Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 20:42     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
So you want a stranger to do you a favor (for free or very cheap) that has absolutely no meaning?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 20:40     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
Why do you need an "officiant" if there's nothing really "official" being done during this ceremony? At a baptism or wedding, as you know, the priest or rabbi represents religious authority. But in this case, I'm not getting how this ceremony would proceed, or what you're asking from a cut-rate "officiant," apart from maybe "master of ceremony"-type functions, like giving the first toast. What is the "officiant" going to do, then?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 20:12     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
Just do it yourself if you want to do it on the cheap or use one of those non-religious wedding officiants if you don't mind to pay a few bucks.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:40     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
Wow, thanks for the judgement based on our religious beliefs. OP here. I put "baptism" in quotes because it's not what people would think of as a typical baptism. Yes, something more formal than a party to welcome her; something like a naming ceremony.

Yes, we are looking for secular officiants. Does anyone have any specific suggestions? I wouldn't mind someone who also does weddings, but I'm not really into paying a 'wedding price' (because meeting with this person over the phone or briefly in person once would be fine for me ).
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:31     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
OP, I would look into secular wedding officiants. I know the one I had (in NY not from around here) would do other sorts of ceremonies as well.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:21     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
Anonymous wrote:a non religious Baptism is best described as an oxymoron


Definition of BAPTISM

1
a : a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community
b : a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purification
c Christian Science : purification by or submergence in Spirit
2
: an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:17     Subject: Re:celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
So what is baptism going to represent?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:16     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
a non religious Baptism is best described as an oxymoron
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:14     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
I am not getting needing an officiant part.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:11     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
Or Humanists: http://humanist-society.org/celebrants/
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:09     Subject: Re:celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
Have you checked out the UUs? http://www.uua.org/beliefs/congregationallife/worship/ceremonies/6976.shtml
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 19:00     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
This sounds weird.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 18:59     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
What is the ceremony part? Why not just have a party that is about welcoming her to the world. Not sure how a baptism would fit at all if it isn't connected to some belief system.

You want someone to officiate a ceremony to welcome her to the world? Why?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 18:59     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
Are you thinking of having like a naming ceremony?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2012 18:55     Subject: celebrant for non-religious "baptism"
We're having a small ceremony for our daughter to welcome her to the world. We want something non-religious. We had been thinking of "officiating" ourselves but I just think it would be more fun and lend some gravitas to the occassion if we had someone officiate.

Does anyone know of anyone who might help? I'm not looking to pay a lot (at all) and would be open to a student or intern. We live in Reston.