After much prayerful consideration, I have decided to be conditionally (re)baptised on Pentecost. My children are being baptised that morning, and I feel drawn to join them.
It is not that I question the efficacy of The Big Dunk. Not at all. I believe I truly was reborn on that day. And I believe that is the basic gist of baptism.
But on that day, the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were not spoken. It was a Unitarian baptism, performed by my dear Unitarian minister. And more and more, I am coming to feel that I want to be baptised in the name of my Beloved, once and for ever.
It is tricky, though, with an existing baptism... because I also feel that a single shot is all anyone really needs.
So there is this excellent loophole called a conditional baptism. I suspect it is more often used for people on their death bed, when a priest giving last rites has no clue if the person in question is baptised or not. It goes something like this: 'If you are not already baptised, I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit..."
It is a bit clunky, but covers all the theological bases.
Another, wonderful, aspect of getting (re)baptised in the Episcopal church is that my kids and I get to have sponsors. These are people who will pray for us, guide us on our Christian paths.... help us when we need it. My kids are going to be sponsored by two of my husband's siblings... both of whom are Catholics, but who have agreed to step in for this. My mother, too, will sponser them. And my sponsor is going to be Fr. P, which seems absolutely correct in every possible way. It is he who has guided me so patiently thus far on this path.
I may ask another friend to sponsor me as well. She, too, has played a role in my spiritual journey. And she is a chick, which might come in handy sometimes!
4 comments:
Congrats :) I think it's important to have spiritual sponsors who will walk with you. A woman might be good :) but God will lead you.
be blessed
Thank you, Lorna. I am very happy about it, mostly because I am intentially joining the body of Christ. (Last time it happened sort of accidentally, LOL!)
I agree that I need a woman sponsor too. In the Anglican tradition, there is no limit to how many sponsors you can have, so I have asked a new friend from my church to sponsor me and she said yes! And I still plan to ask my other friend. So I might have a small crowd gathered on Pentecost. I would be grateful if you all will keep me and my children in your prayers on Pentecost.
When I first joined the Rev Gals I was intrigued by the title of your blog, and I read the story of "the big dunk" with amazement. Who would think that a baptism such as yours would have such powerful results. Amazing and wonderful story. However, I understand the reason you want to do this one as well. I will be praying for you, dear sister in Christ. And your children as well.
Oh thank you, Singing Owl!
I really grappled with this, for the very reasons you state.... how much more of a baptism do I need?
I have come to see it as a single event, just split into two parts. Pentecost will be about completing what began in that beautiful pond 2 1/2 years ago.
Post a Comment