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The start of a worthwhile journey.

The birth of an individual is perhaps the most important event in that individual's life. It needs to be marked, not for the immediate benefit of the baby but for the benefit of the community that it will become part of. The ceremony is really to welcome a new agu into Orithia and into the community.

The Church is unlikely to be present at the actual birth and most of the community are certainly not going to be there so the ceremony will not be for a few weeks after that date. Photos should be taken during proceedings so that the child can see it's first ceremony even though it can't remember it.

Actors: The new-born, its parents, the priest.
Front Row Guests: Relatives of the new-born.
Other Guests: Friends of the family, members of the community.
Props: Shallow bath, Earth box, Animal representatives, Plant representatives, Mineral Representatives.
Hymns: A New Soul Is Born, The Child Is Named, Welcome To Orithia, A Long Life And A Happy One.

Agenda:

Preliminaries

The priest: "Good morning/afternoon etc... Thank you all for coming to such an auspicious occasion etc.

We are gathered here to welcome a new-born child into the wonderful Shoku of Orithia, and in that to the planet Earth of the star Sol, even to our community here in ..., in the parish of ...

It is always a joy to welcome a new agu into our community and I remind you all that it is up to us to give this agu every opportunity to make a life for itself that is satisfying in every way. A life that is worth living! "

All sing the Hymn "A New Soul Is Born".

Naming

The priest: "Who are the parents of this child?"

The parents step forward with the child and give their full names. The child is naked.

The priest (to the father): "Hold him/her up."

The father holds the child up high for all to see.

The priest (to all): "Naked this child came forth into Orithia, even as you see him/her now".

The priest (to the parents): "What name do you give to this child of Orithia?".

The parents (together): "We name this child¹ ..."

The priest: "Mark you all, that this is ..., child of ... and ..."

To the father: "Bring him/her down."

The father returns the child to his mother, who dresses it if she wishes.

All sing the Hymn "The Child Is Named".

Welcome to Orithia

The priest: "Welcome to Orithia!"

The priest: "You are welcomed by the soil of the earth."
The child is stood in a box of local soil.

The priest: "You are welcomed by the water of the sky."
The child is stood in a shallow bath filled with rainwater, and the soil is washed off.

The priest: "You are welcomed by the other animal species of the earth."
The child is introduced to one or two harmless animals such as rabbits or sheep. The child must touch them. Ideally the animals should nuzzle the child's face.

The priest: "You are welcomed by the plants of the earth."
The child is touched with the leaves of a young healthy plant of some long lived species, growing in a pot.
The priest: "This is your friend of the species: ..., it came into this world at much the same time as you, please care for it."
The child is presented with the plant to cherish.

The priest: "You are welcomed by the rocks of the earth."
The child is touched with a convenient sized rock. Ideally an attractive lump of quartz or basalt.
The priest: "This is your friend of the geological species:..., it came into this world long before you and will be here long after you depart, keep it well."
The child is presented with the rock to cherish.

The priest: "Welcome to Orithia! You are privileged to be here. Respect all Ura, including the friends you have been given. You are not above them. It is your duty to protect them. This is the only life you will have in Orithia; make the most of it!"

All sing the Hymn "Welcome to Orithia".

Welcome To The Community

The priest: "Welcome to the parish of ...! We hope your life will be richly satisfying in every way.

Blessing of the Community

6 members of the community, not the parents, but preferably relations or friends of the family have been previously organised to bless the child. Generally they should be chosen to exhibit the trait required. If possible these people should be 3 of each sex.

The priest: "Who will bless this child with health?"
A predetermined member of the community comes forward. Touches the child, and gives it a small talisman.
Community member: "I wish you health."

The priest: "Who will bless this child with grace?"
A predetermined member of the community comes forward. Touches the child, and gives it a small talisman.
Community member: "I wish you grace."

The priest: "Who will bless this child with intelligence?"
A predetermined member of the community comes forward. Touches the child, and gives it a small talisman.
Community member: "I wish you intelligence."

The priest: "Who will bless this child with artistry?"
A predetermined member of the community comes forward. Touches the child, and gives it a small talisman.
Community member: "I wish you artistry."

The priest: "Who will bless this child with courage?"
A predetermined member of the community comes forward. Touches the child, and gives it a small talisman.
Community member: "I wish you courage."

The priest: "Who will bless this child with wisdom?"
A predetermined member of the community comes forward. Touches the child, and gives it a small talisman.
Community member: "I wish you wisdom."

The talismans are strung on a chain and hung over the child's head.

Ideally the talismans should be engraved with the trait and the name of the person providing that blessing.

All sing the Hymn "Bless The Child".

All members of the congregation file past and speak to and touch the child. They then proceed to the refreshments.

Refreshments

The child is arrayed with its parents in the centre of the social area and people are free to come and speak to them, or just socialise.

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1. A child's name must be without general meaning and preferably be 2 syllables in length. Eg suitable names are Karen, Steven, Alan, Sharon, Shevek, Marya etc. Unsuitable are Starlight, Blackwolf, Moonbeam, Greatfist etc. Such names are reserved for adults.
   
   A child may be given more than one name in addition to its surname, however more than 3 given names is frowned upon.