Since time began people have marked milestone events with feasting, music and dance and what a wonderful way that is to welcome the newest member of your family.
An event like this is very much about family and my approach reflects this. I like to include grandparents, other siblings and family members.
Symbolic rituals such as tree planting and candle lighting can be included to create a very meaningful and personal ceremony.
Such ceremonies can take place anywhere, at home, in the park, on the beach or in a local café or hotel.
Humanist celebrant: ‘Schools are dominated by the Catholic Church’
https://amp.irishexaminer.com/ireland/humanist-celebrant-schools-are-dominated-by-the-catholic-church-312709.html
‘Children Make History In Cork Event’
Thirteen children from first and second classes in Cork Educate Together School, along with their families, recently celebrated Ireland’s first ever Humanist Milestone Ceremony.
This new and unique event marked the important milestone of growth that happens for children aged seven to eight; changing from being a young child mainly influenced by their family, to being an older child with a wider view of the world and taking on new responsibilities.
The family friendly event was the brainchild of the parents in the school, Louise Harrington, Jo Goodyear and Sam Mullaney. “We were looking to create an event where we could go to celebrate our children’s milestone outside of a religious event. We wanted something that would be open to all, regardless of their belief system and a humanist event fitted very well with this” said Louise.
The ceremony was facilitated by Norma McElligott, a humanist celebrant. She met with parents first and then the children as they discussed the possible design and structure of the ceremony. Norma suggested that the children create a booklet about how they see themselves now, what makes them unique, their current strengths that they would like to bring with them to the next stage of their lives and then to write a letter to their fourteen year old selves, which would be another milestone in their lives.
The event allowed the children to be proud of who they are now as well as expressing hopes and dreams for the future.
The Milestone ceremony was a very special and memorable day for all involved but especially for the children.
Jo Goodyear said This milestone event was a first attempt to recreate these celebrations for my children, as a community, rather than as individual families who do not belong to a church”
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