Humanist naming ceremony in a primary school

What is believed to be the first Humanist naming ceremony to take place in a local primary school as part of the new RE curriculum was conducted last week at St. John's C of E School in Totnes.

It came about because of a suggestion by Humanist member Hazel Fuller who is a volunteer worker in the school. The idea was enthusiastically received by the RE teacher who prepared the children of Year 5 to take part in the ceremony.

Ann Mitchell, a Humanist member and officiant, conducted the naming and the children enacted the roles of parents, sponsors and family members. The "baby", a doll had the name Eve Shiva chosen for her by the class. The script was based on a real naming ceremony previously conducted by Ann and included several poems which were recited in chorus by the children. They had all previously written out their hopes and wishes for the baby and at the end they sang a song they had been learning called "A Drop in the Ocean" which was appropriately about the individual being part of a larger whole.

Afterwards the children asked questions about Humanism of Ann and Hazel, particularly wanting to know whether they believed in God and whether they thought there was a heaven or a hell.

Hazel Fuller