At fairly short notice we decided to have a naming ceremony for Jack. We invited 20 close friends and their 25 kids, found a celebrant Emma liked, organised some food and help and decided on the format/wording.
David and Ruth are here so we were fortunate to have one set of grandparents present for the ceremony.
The ceremony took place in our house - it was a miserable rainy day but thankfully we have plenty of space and we all squeezed into the lounge.
The ceremony is set out below:
Good afternoon and a warm welcome to everyone. My name is Orna Binder, I am a civil celebrant and I would like to invite you all to join me in celebrating the naming of Jack David Edward Reid.
We meet here today to take part together in a simple happy ceremony. It is, above all, an expression of joy. It is the occasion when Emma and Ken wish to express before you, their special family and friends, the deep thankfulness they feel as the parents of little Jack and to consider their responsibilities towards him. Emma & Ken recognise that parenthood is a serious responsibility, which can never be entered into in a spirit of light-heartedness, although the coming of little ones into our lives is not all serious and solemn.
We all join together in this ceremony, thereby demonstrating to each other our willingness to share in the task of nurturing, protecting, and guiding Jack, and teaching him what a thrilling and enjoyable thing life can be! As a community of people who love and support this family, we all share the responsibility of ensuring that Jack grows up surrounded by love and positive influence.
There is unbelievable happiness to be experienced as we watch Jack commence his journey through the many stages of growth. These are the days full of exciting new adventures. The first smile, the first tooth, the first words and the first step - all the wondrous things that mark each stage of development.
It is certain that the love this child receives during early childhood will be of great benefit in the growth years ahead. This will be reflected in return, by the love he is able to pass on to others. So your presence today is important, and much appreciated, as will your interest and involvement be in the years ahead, as you watch Jack from childhood, through adolescence, to adult life.
In the life of each new child, all the hopes and aspirations of mankind are renewed. The home becomes the training ground of good men and women. In it are bred either those who will become leaders of new generations, showing other men and women what is true and beautiful, or those who live only for themselves.
Let us be more aware that our lives are inter-related and may we all benefit from our involvement with Jack, and with each other. It is important to assist in the coming years in giving this child a broad and balanced view of life generally, and to encourage those virtues we all regard as important - honesty, integrity, fairness and compassion.
Reading ‘On Children’ Jo Drew
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Parenting
Family life creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment for both children and parents. It is where children learn about relationship, communication, feelings, respect and love.
Good parenting is important, not just for the individual child but for us all, because happy children will become happy fulfilled people who will influence everyone around them for the better.
As parents, our duty is not to make our children like us, but to see they do their best. To guide, nurture, protect and advise. We love them for who they are, unique and special, and as they grow, we grow with them. Family is a bond that lasts forever.
I would like to invite Emma & Ken to affirm their commitment to Jack.
Emma and Ken
We promise to lovingly care for this child, to cherish him, to make sure he is happy, safe and warm; to clothe him, shelter and protect him, educate and inspire him, love him and support him
We promise to respect Jack as an individual, and by our encouragement, help him grow physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
We promise to influence Jack’s behaviour by our good example, and to help him develop his own opinions, beliefs and values.
We promise to teach Jack the values of kindness, tolerance, integrity and honesty through our love for him and in the choices that we will make for him.
Siblings
We would like to remember Molly, who we believe is here in spirit to watch over her new brother and James and Olivia would like to light a candle in her memory.
Reading ‘God Gave me a Little Brother’ James
God gave me a little brother
to teach me about life.
He loves me,
Aggravates me,
and gives me strength and strife.
Thank goodness for my brother
He is as special as can be
Don't mess with my little brother
- or you'll have to mess with me
Song ‘Twinkle, twinkle’ Olivia
Twinkle, twinkle little star
What a lovely brother you are
Laughing and giggling all the day
Special in your own sweet way
Twinkle, twinkle little bro
I love you, I love you so
The Grandparents
The relationship of trust and mutual enjoyment between grandparents and their grandchildren is a great bonus and a special blessing.
To Jack’s grandparents, David and Ruth who are here with us today, and Peter and Janet, and Eddie and Anne who are all back in the UK, thank you for your active involvement in Jack’s life. Even though you live far away, your important role in passing on family culture, values and inheritance will add great meaning to his life and provide the foundation blocks Jack will use in finding his identity.
The Godparents
An important tradition in our culture on these occasions is the responsibility accepted by the Godparents. Emma and Ken believe that the Godparents they have chosen for Jack have the wisdom to teach and guide him as he grows into adulthood, to listen and give help and support when he needs it and to take a lifelong interest in his welfare and happiness.
Kirsten Highnam and John Hoffman.
We come now to this very important part of the proceedings, where I must ask the Godparents:
Celebrant Do you Kirsten and John, undertake, as the needs arise, to assume appropriate responsibility for the well-being, care and future help and guidance of Jack?
Godparents We do.
Celebrant
Giving a name to a child is one of the most important decisions parents can make that remains with him throughout life. It is one of the few truly unique things in a person’s life. So I invite Emma & Ken, and Kirsten and John, to join me in the naming.
Our name represents the uniqueness and individuality of self. It is how we identify ourselves and how others identify us. Today we bestow the chosen name upon this child.
To formally accept this child and to name him I now ask you to say:
On this day, in the presence of family and friends, we name you Jack David Edward Reid.
We will love you, comfort you and respect you always.
We rejoice in your health and happiness and look forward to seeing you grow.
We are honoured to be a part of your life.
Celebrant to the guests
You are Jack’s extended family and friends, the community with whom he will celebrate life’s special moments and to whom he will turn in times of need. Each of you will provide an inspiration upon this child, bringing to him a unique perspective on being in this world.
He will look among you for companionship, leadership and support. As he forms his own identity and learns about his place in the world, he will weave into the fabric of him a part of each of you.
Emma and Ken thank you for your support and your commitment to their family.
Blessing
I would now like ask David, Jack’s grandfather, to bestow a blessing on Jack on behalf of you all present today.
Jack David Edward Reid,
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 fulfill 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.
Celebrant
Jack, today we wish you a long life and happiness in a loving and secure world. You will always know that your family and friends cherish you and value you, not for your achievements in life, but because you are a unique and beautiful person whose life we are privileged to share.
We give you the gift of these friends who will help you to know a world of warm and caring human beings, and to learn the meaning of commitment and friendship. We hope that one day you will also be blessed with a community of friends who share in your joys and your accomplishments.
On behalf of everyone here, I welcome Jack David Edward Reid and congratulate Emma and Ken, James and Olivia.
Thank you all for joining us today and being part of Jack s naming ceremony.
May we all benefit from our involvement with this child and with each other.
While we are signing the certificates, could you please charge your glasses and be ready to drink a toast to Jack.
It gives me great pleasure to present Jack David Edward Reid.
Please raise your glasses and drink to his health and happiness.
After the ceremony we enjoyed lots of champagne and lots of food.
Jack was very well behaved. He tolerated being in his 'dress' - the same robe as James and Olivia had used.
We had lots of kids with us - who all were just perfect. Nobody had ever seen them so well dressed.
Jack just giggled and smiled all day.
As did Ruth.
Sorry you could not be with us. It was a wonderful day and a fitting way to 'name' Jack.
Ken
