by Bishop Ann Williams-Fitzgerald

I would like to welcome everyone here today to celebrate the naming of -________ __________________.

They [Parents] have welcomed this child into the world and now proudly present him/her to the family and friends.

This occasion, the naming of a child in the presence of Godparents signals that this child is very important, not only to his parents but to this community. The public naming of a child is an acknowledgment of the love and care parents have for their child.

My wish for this child is that ________________ is loved, truly for himself, that the love of his parents, Grandparents and Godparents is freely expressed, so that he can grow up in the surety of that love. It is said that a loved child grows, and I have certainly seen evidence of this. There are some very tall, loved children around today.

ADAPTED FROM A RECIPE FOR DREAMING

Nature formed you with perfect feet and hands and a heart that beats non-stop, sometimes for a hundred years. You were made complete.

You have inherited a thousand generations of wisdom, skill, poetry, song, all the sunrises and sunsets of knowledge past. You are the sum of all the people who went before you.

You are a refinery of all inherited intellectual wealth, the full flood of antecedent wisdom is piped and stored within you – how to climb the highest mountain, slay the biggest monster, how to survive fear and how to summon your own courage and take pride in your wonderful intelligence.

Inside you are more possibilities than you could possibly use up in a lifetime.

If you can dream it, you can do it, because the instinctive knowledge of how to succeed is already programmed within you waiting to be turned on, it is waiting to flow like a river as you come on stream.

Name of Child_________________

GRANDPARENTS

One of the sacrifices people make when they come to live in a town, is the separation from family.

Often very special events have to be celebrated without close family members.

So today even though _________ Grandfathers cannot be with us,

_________________ welcome their Mothers, ___________ and

_____________ to this very special day in _____________ life.

I’m sure there will be lots of photographs for them to take back for the Grandfathers to see and though that is a poor substitute for the real thing, it is a tangible memory to keep.

The next reading involves us all. As a community of friends and family, we all share a responsibility to provide the atmosphere in which _______ will develop as a person.

A Child Learns What He Lives

If a child lives with criticism,

he learns to condemn,

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,

he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,

he learns to feel guilt.

But,

If a child lives with tolerance,

he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,

he learns with confidence.

If a child lives with fairness,

he learns justice.

If a child lives with security,

he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,

he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

He learns to find love in the world.

Traditional

GODPARENTS

Part of living away from your families is the reliance you place on good friends. The role of Godparent takes on a whole new meaning when you live isolated from your families. The role of godparent has reverted to it original meaning, someone to love and take responsibility for the child in the event of the parents being unable to care for the child.

I now ask the godparents:

Are you ______________ willing to accept this important responsibility?

Godparents: We are.

_________________,

Will you stay close to __________?

To the best of your ability,

will you guide him through life

so that he may know the best way you know?

Will you touch him with your wisdom?

Will you try to be a good influence?

by your own way of living,

and encourage him to observe

worthy principles of living,

and decent treatment of his fellow human-beings

and his world?

Godparents: We will

Celebrant: With me, please touch ______________ as a mark of your dedication to him.

NAMING

Celebrant: (everyone repeats, phrase by phrase)

We all agree to call you __________________

We therefore name you __________________

We wish you a long and happy life, in a loving and peaceful world,

May you bring joy to your parents, your godparents, your grandparents, to all of us – your family and friends.

May you be one who makes this world a better and happier place

Celebrant: _____________ your parents have chosen this name with love and it is given to you with love. This name will accompany you throughout life as a reminded of the love your parents have for you.

FINAL DECLARATION

Celebrant: Friends

This ceremony will in no way inhibit this child from seeking the truth during his life and any future commitments to religious or non-religious beliefs. In fact, it is our duty in the coming years to present to him a broad and balanced view of life, and encourage him in the virtues we all agree as good – integrity, honesty, concern, fairness and love towards others.

I conclude this ceremony by summarising the thought that has been the theme today. Let us all be aware that our lives are interrelated, that this ceremony will strengthen the affection and friendship we all have for each other, but especially the relationship now established by each and every one of us with ___________.

___________, may life’s richest joys and blessings be yours. May you grow in health of body and mind to full adulthood and may it be your good fortune to pay some worthy part in making life more pleasant for those whose paths you cross.

Friends, I have the honour to present __________________.

Presentation of Certificates.