Kendall's Blessing
NJ Officiant Andrea Purtell. Baby Blessing Ceremony
Kendall's baby welcoming was non-religious and included a rose petal blessing with participation of family and friends.
Greeting:
Officiant:
On behalf of Jason and Whitney, I’d like to welcome you all here today! This is a very joyous day for all of us. It is a day in which we come together to take part in a ceremony to recognize, honor and welcome their beautiful baby daughter Kendall into their family unit, and into the wider family of their relatives and friends.
Today is truly a celebration of love, and of life! As Kendall is here today, she is new and perfect, with no need of fixing nor cleansing. She is a gift. Her smile, her laughter, and her presence enrich the lives of all who know her. Only half way through her first year here, four months old, and already she has made the world a better place.
Kendall comes from a wonderful family of two different and distinct religions. Jason and Whitney have come together to share the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences, and confirming that love, - which is spoken of in all religions, - is our true home. Out of these two families, a new family has been created.
Whitney and Jason look forward to raising Kendall to understand and celebrate both of their religious traditions. There are many paths to becoming a good person, with a strong internal moral compass and a joy of living. It is such an exciting time and place we live in. Kendall is free to learn from and embrace all sides of the spiritual paths that have come together, and will make her who she is. So not only is this a joyous occasion, but a spiritual one, as well.
Moment of Remembrance:
Officiant: This event is shared, if in a different way, by those who have passed beyond this life. Their roles in the lives of Jason and Whitney are gratefully remembered. They acknowledge and honor the bloodlines, the history and the people who have all gone into the creation of Kendall, and that through shared memories Kendall may come to know her ancestors and the lineage that is her birthright.
Jason and Whitney would like to take a moment to pay tribute to these special people who have passed:
(Jason and Whitney take turns saying the names of loved ones who have passed and their relationship to Kendall)
(Jason says): My Grandfather, Julius Moll
(Whitney says): My Grandfather, Nicholas Pisani
(Jason says): My Grandfather, Leonard Kamp
(Whitney says): My Grandmother, Mary Pisani
(Jason says): My Grandmother, Elaine Kamp
(Whitney says): My Grandfather, William Hoinash
(Jason says): Whitney's Aunt, Joanne Benjamin
Officiant: We are certain that they are here with us in spirit today as we celebrate this joyous occasion.
Officiant: I would like to invite Jason to read a poem that he has written for his daughter.
(Jason reads poem)
Officiant:
On behalf of Jason and Whitney, I’d like to welcome you all here today! This is a very joyous day for all of us. It is a day in which we come together to take part in a ceremony to recognize, honor and welcome their beautiful baby daughter Kendall into their family unit, and into the wider family of their relatives and friends.
Today is truly a celebration of love, and of life! As Kendall is here today, she is new and perfect, with no need of fixing nor cleansing. She is a gift. Her smile, her laughter, and her presence enrich the lives of all who know her. Only half way through her first year here, four months old, and already she has made the world a better place.
Kendall comes from a wonderful family of two different and distinct religions. Jason and Whitney have come together to share the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences, and confirming that love, - which is spoken of in all religions, - is our true home. Out of these two families, a new family has been created.
Whitney and Jason look forward to raising Kendall to understand and celebrate both of their religious traditions. There are many paths to becoming a good person, with a strong internal moral compass and a joy of living. It is such an exciting time and place we live in. Kendall is free to learn from and embrace all sides of the spiritual paths that have come together, and will make her who she is. So not only is this a joyous occasion, but a spiritual one, as well.
Moment of Remembrance:
Officiant: This event is shared, if in a different way, by those who have passed beyond this life. Their roles in the lives of Jason and Whitney are gratefully remembered. They acknowledge and honor the bloodlines, the history and the people who have all gone into the creation of Kendall, and that through shared memories Kendall may come to know her ancestors and the lineage that is her birthright.
Jason and Whitney would like to take a moment to pay tribute to these special people who have passed:
(Jason and Whitney take turns saying the names of loved ones who have passed and their relationship to Kendall)
(Jason says): My Grandfather, Julius Moll
(Whitney says): My Grandfather, Nicholas Pisani
(Jason says): My Grandfather, Leonard Kamp
(Whitney says): My Grandmother, Mary Pisani
(Jason says): My Grandmother, Elaine Kamp
(Whitney says): My Grandfather, William Hoinash
(Jason says): Whitney's Aunt, Joanne Benjamin
Officiant: We are certain that they are here with us in spirit today as we celebrate this joyous occasion.
Officiant: I would like to invite Jason to read a poem that he has written for his daughter.
(Jason reads poem)
Naming:
Officiant:
Names have always been a powerful part of our identity. They can represent the family to which we belong, or the part of the world from which we come and even some part of our personality.
Officiant: To parents
What name have you chosen for your child?
Father: We have chosen the name Kendall (You may explain the meaning if you like)
Mother “We have also chosen the name Leigh, named after her gammy.
Parental Promise:
Officiant:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am now going to ask Jason and Whitney to make promises as parents in front of you, their family and friends, as such those who mean the most to them in the world.
Do you promise to nurture and protect Kendall throughout her life, promise to support and offer her guidance in the choices that she will make?
(Parents respond): We do
Officiant:
Do you promise to teach Kendall right from wrong, to enable her to make her place in society as a kind and caring person?
(Parents respond): We do
Officiant:
Do you promise to teach Kendall to celebrate diversity, never ever being aware of prejudice, knowing no boundaries, to be loving of all that surrounds her in her life, and celebrate the similarities and differences in our world?
