Child Dedications

Because Unitarian Universalists believe that all children are born blessed, rather than sinful, we conduct child dedications instead of baptisms.

During our ceremony of child dedication, we recognize the child by name, for it is by name that each of us is acknowledged as a unique and separate person. We consecrate the child with water, because all life has arisen from the waters of earth, and it is through water that all life is sustained and nourished.

By this ceremony, we also affirm that the community has a responsibility for the care and nurturing of every child, in order that they might grow and thrive and come into the fullness of their promise. A Child Dedication Ceremony is our way to officially welcome our children into our community and make a commitment as a church to their well-being and growth.

Usually, child dedications are held during a Sunday worship service so that the church community can pledge support. The ceremony can happen any time after the child’s birth.  Some parents do it while the child is an infant, and others do it when the child is older and can understand the ceremony.

If you would like your child to participate in a dedication ceremony, either as part of a group dedication or in a family celebration, please contact our minister, the Rev. Tara Humphries.

Weddings

Unitarian Universalists (UUs) support the loving committed unions of both heterosexual and same-sex couples, and have advocated for the rights and protections of legal marriage to be granted to same-sex couples.

Where there is love, we find the presence of the holy among us. We believe this is no less true in the love between same-sex couples. We would judge relationships not by the gender of the partners, but by the quality of the love between them. Our church grants the blessing of a wedding ceremony to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

Our minister, Rev. Tara Humphries, will officiate for weddings of Allen Avenue UU Church members upon request. In the UU tradition, there is freedom to participate with the minister in creating a celebration that expresses your own deepest values and beliefs. Please contact the minister at (207) 797-7240 to request her participation in your ceremony.

Rev. Humphries is available to officiate weddings for non-members as well. Learn more and fill out a rental interest form on our Building Rentals page.

When a loved one dies, Unitarian Universalists come together to support those who are grieving, and to honor and celebrate the life of the person who has died.  We gather to say goodbye, and to share our sorrow at their passing, but also to give thanks for all of the blessings the person has brought to our lives.  We hold many different beliefs about the mystery of death, but are united in our belief that love is stronger than death.  Love gives us hope and comfort, since we know that those we love remain alive in our hearts even after death.

A Memorial Service for a church member (or a relative of a church member) who has died is planned and led by our minister with the participation of the family or other survivors.  We encourage the inclusion of favorite poems, songs, and stories about the deceased person, and make room for personal sharing if that is desired.  Members of our church will prepare a simple reception following the service, if desired. Please contact the our minister, Rev. Tara Humphries, to request a memorial service for someone who has died.

Our church building may also be rented for a memorial service for non-members, and we welcome you to invite a celebrant of your choosing.  Please contact the church office for more information about renting our church for a memorial service.