[Magdalen] Suzie and Center Aisle

[Lynn Ronkainen]

Many newer  RC churches built in the last 3+decades have immersable 
baptismal areas that are highly visible and audible (running water)... I 
wonder if this is a response to the scriptural references?
Lynn

website: www.ichthysdesigns.com

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not a 
single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me." 
attributed to Erma Bombeck

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From: "Sally Davies" <sally.davies at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 1:35 AM
To: <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Suzie and Center Aisle

> Thanks for sharing, that was lovely.
>
> I was struck by the comment about making the waters and grace of baptism
> more visible in  our churches - such a simple point but so relevant.
>
> We are very far from the "here is some water, why can't I be baptised"
> question that is the climax of my favourite story in Acts. Instead, 
> baptism
> involves an entire fal-de-rol, a special service, and I guess for an older
> catechumen, a process of teaching first. It's just not available to people
> in the same way that Communion is.
>
> Even my Pentecostal friends whose chuch makes a huge deal of adult baptism
> and performs a lot of them, has to prepare a great big baptismal bath and
> set up a service for that purpose.
>
> Perhaps our churches should have an inner courtyard with a fountain or
> water pool, like the house churches of the early Christians that have been
> excavated in Asia Minor.
>
> Sally D
>
>
>
> On Monday, June 29, 2015, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I was a bit overwhelmed by the power of Susan's message.  How wonderful
>> that she was the one to be there for that young lady.  Grace and Sophia 
>> was
>> there -- indeed it's hard to say where it was not.  The grace that called
>> that lady to make her bold move. The grace imparted to Susan in the 
>> immense
>> privilege of being the one to answer that call.
>>
>> We are used to an economy of scarcity, but the divine economy is one of
>> abundance, like the loving mother who opens the screen door of her back
>> porch and calls all the kids in for milk and cookies. And the cookies and
>> milk will never ever run out.
>>
>> I don't understand the Eucharist at all, and am beginning to realize that 
>> I
>> shouldn't worry about that. It's still there. Period.
>>
>> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
>> *“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
>> except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy
>>
>> On Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 11:55 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com
>> <javascript:;>>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > I have just finished reading and commenting on Susan Buchanan's opinion
>> > piece in Center Aisle, the Dio. of Virginia's General Convention
>> > newsletter. It is beautifully written and makes a strong case for open
>> > communion. I commend it to you:
>> >
>> > centeraisle.net
>>