Namings

A naming ceremony is a lovely way to welcome a child into their family and to introduce them to friends, relatives and the community in which they live. You may use the occasion to express your love for and commitment to your child and to identify special people in their life. Taking time to get to know you, the hopes you have for your child, your values and what you hold dear, I will write a naming ceremony for your child or officiate over one of your own making.

My partner and I come from two very different faith backgrounds. I come from a family that is very devout in its religious beliefs and practices, whereas my partner’s family have no religious faith.

When we had our first child we wanted to welcome him into the World with a ceremony that would encapsulate what we both wanted to offer him as his parents. Make commitments and promises to him that weren’t bound up in a particular faith’s doctrine but were instead around universal values and hopes: of love, loyalty, justice and fairness, peace and friendship.

As I write this testimonial all that seems unequivocally positive and straightforward but at the time -in those first few sleepless weeks of early parenthood -and with different expectations from both families it felt pressured and stressful. That’s where Kate came in, offering us her amazing creativity and ideas, but most importantly her time and her listening ear. She helped us craft a ceremony that was beautiful and meaningful. That welcomed our son, but also all friends and family so no-one felt excluded. It was such a joyous afternoon and one of the readings she chose to read had such resonance that some years later I often think of it and its ongoing significance to our son and our experience of loving him and getting to know him. I cannot recommend Kate highly enough as a celebrant.

Jacqui Fairclough.