As part of the specific training to be a Uniting Church minister, on Fridays all ministerial candidates participate in classes as part of a Diploma of Ministry. This semester we second-years are doing a subject called "Worship and Preaching B".
The worship stream of this class involves training in the liturgy and practice of particular pastoral services, such as weddings, funerals, baptisms and eucharist. The highlight of these classes was definitely the week we had the baptismal practicum.
Our teacher for this class, Robert Gribben, is not only the guru of Uniting Church Liturgy (he was on the committee that compiled both editions of Uniting in Worship, and was also the author of many of the prayers and liturgies contained therein), he is also the proudest and cluckiest grandfather on the face of the earth.
For our baptism practicum he pulled some strings (or maybe just pulled filial rank with his daughter :-) and arranged for his grandson to be present, which gave us a chance to get our hands dirty (or, rather, wet) as we each practised the different sections of the baptismal rite. I found that holding a squirming baby whilst attempting to perform the ritual actions and words of baptism was rather more realistic than working with an inanimate doll! The action was captured for posterity, as you can see. (Photo by Kim Cain, UCA Synod Media Liaison guru)
I came away with a renewed respect for ministers who manage to baptise babies without dropping them, and to actually hit such a moving target with the baptismal waters!
NB- I should also point out that just because we may have said the words of the baptismal service, and splashed water about, around and on the child, this does not mean that he is now baptised. This is because: a) it was not done in the context of a faith community, and b) (most importantly) it was not the intention of the child, or his mother, for him to actually be baptised on this occasion... in the same way that an engaged couple having a rehearsal of their marriage vows etc, does not mean that they are officially married prior to the actual wedding.
5 comments:
oooohhhh, this post is about BAPTISM....when I read the headline and saw the picture, I thought the baby had, well, you know...gotten your hands "wet" ;0)
Yes indeed... although Robert did warn us that we should always wear easily washable albs when baptising babies by afflusion (standing them naked in a tub and pouring water over them), as part of the liturgy calls for holding the baby up in a gesture of praise.
Robert's comment was: "you need to be prepared to be piddled on, especially by boys. Just keep going."
Oh, and I probably should warn you to keep an eye out for the June edition of Crosslight (UCA Vic-Tas newsletter) as this photo- or one very like it- apparently features on the cover.
At most of the baptisms I've attended, the mother or father would hold the baby/child over the font and the priest would pour the water. It would be very difficult to do both - that's quite a feat!
hey Caro, saw your pic on Crosslight - front page, no less!
who said you can't be holy and a media tart at the same time...just like the good Vicar of Dibley! ;0)
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