News and Views

Story by Melissa Lauber
Photos by Brenda Bowman

Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg is a place of invitation.  As a symbol of this, a very large scallop shell stands as a baptismal font at the front of the church. But recently, an ancient-new practice has erupted as 12 young people have been baptized in the nearby Patapsco River.

On World Communion Sunday, Oct. 1, the Rev. Jenny Smith waded into the river with Director of Youth Ministries, Tim McKenzie. A great-grandmother of one of the youth sat on a rock on the shoreline with other friends and family from the congregation. Some of those baptized were immersed, others had the chilly water placed upon their heads. And God added to God’s church.

While only one drop of water can impart God’s bottomless grace, being baptized in the river is a chance to step outside the ordinary, Smith said. “Wading into the cold water and being fully immersed is one way to embrace the fullness of new life that baptism affords.” 

In her years as a United Methodist pastor, Smith has baptized many people, but most were infants or children whose parents lovingly brought them into the family of God and made the profession of faith on their behalf. However, of the dozen baptisms that were recently celebrated at Wesley Freedom, 10 of the 12 were choosing to be baptized on their own behalf, Smith said. “The first was a young adult named Kyle who began exploring faith in Christ this Spring, came with us to camp, and chose to be baptized the Sunday after.”  

One of the campers whom Kyle had led at camp witnessed Kyle make his profession of faith and asked to be the next to be baptized in the river. “What followed,” Smith said, “was a chain of young people witnessing one another step out to profess faith and be baptized. After each baptism, a few more young people would come forward choosing to be the next to be baptized.” 

This significant number of baptisms doesn’t surprise people. At Wesley Freedom UMC, 2023 is being called “The Year of Invitation."

“We are looking at everything we do and asking, how will this investment of time, energy, or resources, invite someone to begin or deepen their relationship with Christ,” Smith said.

“Everyone is a part of the culture of invitation.  Many of the young people baptized during this season were invited to explore faith at Wesley Freedom by a neighbor or friend,” Smith said.  “Once someone is invited the entire community is sharing responsibility for ‘sharing the story of grace’ with them through every encounter.  … We just keep inviting and sharing the grace of God every chance we get.  One at a time the family of God grows.”