by Jennifer Cram, Civil Marriage, Naming & General Celebrant, Brisbane

A civil naming ceremony and a christening in a church are not mutually exclusive ceremonies, although a civil naming ceremony is often characterised as a “secular” christening. Many families are now opting to have both.

Both types of ceremonies are very joyful occasions that formally recognise the special responsibilities of parents to their child; and provide the opportunity for others to make a public commitment to the child. At both the child’s names are formally announced. A Christian baptism symbolises the moment the child becomes a member of the body of Christ, part of a particular denomination, and parents and godparents pledge themselves to bring up the child in a godly and upright way.

A naming ceremony focuses on parenting, on a declaration of commitment or intent towards the child, and on welcoming the child into his or her family and his or her community. Unlike a christening, a civil naming ceremony gives you the opportunity to appoint older sponsors in various roles (not just as godparents) to ask family and friends for their support as you raise your child. I’ve conducted numerous babynaming ceremonies during which older sponsors have been appointed as godparents, guardians, mentors, guideparents, sponsors or naming parents. At some more than one of these titles have been used to differentiate roles and relationships of different sponsors.

The ceremony is also a wonderful opportunity to formally show your appreciation to your parents for their parenting of you. The opportunity is also provided to explain the significance of the names chosen for the child.

While most parents choose one or the other, there is a growing trend for church-going families to have both to mark the birth and naming of their child by having a civil naming ceremony, either before or after the church christening, perhaps as part of the party that follows the christening.

Baby naming ceremonies can be held at home, or in parks or other child-friendly venues.

About the author: Jennifer Cram is an accredited Marriage, Naming and General Celebrant based in Brisbane Queensland Australia where she specialises in creating and performing one of a kind Naming Ceremonies as Beautiful as your Baby and other ceremonies. For more information about her naming ceremonies visit her website www.jennifercram.com