Living Water; Baptism As A Way Of Life Second Edition
One of the best pieces of advice I received as a new parent was, when a child was out of sorts, take them outside or pop them in water. Both environments have proven their magical effects time and again as I parent my crew, and I often think of that advice at baptisms. Baptism completely changes a life, and the water’s effect cannot be discounted. God meets us there, at the water, in the water, and through the water. I rejoice with each baptism I am honored to attend, and love to wonder about its life changing effects when I’m working with a group of children. I was especially excited when Living Water; Baptism as a Way of Life by Klara Tammany, arrived on my desk from the publisher.
Living Water is the second edition of a classic resource first published in 2002, and provided congregations with solid advice on how best to discuss baptism through the lens of being part of a life lived with purpose, rather than a one-time event. This updated version was written during the pandemic and does not ignore all the changes that have occurred since then. Ms. Tammany provides the reader with eight sessions meant to help participants grow a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the gift of baptism. Each session is geared towards a community of youth and adults who are seeking a deeper awareness of what baptism is. The sessions are all organized to begin with a corporate gathering, times of sharing and reflecting, all followed by a corporate response. Eight sessions are provided; the titles taken from the sections of baptismal covenants we make. Materials lists are included, along with ways you can adapt for your setting and your congregation.
This resource can be utilized in many different ways in your ministry context. Yes, it can be used as written with groups of youth and adults. You could schedule a two month session of faith formation around this. You could use it to help prepare families who are presenting their children for baptism. You could adapt it for use on a retreat. (There are even discussions on how to do this in the introduction.) I would love to use it in a multigenerational setting and have all ages learning together. I would also love to see this used in a skilled care facility. I am certain that our elders have experiences to share that would help. Experiencing the sessions in a multigenerational setting that includes them would be powerful. Additionally, remember your vulnerable adults. My older sister, who has Down Syndrome, absolutely loves this resource. It was one of her favorites to leaf through and copy passages from. She appreciated the easy layout for Scripture and prayer, as well as the illustrations interspersed with the denser text. Because of its depth and versatility, this is a resource that belongs in your library.
