and toddlers up to age 3 or so.
WUU will offer the child dedication ceremony as part of our festive Charter Sunday service on February 3. If you are a parent/guardian of young children, we would love for your family to be part of it. We can accommodate as many families as wish to participate! To help you imagine what it will be like, the ceremony will take place early on in the service. Austen and I will invite all the families to come forward, as well as any special guests you are bringing. We will ask you to speak the names of your children, and then I’ll say a few words inviting you and the entire congregation to dedicate yourselves to the care of your children. You’ll be invited to respond simply, “We do.” Then we will bless each child with water and a rose. Afterwards, we’ll invite you to return to your seats or bring your small children to the nursery, whatever is appropriate for your family.
If you would like to participate on Feb. 3, please email me at revlaura@wuu.org with your names and the name(s) and age(s) of your child(ren) to be dedicated. Please also let me know if you can’t make this date but would like to be part of another ceremony later in the year.
By the way, our services will be Livestreamed as usual (audio broadcast over the internet). If you have any concerns or questions about this or anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I look forward to celebrating this joyful ritual with you all!
In faith,
Rev. Laura