Baptism Ceremonies

Celebration of Welcoming and Baptism

This ceremony can work as a Naming or Baptism with appropriate changes.One might also add a reading or two.

On behalf of [Mom] and Dad, I want to welcome you to the naming ceremony and baptism of [Child]. I know [Mom] and [Dad] are delighted that you are here to give them your support and encouragement on this day of celebration.

We gather here today to witness [Mom] and [Dad]'s commitment to parenthood and to officially welcome a new member into our community.

We are here because of our relationship with [Dad], [Mom] and [Child], for we are their community. We are the people with whom they celebrate life's special moments, and to whom they will turn to in times of need.

We are their family and friends, and we honor their commitment to this new little one, who has changed their lives forever.

In this special circle, we are bound together by love and respect. Each and every one of us matters. When we leave here today, we will remain a part of this special circle within which [Child] will grow and develop into her own unique and special person.

Much like [Child] is a newcomer into this world, we all have at one time been newcomers. And like all of us, [Child] needs us to open our circle and to support her.

To be a parent forces you to recognize that you are no longer a child. As adults, we look at our children and see ourselves.

We feel the temptation to help them succeed where we have failed. But as much as we seek to make them like us, we cannot.

What we can do is see that they do their best. And as they grow, they will in turn be pushing us to grow with them. This we can do, if we love them not for who they may become, but for who they are.

Reading/Poem (OPTIONAL)

(Any other suitable reading or poem may be inserted here if you wish)

May Beauty Delight You

Now May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfill you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live.
May you live to love, and may you love - always

If children live with security, they learn to have faith;
If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves;
If children live with love around them,
they learn to give love to the world.

Commitment

Parenthood is the ultimate expression and the severest test of a marriage. The greatest act of love parents have to give their children is the love they express for one another. The interactions between a mother and father, husband and wife form the web of the relationship that serves as the child's nest. Children learn about men and women, communication, caring, respect, feelings, conflict and love by watching their parents.

[To the parents] Recognizing this, you stand before us now to reaffirm your commitment to each other and to your daughter/son.

[To Dad]: Do you [Dad] commit yourself to [Mom] as her partner, promising to support her as a mother?
[Answer: I do.]

Do you give yourself to your daughter/son as her/his father, promising to act out of your love for her/him, respecting and supporting her/his uniqueness, and eliciting the best from her/him?
[Answer: I do.]

[To Mom] And do you [Mom] commit yourself to [Dad] as his partner, promising to support him as a father?
[Answer: I do.]

Do you give yourself to your daughter/son as her/his mother, promising to act out of your love for her/him, respecting and supporting her/his uniqueness, and eliciting the best from her/him?
[Answer: I do.]

The community gathered here today will be especially important to [Child]. As she/he grows, we will all be a part of her/his world. She/He will look among us for companionship and leadership and to all of us for support.

By watching us, [Child] will learn how life works. She/He will know the way people relate to one another by how we create and nurture our own relationships.

[To those gathered]: Do you pledge to support this child, to respect her/his uniqueness, and to elicit the best from her/him and this family?
[Answer: We/I do]

[To the Parents]: How shall this Child be called and how did you choose this name?

[Dad to answer] Her/His name is [Child] Her/His name was chosen [Reason - for example: ...for its beauty, but mostly for its strength and character]. We'll do our best to help her/him grow to be a strong, an independent thinker and a kind, compassionate human being to live up to this beautiful name. As parents, through our love, support and tolerance, we'll work hard to make sure she/he feels special and beautiful - [Child] has the self-confidence to be her/his own person, that she/he respects herself/himself and that she/he respects others.

On behalf of all who shall know her, with the hope that she finds among us all the love and support she needs, I welcome [Child] to our community.

Baptism / Naming

Now we'll move on to the baptism / naming of [Child]. For this part of the ceremony, we need [Child]'s appointed godparents, to step forward.

[To the parents] Will you do your best to provide a home where faith and spirituality are part of the nurturing of this child?
[Mom and [Dad] answer] Yes, we will

[To the godparents] Will you, [Name] and [Name], do everything in your power to encourage and support [Mom] and [Dad] in their parenting role?
Yes, we will.

[To those gathered] Will you, those gathered here today, do everything in your power to encourage and support [Mom] and [Dad] in their parenting role?
[Group answer] Yes, we will.

