Mikayla's Dedication

Mikayla was dedicated at church on Sunday in a very nice ceremony that welcomed her to the world and to the church community. She got all dressed up in her fancy little dress and was the star of the show, of course. I've included some of the scripting below. Even TJ and Luka had a role in it, and felt very proud to accept responsibility in front of the church, for helping to raise their little sister.

Lisa and Scott, will you affirm that Mikayla is a gift of the love that you have for one another, and will you dedicate yourselves to loving, teaching, guiding, comforting her and sharing the depths of your lives with her?

TJ and Luka, you have been through a ceremony very much like this one, where people agreed to help take care of you and help you grow. Now, you are a big brother. You are a very important person in Mikayla’s life. Will you share your world and your books and your toys with Mikayla, help her laugh and play and grow, and be a loving, gentle big brother to Mikayla?


We use a flower and water- time honored symbols- in this ceremony. The rose, still in bud, holds within it the promise of the flower, as you hold the promise of what you will yet become. The water invites you into the mystery of life, its streams and currents. For all of life arises from the waters, and all of life must be sustained by it.

Mikayla, I dedicate you to a life of love, truth and service. May you carry these names with peace and always in the sacred knowledge that you are always loved, and never alone.

We felt so very fortunate that it happened to work out for Mimi and Papa to be in town and be a part of the ceremony, and that Angie, Seth, and family, and Denise and Lauren Bonniwell were able to make it as well. It was so special to see those faces in the crowd

After the scripted reading and response from Ellen, we had asked that Ellen read the story On the Day You Were Born, by Debra Frasier. We have read this book to all of our kids, and it seemed particularly fit for this occasion. (This book makes a great baby gift!)


As we sang the song Spirit of Life, which is sung each week after the children's story, Ellen carried Mikayla around the congregation and "introduced" her to the group. Mikayla seemed to take it all in, and did not cry, but was glad when she was back in our arms after making the big circle with Ellen.

Coincidentally, the photographer, Nicole, who was present at Mikayla's birth, was also in church that day. There is a part in the book that describes the baby entering the world (which she captured so well):

"On the day you were born, the Earth turned, the Moon pulled,

the Sun flared, and, then, with a push,

you slipped out of the dark quiet where suddenly you could hear..

...a circle of people singing with voices familiar and clear."

I knew I could not look at Nicole or anyone else in my family at that moment, as they were all there to help welcome Mikalya, and as I was briefly reliving her birth in that moment, I felt the tears start to come.

"Welcome to the spinning world," the people sang,

as they washed your tiny new hands.

"Welcome to the green Earth," the people sang,

as they wrapped your wet slippery body.

And as they held you close

they whispered into your open, curving ear,
We are so glad you've come!"

After church, we headed to lunch to help mark the occasion, where Carvers were able to join us as well. The kids were entertained by the large screen video on the wall, while the adults were able to have some adult conversation.

And the kids all enjoyed their ice cream, including Mikayla who got her first taste of how sweet life can be..