Baptism

We practise believers' baptism. We believe that baptism should be done at the request of the person being baptised. It is something we enter freely.
J Almost two thousand years ago, John the Baptist's cry was 'prepare the way for the Lord!' This baptism was about getting ready for God's big move. It was about God  raising up a family  who would do his work. He called people to opt in.
Then Jesus arrived and asked to be baptised. John thought that this was the wrong way round but in the end he agreed. As Jesus was baptised the Holy Spirit came down upon him and a voice from heaven said that he was God's beloved Son and that God was pleased with him. A picture of this event is the centrepiece of our stained glass window.
The early believers found that they had a similar experience. They didn't see a dove but they experienced the Holy Spirit deep within, crying out to God as Father. They made it their aim to please him. They knew, from deep experience, that they were loved. Generations of believers have found the same thing.
On Sunday the baptismal pool in our church is open. Together we will celebrate.