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Today one of my 2017 brides wrote me to learn more about my baby blessing ceremonies—and also, how they differed from baptisms. Well, I'm so glad she asked!
I use the word "blessings" to encompass the many motivations
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I have officiated a blessing ceremony for an adoption to formally welcome the child into his new family and receive a blessing from his larger community, as well as acknowledge the gifts and challenges unique to adoption.
You can read a sample of that baby blessing here. "My baby blessing was the most magical and meaningful ceremony of my life. Hannah folded my words with hers and created a blessing script that was unique and personal for me, my son, our family, and friends." |
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I've done a blessing ceremony for a nearly-three-year-old, honoring the journey she and her parents had already shared in their first years together, celebrating their family bond and blessing the child’s long life path to come.
You can read a sample of that baby blessing here. "Hannah's presence along with the service she provided for my daughter's blessing was absolutely amazing! It was very heartfelt and unique! She puts all of her heart into the process and has really beautiful energy and grace." |
Angela Dimock Photography
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I've presided over religious, spiritual and secular baby blessing ceremonies incorporating rituals from naming Godparents or Guide-parents to celebrating grandparents, planting trees, gifting blessing beads or meaningful jewelry, honoring the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, spirit), weaving fabric on a loom, wrapping the new family in a special cloth from the couples’ wedding ceremony and much, much more.
Prayers, readings, songs and participation from parents, family members and friends can be included along with these rituals. Each blessing ceremony will be different because every person, child and circumstance is unique.
Prayers, readings, songs and participation from parents, family members and friends can be included along with these rituals. Each blessing ceremony will be different because every person, child and circumstance is unique.
Erin Long Photography
As a mother, my heart knows the profundity of our relationships with our children. As an ordained Interfaith minister, I bring knowledge of and respect for a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. As an officiant, it is my honor to offer families an experience they may not know exists outside a faith community.
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I had the honor of working with Margot and Adam to create their wedding ceremony. Like most couples, at first they weren't sure what they envisioned for their ceremony. And again like most couples, after our initial meeting a picture began to emerge. Soon Adam and Margot wrote me with their wish to include the five elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.
Each of the five rituals we wove into their ceremony held deep meaning and significance for them, but perhaps most important was the element of Earth, represented by their wedding rings. Imprinted with fingerprint-like swirls, their rings symbolized the joining of their lives; the foundation upon which they would build a new life and a new family, together.
Each of the five rituals we wove into their ceremony held deep meaning and significance for them, but perhaps most important was the element of Earth, represented by their wedding rings. Imprinted with fingerprint-like swirls, their rings symbolized the joining of their lives; the foundation upon which they would build a new life and a new family, together.
Last week Margot gave birth to their first child, a daughter.
Welcome to this world Althea Juniper.
We're so glad you're here!
Welcome to this world Althea Juniper.
We're so glad you're here!
| Blessing for Margot, Adam and Baby This child is Air – the breath of life, the sun of each day’s beginning. This child is the thread that weaves lovers, families, and friends together into your community. This child is Spirit – pure spirit, made manifest. A luminous gift of grace, this child is a reminder of all that is good, seen and unseen, in this sweet and wondrous world. This child is Fire – fierce and bright, a powerful force of creation. This child will challenge you to start anew, again and again and again, ever at the threshold of the unknown. This child is Water – the greatest teacher of strength in fluidity. This child will quench your deepest thirst, for this being will fill your heart like no other. This child is Earth – the North Star, a compass for your navigation. This child is the manifestation of your love, the solid base upon which you’re building a family of your own. As parents, you walk the path of co-creator in the sacred dance of creation. May you step joyfully into the dance, and may you feet carry you steadily on the journey! |
My niece turned 3 on Monday. I called that evening to say happy birthday and ask how Maya's big day had been. My sister told me how the day began...
"Maya, how old are you?" my sister asked. Maya answered in her little girl lisp, "I'm going to be 3 soon!" "When will you be 3?" my sister wondered. "On my birthday," Maya replied (as she has these last many months). "Well, today is your birthday so now you're 3." Maya was silent as she comprehended this fact, before a look of joy slowly spread across her face.
