Storied Waters, Shared Community

Today was a beautiful All Saints Day, where we celebrated not only the blessed saints who've lived and loved and touched our lives, saints both living and deceased. But, it was all the more incredible for me because I got to welcome two new saints into the church in baptism.

BAPTISM.

I was really excited to do these baptisms-- my first as a pastor. But though there were the excitements and anxieties of the momentousness of my performing this sacrament on these two children, I was more captivated by the opportunity to be a part of the faith story of these two little ones.

STORIED WATERS

That's what baptism is-- storied waters. Where we become a part of God's story, and God becomes a part of ours. Storied waters that shape us our whole life through, forming, guiding, and supporting us. And I get to be a part of that. What an incredible blessing! But that's not just it... I get to do it in the context of a community.

SHARED COMMUNITY

Leading up to the baptisms, I met with the families in their homes. We got to know each other. They shared with me the story of their families, of the births of these little ones, of their family baptismal traditions. We shared laughs and hopes and prayers. We were able to connect. To build a relationship together, and with the Church. And then at the worship service, I was (as I always am) touched by the significance of the congregation's role in the baptism. Promising to love and support the baptized, and to welcome them into the life of the church. As I walked around the congregation with one of the newly baptized, I said to him, "Meet your new brothers and sisters!"

I am so thankful that I get to tell the great, great story of God's love. That I get to be a part of these storied baptismal waters. And that I get to do so in shared community with other believers. What a gift!

~Pr Alexis