[To the godparents] What is the full name of this child?
[Child].

The Baptism ( Please pick one)

Child, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With the sign of the cross you are claimed as God's forever.
or: [Child] I baptize you in the name of The Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
or: [Child] you are baptised with water as a symbol of the common life which is in you and in the world about you. We welcome you to the community of life on earth and dedicate you to everything which is beautiful and truthful and good.
or:[Child] you are baptised in the name of God and in the spirit of Jesus. We welcome you as a member of Christ's church and of the community of life on earth. May all be well with you in your journey through life.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and make your life a real blessing.
[Presentation of the Baptism Certificate]

You may choose from one of the ceremonies listed here, or you may craft your own ceremony. We offer the following completed ceremonies:

All of our ceremonies may be modified to your requirements. We also provide a collection of Religious Readings or Non-Religious Readings which may be incorporated into any of our ceremonies.

Baptism Ceremonies Explained

A Baptism Ceremony is not just for babies; children of any age can have a Ceremony. One of our experienced Ceremony Celebrants, (Lay Officiant, Minister or Chaplain), will be pleased to perform your Baptism Ceremony for your son or daughter. All of our Celebrants are highly trained and qualified; they all share the goal of providing you with a memorable ceremony and special day. They do not represent any religion, we conduct the ceremony you want, your way.

It is IMPORTANT to note that in these nondenominational Baptism ceremonies, your child is not Baptized into any particular Church, but the parents do receive a beautiful Baptism certificate. The nice thing about this Baptism ceremony is that later in life should your child make a personal decision to unite with a faith community of the child's own choice, your child will be able to present themselves as a fully Baptized person.

[Photo - We can condust the Ceremony at the location of your choosing] Most Baptisms are held in homes or other suitable venue like a hotel, reception facility, etc. Some families even hold the ceremony in a park or other natural setting. The ceremony can be held at a location and time convenient to all concerned. We usually ask the Celebrant closest to you to conduct the ceremony.

You may wish to include your older children in the Baptism or Naming Ceremony as well as your new baby. The Ceremony is the perfect opportunity to declare your promises to your child before family and friends. It's also the perfect opportunity to involve relatives, such as grandparents, and maybe other adult friends. It is nice to have supporting adults or God parents, allowing them to confirm their special relationship with your child and share their promises at the ceremony in front of you and the guests.

A family has several options:

They can choose a Baptism Ceremony or a Naming ceremony from above and simply use the ceremony as is.
They can choose a ceremony and then personalize the ceremony to make it uniquely theirs. We have a number of Religious or Secular (Non-Religious) Readings that you may choose from, or provide one of your own.
Some families even write their own Baptism or Naming Ceremony; the choice is yours.

No matter which option you choose, we will help you find the right ceremony to create the perfect celebration your family and friends will cherish and remember always.

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More information about our Baptism Ceremonies.

Can the ceremony be bilingual?: Yes in some communities. Ask the office for information.
Is a meeting or rehearsal necessary?: Not normally. However you may consult with your celebrant by phone and email if you have questions for clarification.
How long is the ceremony?: The length of ceremonies varies. Budget anywhere from 15 minutes to a half an hour depending on the number of options and changes you make to the ceremony.
What does the Celebrant need from you on the day of the celebration?: If you make changes to a ceremony they will need the final draft of the ceremony 14 days prior. Then just a few words with you before to the ceremony to go over last minute details and a small bowl of water for the ceremony.
Can I decorate my home?: Yes. Most people have candles, flowers, and a small container of water. Some place memorial pictures or special pictures of baby. Have a camera handy!
Is there a Souvenir Record of the event?: Yes, a beautiful souvenir Certificate is presented at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Do these Ceremonies have legal status?: Unlike birth registration, where you receive a copy of the birth certificate which is a compulsory legal requirement, these ceremonies are simply a celebration that you as parents choose to do as a public gesture of love and commitment to your child. The certificate you receive may in some cases help your child enroll in certain schools later in life.
I have two children, do I pay an additional fee?: There is an additional administration fee of $20.00 for each additional child. Each receives a ceremony certificate.
Can we organize a Ceremony on short notice?: Usually the answer to this is yes, but is dependent on the availability of the Celebrant and venue you have selected.
Can we hold a Ceremony at the same time as we get married?: Yes. A Naming or Baptism Ceremony can be held at the same time.

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