Rent a Reverend

[Lill]

Well Hi everyone I have been off this site for soooo long. Bet I have missed loads. Congrats to all those who have produced in the last few weeks.

Can anyone help me?
Our local Rev is not the most genial of chaps and I was wondering if I could get hold of another to perform a more personal christening in our garden, any ideas?

There's a priest who advertises in the back of baby magazines e.g. Junior who would be able to help. Sorry, can't remember any more but a quick trawl through the magazines in Smith's should give you contact details.

Lill, I'm not sure from your message whether you want a religious ceremony or not. If it's a naming ceremony you're after, you could contact a Humanist celebrant (if that's the correct term!) to do the job. Try a trawl on the internet under humanist. Good luck, hope you find what you want.

Lill - Did you find anything? I'd like to do a similar thing - I'd like a Christian service for my dd in the London area, but since we live overseas and don't have family Church connections, I'm just not sure how to go about arranging it. I know it can be done for weddings, but what about Christenings? Any ideas?

Hi Lill

Why not organise a special party in the garden. Have a couple of people who agree to be your ds/dd's supporters, (like godparents but without the God). Ask each of them to say a few words about what they would wish for your child, and how they will be there for them as they grow up. Have someone video it, have a book where everyone writes little messages or something to remember the day, and give them to your children when they are ready.

You could have a baby naming ceremony but i don't think they are religious. Actually I think SueDoninm mentioned this as well

Hi, I had a humanist wedding ceremony and was terrified beforehand that it would be all sandals and lentils, but it was fantastic. The celebrant was brilliant, and the ceremony (they provide various versions of the vows etc which you can accept or write your own) was v moving. They even suggested lovely readings and poems. Our wedding was very similar to a religious one, but not, if you see what I mean. I am thinking of having a humanist christening now too. You just contact the Humanist Society (if you are interested will dig up phone no) and they will put you in touch with a local bod. The wedding was only about £60 or so.

The minister from our church came and christened myself and my daughter when whe was 11 months old. He is a really with it minister and knows that I don't go to church but do have my own way of following the Church of Scotland Faith! i.e. standing in the middle of a field doing a bit of ranting and raving and then having a few peaceful moments to myself. Don't see any reason why anyone can't be baptised at home.

We had a naming ceremony in a local hotel and it was great. We wrote the service with the celebrant, had readings and both boys have guardians who will offer advice and help when required. It was a very special day.

I am due to christen my son in two weeks and would love to give him a really special present but cant think of anything. I would really appreciate any ideas!!

Sorry forgot to mention - he is 2 and a half now

A picture - not a babyish one, maybe one with bold bright colours - a limited edition print might be good value. Its something he can grow up with, and it will become part of the way he remembers his childhood.

We had a Buddhist blessing for my son when he was about 5 months old - my mum is a Buddhist (she was brought up as a Catholic and so were we) - I tend to take bits from both Catholicism and Buddhism as my 'faith'- I think the Catholic bits are with you for life ! Anyway,my family and some close friends went to the London Buddhist Vihara in Chiswick and the monks conducted the blessing in the shrine room - it was lovely.

Are these 'alternative' christenings considered in the same light as conventional christenings when it comes to getting your child into a church primary school?

I believe that not all church schools insist that children are christened, but, of course, lots do. If, however, an 'alternative' christening is accepted, this might seem a less hypocritical ritual to you if you are a non-religious parent. Just wondered if this sums up your situation lill, or anyone else who has chosen this route?

Binker, just read your message - so I should have said non-christian, not non-religious!

Dear Lill, we debated about ds being Christend/Named as we are not religious but felt we would love to have a spiritual celebration and also it was very important to us that ds have Godparents/Mentors. Ds was named at the Unitarian Chapel in a very moving spiritual ceromony by a lady Minister. The Unitarian faith is non-denominational and very welcoming, it really was very special and we had the Harpist who played at our wedding. Big plus, as they appear to be non-precious, we also had a drinks party afterwards right there in the chapel, good luck!

Forgot to mention, you actually tell them what you do and don't want said and arrange the order of service yourself. It really was very un-fussy and we very much felt that things were being done the way we wanted.