Mary Ann DePeder knew she would done things right when her daughter and son-in-law participated in a child dedication service recently at Lynwood Baptist Church.

As a parent, "you question whether you did it right," DePeder said. "But I knew then I'd done some things right."

Nikki and Drew Reeves, DePeder's daughter and son-in-law, dedicated their 6-month-old child Makenzie before the congregation, pledging to raise her in a Christian home so she could learn about Jesus.

Child dedication services differ somewhat from baptisms because they are like an agreement between parent and child and the family and church. Many area churches hold an annual dedication service around Mother's Day.

"We recognize the validity and meaning of dedicating a child to God," said the Rev. Dr. John Owen of First Baptist Church. "It's an act of thanksgiving for the gift of the child and dedicating them to the kingdom."

The service is a covenant with the parents and the church to "nurture the child in the Lord and raise them on the paths to Christianity," he said.

Children at Hanover Lutheran Church are baptized at a young age and then put on the Cradle Roll.

The Cradle Roll is sponsored by the Ladies Aid at the church and offers support to new parents.

"It shows that there are more people concerned" about the child, said Cindy Sippy, who coordinates the program.

New parents are sent cards every six months telling them about how their child should be developing physically and offering suggestions for how they can grow spiritually to learn more about Jesus, she said.

About 20 children are registered on the roll, which ends around age 3.

Dedicating a child to God and the teachings of Christianity doesn't have to come on a special day, said the Rev. Kim Ferguson of Cornerstone Church. But when it does happen, it sends a powerful message to both parents and the congregation.

"It shows we have to do our part to help with spiritual education and upbringing," Ferguson said. It shows parents that the church is affirming their decisions.

Child dedications offer a method for reflection as churches watch the children grow.

It's a reminder that just as parents have an obvious role in nurturing their child, so does the church, said the Rev. Philip Curran, pastor of First Christian Church.

The service is a powerful and meaningful one, he said. "And I get to parade the child around and introduce it to the congregation."