Baptisms Around the Diocese
What if Jesus really meant that we are to love our neighbors?
This was the question Dave Runyon posed throughout our 2023 pre-Synod gathering. Later that same weekend, during the Synod, Bishop Chris gathered the clergy for a time of sharing and prayer around the same theme—loving those who do not yet know the Lord.
Since then, the clergy have gathered monthly to pray with and for one another, and for the people in our lives who do not yet know Christ. These times have provided a simple yet meaningful space where we have come to know one another more deeply, shared one another’s burdens in prayer, and lift up our own conversations with nonbelievers.
These same burdens and themes carried into last year’s Synod. In his report, Bishop Chris shared several wonderful stories—you can view the recording here. He also encouraged our clergy to take seriously the call to share God’s message of hope, particularly during the Clergy Renewal of Vows. You can listen to that message here.
This past week, stories and photos from Holy Week across the Diocese have included some beautiful answers to our prayers. One of the most tangible and visible fruits has been the increasing number of adults coming into a personal relationship with Christ and sealing their newfound faith through baptism. Multiple adults were baptized during Easter Vigil services.
Baptism at the Easter Vigil holds special significance in our Anglican tradition. The service begins in darkness and rises into the light of the resurrection, filled with a joyful cacophony of sound—bells and more! Baptism during this Vigil powerfully symbolizes our participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, and our entrance into the light of the Kingdom of God.
So—take a moment to join us in giving thanks as we celebrate God's answers to prayer. And yes, please continue to pray that we would grow more and more into Jesus’ call to proclaim the gospel in word and deed!
In Christ,
The Rev. Tuck Bartholomew
Canon for Mission & Ministry
(Click on photos to expand)
From the Rev. Peter Frank, Rector at Church of the Epiphany, Herndon, VA
The first adult baptized was a lifelong Christian Scientist whose son is a committed member. He has been talking to his dad for years, then his dad had a stroke, and things got more urgent, so they asked me to visit him. For lack of a better way to put it. I just got a bit impatient with how that was going - so I jumped in and after trying to lay out the gospel asked him point blank if he wanted to trust Jesus as his savior. He said back, “I most certainly do!"
Our other adult baptized had an interest in learning more about Christianity after coming now and then with family for Christmas and Easter. After talking with her and her husband a bit (at the beginning her husband was just along for the ride, not sure about what he believed, but not close to conversion) I connected her with another woman in our congregation who I trusted to provide some discipleship and a connection to the congregation. She let me know she was ready to be baptized about a month ago, which was awesome.
From the Rev. Michael Koppola, Vicar at Christ the Redeemer, Dillsburg, PA 🌱
Last fall, someone began attending our church after watching us on our online platforms. He was a baptized Christian who had not been to church for a long time but was looking to get connected somewhere again. He came and visited us and ended up telling his friend, who had been seeking greater understanding of the faith. Praise be to God, both have gotten connected at CTR. The Lord began a work of grace in the friend who was seeking, and he decided to get baptized this Easter season. It was such a joy watching him walk through the baptism ceremony and then being able to partake of the Eucharist for the first time as a baptized believer!!
From the Rev. April Murrie, Assoc. Rector, Church of the Good Shepherd, Charlottesville, VA
We baptize numerous babies every year, but at our last Easter Vigil we had no adult baptisms and I remember asking God to send us new believers for the next vigil. God answered that prayer by sending us two young women longing to be discipled in their new faith. One is a fourth year (that's UVA speak for "senior") in college and the other a junior in high school. These young women were invited to Good Shepherd by some of our amazing college students. Both women are the first in their families to come to faith in Jesus Christ and we loved welcoming each of their families who prioritized being present at the Easter Vigil to support their daughters in their public declaration of faith. Both young women participated in our every-age class to prepare for baptism along with those preparing for confirmation and reception by +Chris. Our community is so honored and blessed to know these dear daughters of God and to welcome them into the household of faith! Thanks be to God!
From the Rev. Morgan Reed, Vicar at Corpus Christi, Springfield, VA 🌱
Albert began attending Corpus Christi Anglican Church around the Fall of 2024 through an invitation from family members who began attending the church last year. He has been learning more about God's love for him through this community in a season of major transition. During the blessing of his home, Albert realized he had never been baptized and this led to a discernment process about the need to be baptized as a major step in his walk of faith with Christ. After walking through preparation for Baptism we scheduled Albert's baptism at our Easter Vigil. I will never forget the joy-filled wonder on Albert's kids' faces in the candle-lit darkness as they watched their dad get baptized after hearing the story of God's saving acts from the Old Testament. Right after Albert was baptized we shouted the Easter Acclamation and the liturgy moved from somber, dimly lit darkness, into the joy and light of the resurrection (which included cowbells). The liturgy refigured the reality of death and resurrection in Christ, which Albert experienced in his baptism and which we have all experienced in our baptism. I'm so grateful that Albert took this step, that he is in this church, and for the ways the community is celebrating the joy of Jesus' resurrection in him and his story.
From the Rev. Seth Zimmernan, Vicar at St. Andrews, Frederick, MD 🌱
About eight months ago, Jason started to feel the Lord inviting him to take his faith seriously. As he and his family began to search for a church, the Lord led them to St. Andrew's. Jason began to wonder if he had ever been baptized, and after conferring with his family, realized he hadn't. In response, Jason did not receive Communion for the remainder of our services leading up to his baptism. When he finally took communion on Easter Sunday, still wet from the waters of baptism, he did so with immense joy!
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Did you know the Diocese supports nine church plants, with many more planned? This 🌱 plant icon 🌱 indicates this is an article about one of our church plants. Read about how these plants are breaking new ground for the gospel, and help them grow through your prayers and gifts!