Andrew’s Baptism at South Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Rothsay, MN
This last weekend I had the pleasure of gathering with my wife’s family for the baptism of the latest member, Andrew. It was the first time that I have hit the road since Becky’s death. We were ardent travelers, even while she was ill. In 2009, within three months of her double mastectomy we went to Scotland for training in Equine Assisted Therapy. The following year we went to Brazil to see John of God, a mystic healer, and later to France to visit our favorite places. That was our last trip. In 2011, Becky was too ill to travel. It was the first time in about 25 years that we didn’t go somewhere.
After Becky’s death in June, I felt no desire to leave the house or venture outside my comfort zone which was my neighborhood. However, Andrew’s baptism and the opportunity to be with family pried me loose. The 400 mile round trip was liberating.
The entire weekend was a celebration of belonging, not just for Andrew, but for everyone. It was a time to enjoy each others company and to catch up with the latest family news. We felt Becky’s presence as we reminisced.
Andrew’s baptism was Sunday morning. It was held in South Emmanuel Lutheran Church, a classic 19th century, white, wooden building with it’s bell tower soaring into an infinite blue sky. The church glowed in the early morning sunlight and could be seen for miles across the gently rolling prairie.
Nestled beside the church is a well kept graveyard with stones that go back to the early 1800’s. Family names repeated over and over, some with inscriptions in Norwegian. It is a history of the 140 year old congregation. It is place of eternal belonging.
Inside the chapel the simple stain glass windows filled the space with rich red and yellow light.
Baptism began as ancient Jewish ritual and it is continued by Christians and Muslims, though the rituals are different. Sadly, baptism which welcomes a person into the universal community of God has become grounds of contention with some sects unwilling to accept baptism rituals other than their own as legitimate.
As a non-believer, I find the religious rituals of belonging fascinating, thought provoking, and comforting.
As I sat and listened to the service I thought about the nature of belonging. For Christians there are three primary belonging ceremonies: baptism, communion, and the funeral. Each calls the religious community together to witness membership. The baptism welcomes you to group, communion renews membership, and the funeral is the farewell from this life but not from the community of God.
On Sunday, August 19th, 2012, Andrew joined the community of God and Humanity.
Welcome Andrew.