"Maya, how old are you?" my sister asked. Maya answered in her little girl lisp, "I'm going to be 3 soon!" "When will you be 3?" my sister wondered. "On my birthday," Maya replied (as she has these last many months). "Well, today is your birthday so now you're 3." Maya was silent as she comprehended this fact, before a look of joy slowly spread across her face.
Maya on her 3rd Birthday
Not only am I lucky enough to be Maya's auntie; I'm also her godmother. We even share the same middle name. I remember when my sister called to tell me they were naming her Maya Grace. To my discredit, my initial reaction was a belligerent "Wait a minute! That's MY name!!"
But then I met Maya, when she was still only a few days old, and my heart melted into a pool of love for her. I ached with the honor of being her godmother, of sharing between us such a special name. I wanted to do it all just right, including giving her her first piece of jewelry: a tiny silver baby bracelet hand engraved with her name.
But then I met Maya, when she was still only a few days old, and my heart melted into a pool of love for her. I ached with the honor of being her godmother, of sharing between us such a special name. I wanted to do it all just right, including giving her her first piece of jewelry: a tiny silver baby bracelet hand engraved with her name.
About six months later the family gathered together again for Maya's baby blessing. My sister and brother-in-law created a special part in the ceremony for Maya's godparents to speak, forcing me to consider what that truly meant. Our family isn't religious so I knew being asked wasn't just a formality.
I'd been charged with taking an extra special interest in Maya's life, with helping guide her through the terrain ahead, offering what wisdom and experience I have, or hopefully will have gained by the time she needs it. In the end, I decided to write Maya a letter for her blessing ceremony - my heartfelt wish and humble pledge.
I'd been charged with taking an extra special interest in Maya's life, with helping guide her through the terrain ahead, offering what wisdom and experience I have, or hopefully will have gained by the time she needs it. In the end, I decided to write Maya a letter for her blessing ceremony - my heartfelt wish and humble pledge.
Maya on her Blessing Day
My Dearest Maya Grace,
It is a privilege to share the bond of our name, Grace, and the special meaning it carries. May Grace symbolize your connection to your family, to all the ancestors that have gone before you. May you know the Grace of being alive, of relationship and mystery and discovery, of challenge and accomplishment and change.
Most of all, Dear One, may you dwell in Grace. May you feel the Grace of God moving in you and through you, and may your long years on this earth be filled with that presence. Blessings upon you, sweet one, and blessed are we that will walk this journey with you. As your Godmother I will always be here beside you, to help you know Grace in every way that I can.
With all my love,
Hannah
It is a privilege to share the bond of our name, Grace, and the special meaning it carries. May Grace symbolize your connection to your family, to all the ancestors that have gone before you. May you know the Grace of being alive, of relationship and mystery and discovery, of challenge and accomplishment and change.
Most of all, Dear One, may you dwell in Grace. May you feel the Grace of God moving in you and through you, and may your long years on this earth be filled with that presence. Blessings upon you, sweet one, and blessed are we that will walk this journey with you. As your Godmother I will always be here beside you, to help you know Grace in every way that I can.
With all my love,
Hannah
Today Maya is 3, and tomorrow she'll be 16. With grace the road ahead of her will be long and winding, filled with the joys and sorrows of a full and vibrant life. For now I'm all grown up and fascinating to her, but soon enough I'll be the one following her life with eager interest. And that seems about the best Grace I could ask for.
Today my first wedding couple welcomed their first child. Momma says it's the best Valentine's Day ever! Welcome baby Willa.
Blessing for a New Baby
Into our midst has come a new and precious being! We give thanks for this miraculous life, this beautiful manifestation of love. We offer our blessings to this dear child, who fills our hearts with gladness, our minds with wonder and our souls with happiness. May her time upon the earth be long and joy-full, as she brings us joy, and may it be blessed with the gifts of Spirit, as we thank Spirit, with all our heart, for the gift of her presence in our lives.
♥
Into our midst has come a new and precious being! We give thanks for this miraculous life, this beautiful manifestation of love. We offer our blessings to this dear child, who fills our hearts with gladness, our minds with wonder and our souls with happiness. May her time upon the earth be long and joy-full, as she brings us joy, and may it be blessed with the gifts of Spirit, as we thank Spirit, with all our heart, for the gift of her presence in our lives.
♥
Rev. Hannah Grace
Poetry and Musings of an Interfaith Minister on the Journey of a Lifetime.
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