Baptizing the Scarlato Children
Over my time at SUM, one of my favorite things has been experiencing all the different communities that we have. Sure, we’re Christians (most of us), Methodists (more of us), etc., but my larger feeling has been that we’re really some beautiful version of a family, with all the warts and wonderfulness that comes along with that. A subset of that family (the kids’ table?) has been the staff that I get to work with. Prior to arriving at SUM, I had had organists and the occasional associate pastor, but nothing quite like this. On any given day, I get to work with Deacon Deb, Deb Reid, Elizabeth Webber, Bridget Scarlato, Kari Miller, Len Bobinski, Jo Douglas, and Erin Ott (who?). These are easily the finest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and looking back over the years, I think that we’ve grown into a tight-knit group that really enjoys being together. There is a level of respect, competence, and commitment to the work we do that is always present from staff meetings to baptisms.
Wait what? Well, you see, some years ago now, Bridget approached me about baptizing Lochlan and…well, it just never happened. Schedules are tough, but they get much tougher when both parents (Bridget and Stephen) are church musicians. Secretly, I was always bummed that this didn’t come to pass but I certainly understood, since it was no one’s fault. Time went by, and then there was another Scarlato baby on the way. Then we welcomed Vanessa, and Bridget asked me how I felt about a two-fer: Lochlan and Vanessa. Yes please!
Thankfully, we had learned from the last time, and rather than trying to hold the double baptism during service (which we are supposed to do as Methodists), I suggested we invite our wonderful community to stay after service, hold it then, and not make Stephen scramble to get there on time. Bridget loved the idea; we grabbed a date, and soon the wonderful day had arrived. Folks from the congregation, the bell choir, and the choir choir (see, more communities) came back after grabbing a snack, to witness Lochlan and Vanessa being claimed for Christ. Everyone who wanted to be present was able to be, Stephen and Bridget got the baptisms they wanted, and my cry-less streak continued (nearly twenty years of no crying babies during baptisms…warm water helps). Given that my kids are now nearly 13 and 11, these are some of the few littles that I get to be involved with, and it’s certainly the best part of my job.
What a blessing to have been a part of this community for seven years, to have formed such good relationships with folks that I get to baptize their kids, and to be able to write one more article for you all.
OTJ,
PG