Christening and alternative naming ceremonies (merged)

Woby_Tide

you can have as many godparents as you want, it's just 'convention' as they say dictated it was 2 of one sex/1 of the other

as for arrangements for who would take the child should something happen, whilst it may often be one of the godparents(due to the reason you chose them as godparents) but it's a completely seperate matter and should be dealt with in your will and such like I thought

runrabbitrun

thanks for all your replies, I hadn't heard of of the 2of one sex/1 of the other rule.

Feel a bit silly, but im not sure what being 'confirmed' means.:o

nelly05

Confirmed is something that happens when you are older - often around 10-12 years of age but can differ.

It is where the child goes and professes his/her belief in god and then they can receive communion (bread & wine) during services.

Re your christening, it is not essential but godparents are in name only really. It is a tradition and hence the 1 or 2 depending on sex of the child.

We dont speak to two of our sons godparents anymore. They were in our lives and had been for many years but their circumstances changed and individually they have both more or less abandoned their previous friends to accommodate their new partners.

You need to do what feels right for you, pick the people you want to and enjoy the day.

Regards

hankc35

"Traditionally, the godparents were counted informally responsible for ensuring that the child's religious education was carried out"

If your not to have a religious service then I cant see how you can have god parents, today people understand a "godparent" as someone who takes a positive interest in their childs development, but its not really like that, the only thing you can do if you want proper god parents is get your child christened in a church, most churches require god parents to have been christened also.

cookiemonster25

my dd has 5 god parents i know a bit ott but we both have people and family we were close to that we wanted, the vicar was fine about it no problems at all

Bossyboots

My SIL had to do battle with her vicar because she wanted one extra and although he gave in at the end, he was not happy about it.

I personally would not appoint anyone a generation up from ourselves.

As far as caring for the child if the parents die, that is not the role of godparents. You have to formally appoint a guardian for this, usually in your will. However, ultimately, although you wishes will be considered if anyone disagrees with your choice of guardian they can apply to have the child live with them and depending on their relationship to and with the child, this can be granted by a court.

rchddap1

Bossyboots wrote:

I personally would not appoint anyone a generation up from ourselves.

One of my godparents was a lady that lived next door. She was older than my parents, but was absolutely lovely. She loved having me about and even after she died her husband still loved to see me. In fact I felt honoured to have been invited to both her and her husband funerals when the time came.

She was chosen because the couple were good friends with my parents, and were decent, responsible people. Besides I think my mum and dad secretly knew that they were the sort of people who would love to have a little kid running around causing chaos.

Nothing wrong with older people....depending on the circumstances and the level to which both parties would be willing to go if one moved away from the other.

madauri

sorry, which religion are we talking about?

Lucie_2

My understanding is that Christian godparents were traditionally responsible for the child's moral & religious education. If you want to appoint a legal guardian to look after you child should anything happen to you, that is a separate thing & should be specified in a will/legal document. Often it is the same person. I am my niece's godmother and nominated legal guardian.
My Husband OTH, refused to be his nephew's godfather on the grounds that he is not a church goer & it would be hypocritical for him to accept responsibility for the child's moral & religious guidance. Fair enough.........He'd be happy to be his nominated legal guardian though.

funky-footprints

well ive been bought up church of England. Our vicar requested that all of the godparents had been confirmed but understandably that doesnt happen anymore ... so accepted that 1 had. (In the village i grew up ..the vicar taught the boys football at school, and he also took confirmation classes for the church go-ers) (this was back late 70's - 80's) Our new vicar (reverend tubby) doesnt do the football anymore, he was adamant that all god parents had to of been christened ...phew ..can you imagine asking someone to be your childs god parents and them having to say to them " sorry the vicar says no !!! my friend in the past had to turn the role down as he isnt christened and thought it hyprocritical to be christened just to perform the role.
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