3 generations baptized together in a public swimming pool serendipitously!

What a family reunion!

So here I am on a family reunion in Depoe Bay along the incredibly beautiful Oregon coastline. Seagulls, pounding waves, and even whales are all visible from our condo townhouse.

86 year old Grandma Imogene, who has been a devout member of the Christian Science church all of her adult life, asks me if I would baptize her. I was stunned. As we talked and I discovered that she has been listening to Evangelical Christian radio shows and had come to learn of her need to let Jesus be the leader of her life, and be baptized. I, of course, said I would be happy to do it. I guess she has been reflecting on her life and wanted to be sure she was ready for the afterlife.

So yesterday, at the family dinner last night, I made an announcement to everyone that Grandma Imogene was going to be baptized in the public swimming pool here at the condo complex at 9am in the morning and everyone was invited.

Now, you got to know about this family: They love drinking wine, beer, rum –you name it. And they enjoy gambling. So in the midst of the beer cans and poker chips I am making this announcement of a baptism. It felt like this was something Jesus would do –he loved being among the “wine-bibbers� and sinners (which we all are) –he loved doing unexpected spiritual things among common everyday folks.

Additionally, it also felt so good not to be attached to any denominational constraints –Jesus was not connected to any institutional religious denomination either. I could simply move ahead with the baptism without any of the various institutionally mandated confirmations, forms, and rituals –and do it just like it was done in the Bible –immediately. I love the idea of being an independent Jesus follower.

And so this morning came, and we all went down to the swimming pool. Grandmother Imogene got into the pool. It was an incredible experience and very public way. Her family members were all gathered around the pool with camcorders and digital cameras. I asked her if she believed in Jesus as the Christ, and followed him as the leader of her life. She said “Yes� and so I immersed her in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. She came up out of the water with the happiest smile I have ever seen.

(Just a note: I do the total immersion under water thing because 99% of all Christian denominations accept it as a valid form and it is the pattern most generally found in scripture. Besides, it seems some how more substantial than just a few drops of water on the forehead)

As the 88 year old grandmother came up out of the water, her 58 year old daughter, Paula, yelled out “I want to be baptized too.� I said “Great, jump in.� I asked her the same questions as I had her mom, she responded affirmatively and I baptized her.

As she was coming out of the water Paula’s 33 year old daughter, Christy yells out that she wants to be baptized as well. I could hardly believe it. 3 generations being baptized together in a public swimming pool serendipitously!

It made my day.