The Baptism of Dean Emerson on July 31, 2010!

In 2007, I baptized Nora Skye, daughter of Laura and Sam, in my garden. It was a sweet ceremony and Nora was only a month old. Then later on, I officiated the wedding of Laura's mother, Nancy, and her husband, Verne. So, when Laura contacted me recently with news that she and Sam had a new baby boy, Dean, and they wanted to do a baptism ceremony, I was so excited to get to see everyone again! So, that Saturday morning we gathered at Sam and Laura's home in S. Raleigh for this sweet occasion.

This is Nora. She is now 3 years and 4 months old and quite an independent spirit! I don't think she sat still the whole time I was there and was having a lot of fun with all the grandparents and a few other children around.

And here is sweet Dean in his mother's arms. He is a solid boy and was simply taking all the action in. He seemed to be an "old soul" with such wise eyes to be only two months old.

The ceremony was on Laura and Sam's screened in back porch overlooking a wooded area. It was a pleasant cool July morning that later turned into a rainy day. Nora was hiding behind her mother after getting a case of the "shies!"  I lit a Source Candle representing the presence of God and from that flame then Sam and Laura lit a candle for Dean and one for Nora.We were also fortunate to have not only all Dean's grandparents present but also his great grandmother, too.

The sprinkling of water on Dean's head for the Baptism ritual. Babies never mind me doing that! He was so contented.

"May Dean Emerson bring joy to his parents, siblings, grandparents, family and friends. May God look down and bless this child and watch over him throughout his life and continue to help keep him safe, healthy and happy. May he be blessed with wisdom and self confidence to become a great leader and to continue his spiritual journey through the eyes of God."

 It was good to see Nancy and Verne and still so happily married! Laura and Sam both said they don't plan for any more children so I told Nancy and Verne they would have to have renewal of vows ceremony in a few years so we can get together again! Many blessings, everyone!

Rhyan's Baby Blessing Ceremony on Sunday June 6, 2010!

I married John and Andrea in June of 2007 at Sisters' Garden in Raleigh. They were such fun to work with and I remembered them well when Andrea contacted me recently to ask if I did baby blessing ceremonies. I was thrilled to hear that they had a baby girl, Rhyan, and wanted me to do a welcoming ceremony for her and their families. So, we set about creating a special ceremony just for Rhyan.

 When Marty and I arrived at Andrea's mother's home for the ceremony everyone had gathered and ready to begin!

And so I began with a welcome and read one of my favorite poems for this occasion by Desiderata.

“You are a child of the universe,
No less than the trees and the stars;
You have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
Whatever you conceive God to be,
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
In the noisy confusion of life,
Keep peace with your soul.”

I could tell that John was just thrilled with his little girl. He just couldn't stop smiling and told me that she had truly changed his life! I know Andrea felt the same way. It is so rewarding for me to see my couples building their families and to be a part of that process is an honor.

Alyssa presented a reading by Kahil Gibran called “Your Children:”
"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 backwards 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 bends you with might that the arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness."

John is making his promises to Rhyan here. She, however, seems to be more interested in the camera! After Andrea and John made their promises to Rhyan, they took rose petals from roses representing the three of them and placed them in spring water with which I sprinkled Rhyan's sweet soft downy head in a blessing and christening.

Rhyan is the prettiest baby! She was so contented, attentive and alert. She never once fussed. I know she is a joy to her parents. Rhyan was wearing the same christening dress that her mother and her cousin Taylor wore. A family tradition being passed down.

It's done! Rhyan is now officially blessed and welcomed into the world by her parents and their families. Andrea's father, Gene who had come all the way from Connecticut for the occasion, slipped a sweet note to me as Marty and I left. The note said: "Dear Rev. Middleton, The Blessing for Rhyan is the second significant event that you have officiated for our family. Thanks for making it so very special." He also included a generous gratuity! It is indeed an honor to be a part of this couple's lives and their families' lives! These baby blessings are truly a blessing for me too. Andrea and John, congratulations to you and your families. I hope you will keep in touch and send me photos of Rhyan as she grows into her true radiant self.

Baby Blessing and Baptism for Sydney Elizabeth!

On October 14, 2007 I performed a baby blessing and baptism ceremony for Kathy and Todd and their daughter Savannah Grace. See us in the photo below. Kathy contacted me earlier this year and told me that they had another daughter, Sydney Elizabeth, born in December of 2009. They wanted to do a baby blessing and baptism for her too. Both ceremonies took place in St. Mark's Chapel in Raleigh.

So, on Sunday March 28, 2010, I arrived to meet Miss Sydney Elizabeth and see her parents and Savannah again. My, how Savannah has grown into the prettiest little girl. She was a moving target at age 2 but Marty managed to snap a great photo of her here.

The ceremony was almost the same as Savannah's except that Kathy had found a nice reading for this one. Kathy and Todd made their parental promises to Sydney.

Of course we included the grandparents. It was nice to see them all again! They each held a rose for Sydney then placed them in the vase of water symbolizing life.

Jana and Dave are Sydney's Godparents. They made their promises to her. 

Jana presented the reading to Sydney who was having trouble paying attention! Well, she is only 3 months old!

Now I sprinkle the water on her little head for the baptism. No baby has ever made a fuss of this!

Here's the whole family of three generations! Congratulations to you all!

Sweet baby! How wonderful these ceremonies are to welcome the wee ones into the world. Such a privilege to be a part of them. God bless you all!

Welcome to the World, Hailey!

I married Michelle and Michael in the Butterfly House at the Museum of Life and Science in December of 2006. On September 27, 2008, I did a baby blessing and baptism ceremony for their daughter, Amanda. Then late 2009, Michelle called to tell me they had a new addition to their family, another daughter named Hailey. They wanted to do a baby blessing and baptism ceremony for her in March. So we set the date for March 27, 2010 in their home in Wake Forest.

We had the ceremony in their living room and Mike had set up a video camera to record it. We had to wake Hailey up from her nap but she was such a good sport and happy baby.

 She even seemed to be listening to my every word!

During their wedding ceremony, Michelle and Mike had poured sand together representing the two of them. Mike's son, Shane, from a previous marriage, also poured sand into the same container signifying family unity. In 2008, we added sand for Amanda to the container. And now Mike is adding more sand to it for Hailey. It completely filled up their container and they have so many pretty layers of sand that keep getting shifted with every move they make. Mike and Michelle told me that this will be the last sand they add because they are blessed with their son and two daughters and their family is complete!

The grandparents were each given a rose before the ceremony symbolizing their love and support for Hailey. During the ceremony I had each of them place their rose in this vase of water which is the symbol of life. This ceremony marked the third time I had been with these parents and grandparents. I would love for there to be another occasion--maybe a renewal of vows for Michelle and Mike!

"I hereby baptize you, Hailey Nicole, in the name of God the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (It amazes me that babies don't mind having me put cool water on their little heads!)

 So, here we all are. Shane, now age 10 and big brother to two sisters, Amanda age 2, and Hailey age 6 months! Michelle and Michael, you have such a wonderful family. Many, many blessings!