Naming ceremony script

I mentioned last week that I wanted to share the script from Noah's naming day to help anyone else who is planning a similar celebration. We worked closely with our lovely celebrant, Sally and were really happy with the final version.

So here is it... Please feel free to use any sections you would like if you are planning a naming ceremony!

V xx

Welcome and introduction

Hello, my name is Sally Cant and I would like to welcome you all here today to witness with me the naming day celebration for Noah. I am honoured to be asked to conduct this ceremony.

Steff and Vari feel pride and joy in the arrival of their son, Noah Thomas and take this opportunity to formally introduce him to you, their family and friends and to confirm and bestow upon their son, his chosen names.

Announcing of name

Noah was born at 3:20pm on 18th December, a few weeks earlier than expected, at the Royal Women's Hospital. Steff supported Vari through the natural birth and had the honour of telling Vari that they had another boy.

An important role model for Noah will be his brother, Gabriel. Though no doubt there will be a typical sibling rivalry, Gabe will develop a special relationship of love and trust with his brother and this will be valued by them always. Steff and Vari are also aware of the value of this bond and are pleased that their boys will be there for each other. That strong sibling bond is already clear to see. Gabe is so gentle and nurturing of Noah, including him in everything he does - setting a place for him at the dinner table and offering his dinosaurs for him to play with! There has been no sign of the jealously that so many people speak of when a newborn is introduced to a family with a toddler. Rather, showing a protectiveness of both Noah and his parents by Gabe.

Steff and Vari have undertaken to nurture this child, to love him, provide him with a safe and secure environment, with stimulation and guidance as he plots his own course through life. Noah is an individual and as such, his future path will be uniquely his. Steff and Vari will be there with him throughout, to offer him love and support. Steff and Vari want to ensure that their family lives as happy a life as possible. Happiness is a continuous and conscience effort in parenthood. Pausing daily to take stock of even the smallest blessing can change how we approach the demanding life of caretaking.

Children are a social responsibility. Not just for as parents of our own children, but as aunts, uncles, neighbours and friends. In a myriad of little ways and by example, we are all teachers and mentors.

Reading by Sam Ryan

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations! 

Today is your day. 

You're off to Great Places! 

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head. 

You have feet in your shoes 

You can steer yourself 

any direction you choose. 

You're on your own. And you know what you know. 

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care. 

About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there." 

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, 

you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any 

you'll want to go down. 

In that case, of course, 

you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there 

in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen 

and frequently do 

to people as brainy 

and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, 

don't worry. Don't stew. 

Just go right along. 

You'll start happening too.

OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

Mentors

Today, we appoint two mentors for Noah, chosen by his parents - Nicola and Steven Moran.

Mentors take a special interest in the ethical, material and moral development of the child. It is a serious responsibility, but one that can be very rewarding and we come now to this important part of the proceedings where I will address this question to the mentors.

I would now like to ask the mentors:

Steven and Nicola, you have been asked to accept the privilege of becoming mentors to Noah. Steff and Vari ask that you always welcome Noah if he comes to you for company, advice or help and that you will listed to him and respect his confidences no matter how great or small. They ask that you show him understanding and love and let him know that he will always have a special place in your hearts.

Are you willing to accept this responsibility? 

We do.

Parents Vows

Families are so very important – the role of parenthood held in high regard. To be responsible for their boys strengthens the bond that Steff and Vari share and brings a strong purpose to their lives.

Before, they were a couple in love committed to each other in marriage. They then became a true family with the arrival of Gabe in 2009 and now welcome Noah into this close and loving family unit.

Listen, for a moment to a poem called the “Reflection of a Family”;

“A family is a place to cry and laugh, to vent frustrations, to cry for help, to tease and yell, to be touched and hugged and smiled at.

A family is people who care when you are sad, who love you no matter what, who share your triumphs, who don't expect you to be perfect, just growing with honesty in your decisions.

A family is a circle where we learn to make good decisions, where we learn integrity and table manners, and respect for other people.

Where we are special, where we listen and are listened to.

Where we learn the rules of life, to prepare ourselves for the world.

The world is a place where anything can happen.

If we grow up in a loving family, we are ready for the world.”

Vari and Steff, in front of your family and friends do you both promise that you will continue to treasure the time you spend together, and support each other through the changes in your lives?

We do

I ask that you make your own personal declaration of commitment and unconditional love to Noah.

Steff, do you promise to protect and provide for Noah so he may grow up to be happy and safe?

I do

Vari, do you promise to encourage his curiosity, courage and enthusiasm so that he can face life’s challenges with resilience and optimism?

I do

Name Giving

Steff and Vari chose the name Noah Thomas for their son.

A name is very important. It distinguishes us from others and gives us a sense of belonging in our family and community. The name Noah is of Hebrew origin and means 'rest' and 'peace' - qualities that Steff and Vari hope will be close to their son throughout his life. His middle name of Thomas is in honour of Vari's grandfather on her mums side.

Noah – your name has been chosen with love. We therefore name you Noah Thomas Longmuir. We wish you long life and happiness in a loving and peaceful world. May you bring joy to your parents, your family and friends.

Steff and Vari love their son and proudly name him Noah Thomas Longmuir. They wish him a long life filled with happiness, love and adventure.

Reading by Cara Devaney

If… by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you 

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
 

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
 And treat those two impostors just the same;
 

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
 Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
 

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Box of Letters to Noah

Steff and Vari would love for you all to participate in Noah's box of letters. There is a piece of note paper and envelope for each birthday until Noah turns 18. You are asked to write him a short letter that he will open on that birthday. It can contain anything you like - some advice, a wish for him, a blessing. When you are finished, please seal the envelope and place it in the box.

Signing & Presentation of the Certificates

Ladies and Gentlemen – at this point we are going to sign the certificates, following which we will drink a toast to Noah and his future.  You might like to take this opportunity to charge your glasses.

Conclusion and toast

On behalf of everyone here, I welcome Noah and congratulate Steff and Vari, and also his mentors, Nicola and Steven.

I now ask that you raise your glasses in both a toast and  please repeat after me:

To Noah Thomas Longmuir – long life, peace and happiness.