The church that we are members of here in Durham is Presbyterian, so believer's baptism by immersion is not the normal method of baptism. When we began discussing Claire's baptism, we went to our pastor and asked if it would be possible to find a way for Claire to be baptized by immersion, even though our church isn't set up for it. We love our church leadership for many reasons, but one of those reasons, for me, is that they agreed and found a way. Our church partners in several ministry avenues with a local black Missionary Baptist church, and when asked, they agreed to let Claire join in with a group of baptisms planned for their congregation.
So, on March 14, we (along with both sets of grandparents- remember when any and everyone could travel when and wherever they wanted?) were able to have Claire baptized. It was such an incredibly special day for so many reasons, some of which have become even more special since that day.
I was a little worried in the days right before Claire's scheduled baptism that it would be canceled because of the escalating COVID concerns, but the powers that be decided to go forward with it, even though churches all over Durham (including ours) were already canceling Sunday services for the next day. This also meant that quite a number of friends from our church who had originally been planning to join us weren't able to make it, so we had a small and cozy group of witnesses. Claire got very nervous in the hour or so right before; she really likes to know what *exactly* is going to happen and be expected of her, and she felt that she was missing important pieces of information (and quite a few of our pre-baptism pictures show her looking sad/stressed/anxious). She began to feel better once she saw the other young people who were to be baptized alongside her and realized that they were going to go before her (so she could watch and have a better idea of what would happen). They were so kind to smile at her and help her feel included as they waited on the baptism services to start (they were all middle school/early high school-aged).
She was so nervous. Since her birth, we have been members at an Anglican church in Boston and a Presbyterian church in Durham. Our church in Boston does do believer's baptism by immersion for adults at Easter, but she was an infant and never saw that. She's only really seen babies baptized, so the Unknown (even though she's seen illustrations and cartoons of Jesus' baptism) was daunting. She rallied so well, and I was so proud of her.
Claire and our pastor
Church Ladies at small churches are always just the best. They really are. They know how to get things DONE, and these church ladies knew how to get it done RIGHT and EFFICIENTLY. I loved those ladies. Their system for getting the girls ready beforehand and helping them get ready afterward was precise and flawless. I very much wish I could attend a potluck there; I bet it would be amazing.
They had swim caps for the girls to keep their hair dry, but Claire declined.
She was so encouraged to be at the back of the line and able to watch the big kids go before her. Pastor Daniels baptized the three from his congregation first and then invited Allan and Claire.
Please note the carpet squares that led out into the hallway and the bathrooms. So smart.
Hopefully, you can hear everything. Such a sweet moment.
Amiee was in east Africa, but Mom was able to FaceTime her in to watch (and also grabbed a couple screenshots for me). I wish she could have been there in person, but I'm so very thankful for technology allowing her to be a part of major moments, despite the distance.
Wrapped up in her towel afterward
We were so thankful for the pastors involved, our parents/grandparents who traveled quite a ways to be here with us, the host church that welcomed us so warmly and made us feel so included, and most especially for Claire's decision and desire to follow through with baptism (in spite of her anxiety).
The good one.
The realistic one.
Since Claire's baptism in March, so much has happened in our world, and so much of it has been discouraging and upsetting. Lots of hard things. I'm so thankful that this was the last thing we got to do publicly as a family- with other people- before so much changed. Brad and I were also touched a few months ago when the death of Ahmaud Arbery came to light, and our pastor + Pastor Daniels held a video conversation about it that they sent out to our churches in light of the tragedy. Partway through the video, Pastor Daniels mentioned how he held onto that memory of Claire's baptism alongside his students as such an encouragement within the church. He recounted how nervous she was and how he noticed her gain courage as she watched the others go before her. Such a sacred service shared between churches...believers...brothers and sisters in Christ...despite racial tensions and concerns that surround us...has become for many of us who were there that day a really vivid picture of the body of Christ living and working together.
And I'm so thankful we could be a part of it.
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