Baptism

Rare that I do posting at school -- too little time, perhaps too public? Turned in my Bonhoeffer paper this morning (found 2 typos on the final printed copy -- typical -- and handed it in already marked up!) and am proud of myself because I made it to 7 a.m. Lenten bible study. There were 5 of us there -- I didn't expect a lot of students at that hour -- and it was nice and intimate and meaningful. Then had 8 a.m. worship in the Reformed tradition class -- baptism was the topic -- and then in Bonhoeffer, we also were talking about baptism.

Reminds me of wonderful baptism stories (I think we all have them): 1) Oldest was baptized during Hurricane Hugo, in a private ceremony (approved by Session) on a Saturday (because my in-laws would not come on a Sunday and miss church at home!) and we used Jordan River water (before I knew local water was encouraged, even preferable -- clearly the "magic" is not in the water!). 2) Youngest was one of 5 babies baptized that Sunday -- we invited 90 people to the baptism to share our joy (of having another child after 9 years of waiting!) and regular parishioners complained about the crowd in the church! Youngest wore a hand-made gown sent up from Ecuador -- from a good friend living overseas who could not make it to the baptism. 3) Summer 2004, I participated in the baptizing of 48 children at PCEA Umoja in Kenya. I got good and wet -- liberal sprinkling of water! What a fun morning. Surely the presence of the Lord was in all 3 of those places....

Just some fun reminiscences! Off to do some more reading before next class (Revelation Post-Holocaust and Post-9/11).