A naming
ceremony (sometimes called a namegiving ceremony) simultaneously
celebrates the birth or adoption of a child
and
designates the new roles of parents, grandparents and godparents. It is
a joyous
expression of welcome, both to the family and to the wider community.
It is also a reminder of the great responsibility involved in raising a
child, and a formal mechanism to recognise and appoint the
godparents
and other significant adults, such as grandparents, who will have
important roles in the nurturing the child and support the child's
development.
Because they are not
religious ceremonies, recognised by formal
religious institutions, naming ceremonies are sometimes called secular
christenings, and are ideal for parents who have no
religious
convictions. However, having a naming ceremony does not preclude a
religious christening or baptism at a later date where parents believe
that children should choose their own spiritual path and values when
they are mature enough to do so, or where the family belongs to a
denomination that does not believe in infant baptism. Nor does the
secular nature of the naming ceremony preclude religious content. If
parents specifically request a prayer or religious reading this can be
included.
A naming ceremony can
also complement a church baptism, as part of the
christening celebration at home, and as a means of formally welcoming
the
child into the family and the community. A naming ceremony
can be held not only to celebrate the birth or adoption of a child, but
also other situations such as fostering, and the creation of new family
relationships through marriage.
Naming ceremonies are
suitable for families of all kinds, including heterosexual parent
families, same-sex families, single-parent families and families where
the adults are the guardians of the child. A ceremony can
be held shortly after the birth of the child or later during the
child's first year.
It is also very special to choose to hold the ceremony on the child's
first birthday and include it as a part of celebrations. The ceremony
can be held at your home, or in any other place you choose.
There
are no age
limits to
namings. All the siblings of a family can be named at the same time, if
they did not have such a ceremony when they were younger.
In preparing for a
naming ceremony I will
spend time getting to know your family to ensure I create a ceremony
which perfectly reflects your needs, your beliefs, your values
and the unique qualities of your child and your child's heritage.
As with all my ceremonies, I will
ensure that the ceremony is inclusive and participatory, and that, in
addition to the godparents/mentors the ceremony includes all
significant family members - parents, grandparents, brothers and
sisters of the baby, for example, and friends. Part of ensuring that
all significant family members feel included is presentation of
thank-you certificates which include a photograph of the child.
You will also be provided with resources and information to help you
plan and organise your child's naming day - including
- Your
godchild your godparent responsibilities: a guide to share with
those you have chosen to fulfil this important role in your child's life
- Guidelines
for arranging a naming ceremony in a private home/garden
- Guidelines
for reading aloud
- Balloons and
Naming
Ceremonies
- Candles and
Your Ceremony
- Scrapbooking
your
child's naming ceremony
- and much more.....
At the ceremony you will receive a beautifully presented keepsake copy
of
the ceremony and a naming certificate tailored to the number of
godparents, guideparents, mentors (you choose what you wish to call
them) and to your family situation.
Other items I bring with me to
enhance your ceremony include rose petals, gum leaves, or basil
leaves
to use
in naming your child, a beautiful Australian silver quaich (
two-handled silver bowl) to hold
these,
a naming register, a quality pen for the signing, and a remote-control
CD Player and selection of lullabies to play before the ceremony and
during the signing if you wish.
Creative use of symbols such as candles, wishing stones, trees,
mementos, gifts, items of family significance, together with
innovative inclusion of references to your child's ancestry and
cultural background are a feature of all of my ceremonies
My
fee for a Naming ceremony
Creating a custom-created naming ceremony takes commitment, creativity,
knowledge and time that goes far beyond the visible half hour of the
actual ceremony.
The invisible hours (10-15 on average) include:
- Meeting with you and communicating with
you by phone and/or email.
- Providing you with information about the
framework for the ceremony and exploring with you ideas and
opportunities to ensure that your ceremony fits with the overall style
of your child's naming day celebrations but also provides substance.
- Preparing and completing all the
certificates
- Creating the first draft of the
ceremony and reworking it as we finalise it.
- Creating and printing the keepsake copy
of the ceremony
- Travel to and from the ceremony venue
- Briefing the godparents, grandparents and
readers
While fees and
services of celebrants
vary widely, you would expect to pay a higher fee for a custom-created
ceremony with
substance that, through both its language and its style reflects who
you are, and creates a blueprint for your parenting of your child.
My all-inclusive fee for a Naming ceremony
is $295,
including travel to a ceremony site up to 50km (100km return) from my
office.
Add-on cost for naming each additional child (sibling) $50.
When combined with a Marriage Ceremony, 50% reduction in Naming
Ceremony fee.
Cost for travel above 100km by negotiation.
Parking fees (where required due to the nature/location of the venue)
at cost.
Payment accepted by
Cash, Cheque, Direct Deposit, and Money Order.
More
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