Baptism of Elizabeth Paget, Saturday, January 13th at 10am
All Are Welcome.
As you may know, my wife is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church and she serves at Santa Monica First United Methodist Church. On Sundays, sometimes Elly goes to "Daddy's church" and sometimes Elly goes to "Mommy's church." But if you ask Elly herself, she refers to both churches as "my church."
So when it comes to baptizing Elly, we wanted to do it in a way that honors both traditions and all the ways both congregations have cared for Elly and loved her and supported her and will continue to do so throughout her life.
Traditionally, in the Episcopal Church, we celebrate Baptisms within the normal Sunday Eucharist celebration. Baptisms are a sacrament where the whole community witnesses the commitment made by the candidates, and also pledges to support the newly baptized in their life in Christ.
The baptism service for Elly will be held on Saturday, not to make it private, but to further emphasize the role of community in baptism. Having the service on Saturday allows more members to attend from both churches that Elly calls "my church." The liturgy will be a hybrid liturgy that honors Methodist and Episcopal traditions, reflecting that we are baptized, not into the Episcopal church, but into the resurrected life of Christ.
Thank you for all the ways you have welcomed Elly into the St Cross Family and supported her and us. We'd love for you to be here for her Baptism.
This service will be at St. Cross on Saturday, January 13th at 10am with a potluck reception to follow in the parish hall.
- Rev. Josh Paget & Rev. Keri Paget
