Lay Chaplain Services

What a thrill it is to welcome your new arrival into the community, and to formally recognize the friends and family who will contribute to raising this child with you. Celebrating this arrival is both a joyful and serious occasion whether it is the arrival of a new baby, a child or new step-children. You are not only introducing them by name, you are also marking your commitment to their welfare and their significance in your lives.

Ceremonies may also be meaningful in the life of an older child. You might wish to include older children in a ceremony if they didn't have a naming ceremony when younger. In the case of older children who have usually grown into their names, the ceremony could focus on expressing love for them and your ongoing welcome to them.

The ceremony can take place anywhere, but is most often held in your home, the home of a family member or close friend. With the help of a Lay Chaplain you can plan the ceremony that is right for your family and your situation. It can be as short or as long as you like (although the attention span and patience of small children should be kept in mind!). You can choose the words in which you, as parents, want to express your hopes and promises. You can decide whom you would like to have a special role in the ceremony. We encourage the active inclusion of siblings and any others who will be important in this child's life.

Our Lay Chaplains are friendly, trained and experienced. They help to make these naming ceremonies and dedications welcoming, happy and truly memorable events. They are practised at creating a sense of occasion and linking all the contributions you and your friends and family want to make. They can suggest poetry, prose readings and music and, of course, special ways of marking the ceremony for the child, or children, at its heart.

We will help you create a service of hope and joy that honours your values and provides a vision for the future.

If you believe one of our lay chaplains may be the best person to help you plan and conduct the welcoming or dedication of a child, please phone (780) 434-5819 or email laychaplain@westwoodunitarian.ca.

If you are interested in renting Westwood for your special event or ceremony, please phone (780) 434-5819.

There are many other types of ceremonies our lay chaplains can provide for you. To see our fee schedule visit the Ceremony Fees page.

Minister

Westwood's minister - The Reverend Anne Barker - also conducts child name and dedication ceremonies. Please contact her for further information and availability via e-mail (anne@westwoodunitarian.ca) or by phoning (780) 434-5819 (extension 1).