Christening/Naming Ceremony
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1414
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Topic: Christening/Naming Ceremony
Posted By: newmum
Subject: Christening/Naming Ceremony
Date Posted: 20 January 2006 at 10:51pm
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Hi girls!
We have booked a date for Joeys christning and it is soon aaargh!!! We want it done when my PIL are here as it is improtant to them that it is done at all.... We will be having it done in the catholic church becuase Peter is catholic and I am..nothing, hehehehe As I have no idea what a christening entails and also becasue I am curious... have any of you christened/had naming ceremonies for your lovelies? What happens normally? Any tips/ideas? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 20 January 2006 at 11:01pm
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Maya has been baptised 3 times (!!!) - at birth (my Dad insisted, he is very old school Catholic), in Australia for my family there and then a big christening here in NZ.
She was formally baptised in the hospital one (I sat up in bed eating toast while she had water poured on her lol), so the other 2 were just ceremonies, but very nice. With the whole Catholic thing, we had two meetings with the priest beforehand, one to talk about what baptism means in the church and what is expected of us as parents of a baptised child, and the second meeting was to talk about what readings, music etc. we wanted for the service. They usually do 3 or 4 babes at the same time in a Catholic ceremony, but you can request a private service which we did. We just picked 2 readings from a selection they gave us, had no singing but I did play a CD of a song I chose called "I hope you dance" by Leeann Womack at the end. The ceremony was about 30 mins, afterwards we had a 'picnic' in the park across the road - I put on cold meat, salad, bread etc. and my Dad supplied champagne and everyone just mingled. It was really lovely, and I would definitely do a similar thing next time round. Hope this helps. Good luck being married to a Catholic lol - we're a difficult bunch  -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 8:49am
| i'm in the same boat ana. lew wants the boys christened, but i have no feeling either way. funny thing is, when i asked him what religion he was, he had to ask his mum (catholic too). problem is, he wants to invite all the family - 200 people!!! we are in discussions now. |
Posted By: fairsk8
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 10:24am
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We didn't have get Xanda christened but we had a little naming ceremony of our own, where we also returned his placenta to the earth. It was just a small gathering of family on the farm and then we returned the placenta to the earth and planted a tree,said a karakia and sung a waiata. ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/"> 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 10:39am
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We're different again...in our church we don't do naming cermonies or christening...baptism comes when they child makes the choice to be baptised (often around 12/13years) but instead we have a dedication ceremony, basically making promises before God about how we will raise our child and be dedicated etc... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 3:40pm
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We had a separate little thing to bury Maya's placenta as my family are very 'Pakeha' in their ways and that would have freaked them out. It was just Willie and I and Maya. We are going to bury the baby we m/c next to her placenta too, but that will be a very private thing too. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 4:23pm
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I want a naming ceremony for Hannah as I am not particularly religious but like the tradition.
I don't really know exactly what to do but I want Hannah's "God" parents to be recognised as well. Any ideas for a non-denominational ceremony?? |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 5:11pm
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I think Maria (AngelNZ) had a really nice naming ceremony for Alyssa. I'm sure she can give you some ideas. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 6:22pm
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There was a big article in a treasures magazine a while ago.. I'll see if I can dig it out and I'll lend it to you Ana..
I'd also like a naming ceremony as Sig is no religion and I was baptised a Catholic, but don't go to church.. so, as a compromise.. thought about doing it sometime this year. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 21 January 2006 at 10:30pm
Ok, thanks for the start, lol, I would love that article Kat as I seem to have started gettig my treasures mags the issue AfTER that one (of course  )
We bought a christening gown today, IT IS GORGEOUS!!! We are having a private service with really just close family and then coming home for cake and coffee. We have a couple from the parish coming over next week to chat for an hour or so about the meaning etc. and also the music etc. I suppose. I found a reading I like but I don't think it is very catholic, hmmmm, we'll see.... I have been getting some booklets from the catholic enquiry centre to read up as I would like to know what I am letting Joey in for   and it is interesting to broaden my horizons too. We married in a catholic church ceremony which was lovely and I am sure the christening will be lovely too...
Man that was a long one, hehehehe ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 22 January 2006 at 8:13am
| Sorted out the God Father issue Ana?? |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 22 January 2006 at 9:56am
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I went to reply to this post last night and then half way through I got distracted and went to do something else, so of course when I got back, it logged me out !!
I was raised Catholic, as per my dad's side of the family. Mum was raised Anglican but has Catholic "inclinations". Forgive my bluntness, but I gave up on Christianity in 6th form, but am a very spiritual person. Like Nikki said, the idea of a non-denominational ceremony of sorts appeals to me, but I have no idea where to start. Roland isn't fussed either way, he wasn't raised to be religious at all. So... I'd be interested to see if anyone can put up any ideas or outlines ! It will be a while before any decisions would be made on this kind of thing though (for us). ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater 
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: AlyAyde
Date Posted: 22 January 2006 at 1:15pm
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we had a ceremony for both our girls on their 1st birthdays where we planted a tree relevent to their month of birth over their placenta.
