Page 213 - In Pursuit of the Sunbeam.indd

198 In Pursuit of the Sunbeam: A Practical Guide to Transformation from Institution to Household
Celebrant: We offer gifts for this house in celebration of our shared
beginning.
Resident (Holding up the Bread): Bread...that this house may never know hunger.
Family Member (Holding up the Salt): Salt...that life may always have flavor.
Staff Member (Holding up the Wine): Wine...that joy and prosperity may reign forever.
Celebrant: We give and receive these gifts with great wonder and thankfulness for our many blessings.
Part Three
Celebrant: We are here to dedicate Honstead House. May our actions today receive the blessings of God, and may the purposes and dreams, which have brought us to this point of beginning, be fulfilled.
People: We dedicate ourselves toward helping this house embody all that it is meant to be. We commit ourselves to uphold our responsibilities in making this house a home of joy and laughter, of thoughtfulness, caring, and shared living between residents, staff, family, friends and community. We further dedicate to uphold our responsibilities in making this house a symbol of what can be in store for others across this nation who wish to follow.
Celebrant: Then upon you, the residents, family, staff, friends and community, is the obligation to be supportive and steadfast in creating the culture of this house that will symbolize the commitment and beliefs that have brought it into being.
People: We dedicate this house today.
Celebrant: That this house will be a place of nourishment, joy,
fulfillment of dreams and peace.
People: We dedicate this house today.
Celebrant: That the lifestyle in this house will be seed for growth across this land in changing the lives of our elders, that a new standard will become the hallmark of this place, in our town, state and nation.
People: We dedicate this house today.
All: May God bless our efforts on behalf of this house.
Blessing the new home is the first of many ceremonies and celebrations residents will experience in the Household Model. Each of you who have