Summer 2021 Baptisms | By Archdeacon Ben Edstrom
As summer concludes and fall approaches, I reflect on the past few months with gratitude to God, in his great mercy. Even through the unusually hot summer days, parishioners across the Diocese of Cascadia worshipped together with a renewed sense of appreciation.
Despite the challenges of the past year and a half stretching us farther than we could have imagined, we’re reminded that “in all things” (Romans 8:28) God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work with us” (Ephesians 3:20-21) and within his Church. One of the many ways we remember his power at work in the preceding months is by recognizing the baptisms held in (at least) 3 churches. (Note: if your parish also held a baptism, we would love to hear about it!)
Scripture directs us to: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit […] for the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off.” (Acts 2).
Through our repentance—the act of turning from sin and to God—and through the waters of baptism, we receive new life and we rejoice as the Holy Spirit takes residence in our lives.
St. Augustine described baptism as follows:
“Baptism washes away all, absolutely all, our sins, whether of deed, word, or thought, whether sins original or added, whether knowingly or unknowingly contracted.” (Augustine, Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3:3:5 Date: 420 A.D.)
And as St. Peter 3:21 declares:
“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet 3:21)
Our complete being is made new in Christ. There is no part of us left unchanged. We are new creations—thanks be to God! And so, we celebrate with our brothers and sisters who have been baptized into a new life as new creations, including one beautiful baby!
As Anglicans, we believe that all ages can be baptized. In Acts 16:33 and 1 Corinthians 1:16, we find whole ‘households’ being baptized. This term ‘household’ referred to children as well as servants.
When asked why we support the baptism of infants, we refer to the catechism which explains: “Because it is a sign of God’s promise that they are embraced in the covenant community of Christ’s Church.” Through the parent(s), an infant is brought into the faith community. This faith is sealed in baptism and later strengthened through catechism and confessed at Confirmation.
Let us rejoice together, seeking for God’s continued hand upon these newly baptized believers, as we welcome them to the family. And may we also remember our own baptism, thanking God for his goodness to us. Furthermore, let us pray as one united diocese for a multitude of salvations and baptisms in the coming seasons.
In Christ,
Fr. Ben Edstrom
Archdeacon of Cascadia
All Saints Church in Everett, WA, held an outdoor service with the Rite of Baptism. Fr. Ben had the privilege of baptizing Margaret Goolsby into the family of God.
At Riverflow Church in Oak Harbor, WA, Fr. Mani Rayapureddy baptised three new believers
in the Puget Sound.
Bishop Kevin & Stephanie Allen celebrated the baptism of their granddaughter, Chloe Allen, daughter of John and Camilla Allen. Bishop Kevin served as Celebrant while maternal grandparent, Fr. Fabio (wife, Marcia) Rego, performed the Rite of Baptism.