Bishops, Baptism and Birthing
A busy few days lie ahead, with a lot of travelling around the country involved. This is work travel, but I'll also get to see some old friends.Today, I'm heading to the north-east for an overnight stay.
Tomorrow, I'll drive to South Queensferry to pick up Derek Kamukwamba, the Bishop of Central Zambia. I first met him in 1993 when he was the Archdeacon of Kabwe. This was on my first visit to Africa, and he taught me a lot of the 'dos' and 'don'ts'. Like introducing me to the wonders of 'O God Our Help In Ages Past', done to an African tune that makes the song positively upbeat. How to crush enormous spiders with your bare feet. The joys of visiting cockroach infested toilets in the dark. The African sky at night. Not worrying too much if things don't start on time. What to do when presented with a live chicken at a church service and how to then kill it. Ahh, such happy days!
On Sunday night, we welcome Bishop Derek and Bishop Idris (Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway) for a service of Baptism and Confirmation. Please do pray for God's blessing on the nine people who will be baptised and confirmed. Several of them are going to share a little of their story of coming to faith in Jesus.
Two bishops in one service! Will you please behave, St Silas'?
Appropriately enough we'll be using a birthing pool for the baptisms. Last time we did this, we had to have an emergency pool sent out at the last minute, as the original didn't turn up. Sadly it hadn't been properly cleaned since the previous users, and they hadn't been baptising in it! Some powerful cleaning ensued and all was well in the end. Hopefully a clean pool will arrive at the church today........
Typical Gadgetvicar. Always lowering the tone talking about the birthing pool. I think you enjoy making people squirm...
I for one promise to be on my best behaviour, and won't wear that boobtube that tends to draw criticism.
Posted by: Beat Attitude | October 19, 2006 at 08:34 AM
Beat - a thought I don't need to have in the morning.
Posted by: Coxy | October 19, 2006 at 09:17 AM
What do you mean, 'will you please behave, St Silas?'? Surely we ALWAYS behave...
Posted by: Jodi | October 19, 2006 at 10:14 AM
If we all think we usually behave how are we to now what bad behaviour is, and in trying to be good we may in fact be worse! I'm now worried that the surprise Trinny and Suzannah swoop on the Bish's dresses is a bad idea!
Posted by: racheB | October 21, 2006 at 04:41 PM