This document summarizes Zachary's non-religious naming ceremony. It describes how the ceremony was held outdoors at Zachary's family home and included family and friends. It discusses how Zachary's parents Angela and Ben chose a humanist ceremony that allows Zachary freedom of belief. The ceremony formally welcomed Zachary, had his parents and supporting adults make commitments, and expressed Zachary's individuality in his naming. Guests commented on enjoying and relating to the meaningful ceremony.

2. 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

3. A Humanist Ceremony
Non-religious - follows no fixed rituals
Based on what we all have in common - our humanity and human values
Respects 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

4. 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

5. Personalising your ceremony
Music 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

6. 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

7. 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 tolerance
they 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

8. Brothers
Life gave me a brother
to teach me about life
he loves and aggravates me
and gives me strength and strife.
Thank goodness for little brothers
they are special as can be
don't mess with my little brother,
or you'll have to deal with me!

9. Urgent Note To My Parents
Don‟t ask me to do what I can‟t do
Only ask me to do what I can
Don‟t ask me to be what I can‟t be
Only 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 be
PLEASE be happy with right where I‟m at

10. 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.

11. The Story of Zachary’s
Naming Ceremony

12. An Outdoor Ceremony
at Zachary’s family home with family & friends

13. 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.

14. A very proud Mum & Dad!

15. Zachary’s Supporting Adults

16. „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.‟

17. ‘Just to say a huge thank you for the wonderful ceremony
you 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’

18. And finally..
Working with families and couples
at significant times in their lives..
is my privilege!