Baby Dedication Services

Thanks for your interest in a baby dedication service. This is a special time for you to declare that your home is a place where Jesus is glorified.

The Process

There is a three-part process for participating in a baby dedication.

1. You can register for the next available service (or any of our other activities) by visiting our online catalog HERE. Once you do that return to this page.

2. We need a photo of your family. You can send it to us electronically or we can scan it for you.

3. Please write a letter to your child (400 words or less) that outlines your hopes, dreams and prayers for him/her. In order for us to keep this service to a reasonable length, PLEASE try to keep your letter within this word count. We prefer that you email this to us so that we don't have to re-type it. You will be reading your letter, and, it will be compiled with the other participants into a booklet which you will receive.

We have samples of some actual letters here, here and here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I find out about Baby Dedication service details or upcoming services?
   The Communiqué will have reminders regarding dedication details, as will the Children’s Ministries website, www.colonialkids.org. You can also call Christen Merithew at 233-9100 x1044 or email, cmerithew@colonialkids.org.
   
   
2. What is the application process?
   You can apply for the service online. Go to www.colonialkids.org, click on “Registrations”, click on “Baby Dedication”, then click on “Add”. Please write both the first and middle names of your child.
   
   
3. Where do I turn in my application?
   Your application will automatically be sent to our department.
   
   
4. How many people are we allowed inviting?
   We ask that you limit the number of family & friends you invite to watch the dedication of your child(ren) to no more than 10 people.
   
   
5. What time does the service start? How long does it last? When do we need to arrive? Where is it located?
   The dedication will start at 5pm, but we do ask that each family arrives by 4:45pm. Doors will open at 4:30pm for first-come, first-serve seating. The service will take place in the Parlor, and will last approximately 45min. to one hour. While we do want to make the service meaningful for all of you, we also realize that we are dealing with the short attention span of both babies and other small children. These are things that we take into consideration when planning the service format.
   
   
6. What can we expect to happen during the service?
   General order of service includes: opening, charge to the parents from Pastor Wylie, families go one-by-one to the stage to read their letter to their child, prayer by Pastor Wylie, and closing.
   
   
7. How many families may participate in the service?
   We limit the number of families participating to twelve.
   
   
8. What is the appropriate attire for the babies? For families?
   Plan to wear what you normally would on a Sunday morning to church; this includes your child(ren) to be dedicated.
   
   
9. May we take pictures or video during the service?
   Pictures & video cameras are allowed during the service.
   
   
10. What is the letter to our child? What is the family photo? Why do we need them?
    As a keepsake for each family, we will be putting together a book that contains the letters & photos of each family in the service. Each page in the book will be dedicated to one family. That page will contain both a letter to your child & a family photo. The letter to your child (one letter from your spouse & you to each child) should outline your hopes & dreams for their life. We are asking for the letter to be no longer than 400 words in length (it will be placed on an 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper with your photo). We also ask that you turn in a family photo (4x6), either candid or formal. Our preference is for both the letter and the photo to be emailed, but we can also work with paper copies. In that case, your photo will be returned to you the day of the service. These books will be given to you at the dedication service.
    
    
11. Do we need to turn in the letter & photo by a certain deadline? To whom do we give them?
    The deadline to turn in the letter & family photo is generally a month prior to the service date. We list the due date in the Communique, usually under the Children’s Ministries column. Please email your letter & photo to merithew@colonialkids.org if possible. Otherwise, please bring the letter & photo to Christen Merithew in the office.
    
    
12. Do we read the letter to our child(ren) during the service?
    Other people will be able to see your letter, so please keep this in mind as you write it. Generally, Pastor Wylie will have you read your letter aloud during the service; it will also be printed in the book. As the Baby Dedication Books (with your letter in them) will be handed out in the foyer prior to the start of the service, you do not need to bring your own copy of your letter for reading purposes.
    
    
13. What happens if we are dedicating more than one child at a time?
    If you are dedicating multiple children you will need to register each child separately online. Begin to register your first child as normal. Before you click on “finalize registration”, click on “register another person” for each additional child. Once all of the children you are dedicating are listed, click on “finalize registration.” You also may choose to do one of two things in regards to the letter: you may write one letter to all of the children, or you may write one letter to each child (in which case each letter would get its own page in the dedication book). If you go with the latter, it is up to you if you would like to provide one picture that will be used each page, or if you would like to submit different pictures. Also, if you write one letter for all of your children being dedicated, the length is based on 400 words per child; separate letters stay within the limit of 400 words each.
    
    
14. How often do you have Baby Dedication services?
    We hold them a few times each year, on a Saturday, at 5pm.

If you have any further questions regarding the Baby Dedication services, please contact Christen Merithew at 233-9100 x1044 or christen@colonialkids.org.