Baptism

It was fun! It was engaging! It was celebratory! It was worshipful! It was....many more things as well. Mai-Evy Christine Townsend Negstad was baptized at the later service at All Saints Episcopal Church, Chicago. Two years and two weeks prior Lars and Melissa were married in the same place with similar popping of champagne corks at the Eucharist.

All Saints accumulates baptismal candidates until All Saints so there were seven, five at the early service and two at the late. Music for the service was provided by a New Orleans style brass band. The worship space was festooned with pennants inscribed with the names of deceased loved ones being remembered. The names and ages of all the children murdered in Chicago in the past two years were written on chalk boards surrounding the worship center.

Bonnie, the parish rector, was one of five finalists for the position of Minnesota Bishop. She was not elected but had spent much of the week in Minneapolis. She also presided at Lars' & Melissa's wedding.

Aunt Lisa was Godmother and cousin Logan was Godfather.

Some years ago it dawned on some of us that, while, we said baptism was a really big deal, we weren't acting like it. So, we started a whole 'child in our hands' baptismal ministry at St. James where I was serving. So, now, it was gratifying to participate in a service that recognized baptism's significance and took it seriously. I like to think of Baptism as the Sacrament of Belonging.

And Mai-Evy? She was alert and observant throughout it all. She acted like it was a fun event that happened every day. I (we) am (are) blessed!