Personal non-religious ceremonies to recognise & celebrate life’s milestones:

Weddings, Namings, Vow Renewals, Civil Partnerships & Funerals.

I work with couples & families to design their own unique ceremony to match

THE TIME, THE PLACE & THE PEOPLE

A Humanist CeremonyNon-religious - follows no fixed rituals

Based on what we all have in common - our humanity and human valuesRespects others’ beliefs

Personal Time is spent with family or couple so ceremony reflects the occasion and the people involved

Unique There is no set format so ceremonies can include what people want

Individual An inside or outside venue of people’s choice

Meaningful Reflects people’s values

Introduction Your Child’s Story Family Story

Parental Commitments Appointment of Supporting Adults Family and Friends - Grandparents

The Naming & Joint Commitment Closing Remarks

A Naming Ceremony

Personalising your ceremonyMusic or slideshow Poems & Readings Naming Book or Wish Tree

Lighting of candle Signing Certificate or Picture Planting tree or balloon release Fingerprint Tree Presentation of Naming Gifts

Poems & Readings

Use different choices to:

Provide interest & include guests

Set the scene - the place or occasion

Change the pace of the ceremony

Create different moods

Introduce humour

Bring ceremony to a close

What can’t be included:Hymns, prayers and readings with religious content or connotations

If children live with criticism they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility they learn to fight. If children live with ridicule they learn to be shy. If children live with shame they learn to feel guilty. If children live with tolerancethey learn to be patient. If children live with encouragement they learn confidence. If children live with praise they learn to appreciate. If children live with fairness they learn justice. If children live with security they learn to have faith. If children live with approval they learn to like themselves. If children live with acceptance and friendship they learn to find love in the world.

By Dorothy Nolte

Brothers

Life gave me a brotherto teach me about lifehe loves and aggravates meand gives me strength and strife.

Thank goodness for little brothersthey are special as can bedon't mess with my little brother,or you'll have to deal with me!

Urgent Note To My Parents 

Don’t ask me to do what I can’t doOnly ask me to do what I can

Don’t ask me to be what I can’t beOnly ask me to be what I am

 Don’t one minute say “Be a big girl”

And the next “You’re too little for that”PLEASE don’t ask me to be where I can’t

bePLEASE be happy with right where I’m at

A Celtic Well Wishing

Peace of the running water to you,

Peace of the flowing air to you,

Peace of the quiet earth to you,

Peace of the shining stars to you,

and the love and the care from us all to you.

The Story of Zachary’s Naming Ceremony

An Outdoor Ceremonyat Zachary’s family home with family & friends

Zachary’s Naming Ceremony 

Angela and Ben have chosen a humanist ceremony because this

best represents how they think and feel. They also believe that

Zachary should be free to make his own choices about what he

believes when he is older.

 

Today, there are three main reasons why we are here:

to formally welcome Zachary into the world,

to make public declarations of responsibility and

to express his individuality and uniqueness in his naming.

A very proud Mum & Dad!

Zachary’s Supporting Adults

‘What is the significance of the actual naming?

A name, once given, will be associated forever

with a face, a voice, a walk, a laugh

and all the other individual characteristics

family and friends will come to recognise.

This child’s name will be spoken, whispered,

shouted, cried, sung and written thousands of times by family,

friends, neighbours, teachers, colleagues, lovers, strangers

and maybe by children and grandchildren.

It will define their identity.’

‘Just to say a huge thank you for the wonderful ceremonyyou did for Zach’s Naming. It was lovely to hear how

much people both enjoyed and related to what was said, as well as how privileged they felt to be part of it.

Thank you Ang and Ben’

And finally..Working with families and couples at significant times in their lives..

is my privilege!