I expect that my blog here will be a bit of a mixed bag, mainly because my life is a bit of a mixed bag. I have lots of interests and hobbies, there are tons of things that catch my interest. But whatever is coming my way, I tend to connect it to my faith. For me, how I live my life is worship, as much as being in church is worship. And I spend a lot of time in church – I’m serving a 5-point parish in western Manitoba, which I think of as the best parish in the country.
Living my faith out 24/7 isn’t always easy – but being a Christian isn’t meant to be easy. So I challenge myself to consider what I do as an opportunity to see the living Christ active in my life. Whether I’m walking my dogs, reading eco-theology, learning about some new social justice initiative, or trying out a new recipe with local foods, I use it as a way to connect to God. So as I journey along, I’ll be tossing out challenges and questions, and would love for this to be a conversation. Jump in with your thoughts, ideas, one-lined comments. I want for us to use this space to share our faith – our Everyday Christianity – with one another. Let the journey begin!
By Charlie September 14, 2012 - 4:19 pm
This coming Sunday; Sept 16th, a Baptism at our 10:00 Eucharist. Just a little fellow, a few weeks so his god-parents will be making his promises on his behalf – as usual. Neither they, nor his family are members of the Parish, so my guess would be that they and he will probably not be seen again.
But the Vicar’s standing policy is to ‘offer Baptism to all who request it’ and Holy Communion to children if accompanied by a parent – on the grounds that the Elements are ‘God’ sgifts to God’s people’.
Am I too cynical or am I just not in touch?
By Jesse Dymond September 14, 2012 - 4:53 pm
Charlie, there are variations on how initiation and catechism are handled across the church: from six month classes to (unofficially) open table theology. That diversity is part of being Anglican.
I know that some see baptism as evangelism (much as the first Christians and their families came directly to the waters as a spontaneous response to the power of the Gospel). I’ve heard wonderful conversion stories from those offered such grace. On the other hand, I’ve seen my share of drop-in baptisms, too. I trust that your vicar is doing everything possible to reach out to this family-and I hope the congregation, who will also vow to support this new Christian does, too.
Incidentally, offering communion to children is a practice that, in our part of the world, goes back as far as the early days of the BAS/Vatican II and other liturgical reforms across the Christian church.