Layla's Ceremony of Dedication

Becky, Layla and I have become members of the Follen Church, a Unitarian Universalist church near our home in Lexington. This morning's service included Layla's Ceremony of Dedication, the UU version of a Christening.

Our Minister, Lucinda Duncan, called us forward to present Layla to the congregation. Lucinda dipped a white rose in water and anointed Layla. After presenting the rose to Layla, which she immediately put in her mouth, the children of the congregation stood and Lucinda asked them to include Layla in their play and help her grow up to be a kind and caring person. The children responded with, "We will." The adults stood while Lucinda asked them to look after Layla, help Becky and me by "form[ing] a covenant with the family to support them and to honor and recognize the preciousness of the [Layla] as the gift of life."

Layla played her part well, soliciting oohs and aahs from the congregation by flashing her patented smile and gumming her white rose. Several teenage girls, sitting in front row as part of the junior choir, declared their love. Layla now has several baby-sitters-in-waiting.

The ceremony reaffirmed our decision to join this wonderful church. Follen will be a home where Layla can play, make friends and learn without competition or grades. I was especially happy that my sister Tricia and her daughter (my niece) Sarah drove down from New Hampshire to attend.
After the dedication we brought Layla and Sarah down to the the nursery where Layla promptly fell asleep (first picture).

The second picture, taken during the after service social, shows Lucinda, Layla, Becky and me.