Rites of Passage

One vital function of a religious community is to serve as witness to each other in times of joy and sorrow.  From welcoming new children into our families, to celebrating the lifetime commitment of two individuals to each other, to honoring and celebrating the lives of those who have died, rites of passage are an integral part of our community.

CHILD DEDICATIONS
When a child joins a family through adoption or birth, we honor this time with child dedication. These dedications sometimes occur as a private ceremony, with extended family and close friends. Most often they occur as part of a Sunday morning worship service, involving the whole congregation in welcoming the child and promising our commitment as a congregation to the spiritual growth of the child and the support of the parents.

COMING OF AGE
Our Coming of Age program honors and guides our young people in the spiritual transition from childhood into becoming a youth. Open to 9th graders, the program is a year devoted to exploring Unitarian Universalist identity, theology, history and spirituality through discussion, drama, music, writing and art. This is a time for our youth to define their beliefs and put their faith into action.  The Coming of Age program culminates in a ceremony during a Sunday morning worship service as the congregation regonizes this important transition and pledges commitment to the spiritual growth our our youth in this next phase of their lives.

WEDDINGS
It is our joy to celebrate the joining in marriage of all couples, straight or gay, who are ready to commit themselves to married life together.  Our ministers plan wedding ceremonies with each couple so that each ceremony is individually designed, centering on the couple getting married, and on their friends and family who love them and will support them as they join their lives. Our wedding ceremonies are lovely and creative, reflecting the personalities of the couple while upholding the deep Unitarian Universalist belief in the inherent value and worth of every human being. 

MEMORIAL SERVICES
A memorial service in the Unitarian Universalist tradition is an honoring and a celebration of the deceased person's life, as well as a chance to grieve his or her death. Our ministers meet with family members and design a service that best honors the life and spirit of those we celebrate.  During the service, we take time to ponder the mysteries of life and death, as our theology leaves open the answers to questions about what happens to us when we die. Therefore, we concentrate on reflections about the person's life here on earth, the lessons their life teaches, and the parts of them that we wish to always remember as we live the unknown number of days in our own lives. 

For members wishing to inquire about a rite of passage, contact Rev. Alan Taylor, Senior Minister at minister@unitytemple.org.