Remembering My Baptism

What's on my mind? Remembering my baptism. For the past four days, I've been serving as a worship leader (via piano/voice) for a retreat sponsored by the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) at Ferncliff Camp in west Little Rock.

This particular cohort is just beginning their journey together as they explore spiritual practices, self-care, and a rule of life. Each worship service invites them into a deeper connection with God and themselves.

Today, the morning prayer service included a time for each person to remember their baptism. The scene was set with a large white bowl of water placed on a simple table. The service invited everyone to reaffirm their baptismal vows, and then, as they felt lead, to come forward individually or with another person to share in the remembering of this holy sacrament that grafts us into the holy community of faith.

And so they came... Slowly at first and then, gradually moving into an unforced rhythm of grace. Some touched the water while others picked up handfuls and watched and listened as they released it back into the bowl. Some touched the water and marked the sign of the cross on their forehead. It was all very personal.

And then I witnessed a moment I will never forget... In the midst of the movement, a clergy woman came forward, reached into the bowl, lifted up a significant hand-cup worth of water to the top of her head, (in the name of the Father - I could imagine her saying to herself), reaching back for another (and of the Son), one more time (and of the Holy Spirit). Each time her hair becoming more drenched...drenched in God's love, drenched in the gift of belonging to the community of faith here and everywhere, drenched in a moment where she chose to claim, to the fullest extent, her sacred birthright through the holy sacrament of baptism.

I was breathless watching her. As she placed each hand cup of water on her own head, she seemed to expand right before my eyes. She was being reminded of and embodying this blessed act simultaneously. It was beautiful to behold!

Today, I give thanks for the blessing of bearing witness to one who dug deeply into the waters of grace and reminded me that remembering my baptism invites much more than simply remembering.