The Thanksgiving Service

Last Saturday a thanksgiving service was held for our youngest grandson, Elliot. Our eldest daughter, Paulette, a curate in Shrewsbury, performed the ceremony. Elliot’s parents, Adrienne and Julian, did not wish to have him baptised, feeling that is a personal choice to be made as an adult.

Paulette had gone to a lot of trouble in order to make the day memorable. She had printed the service booklets with photos of the young man taken throughout the past seven months. Each contained a pen and a teddy bear shaped piece of paper. During the service an opportunity was given for the guests to write on the teddy bears their hopes and wishes for his future. These were collected and made into a book for Elliot to look at when he is older.

The service was a delightful blend of structure and informality. The entire congregation were included in little Elliot’s day. Many of the guests are not churchgoers but felt touched by the warmth of the experience. As for Elliot, he managed to sleep all through the significant part of his blessing, just waking up in time to pose for photos!

When the ceremony was over we went into the church hall and tucked into a scrumptious feast. Elliot loves his food, and was a little miffed, I think, that he was unable to participate in the goodies provided. His mummy is very strict about his diet; pizza and rich fruitcake are not on his dietary agenda just yet! He showed his disapproval at this state of affairs by blowing raspberries at the delighted audience during the ceremonial cutting of his thanksgiving cake!

We all enjoyed Elliot’s special day, the only shame is that the young fellow himself is too young to remember it!