THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR

It did not look like a great day for baptism, not at first. The air was chilly and thick with fog and mist; the skies were gray and threatening to rain. This was not the warm, sunny end-of-June day I had wanted. Not for such a special baptism. True, every baptism is special. But this day, I would have the privilege of baptizing my own daughter, Kelly.

The car caravan moved from the sanctuary to Blunt's Pond, bouncing gingerly down the dirt road into the park. We gathered at the water's edge. There before us stretched a vast openness. Nothing on the far shore could be seen. In the fog there was no clear horizon between the waters below and the waters above.

It was as if we stood in a portal opening into eternity. There was no wind. Members of the Parks Commission were there to work; they put down their chainsaws and stood silently. Even the insects were still. John Weaver, Kelly and I headed out into the cloud.

My daughter was first. "Kelly Henry, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." I placed her under the water But from the perspective of those on shore, in the material world, Kelly completely disappeared. Then she rose up again, water pouring off, smiling joyfully. She came into shore to warm towels and hugs. John was next. "John Weaver, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He, too, left sight completely. Rising up, he strode confidently to the shore.

Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
dead in the tomb with Christ, our King;
one with his rising, freed and forgiven,
thankfully now God's praises we sing.

We had sung those words (by Michael Saward, sung to the tune of "Morning Has Broken") before the three of us left shore. Now, returned to land, Kelly, John and I held hands and sang "Amazing Grace."

'Twas grace that taught my hear to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

Some there had never before witnessed a baptism done in the Baptist tradition. Several were quite moved by what they had seen and felt.

As for me ... sometimes I ask God for a warm, sunny day. And God says no. And gives me something better.