Holy Baptism during a pandemic

Holy Baptism has been taking place in the Garden of the Holy Spirit, where the Hodge family gathered on November 1 for the Baptism of Elliott, their youngest child.

The new life of grace

Holy Baptism at St. Stephen’s during a time of pandemic

By Allison Seay

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them O Lord in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

A PRAYER FROM THE SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM

Holy Baptism and Confirmation are each once-in-a lifetime sacraments. They are solemn and joyful at once, both serious and celebratory, for the vows we make at Baptism are the vows of our whole Christian identity, the vows of a lifetime. To be baptized with water and then sealed with the Holy Spirit, marked as Christ’s own forever, is a permanent—that is, indelible and eternal and un-returnable—gift. The gift of new life. This is why we say, at every Baptism, that it is our deep honor and privilege to welcome and witness any person desiring this sacrament. During the pandemic we have been overjoyed to offer small, outdoor services of Baptism in the Garden of the Holy Spirit (our memorial garden) at our beautiful fountain. While these services are limited to 10 guests or fewer, they are as profound as ever. The liturgy includes a reading from the Gospel in which we hear that when Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan and came up out of the water, the heavens opened and a voice said, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” We believe that this is the voice for you, too. This is the voice for each of us, that voice of God which says, You are my Beloved. So as the Spirit descended on Jesus, the Spirit descends on the baptized, and remains there forever.

Should you wish to learn more about the sacrament of Baptism or to inquire about scheduling, please be in touch with Allison Seay, aseay@ststephensRVA.org, or any member of St. Stephen’s

clergy. ✤