No ordinary Sunday Morning...

We have been attending a new church, Community Covenant Church, as a family on Sunday mornings. The children LOVE the children's program. However, this morning our church didn't have children's church (a week off to prepare for the new Fall Program starting next week ). So, we decided to go to the beach EARLY (7 AM) to have breakfast and so that Rich could go for a run. It was a beautiful morning: sunny, a little cool, a little breezy, few people, even fewer dogs (although one nearly ruined our morning). We ate our bagels, watched several folks prepare their catamarans--no small feat incidentally, plucked the most beautiful shells from the tide, skipped some rocks, and began our sand castles.

But as noted in the title, this was no ordinary Sunday morning. Our first pleasant surprise was watching a bride walk along the shore with her bridegroom to say their vows before a few witnesses. A few minutes later, we heard bells clanging and hymns being sung. A small group of people (later to be identified as descendants from Trinidad) gathered about 20 feet from us and were preparing for a Christian ceremony of some sort (later to be evident as a baptism). An older woman led three youngsters (about 10 or 12 years old) across the sand to a simple wooden cross, some candles, flowers and a reverend clutching a Bible. One by one, they were led into the ocean for baptism by immersion. The beauty of the beach and the simple (yet very ritualistic) ceremony brought tears to my eyes. I watched with a sense of intrigue and pride that somehow we were connected, although through different displays of worship, to a larger family. I silently thought that if all of us worshipped and praised with fewer reservations, this world, this country and in particular, the Northeast, might not be in the mess it is. We were blessed to be able to witness this ceremony, such a personal and life-changing moment for these youngsters and their families.

Its not often one finds a cross on the beach and I thought it was so beautiful. I'm pretty sure it was no coincidence that we there so early this morning--skipping church. Praise and worship takes many forms: today I praise Him for allowing me to witness this baptism.

Side note: I only took photos of this ceremony because one of the members of their group was also. I'm assuming they would have asked me to stop if they felt disrespected. I'm hoping to mail some of my photos to their church (once I find out where they worship).