|
Hi Jess,
firstly on behalf of us all here at 123PPT.com many congratulations on the pending baptism of your child.
It is of course a momentous day, and naturally I understand your request for help and assistance. I think the most important thing to remember though Jess, is to breathe!
Take a deep breath....hold it for 5 seconds. Now let it out, and let your shoulders go completely limp and loose and let your arms fall completely to your sides.
Feels better doesn't it?
It is so important to relax Jess. I say this because if you are stressed or feeling tense, you will never relax enough to write what you want to write and everything will come across as awkward and unnatural.
Everybody feels and has empathy for anyone who must give a speech Jess. It's not a firing squad but a collection of family and friends gathered together to celebrate the baptism of your son.
I would start your speech with something along the lines of
"We are both so grateful that you could share with us this very special day today..."
And in all honesty Jess, I believe that that is precisely what you should focus on. Being honest. I am certain you will have feelings of pride, of happiness, of joy, and also relief!
I think you should tell your guests how proud you are that they were able to attend, and express both your own and your husbands feelings of joy.
If you are not a deeply religious family Jess then of course there is no great need to focus heavily on the religous aspect of the service more than necessary. For example, other than thanking the minister for performing the service etc., perhaps refrain from too many religous references if you feel them untrue or potential offensive to members of your family. Remember as I say, they are there to support you!
Thanking the god parents is of course perhaps the highlight of the speech, and again, I would rely on your honest feelings Jess. I am certain that you will feel honoured, privileged, and perhaps more importantly have peace of mind knowing that your son will have such devoted, kind, and caring god parents to help support him through this journey of life.
If you feel these things Jess, express them. As I say, take a deep breath, hold, then let it out and let your shoulders go limp and write what you feel.
It is of course very difficult to do more than this because in a way your speech will be much more warmly received the more personal it is.
I would write a few keywords down Jess, for example:
- Proud
- Honoured
- Joy
- Happiness
- Growth
And write what you mean by each word. Your speech will quickly fall into place as your duties of course will be to:
- Firstly thank the minsiter for the service and performing the baptism.
- Secondly thank everyone for coming and sharing in this special day.
- And third and finally to express both your own and your husbands sincerest thanks to the god parents.
I would end your speech Jess, as I say with perhaps expressing some of your own feelings. Of how happy you are, of how proud you feel right now. If tears feel like coming then let them come. I am certain everyone will run to you with a tissue, a big hug, and feel so glad to have been invited to be a part of your son's baptism.
I wish you and your family all the very best from all of us here at 123PPT Jess, and wish your son every success in his future.
-------------
Jonathan Stock
Presentation Consultant, www.123ppt.com
|