Joachim Thomas Kynvi

Naming Ceremony

November 22, 1998

Procession to Create Sacred Space
"Improvisation for Joa," Mary Carla MacDonald, Flute
Introduction
Recognition
Candlelighting, Laying of hands, Blessings
"Blessing"
"On the Day You Were Born," story
"On Children"
"Improvisation for Joa II"
Opening the Circle

Procession

Little one, receive the blessing of Air.
May your holy innocence rejoice
in the newness of each day.
Greetings from the Spirit of Air,
your protector and friend.

Little one, receive the blessing of Fire.
May you receive the creative spark to dream with,
the courage to keep your ideals,
and the will to make your dreams come true.
Greetings from the Spirit of Fire,
your protector and friend.

Little one, receive the blessing of Water,
the womb from which we all come.
May you yield gracefully to what must be,
knowing the treasures you hold within
Greetings from the Spirit of Water,
your protector and friend.

Little one, receive the blessing of Earth,
the earth from which you grew.
May you be strong in silence and fertile in growth.
The North is depth and darkness
out of which comes wisdom and renewal
Greetings from the Spirit of Earth,
your protector and friend

Little one, receive the blessing of Spirit,
which binds the four together,
from which they are formed,
and through which they are made manifest.
The Spirit is your home.
Be open to it, both gentle and vigorous.
Return to home, Spirit, center in times of trouble.

"Improvisation for Joa," Mary Carla MacDonald, Flute

Introduction

We meet today to bless this child, to help him find his path to happiness, and to name him. And, as we do, let us remember the elements, and the love of this community.

Recognition

We honor the parents of this child, Andey Amata-Kynvi and Lisa Jonstrøm-Kynvi.

Parenting is loving, listening, trusting, and learning. It's noticing what is happening right now
    not what we think should be happening
    or what was happening yesterday
    or what we thought might happen
    or what someone told us would happen,
but what is happening right now. Being surprised and acting from the heart.

Parenting is holding our fundamental belief in and respect for this whole person who is our son--his drive, his force, his will, his emotions, his goodness--knowing there is a healthy impulse behind everything he does, and following his lead.

Parenting is patience, instant availability without constant presence, and knowing that for each of us, a part of our heart is forever walking around outside of ourselves.

The community gathered here has come forward to be guardians for this child. Please join me in reading this statement of our support for him.

To be a guardian is to be ready to accompany Joa as he explores the many paths open to him, to help him choose the path which is his, and once he is on it, to help him live by it. It is to be present with support and encouragement, to know him from our hearts by his heart.

Little one, you are Joachim Thomas Kynvi.

Your mothers, Andey and Lisa, have given you the name Joachim in honor of Lisa's dear friend. They have given you the name Thomas in honor of Andey's mother's family. And they have given you their family name Kynvi, from the Norse for "family" and "we."

Your name has been given to you in love. May it be a source of comfort and pride.

Candlelighting

Now, we will come forward, one by one, call him by name, light a candle, and give him our blessing.

"Blessing," song

Should your blankets be torn
May your breezes blow warm
May your treasures be what you find

May the burden you bear
Like your bounty be shared
May you leave something good behind.

Would the sky and the land
rise to your command
May your senses cut like a knife.

Life in peace with the earth
in death as in birth
May you prosper and have a good life.

"On the Day You Were Born"
                            group reading of the story by Debra Frasier

"On Children," song
             text by Kahlil Gibran adaptation, music Ysaye M. Barnwell, sung by Lisa & Andey

"Improvisation for Joa II," Mary Carla MacDonald, Flute

Opening the Circle

Spirit of the East,
we thank you for your help.
Go now in peace, but never be far away.
Answer quickly when Joa calls for you
that you might aid him in his need.

Spirit of the South,
we thank you for your help.
Go now in peace, but be never far away.
Answer quickly when Joa calls for you
that you might aid him in his need.

Spirit of the West,
we thank you for your help.
Go now in peace, but be never far away.
Answer quickly when Joa calls for you
that you might aid him in his need.

Spirit of the North,
we thank you for your help.
Go now in peace, but be never far away.
Answer quickly when Joa calls for you
that you might aid him in his need.

Spirit of the Center,
we thank you for your help.
Go now in peace, but be never far away.
Remember Joa.
Watch over him.
Keep him safe.
Keep him happy.
Keep him healthy.

The circle is open, but unbroken.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
Blessed be!

 

"Welcome to the spinning world," the people sang, as they washed your new, tiny hands. "Welcome to the green Earth," the people sang, as they wrapped your wet, slippery body. And as they held you close they whispered into your open, curving ear, "We are so glad you've come!"

-Debra Frasier from On The Day You Were Born

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