One of the most beautiful worship services I’ve yet experienced was right here in front of our church one recent June evening, surrounded by a gaggle of dripping wet kids. At their center: a beaming 9-year-old named Justice, still in her lavender and pink bathing suit, curly brown hair pulled back from a face alight with joy.
Just moments before, she and her Messy Church friends were squealing through sprinklers spread out across the front lawn, flinging themselves with abandon into tiny pools and dumping buckets of water with glee on one another’s heads.
Then Mr. Zach motioned for them to join him in a circle by the church’s front porch, and quietly began to speak to them about living water, poured out to cleanse and renew.
One by one, the children lined up, their voices quiet now, reverent, and took a turn to scoop water by thousands-years-old fossilized shells (a gift from Pastor Dave), pouring it into the baptismal font set up for their friend. All the while, Justice’s incandescent smile shone on. Pastor Meghan then placed the holy water on Justice’s head and with the ancient words of this holy rite, joined her to the family of God.
As this remarkable service closed, light rain began to fall: yet another sign from above, I thought. God is here. And so it was that we all got wet, young and old, just the way our Creator intended. Surrounded by friends in this community of Christ called Williamsburg UMC, we found ourselves awash in that most joyful of loves, that love of abandon come running for us across the summer grass.
~ Lisa Rochford
This heartwarming moment, filled with joy and spiritual renewal, was made possible by the unwavering support of our congregation. Their generosity allows us to serve the youngest in our community, providing them with opportunities to experience the love and grace of God in tangible ways. Together, we are nurturing the next generation in faith, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.