Baptism – Christening – Naming – Dedication
What words do you use to explain the mystery of belonging?
What words do we use to present our children to the truth of Love?
To affirm their welcome by the One which cannot be named or known?
To welcome them into the family of Love?
Baptism/christening resources:
Hymns and songs
Prayers and services – worship resources
Activities – all-age activities to include in baptism services
Renewal of baptism vows
Hymns and songs – to use at a baptism, christening, naming or dedication:
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Prayers and services
Worship resources for baptisms, christenings, namings and dedications:
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Activities – all-age activities to involve children and families in services of baptism/christening/dedication:
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Renewal of baptism vows
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While the reference to the Archer is masculine, it is easy to alter the text through omission and parallel word usage at the time of reading, informing the listeners of any changes.
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.