What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Baptising

    There are few more joyful things to do in this world than a baptism service. Yesterday I got to baptise someone called Theodore, which of course means Gift of God. He rather enjoyed proceedings and I’ve seldom held a child more keen to jump right into the font.

    People sometimes comment on how much babies seem to enjoy being baptised at St Mary’s. Some older folk sometimes say, “I thought they were supposed to cry….” to which I reply, “…and I think it is nicer if they don’t”.

    Sometimes people even come out with that old medieval nonsense that the cry of a baby at a baptism is the devil coming out. Here’s your theology starter for 10: the devil ain’t in there in the first place.

    If you want to make a baby cry at a baptism, here are the instructions:

    • hold them upside down
    • hold them so they can’t see anyone they know
    • use cold water
    • flick the water in their face with a large, hard shell
    • hold them as though you are frightened you are going to drop them.

    Otherwise,

    • hold them so they can see what’s going on – sitting on the side of the font is a good start
    • surround them with a sea of happy smiling faces
    • warm up the water
    • talk to them and mean what you say
    • keep parents in sight and free from anxiety themselves
    • lots of splashes
    ,

4 responses to “Slow Eucharist – Teaching Mass – Lord’s Supper with FAQ”

  1. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    I think this is a great idea. I’d love to be there but can’t. Will you publish answers to some of these answers on the blog? That would be great.

    Reply
    1. Kelvin Avatar
      Kelvin

      I think it is probably an evening which won’t translate to the web that well, but I may well base future blog posts on the questions. And I’m always open to suggestions of what to blog about.

      Reply
  2. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    Um – kids understand it? which of us does? Really really understand the depth and mystery of it all, I mean? Not me, that is for sure. As one who regularly takes communion with littlies, I think they grasp something – and which of us can really say more.

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    I’m sorry to have missed this though I think Owen’s still a bit young for it (i.e. it’s hard enough to keep him going through a short Eucharist, much less a slow one – plus, you know, bedtime and all that) but I hope you’ll do it again sometime!

    Reply

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