ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
July 27, 2021
Guest Writer for Today’s Etching: Rev. Paula Gembala
When I was a child, I would go to church with my mother and my siblings. I loved to sit and sing the hymns with her and the rest of the congregation. One Sunday when I was around 13, they were singing “Just As I Am.” As I was singing, I felt an urge to go to the front of the church. I wasn’t sure why people were called to come forward, I just knew I was feeling the need to do so.
After walking up the long aisle, when I was standing there in front of everyone, I learned that I would be baptized the next week. I was thrilled as this was something I had been wanting to do. After the service was over my mother talked to the preacher and shared that she wanted all of her children baptized together. So the next week, all 6 of us, one by one walked into the cleansing waters of baptism.
I can remember we met with the preacher before the baptism was to take place. He was explaining that we go into the water wearing our sins, but when we come out of the water, we have been cleansed of those sins, or forgiven.
This was the first, really powerful time in my faith journey. I hadn’t asked if it was alright, I just knew I had the urge to do this and I am so glad I did.
