Baby Dedication

This is an opportunity for new parents to focus today on what will affect their child's future the most. CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of your new baby! In the midst of all that is changing in your home with the addition of your new baby, we invite you to take a moment to focus on what really matters most. No one will have more influence on your child than YOU! We believe that what happens at home is more important than what happens at church. It is our hope that we can partner with you from the very beginning. We want to be your biggest fans, your strongest supporters, and your trusted guides as you raise your child to know what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

babyD is more than an event. It is an opportunity for you to take some time at the beginning of your journey as a parent to really think about what will matter the most in the life of your child; to really talk together and decide what you value and what you can do today that will have the greatest impact on your child's future.

The Process:  Overview, Messages (Step One), Orientation (Step Two), Dedication (Step Three)

Overview

In order to participate in babyD, you must either be a member of our church, a member of a community group, or serving with us as a volunteer on one of our ministry teams. We feel like these criterion are important as a first step for you as parents to understand what we believe and for us to truly be able to partner with you in the spiritual development of your child.  LISTEN TO THE OVERVIEW MESSAGE.

For more information on becoming a member, attend Basecamp. Contact  Jessica Dowden at jdowden@thesummitchurch.org for details.

For more information on joining a Small Group, contact Sarah Farley at sfarley@thesummitchurch.org

For more information on serving as a volunteer in Summit Kidz, contact Judy Troutz at jtroutz@thesummitchurch.org

STEP 1: We have created a resource, which includes three parenting messages that we feel will really help you start right now—at the beginning—to do the things that will truly matter the most to you and your child in the future.

STEP 2: You will attend a 30-minute orientation during one of our Sunday morning services.

STEP 3: We would love for you and your family to participate with us in a time of dedication and celebration.

See the Need to Know section for more details about the Celebration!

Step 1 Listen

We have created a resource, which includes three parenting messages that we feel will really help you start right now, at the beginning, to do the things that will truly matter the most to you and your child in the future. These early years are incredibly important. Listening to this series and talking about it together with your spouse will be an investment of time that you will never regret.

  • MESSAGE 1: You are the spiritual leader in your home and your child's greatest guide in understanding what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Homework- write a letter to your baby that will be saved and presented to them the day of their baptism. LISTEN TO MESSAGE 1
  • MESSAGE 2: The most important relationship in your home is your marriage and its one that will lead to your child's emotional health and confidence in life.  LISTEN TO MESSAGE 2
  • Homework - make a concise list of things/habits/events that you and your spouse will purposefully do throughout your marriage to keep your relationship solid.
  • MESSAGE 3: When your children walk out your door to face their futures as adults, what are the values you will have instilled in them? This message will encourage you to really think with the end in mind. LISTEN TO MESSAGE 3
  • Homework: Make a list of things/habits/events you will create in your home that will provide a 'rhythm' of spiritual training in your family.
  • BONUS Track: These early years are unique in that they require your intentional love and attention. We know that parenting is not for the faint of heart, so we wanted to share what we think it takes to raise great preschoolers. This is by no means the complete word on parenting preschoolers. But it is an opportunity, an opportunity for you to be INTENTIONAL, an opportunity for you, at the very beginning of this new life, to begin with the end in mind. What do you hope they know and never forget? This is not a guarantee that you will raise perfect children, but a promise that time WILL pass and you will be looking into the eyes of adults some day. Homework:  Think of this child as an adult leaving home for college.  What will you wish you had said or done from the very beginning to give your child all of the tools he/she needed? LISTEN TO THE BONUS TRACK

We would like for you and your spouse to listen to each message, talk about it together, and complete the homework. Your homework will be shared at the Dedication Celebration.

Step 2 Register

Once you have completed STEP 1, you will attend a 30-minute orientation during one of our Sunday morning services. We will introduce you to First Look, our environment created especially for preschoolers. We will talk about the homework assignment from the third talk in STEP 1 and give you the information you need to sign up for our Baby Dedication Celebration.

Unless you are a single parent, it is important that both parents attend this orientation. You must complete STEPS 1 and 2 before your Baby Dedication Celebration date is confirmed.  To register for STEP 2 (the orientation), please complete the Registration Information page and email it or pass it on personally to either Judy Troutz or John Scott. Word Version of Registration  PDF Version of Registration 

Step 3 Celebrate!

The GRAND FINALE! Actually, it's really just the beginning. Once you have completed STEPS 1 and 2, we would love for you and your family to participate with us in a time of DEDICATION and CELEBRATION.  Baby Dedication Celebration is about a commitment to put God first in your home and to trust in Him as your source of direction as you lead your family and parent your child. It is also a time for you and your spouse to share with your closest friends and family what is most important to you and to ask them for their prayer and support. Our desire is that you will surround yourself with family and friends who will pray for you, support you, give you good advice, listen to your struggles, and when life gets tough, help you remember what matters most. We also hope that you will partner with us every Sunday by encouraging your child to fully participate with us as we create environments to lead him or her into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is also a time of CELEBRATION! A new baby has been born. God has created a new life in this world and that is definitely something to celebrate! You will enjoy cake and punch and take lots of pictures to mark this moment in time. We want you to create an unforgettable memory of the promise that you've made to lead your child in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ with the people who are there to pray for you and support you as you raise this child.

Baby D will take place four times each year.  Hurry - space is limited - first come, first serve! 

Need to Know

What you can expect at the celebration:

  • The atmosphere of the event is purposefully quiet and serene, like your nursery.
  • We will reserve a table (seats 8) for your family and close friends.
  • Be strategic about those you invite. The event is to encourage you, the parent and those who will walk with you as you spiritually train your new baby.
  • You will have an opportunity to share what you’ve decided from your homework assignment in STEP 1.
  • We will lead you in a prayer of dedication.
  • You will have time to eat cake and take pictures with your family.
  • The event will last about an hour. 

Requirements

  • babyD is so much more than an event.  You must complete STEP 1 and STEP 2 before your Baby Dedication Celebration registration is confirmed.
  • You must be a church member, member of a community group, or serving on a volunteer strategic service team to participate in the Baby Dedication Celebration.
  • There is no time limit to completing STEP 1.
  • The only time limit you need to consider is that your child should be under two years of age to participate in the Baby Dedication Celebration.
  • Space is limited for Baby Dedication Celebration and each event usually fills up quickly.

This event is offered several times a year. It is very likely that the next available opening could be a few months from the time that you sign up.

Not Infant Baptism

This event is not infant baptism. We believe that when people are old enough to understand what it means to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they should have the opportunity to make that choice for themselves. A preschooler is not able to understand sin, forgiveness, the sacrifice our Savior made for us, and what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This event is about your commitment as a parent to lead your child into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, so that as he gets older, you are able to guide him and to help him understand what that means.

Contact Judy Troutz at jtroutz@thesummitchurch.org for information on upcoming celebration dates, registering and starting the process!