Formally welcome a
child into the family and community of friends. The role of
parents, God-parents/ Parent-Guardians/ Mentors and other
family members is celebrated with warmth in a loving and
individually designed ceremony. These ceremonies can be
performed for children of any age. It is lovely if the child
is under 12 months old, but this does not exclude any other
child. These ceremonies are also very personal and I will work
in with the parents to see exactly what might suit. If you
have family or friends who would like to be active
participants: they may like to recite some words or actually
hold your child during the ceremony.
A more popular
venue for the ceremony is the beach, with balloon release's
being a spectacular way to finalise the ceremony. There are also many symbolic activities
we can explore. One of the more popular is a time capsule.
Here your guests are encouraged to bring items that reflect
today's times and the addition of a few items from the little
ones early times may be placed within the time capsule as
well. When we think of how much the very earliest mobile
phones have changed, and forecast to the child's eighteenth
birthday at which the capsule will be opened we can begin to
see the delight and fun we can generate for both these
occasions, with a little thought.
Naming ceremonies
are a non-religious alternative to a baptism or Christening,
which are very personal ceremonies. Your family members are
encouraged to participate, as either Parent Guardians, Mentors
or God-parents, or just interested and involved parties by
doing readings etc. There is a personalised poem included in
the Naming and you are presented with a full colour, bound
copy of the ceremony, as well as certificates for the involved
parties.
One of my selected
verses follow, there are many more to choose from....
A.M.C.
