Remembering Our Baptisms
by Rev. Dr. Amy Chilton on 03/02/23
As I was preparing to move to Rhode Island last year, someone told me that this tiny state has the most coastline of all 50 states. A few weeks ago when the young-ish adults were gathered at my house, we decided to source check this claim. It turns out that little Rhody does not have the most coastline - in fact it turns out that we aren’t even second: we are state 20 out of 23! Of the 23 ocean coastal states, only Maryland and Delaware have less coastline than do we. What we do have is the greatest coast to inland ratio. I think this means you can’t get far from the coast and still be in Rhode Island…. Number 1 or number 20, it doesn’t take long to be within sight of a river, creek, pond, lake, bay, or the Atlantic. Ask my pastoral search committee, they will tell you that when I came for my initial interview what I specifically asked for was to see the ocean. I wanted to imagine myself living so close to my favorite kind of place - a large, open body of salt water. Water is therapeutic for many people, whether swimming in it or watching its surface undulate with the tides. You can even buy noise machines with the calming sounds of waves or falling rain. Water heals and water calms. In our Lent family practice this week, using the Bless this Mess materials, we were asked to use water to remind us of our baptisms. Whether making a pot of tea, washing our faces, anointing ourselves with water, or washing dishes, we can feel the baptismal waters again. One of the recommended practices is to sit down with our beloveds and to talk about our baptism memories. Then we are to name three things we are proud of about ourselves. Isn’t that an interesting combination: remembering our baptism and bringing a little bit of love to ourselves. I like it. One of this week’s texts came from Matthew 3:17, where following Jesus’ baptism God speaks from the heavens: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Baptismal waters and affirmation wrapped up in one important story. This week, perhaps you might use the water that comes your way, be that through snow, rain, the ocean or Narragansett Bay, or even just the washing of your hands, to remember your own baptism and to let God speak from heaven directly to you: “This is my child, with whom I am well pleased.” Baptism means newness and life. It means putting off the old ways of being burdened down and broken and being that which God has called and created us to be. God has called and created us to be loved and to love. You are God’s child. With you God is well pleased. Blessings, Pastor Amy
