First Baptism

This week I did my first Baptism. It was a real privilege. I had been approached several weeks ago in the Hospital for a request for Baptism for a long term patient. The pastoral situation meant that I carried out the request on Wednesday afternoon. As are many of the occassions in the Hospital, it was a moving occassion. The service was very different to one I will ever do again thats for sure! I had to adapt the service of Baptism as we obviously were not going to have a full sermon at the bedside of the sick. It was also felt that asking for promises to be made was not appropriate in the pastoral context and this was a great reminder of God's unconditional love and unconditional acceptance.

The practicalities of Baptising in a hospital bed were fun, but this didn't detract from the Baptism itself!

As I've said before hospital chaplaincy is a privilege and being allowed to Baptise someone was certainly a privilege, to represent the Church and welcome the individual into the Church through the symbol of Baptism. It was the first time of course filling in the Baptism certificate- this brought home the privilege that we have as Student Ministers and as Ministers. I feel humbled at being allowed to be alongside people at some of the most difficult times of life.