Sunday saw me shuffling down to the Kirk.
I have not been for a few weeks and it was delight to see how the young women crowded around me. I did not realise just how much they missed my weekly cash offering! My tired mind did not enjoy much however, the service was a long one, too long for tired little me.
Not only was it the church's 53rd anniversary, but it was also the 'Harvest Festival.' This adds to the time as offerings were made, offerings this time being items wanted by the local 'Food Bank,' which the church supports and is itself used as an 'Food Bank' opening. So, plastic bags of required substances abounded at the front, unlike in days of long ago when a sheaf of wheat or two would lie alongside local apples, fruits and vegetables. Today, a more practical, and sadly required, offering is demanded. We have a Conservative MP, who is also the Foreign Minister (at the moment, but things change quickly under this government), the town council is almost totally Conservative, and the County council also dominated by the Conservative Party. However, the 'Food Bank' in this town has two openings within the town, and one on the rather 'better to do' area just outside. There is also another in nearby, and better off, Halstead, and one in not so well of London overspill Witham! Conservative areas these, and the MP has not, as yet, visited any of them. All of these are based in church halls, I wonder why? Does no-one else have the care, or would it cost too much? Maybe the next 'Harvest Festival' might be different, maybe of course, it could be much worse.
On top of this we had a child baptised. Now I am not one for Christenings or child baptisms, however, the CoE is, and the vicar goes along with this so, when a local woman requests baptism he accedes to her demand, and attempts to use this as an 'outreach' to those who attend church only for 'Birth, death and marriages.' And as I entered, shrugging off the women, I noticed the first three rows taken up with men in suits, and women dressed for an occasion. "Strangers," thought I. Easy to identify such as the rest of the church takes a 'Come as you are,' approach, and rightly so, this means visitors all dressed up stand out. Funny how they all think going to church requires 'dressing up,' I wonder how those thoughts get into their minds? It does however, show the lack of understanding regarding churches today.
I say Christenings and child baptism have no place in scripture. Such are never found there, what we do find however, is, for instance, in Mark's 'Good News,' where the disciples are clearing up after Jesus has finished for the day, and the women then approach for Jesus to 'bless' their children. Obviously, no major Rabbi of the time wishes to waste time on the women or their children, so the disciples lovingly tell them to "Clear off." At this Jesus, says Mark, is 'Indignant.' The Greek word he uses is a very strong word indeed, indicating how God in human form, walking the earth, saw the women and children.
However, baptism, such as from John at the Jordan, and occasionally elsewhere, does not mention children, only 'people.' It is possible they were involved, but no mention of them is made. The 'Christening service' is unknown.
Non-denominational churches, based on scripture rather than 'liturgy,' do not have 'Christenings,' but what I might call 'presentations.' That is, new born children are 'presented to God,' and the church, along with thanks to God, promises to care for them. Can I just say at this point, I am no longer available for babysitting.
They are welcomed into the church but no demand on the child is made re belief.
The reason child baptism is accepted is based on Pauls time in Philippi.
When Paul was in Philippi spreading the Good News, he was confronted by a woman with an evil spirit. She was a slave girl, common in those far off days, and not uncommon even in this country today, who earned much for her owners by fortune telling. Demons have much knowledge and are not to be laughed at. This woman followed Paul telling people that "These men are servants of the Most High God, and are telling you the way to be saved." After a few days of this Paul turned round and in Jesus name commanded the spirit to leave her. This was seen by the owners as unfortunate as they lost money, so a 'hubbub' arose and a crowd soon saw Paul and Silas stripped and flogged, then dumped in prison as serious offenders. My reaction would have been one filled with rude words, Paul and Silas are found at midnight praying and singing hymns to God, with the other prisoners listening to them. Clearly they had an effect on the others.
An earthquake follows, not unusual in the region, and the prison walls shake, doors open, fetters loosened. Not surprisingly the prison jailor fears for his life as everyone must have escaped. However, Paul stops him and indicates all remain inside, revealing Pauls hold on them. The Jailor then asks, "What can I do to be saved?" The answer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Paul then spoke the 'word of the Lord' to the household, the jailor washed their wounds, and soon he and his family were baptised.
It is this incident that allows some to accept child baptism. The jailor 'and all his family,' to some, indicates children were baptised. But I wonder?
This was Philippi, a Roman town, a place emptied by Augustus in 42 BC and used as a pension for retired Roman soldiers. Each man was given something, a wine bar, a fast food joint, whatever suited them, and that was their pension. By Pauls time their sons and grandsons, plus other ex-service men had filled the town, thus the jailor may well have been a member of the Roman army at some point. I see him as a man, at least in his 40s, if not older, with grown up children, at least of teenage years. His position as prison governor would not have been given lightly, so he may well have been at least a Centurion, with experience of leadership. Therefore those who reckon children were involved in his household being baptised are merely surmising that to be the case. My surmise may also be wrong but I will not mention this.
Anyway, the kid here was baptised, then, learned how to toddle freely, spent much time toddling around the church drowning out the vicar, to everyone, bar the vicars, amusement. These days kids get more freedom than in days gone by, but eventually someone grabbed him and others and dumped the in a play room. Being a special service the normal kids events did not occur, and this may have been a mistake. The kid was enjoyable, and all loved him.
I did not wish to stay and talk, I was very tired, but enough people spoke and listened to my idea of 'TikTok' fame. The results were disappointing. " What, You?" was a common expression, "Fame?" followed by sarcastic laughter, another. Some wondered if a live picture of myself early in the day might breach the 'Law of England & Wales.' One suggested wearing a Burqa, just in case. The treasurer wished me well in obtaining cash and gave me the church bank numbers but with a strong hint of sarcasm as he did so, his son, a 'TikTok' follower just banged his head on the desk muttering something unclear. I failed to understand their thinking. Other indications of a lack of support drove me from the field and home to rest my ego and remain in poverty.
With no little relief I have finished my Turmeric soup. I am now planning another, somewhat lighter, and this time I may even attempt to add flavour, maybe...
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