Dear Friends in Christ,
What does baptism look like? Most of the time, we think of a cute baby in a white bonnet, with
proud parents and godparents around the font.
In the early church, however, adult baptism was the norm. Converts to the faith were
welcomed into the church at Easter after extensive preparation. Such baptisms are
comparatively rare in the contemporary church, and most churches see one only every few years.
This Easter at Grace, we have four scheduled.
These individuals will be enrolled for baptism on this last Sunday of Lent—formally presented
to the church for prayer and support. It is our job to pray especially for them as they prepare
for this day. (And to pray for the three children who will be baptized at the Vigil—as well as the
adults and youth who will be confirmed.)
But they do something for us, as well. They give us the example of commitment to faith. They
show us what it means to make a significant choice for new life. Many of us were born into
Christianity, perhaps even into the Episcopal Church, which is its own kind of gift, of course.
But these men and women are showing us what it means to live intentionally and deliberately.
I hope you will join in prayer for them through Easter—and I hope you will come celebrate with them on Easter Eve.
Yours in Christ,
Anne