When a baby is born, it is usually felt to be important to recognise and celebrate that birth by some ceremony which can be held during the weeks which follow the birth. Our church follows the Unitarian tradition which lays emphasis on thanksgiving for the birth, thanksgiving for the child’s parents and the giving of the names to the child. We tend to call such ceremonies, Namings and Thanksgivings for the Birth of a Child.

We do not ask of the parents and godparents to have any particular doctrinal beliefs or make the statements of belief which other denominations require in their ceremonies of Baptism (Christening). We simply ask of the godparents or sponsors that they promise to support the child and its parents in any way that they can and to enable the child the freedom to look into spiritual matters when it has reached an age of discretion.

Outwardly our Naming ceremonies look much like those of the traditional Baptisms/Christenings in the mainstream Churches (Trinitarian Baptism) and we too use water but to symbolise the purity and innocence of a child – not in any sense of washing away inherited sin –often referred to by mainstream Churches as Original Sin or the doctrine of entering into the death of Jesus Christ. A similar service is often asked for by older children or adults for whom it was not done when they were children. Parents often leave this to be the decision of their children when they are old enough to make up their own minds. A certificate is issued at the end of each ceremony whether for infants or adults.

Our Naming services usually take place at 12.30pm on Sundays. Normally a maximum of only two families would be involved. These ceremonies should be booked well in advance with the Weddings’ and Namings’ Secretary at our office on Fridays evenings between 4.45 and 6.45 p.m. (Always please check these dates and times on 02392 821101)

Office Opening Times for Bookings of Weddings and Namings: September 2008

The office wil be open on all Fridays in September between 4.45 and 6.45 pm

(Updated Wednesday 31st August 2008)

It is always best to check these dates and times by ringing 02392 821101 - our answering machine will list any late changes or your call will be forwarded automatically to another number.

He is our patron and one, severely crippled in his mid-teens, who grew out of obscurity in a rough area of Portsmouth during the 18th and 19th. centuries - because he saw a great need to help young children reared in what was, effectively in those days, a slum. Find out more

Unless you have friends or relatives that have been members of a Unitarian community you probably don't know what a Unitarian church actually is and what we stand for. Find out more

Click more (below) to find out out at what times the services take place who is preaching etc. Times might vary so check back regularly. more