We draw upon
the world’s secular and religious traditions, respecting the perspectives
of both doubter and believer.
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for us that welcomed our child into our faith but also blessed our entire family and our friends as we shared our joy and commitment.”
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Baptism, child blessing,
naming, and other terms are used to celebrate the dedication of a child
into divine care. Your own religious traditions are important in creating
a ceremony that honors your child and gathers those close to you around
you for the sacred occasion.
Pilgrim
Chapel is an exceptionally beautiful site for your ceremony, and I
am delighted to assist you in planning it and leading it.
ADAPTATIONS ARE ADVISED FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY.
1. Planning the ceremony To help in planning and to prepare the certificate, these points may be useful:
2. Common parts of a Baptism, Naming, Blessing, or Child Dedication service Welcome
Dr Vern Barnet, ordained in 1970, founded CRES in 1982 as a multi-faith resource for Kansas City, and in 1989 created the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council. For eighteen years, his column, “Faiths and Beliefs,” appeared each Wednesday in The Kansas City Star into his retirement.4. Fees Fees for the minister’s services are included with Pilgrim Chapel arrangements. Email me, vern@cres.org
Pilgrim Chapel and I want planning
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a. from
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE [Matthew 18:1-5] At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven? He called a little child
to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you,
unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter
the kingdom of Heaven. . . . . Whoever receives on such child in my name
receives me.”
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b. adapted from KAHIL GIBRAN’S
THE PROPHET Your children are not your children.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to
make them like you.
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c. adapted from
The Presentation of the Family Medallion (R) copyright 2004 Clergy Services, Inc. In the Scriptures, a basis for family relationships
is found in the Book of Ecclesiastes. “Two are stronger than one,” it says,
“and a cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
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9. Planning the ceremony
Often planning a baptism* can be completed by email, phone, or Zoom using the planning
sheet. *Also called "naming" or "dedication" |
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And congratulations on your plan to have __ baptized at Pilgrim Chapel _____! I would be delighted to perform this beautiful and meaningful rite.
I'd want to be sure that the
ceremony is what you want it to be. Here is some information:
http://www.cres.org/work/baptism.htm
If you'd like to meet beforehand, we can arrange that, or if you simply want to complete the information on the planning sheet and send that to me, we can make arrangements by email and/or by phone. But I would certainly be happy to meet with you if you would like.
With joy in parenthood,
Vern
Dear __,
I thought I would write again as ___s baptism approaches. I do have another obligation that day, so I would really appreciate knowing the time when you would like the baptism to be scheduled. I'd like to renew my invitation to meet with you in advance if you'd like, or if you'd like just to send me the information for the baptismal certificate, that would be fine, as well.
With best wishes,
Vern
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Dear --
Pilgrim Chapel has contacted me with your wish for ___ to be baptized ____. I would be delighted to provide the ceremony.
Here is some information about baptism: http://www.cres.org/work/baptism.htm .
We could meet for coffee to plan the ceremony [ http://www.cres.org/pubs/map_westport.htm#WestportCoffeeHouse ]. Or if you wish simply to return the information at http://www.cres.org/work/BaptismPlanning.pdf so I can complete the Baptismal Certificate, we can do the planning by phone and email.
Most of the baptisms I do are Christian ceremonies, but I am also able to customize civil rites and ceremonies using other traditions. I want to be sure that what we do for Violet is what you want. In addition to the Certificate, I ordinarily provide the child with a rosebud, and the Chapel provides a traditional beeswax baptismal candle.
I do not know the time. So I can get that in on my calendar now, as soon as possible, please let me know the best time for you.
For now, the Baptism information
I have is this:
Baptism Date:
Child: DOB: 9/5/18
Father:
Mother:
Cordially,
Vern Barnet==========