(From a Baptist pastor-friend):

A RITE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF A CHILD

(This rite commences after the sermon in the Sunday service.)

Let us stand and affirm the faith of the Church.

WE BELIEVE IN GOD, THE CREATOR AND GIVER OF LIFE, WHO BROUGHT ALL CREATION TO BIRTH, WHO MOTHERS US AND FATHERS US, PROTECTING, NURTURING, AND CHERISHING US.

WE BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: GOD BORN AMONG US AS A FRAGILE BABY, EMBODYING BOTH LOVE AND THE NEED FOR LOVE, AND CALLING US TO REST IN GOD AS TRUSTINGLY AS A TINY CHILD.

WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, BREATHED INTO US AT OUR BIRTH, ALWAYS DRAWING US ON TO BE BORN AGAIN, ENCOURAGING, EXHORTING, COMFORTING, NOURISHING OUR GROWTH AND INSPIRING OUR LIVING.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT EACH NEW CHILD IS A GLIMPSE OF THE FACE OF GOD, A SIGN OF THE LIFE TO COME, AND A CALL TO LIVE IN PEACE AND CELEBRATE LIVING TOGETHER. AMEN.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we welcome today all who are here as part of the circle of friends and family that surround [Name(s) of Parent(s)] and their baby daughter/son.

Because all life is a gift from God, we join with [Name(s) of Parent(s)] today in giving thanks to God for the gift of this child. As a church, we welcome this child into our shared life, and commit ourselves to sharing with her/him our faith, our love, our wisdom, and our prayer, in the hope that she may know in us the love of God and may grow into all the fullness of life in Christ.

Jesus said: “Let the children come to me, do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

(An appropriate Hymn is sung)

DEDICATION OF PARENTS

[Name(s) of Parent(s)], would you come forward and present your child to us.

How have you named this child? Parent: [Name] (adding a reason if appropriate)

What do you seek for her/him? Parent(s): FAITH AND FULLNESS OF LIFE.

As you raise her/him, will you prayerfully endeavour to share your faith, hope and wisdom with [Name] and make a gracious home for her/him where s/he may grow to wholeness and learn to live with love, honesty and compassion? Parent(s): WE WILL, GOD BEING OUR/MY HELPER.

Will you seek to live in the spirit of ceaseless prayer and the struggle of the beatitudes, and participate with [Name] in the life of a faithful congregation where s/he may learn to follow Christ with consciousness, honesty, simplicity and mercy? Parent(s): WE WILL, GOD BEING OUR/MY HELPER.

To all the friends and family gathered here, I ask: Will you, who form the community of love in which this child will grow, keep this family in your hearts and prayers, offering them your support and sharing with them your hope and love? WE WILL.

[Name of child], these are your friends and family. You are a gift and a sign to them of the God whose presence is as vulnerable and easily disregarded as a little child. Come and meet them, that they may honour God in you.

(As we sing the Canticle of Simeon below, everyone is invited to bow before, or reach out to bless, the child as it is processed around the congregation.)

LORD, LET YOUR SERVANT NOW REST IN PEACE, FOR YOU KEPT YOUR PROMISE. WITH MY OWN EYES I SEE THE SALVATION YOU PREPARED FOR ALL PEOPLES: A LIGHT OF REVELATION FOR THE GENTILES AND GLORY TO YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL.

ENROLMENT IN THE CATECHUMENATE

(If there are sponsors) [Name(s) of sponsor(s)], you have come with this child and her/his parents, and agreed to be her/his mentor(s) and friend(s) along the way to Christ.

OR (If there are no sponsors) [Name(s) of parent(s)], you have presented this child to us, and agreed to raise her/him in the community of faith and the way of Christ.

Yet you are not called to bear this responsibility alone. All who assemble here as members of Christ’s Church are called to share your burden and support your ministry.

Will the members of this church please stand.

I ask all of you now, — parents, sponsors and congregation — will you welcome [Name] into the common life of discipleship and prayer in this congregation, so that s/he might grow up knowing the love of Christ? WE WILL, GOD BEING OUR HELPER.

Will you accept her/him as one of our catechumens, helping her/him to hear the gospel of Christ, and will you encourage her/him, in word and deed, to find her/his home in the household of faith? WE WILL, GOD BEING OUR HELPER.

BLESSING OF THE CHILD (all but the first paragraph was written by the Revd Nancy Hastings Sehested, published in “Listening for the Heartbeat of God” American Baptist Quarterly 15 (1996) p.342)

[Name], I welcome you into the care of the Church in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I anoint you with oil as a sign that you are an honoured child of God, touched by the healing love of Christ, and called to rule with him in justice and mercy forever.

(for a boy child) May God grant you the faith of Abraham, the courage of Moses, the compassion of Jonathan. May God grant you the passion of Jeremiah, and the prophetic vision of Isaiah. May God grant you the hope of Simeon, the boldness of Peter, and the love of Jesus.

OR (for a girl child) May God grant you the joyous faith of Mary, the courage of Shiphrah and Puah, the freedom songs & dances of Miriam. May God grant you and the riskiness of Ruth, the wisdom of Deborah and the strength of Esther. May God grant you the loyalty of Joanna and the proclaiming power of the women at the empty tomb.

May you grow strong in body, mind and spirit. May the law of truth be found on your lips. May the love of justice and mercy be found in your heart. May you be a blessing to those around you and bring honour to God in the sight of all, — in the name of the one who showed us this way, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

LAYING ON OF HANDS

We are a royal priesthood, God’s own people. As the Apostles taught us, let us gather around and lay hands on this child and her/his family and pray that s/he may grow in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and all the people.

(We gather around and offer free prayers for the family while laying hands on them as a sign of blessing. We then sing this blessing:)

For you, deep stillness of the silent inland; for you, deep blue of the desert skies; for you, flame red of the rocks and stones; for you, sweet water from the hidden springs. From the edges seek the heartlands, and when you’re burnt by the journey, may the cool winds of the hovering Spirit soothe and replenish you, in the name of Christ. In the name of Christ, in the name of Christ.

A candle is given to the child, via the parents!

May the Light of the World lead you in peace and joy to fullness of life in Christ, and call you, in time, to the waters of baptism. AMEN.