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True North Ceremonies

BABIES

personalized non-denominational ceremonies

SERVING THE LOS ANGELES, SANTA BARBARA AND NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREAS

Baby Ceremonies

The birth of a child is an extraordinary moment in the life of a family and a community. It is a time when we are all simultaneously touched by the mystery and miracle of a new life, and are aware of the new responsibilities and identities that the existence of this new person confers upon us. An older child becomes a big brother or sister, in-laws become grandparents, couples become parents; nieces and nephews become cousins.

A baby welcoming or an adoption ceremony can be a wonderful way to share your joy, express your gratitude, and acknowledge the people you know will help to surround your child with love as he or she grows up. It is an opportunity to share stories about the people who are your child’s heritage, to praise them and their best qualities - which you hope may find continuance in the life of your child. Equally, participating in a baby welcoming or adoption ceremony gives your family and community the opportunity to bestow their own good wishes and blessings, and to embrace their new roles in the life of your growing family with pride.

Whatever kind of baby welcoming makes sense for you and your family, I will work with you beforehand to ensure that your ceremony includes a balance of all the elements that are important to you and will be available to lead the ceremony as well.

"Gretchen’s blessing at my daughter’s first birthday was heartfelt, fresh, new, and uniquely special just for my baby. She took the time to understand exactly the tone and sentiment that I wanted"

– Arianna (Los Angeles area)

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Services

Each True North Ceremony is unique. Your ceremony may be secular, spiritual but non-religious, or you may wish to respectfully weave together elements from several sources of inspiration - drawing from your religious or cultural traditions and from other parts of your lives as well. My goal is to help you and your guests honor an important moment in your life story with a ceremony that gracefully expresses your own values and personal style - creating a meaningful memory that all of you will treasure.



How Does This Work?

Your needs, your story , your wishes and your traditions are always at the heart of my work. I bring a commitment to careful listening and reliability to each ceremony, as well as a good eye for the use of space and an enthusiasm for creativity, research, and collaboration. I also bring a lifetime of experience in the creative and performing arts both to leading and designing your ceremony.

First, we have a discussion about the event being recognized and what you are looking for from your ceremony, and then I begin working to create a custom-tailored ceremony for you, based on the thoughts and reflections you have shared with me. This process may include brief conversations with friends or family you have suggested and further research to find stories, insights and other elements (such as music or readings) that you may wish to weave in. Throughout this process, I listen to you and support you in thinking through any decisions that need to be made about your ceremony.

I present a proposed draft to you, and then revise it until it feels just right to you.

I strongly recommend a brief rehearsal before your ceremony, which I will run, so that everyone involved is clear about their part and the ceremony itself runs smoothly. In the case of a wedding, I will be responsible for overseeing the signing of the legal documents.

I lead (or support you in leading) the ceremony we have planned together, and you and your guests are able to relax and mark an important moment in your life with a ceremony that is exactly as you wish it to be.