Celebrating Birth
There are important events in our lives that call for a celebration. The birth of children is such an occasion! In religious communities this has usually taken the form of a ceremony that bestows a name upon the child and that also recognizes that child’s place in the community.
Unitarians are not bound by religious rules and customs. We can devise a ceremony to suit the individual needs and wishes of the parents and family of the child. Parents are welcome to help in planning it. The ceremony may be called a Naming Service or a Welcoming although other names may be used such as Dedication, Blessing, Thanksgiving or Baptism. Whichever name is chosen, what is important for Unitarians is the commitment by the community as well as the parents – to offer the child love and support.
To whom is the ceremony available?
Unitarians enjoy the opportunity to celebrate new life and anyone is welcome to ask for a Unitarian celebrant to devise a ceremony for their child whatever their religious, cultural and racial background. The parents will not
be asked to affirm anything they do not believe nor will they be compelled to join a Unitarian congregation. No pressure will be placed on them to explain their lifestyle or home life.
NOTE: Parents need to provide proper authorization prior to a Naming ceremony.
At what age should a child be presented?
Usually, the child will be a few weeks or a few months old. Unitarians, however, are able to devise a ceremony suitable for a child or an adult of any age.
Where is the ceremony performed?
Usually, parents or guardians prefer this ceremony to be held in a Unitarian place of worship. This may not be appropriate if there is no Unitarian community nearby or if the parents would prefer a different kind of setting. Some celebrations take place in the child’s home or in a hired building such as a hotel. In good weather, they may be held in the open air, either a garden or perhaps in a wooded area.
Who performs the ceremony?
The ceremony may be conducted by a professional Unitarian minister or by a lay person. In some situations, the parents themselves may wish to officiate. In such cases, a Unitarian community would be pleased to offer help and advice.
What happens during the ceremony?
The form and content will depend on discussions between the child’s parents or guardians and the celebrant, but will be determined by the circumstances of the occasion. The result will be a ceremony based on the integrity of all involved, respecting the needs of the child and the child’s family. It may or may not include the waters of baptism. There may also be a flower baptism as a symbol of the growth, beauty and fragrance of life. There may be readings and prayers drawn from various sources. The resulting ceremony will be something unique to that child.
What of any special needs?
Unitarian celebrants are trained to devise ceremonies to suit the circumstances of those with special needs, such as a Service of Adoption. Celebrants can also be arranged for older children, and, in such situation, the children themselves may be able to participate in the preparation. For parents who belong to different religious traditions, the source material from their own traditions can be integrated to produce a ceremony respecting the integrity of all concerned.
NOTE: Adults that have never been baptized may wish to hold a Blessing Service more appropriate for their needs.
Are Godparents required?
Godparents, or sponsors, are not essential but may be invited if so desired. The choice of godparents, along with their gender and the number required is a matter for agreement between the child’s family and celebrant. The child’s brothers or sisters, or other family members, can also be involved in the ceremony if the parents wish.
Contact the Leicester Unitarian Church to arrange for a meeting or to learn more about this service. (508) 335-2270.
There are important events in our lives that call for a celebration. The birth of children is such an occasion! In religious communities this has usually taken the form of a ceremony that bestows a name upon the child and that also recognizes that child’s place in the community.
Unitarians are not bound by religious rules and customs. We can devise a ceremony to suit the individual needs and wishes of the parents and family of the child. Parents are welcome to help in planning it. The ceremony may be called a Naming Service or a Welcoming although other names may be used such as Dedication, Blessing, Thanksgiving or Baptism. Whichever name is chosen, what is important for Unitarians is the commitment by the community as well as the parents – to offer the child love and support.
To whom is the ceremony available?
Unitarians enjoy the opportunity to celebrate new life and anyone is welcome to ask for a Unitarian celebrant to devise a ceremony for their child whatever their religious, cultural and racial background. The parents will not
be asked to affirm anything they do not believe nor will they be compelled to join a Unitarian congregation. No pressure will be placed on them to explain their lifestyle or home life.
NOTE: Parents need to provide proper authorization prior to a Naming ceremony.
At what age should a child be presented?
Usually, the child will be a few weeks or a few months old. Unitarians, however, are able to devise a ceremony suitable for a child or an adult of any age.
Where is the ceremony performed?
Usually, parents or guardians prefer this ceremony to be held in a Unitarian place of worship. This may not be appropriate if there is no Unitarian community nearby or if the parents would prefer a different kind of setting. Some celebrations take place in the child’s home or in a hired building such as a hotel. In good weather, they may be held in the open air, either a garden or perhaps in a wooded area.
Who performs the ceremony?
The ceremony may be conducted by a professional Unitarian minister or by a lay person. In some situations, the parents themselves may wish to officiate. In such cases, a Unitarian community would be pleased to offer help and advice.
What happens during the ceremony?
The form and content will depend on discussions between the child’s parents or guardians and the celebrant, but will be determined by the circumstances of the occasion. The result will be a ceremony based on the integrity of all involved, respecting the needs of the child and the child’s family. It may or may not include the waters of baptism. There may also be a flower baptism as a symbol of the growth, beauty and fragrance of life. There may be readings and prayers drawn from various sources. The resulting ceremony will be something unique to that child.
What of any special needs?
Unitarian celebrants are trained to devise ceremonies to suit the circumstances of those with special needs, such as a Service of Adoption. Celebrants can also be arranged for older children, and, in such situation, the children themselves may be able to participate in the preparation. For parents who belong to different religious traditions, the source material from their own traditions can be integrated to produce a ceremony respecting the integrity of all concerned.
NOTE: Adults that have never been baptized may wish to hold a Blessing Service more appropriate for their needs.
Are Godparents required?
Godparents, or sponsors, are not essential but may be invited if so desired. The choice of godparents, along with their gender and the number required is a matter for agreement between the child’s family and celebrant. The child’s brothers or sisters, or other family members, can also be involved in the ceremony if the parents wish.
Contact the Leicester Unitarian Church to arrange for a meeting or to learn more about this service. (508) 335-2270.