I recently read an interesting blog by a fellow Independent Celebrant posing the question should we change "Naming Ceremonies" to "Welcoming ceremonies." 

A Naming ceremony is often thought to be an alternative to a baptism, and is usually undertaken when a child is small.  Often a Naming ceremony is considered to be an alternative but should it be ? 

A baptism is a ceremony in which a child is welcomed into the Church where as a Naming  ceremony is one which welcomes a child into the community. So it is perfectly possible to have both types of ceremony.

So should we be thinking wider ? 

A Welcoming ceremony could be for a child or young adult of any age.  It would be an acknowledgement of someone new joining the family and the wider circle of friends.

What do you think ?



 

May the strength of the wind and the light of the sun,
The softness of the rain and the mystery of the moon
Reach you and fill you.
 
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfil you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong.
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
 
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live,
May you live to love, and may you love – always
 

Example of a Naming ceremony 

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Opening words by Celebrant
First reading
Naming
Parent's promises
Supporting adults' promises
Closing words
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This simple ceremony can be added to by including other adults who may wish to make promises such as Grandparents, additional readings, symbolic actions such as lighting a candle or giving gifts, and musical items.

Each ceremony I conduct has a unique script which has been written to reflect your hopes and wishes for your child's future.

Please make contact if you would like to discuss your ideas further.
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Example of a renewal of vows ceremony

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This simple ceremony can be developed using additional readings, music and symbolic actions.

A renewal of vows ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the strength of the relationship and acknowledge the import role each person has within the other's life. 

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I love getting a bargain and often find the tips from Money expert, Martin Lewis, worthwhile.  I was therefore very interested to see that in his latest edition there is an article with 53 ways to save money when planning your wedding.

What the article didn't say was that by opting for a Celebrant led you can not only save money but you do not have to make compromises about dates, times or anything else.

Whilst a Celebrant led ceremony is non-statutory the cost of a basic registration of marriage at a registry office is under £100. Then with the legal side done a couple are then free to plan the ceremony of their dreams - anywhere, anytime, anyhow.  

Interested to find out more ?

Please follow the link below.

​The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice.
Although it was cold he was happy in there. It was, after all, his cage.
Then along came the Lovely Other Dinosaur.
The Lovely Other Dinosaur melted the Dinosaur’s cage with kind words and loving thoughts.
I like this Dinosaur thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur.
Although he is fierce he is also tender and he is funny.
He is also quite clever though I will not tell him this for now.
I like this Lovely Other Dinosaur, thought the Dinosaur.
She is beautiful and she is different and she smells so nice.
She is also a free spirit which is a quality I much admire in a dinosaur.
But he can be so distant and so peculiar at times, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur.
He is also overly fond of things.
Are all Dinosaurs so overly fond of things?
But her mind skips from here to there so quickly thought the Dinosaur.
She is also uncommonly keen on shopping.
Are all Lovely Other Dinosaurs so uncommonly keen on shopping?
I will forgive his peculiarity and his concern for things, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur.
For they are part of what makes him a richly charactered individual.
I will forgive her skipping mind and her fondness for shopping, thought the Dinosaur.
For she fills our life with beautiful thoughts and wonderful surprises. Besides,
I am not unkeen on shopping either.
Now the Dinosaur and the Lovely Other Dinosaur are old.
Look at them.
Together they stand on the hill telling each other stories and feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs.
And that, my friends, is how it is with love.
Let us all be Dinosaurs and Lovely Other Dinosaurs together.
For the sun is warm.
And the world is a beautiful place.

Example of a simple Commitment ceremony
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This simple ceremony can be customised through the addition of additional readings, music and symbolic actions.

Family and friends can also be involved in the ceremony.

I am always happy to discuss your ideas so please make contact.
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​Example of a simple order of ceremony for a wedding

Arrival of Bridal party
Opening words by Celebrant
First reading
Promises
Exchange of rings and vows
Second reading
​Closing words
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This simple order of ceremony can be embellished with additional readings, music and symbolic actions.

Readings can be done by members of your family and friends.

For more ideas about symbolic actions please look at previous blogs or go to my facebook page and click on "notes"

As part of the personalised service I offer, I write a complete script for each ceremony which is based on your ideas and wishes.

​Please contact me if you would like more information.

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With the weather forcing many of us to hibernate this is a wonderful opportunity to plan a future event.

Whatever the event it is often useful to have a few ideas which can be used as  starting points for your thinking.

So in my next series of posts I will be offering some ideas for how to structure a ceremony.

It would be lovely to hear about your plans - so please feel free to get in touch and share your ideas.