(Parents respond): We do. We promise to be the best parents we can.
Guardian Introduction:
Officiant:
Whitney and Jason have chosen two guardians for Kendall today.
At this time I would like to ask Lindsay and Anthony to come forward and hold Kendall.
A wonderful tradition in our culture on these occasions is the responsibility accepted by guardians. The guardians will undertake a special and lifelong interest in the welfare of Kendall.
Today Lindsay and Anthony have agreed to become involved in Kendall’s life by promising to be there for her should she need support, wisdom, comfort and guidance.
They have been chosen by Whitney and Jason because of their connection with them, and the family. The fact that they have been chosen by Whitney and Jason, is an indicator of their position of trust, and respect within this family.
To Lindsay and Anthony
Will you as best as you can, help take care of Kendall?
To encourage, guide and support her in all her endeavors,
Help her recognize the beauty within herself and all things,
And to become someday not the woman we wish for her, but the realization of her own hopes, dreams and the fulfillment of her soul?”
Guardians: “We will.”
May you always know how special you are to Whitney and Jason that they would ask you to tend to the most precious thing that they have in this world.
Blessing: Rose petal
Officiant:
Whitney and Jason have chosen two guardians for Kendall today.
At this time I would like to ask Lindsay and Anthony to come forward and hold Kendall.
A wonderful tradition in our culture on these occasions is the responsibility accepted by guardians. The guardians will undertake a special and lifelong interest in the welfare of Kendall.
Today Lindsay and Anthony have agreed to become involved in Kendall’s life by promising to be there for her should she need support, wisdom, comfort and guidance.
They have been chosen by Whitney and Jason because of their connection with them, and the family. The fact that they have been chosen by Whitney and Jason, is an indicator of their position of trust, and respect within this family.
To Lindsay and Anthony
Will you as best as you can, help take care of Kendall?
To encourage, guide and support her in all her endeavors,
Help her recognize the beauty within herself and all things,
And to become someday not the woman we wish for her, but the realization of her own hopes, dreams and the fulfillment of her soul?”
Guardians: “We will.”
May you always know how special you are to Whitney and Jason that they would ask you to tend to the most precious thing that they have in this world.
Blessing: Rose petal
Officiant:
The birth of their baby has brought great joy and happiness into the lives of Jason and Whitney. They are also aware that along with this joy and happiness comes the responsibility of this child's life and happiness. From now on, much of their life will involve caring for their baby, guiding her development, nurturing her growth as a responsible human being.
Your presence at this celebration today is greatly appreciated. All of you are the most important, and have been the most influential people in their lives. For all of you are amongst the greatest gifts that life has given them. All of you are those that they can call family and friend. And because of this you have not only been invited here to share their happiness and their joy. Jason and Whitney also ask you to share their responsibility, realizing that the more love this child receives; the more she will be able to give love to other. The more people that make up her world, the richer her world will be.
I would like to invite Kendall’s Grandparents Jeff & Barbara Moll and Leigh and Joseph Pisani, as well as her Aunts and Uncles, Travis, Lindsey, Anthony, Rebecca and Gregory, to help with a special rose petal blessing for her.
(Parents may hold Kendall in arms or sit with her in lap, whatever is most comfortable for them)
(As Whitney and Jason shower Kendall with white rose petals)
Officiant says:
As the petals of the white rose symbolize innocence, may Kendall’s ideals and heart remain untarnished and ever pure, with the wonders of childhood innocence forever hers.
(As Jeff and Barbara shower Kendall with yellow rose petals)
Officiant says:
May the petals of the yellow rose foreshadow the friends and the friendships, steadfast and unwavering, that will bless her in the years ahead.
(As Leigh and Joseph shower Kendall with pink rose petals)
Officiant says:
The pink rose and her petals speak of the tender love and compassion her spirit will know. The love that knows no bounds.
(As Travis, Lindsay, Anthony, Rebecca and Gregory shower Kendall with red rose petals)
Officiant says:
And as always, may the passion of the red rose forever kindle the fire in her heart for both life itself and for all the passions she will find there.
Whitney: May you know blessings in your life that your father and I have had in ours.
Jason: Friends and family, please welcome our daughter Kendall
Closing prayer:
Officiant:
Dear Little One, we welcome you with love,
And ask for these Blessings to flow from Above,
As you go on your journey live life well every day,
Be mindful of these Blessings gently guiding your way. Amen
~End of Ceremony~
As the petals of the white rose symbolize innocence, may Kendall’s ideals and heart remain untarnished and ever pure, with the wonders of childhood innocence forever hers.
(As Jeff and Barbara shower Kendall with yellow rose petals)
Officiant says:
May the petals of the yellow rose foreshadow the friends and the friendships, steadfast and unwavering, that will bless her in the years ahead.
(As Leigh and Joseph shower Kendall with pink rose petals)
Officiant says:
The pink rose and her petals speak of the tender love and compassion her spirit will know. The love that knows no bounds.
(As Travis, Lindsay, Anthony, Rebecca and Gregory shower Kendall with red rose petals)
Officiant says:
And as always, may the passion of the red rose forever kindle the fire in her heart for both life itself and for all the passions she will find there.
Whitney: May you know blessings in your life that your father and I have had in ours.
Jason: Friends and family, please welcome our daughter Kendall
Closing prayer:
Officiant:
Dear Little One, we welcome you with love,
And ask for these Blessings to flow from Above,
As you go on your journey live life well every day,
Be mindful of these Blessings gently guiding your way. Amen
~End of Ceremony~
