Words from Bede Circuit

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday, I had two ‘interesting’ and quite challenging baptisms which I conducted.

I found myself before the second service, sitting on the floor with the little girl who I was to baptise. She was approximately 2 or 3 years old. We were playing with the water in the font, which I had placed on the floor. This had 2 aims, firstly trying to show her the water which I would place on her head, and secondly, trying to calm her tears which were failing down her face.

As we became friends, and as we played putting our fingers in the water and then discovering that she could place her whole hand into the water, the tears were replaced with a smile.

Special water she said, special water, my head, she said, whilst pointing to both the water and her own head.

So, there it was, I had been given my instructions as to what I had to do!

I was however, caught a little on the hop, as she said special water, your head. Before I knew it, I found myself having the water rubbed on my hair by the little girl.

She just stood there with a big proud beaming smile on her face as she placed the water on my head.

I am often left reflecting following an infant baptism, what was that about, did it mean anything to the people that attended or to the people who approached me for their child to be baptised? Was it really all about the party afterwards or was there a deeper sense of longing for the love of God to be reflected within the life of the child?

Sadly, sometimes, despite the meeting beforehand, and the preparation and reading material that is given, it is all about the party afterwards. No expense spared, where the baptism service is but a mere side show to the celebration to follow.

Whilst at other times, People are very much seeking God, and Gods love, and recognise the significant marker that baptism is for both the life of their child, their family, and the church.

What I have come to reflect on and reconcile with myself, is that this process is no way about me, and is all about God. It is all about the love of God, the grace of God and the peace of God being poured out into the life of a child and into the lives of families who may never have experienced such as thing before.

They may choose to only recognise those gifts for but a fleeting moment whilst in the church that day, and then ride off into the sunset never to be seen again. Or they may have, just in some small way have their lives changed by this event, as God starts to reveal more of Gods amazing love for them as they recognise the love of God within the life of the child and their family.

Whatever the case, what is not disputed, is that God will be at work for Good in these situations, and whether or not Gods love is accepted, Gods love will be available, and will be at work in the lives of those presented for baptism and for that we give God thanks.

So, I encourage you this week, to reflect on the love that God has for you, the love that is limitless, beyond compare, and a love that will never let you go. Know that you are loved by God this day.

Prayer meetings continue on Zoom on Wednesday mornings 

Rev Matt Sheard
On behalf of the Bede Methodist Circuit Staff team.