Im not religous either but wanted to do something special for them. ------------- Jayde 25/12/04 Alyssa 08/04/03 http://Alyayde.bebo.com |
Posted By: Popsicle
Date Posted: 23 January 2006 at 4:41pm
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We had a naming ceremony for Gabrielle's first birthday - totally non-religious and just had close friends and family at home. We wrote our own speech and read it ourselves, got the G-Grandparents, grandparents and "god mothers" to write some words of wisdom for us to put in her memory box (which we will give her when she is 21) - because in reality her great grandparents are 80-something now and not likely to be here for her 21st, but I wanted to give them the opportunity to share some of their knowledge or special thoughts with her. I made up some fancy note paper on the computer for them to write their messages on and also made a certificate for my partner and I to sign as her parents and the god mothers to sign as her godmothers - kind of like a wedding certificate. We chose to have god mothers (mentors really) and one is my best friend and the other is my sister in law. We chose people that make a real special effort to come and spend time with Gabrielle and to give her someone she would feel comfortable talking to if she couldn't talk to us. Oh - I also circulated a 'book of wishes' for everyone that was there to put a message in. I just got a pretty autograph book from Whitcoulls and people wrote special things in that, including who was who in Hollywood on her first birthday in 2005 etc. Really cool to look back on. Shame about the skanky sister-in-law-to-be ruining everying and using Gabrielle's birthday to announce her engagement to my partners brother and asking my MIL to "step outside", causing a massive scene and me kicking her out - whole other story. It was pretty special apart from that - their first birthdays always are. Also need to give ourselves a pat on the back for breaking through the first year barrier! |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 23 January 2006 at 8:48pm
| Oh man, that sounds cool. I might have to do that on Han's second birthday as her God Mother has just gone off on her OE. Mind you, given her nomadic ways, it might be Hannah's 5th birthday when we see her again. Gotta love her! |
Posted By: fairsk8
Date Posted: 24 January 2006 at 8:45am
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We had the god-parents, tho they are more like guardians or people to be there for xanda, we had them put something that meant something to them in with his placenta, just to tie it all together, so they look after him and grow with him.Coz that is why we plant a tree, it symbolises growth and as it grows stronger and bigger so will xanda. ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/">
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Posted By: AlyAyde
Date Posted: 07 July 2006 at 7:02pm
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bumping
------------- Jayde 25/12/04 Alyssa 08/04/03 http://Alyayde.bebo.com |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 10:50am
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bump for Roxy ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Roxy
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 8:34pm
Hey popsicle....that such a good idea!!!!love how you did it!!!!I will do it on Brookes first birthday too.and Calebs bday the day after so Ill combine there birthdays this time I think....I hopeless with computers so will have to get someone else to make up a certificate etc for lis and craig.......and love the part where grandparents etc write words of wisdom for memory box.......I never had anything very special done for me when I was growing up...didnt even have a 21st so Im really determined to make everything special for my kids ------------- Caleb 15/11/02 Brooke 14/11/05 |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 10:24pm
| we didnt do a naming ceremony for Kobe but always planned to so what I thought I would do is get a really nice picture of Kobe and Addison done and have a frame made to match our wedding picture and get everyone to sign the frame with thier words of wisdom or whatever they want to write. We did that at our wedding instead of having a book or the traditional teddy bear that goes round and the we put our favourite wedding picture in it and it sits on a huge stand in our lounge, I love it. Also another idea I have heard is to give everyone a colour glass stone thing at the start of the ceremony and ask them to make a wish for the child/children then put it in a nice vase or container of some sort that can be sealed, kind of like wishing stones. |
Posted By: mrs frantic
Date Posted: 17 July 2006 at 9:20am
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For those of you on the north shore or Auckland:
Hey just wanted to say - the celebrant who did our wedding does baby naming ceremonies - Now he is pretty religeous himself but he doesnt insist that any of his ceremonies are religeous (we had the same problem with our wedding - dh is not relligous and very few celebrants respected that - also not that many were prepared to do a ceremony outdoors either but thats a different story...) Anyway so this man is really really wonderful and totally comfortable with people who have no religous beliefs or maybe non specific spiritual beliefs...he doesnt force anything on others which to me was very important, and I remember he does baby naming ceremonies and judging from the way he did our wedding it would very much be designed by what the parents want with a little guidance where it is asked for... So if anyone is looking for a person like this you can pm me and I can give you his website or details - having dealt with him I can really recommend him as a person and as a celebrant... ------------- Mrs Frantic Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006 http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 23 October 2006 at 11:11am
Bump for Roxy  ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 23 October 2006 at 8:50pm
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We had a naming day for Charlotte. We just had close friends and family. We had a celebrant who read out a ceremony I had put together. We had both her god parents read out a reading and both Darryl and I read something we had put together. We also got all our guests to write on a wee card to her which we have kept for her in her keepsake box. At the end we all read out a blessing/promise and let go of about 80 pink helium balloons.
We had it in a Marquee in our backyard and afterwards everyone stayed for nibbles, sparkling grape juice and her naming day cake
 ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 23 October 2006 at 8:53pm
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woahhhhhh sweet cake? geez. wish i had known ya then!
and it sounds like it was a lovely day. poor little heathen hannah will probably never get one! |