Hello there! My name is Sarah Stimson and I’m delighted to welcome you to my Naming Celebrant website. If you find yourself here then you have made the wonderful decision to formally name and welcome someone into your family. This may include your families converging, an adoption, newborn or baby and even a young adult or adult wanting to be officially named.

Names play such an important part of our identity and ceremonies a fundamental part in human history. I will support you to create an event that suits you and not necessarily convention. Equally, I am happy to be led by your ideas. Whether you would like a big or small event, we can create the perfect day together.

I have a strong belief in bringing people together and reinforcing our community focus as a society. I am what you might call a “people person” and I love listening to your stories and bringing them to life.

Children, young adults and adults alike are each individual and so I feel it’s so important that each day of celebration is tailor made. My own Humanist Celebration was unique to me and my partner. We used terms and vocabulary that suited our life and our commitment whilst also bringing together a complex family with varied belief systems. It was important to us that we welcomed and included everyone and Humanism helped us to achieve this.

My full time job is within an SEN college where I head up the creative arts and specialise in dance. I have always been passionate about inclusivity and equality and hope to bring this to all my ceremonies. I am Makaton trained and so can provide some basic sign language to support your ceremony.

A little about a Naming ceremony…, the truth is that although we have an official format there to guide you – it’s up to you! 

Of course we name the person (child, young adult or adult), around that is the opportunity for us to represent your journey, the commitments that you make as a family, identify key people in the persons life that will act as guides and of course incorporate any symbolic acts that help reinforce the day and translate what it means to you.  The venue is also very personal to you and yours it could be; your garden, living room, playground, community center or country house… it’s completely up to you.

I am really happy to deliver a ceremony anywhere in the North West, but would have to discuss fuel with you. Please email me at sarah.stimson@humanistceremonies.org.uk