Unchristian thoughts
Two more babies were baptised this morning. Each had a lot of family in attendance.
And the minister invited the families to come forward for the baptism.
Harumph.
Inevitably, the turn-out for Jakob's baptism was small. Couldn't be helped. We were so glad that his Nanny flew out for the occasion, and that friends were able to attend too. We wished more family could have been there, but it was enough to get the planets to align for our wedding; we sure didn't expect it to happen again.
So, yes, there was only one member of the extended family in attendance at Jakob's baptism. But I know my mother would have been honoured and thrilled to be invited to the font to witness her grandson's Christening, and to participate in the laying-on of hands.
I found myself feeling frustrated and hurt at this one little thing. I like our minister, but this really bothered me. First, there was the matter of even setting the date for the baptism. We met with the minister when Jakob was about 6 weeks old. He kept promising to get back to me, but didn't and didn't and didn't1. When he finally did, it was a couple of days before Christmas, and only to tell me that he was going to be Christening another baby on Christmas Eve and would we like Jakob baptised then, too - like an add-on to the other ceremony, an afterthought. (And, this family had just asked him that morning if they could have the baptism on Christmas Eve!!) Second, I had asked him whether the sung blessing could be "May the Blessing of God Be Upon You", which was sung at our wedding by Melanie, Melania, and Vanessa. In November, he said that would be fine, but when we got to the church the day of the Christening, the usual blessing was included in the order of service. I was both disappointed and hurt. I did ask him about it, and in the end the blessing I had asked for was sung, but it was once again an afterthought. And the baptism finally happened two months after we first met with the minister to discuss it!
I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does.
1 Same thing happened with our wedding date, too.
And the minister invited the families to come forward for the baptism.
Harumph.
Inevitably, the turn-out for Jakob's baptism was small. Couldn't be helped. We were so glad that his Nanny flew out for the occasion, and that friends were able to attend too. We wished more family could have been there, but it was enough to get the planets to align for our wedding; we sure didn't expect it to happen again.
So, yes, there was only one member of the extended family in attendance at Jakob's baptism. But I know my mother would have been honoured and thrilled to be invited to the font to witness her grandson's Christening, and to participate in the laying-on of hands.
I found myself feeling frustrated and hurt at this one little thing. I like our minister, but this really bothered me. First, there was the matter of even setting the date for the baptism. We met with the minister when Jakob was about 6 weeks old. He kept promising to get back to me, but didn't and didn't and didn't1. When he finally did, it was a couple of days before Christmas, and only to tell me that he was going to be Christening another baby on Christmas Eve and would we like Jakob baptised then, too - like an add-on to the other ceremony, an afterthought. (And, this family had just asked him that morning if they could have the baptism on Christmas Eve!!) Second, I had asked him whether the sung blessing could be "May the Blessing of God Be Upon You", which was sung at our wedding by Melanie, Melania, and Vanessa. In November, he said that would be fine, but when we got to the church the day of the Christening, the usual blessing was included in the order of service. I was both disappointed and hurt. I did ask him about it, and in the end the blessing I had asked for was sung, but it was once again an afterthought. And the baptism finally happened two months after we first met with the minister to discuss it!
I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does.
1 Same thing happened with our wedding date, too.
posted by Melanie A at 1:01 p.m.
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