The Frugal Deacon - Episode 2: Baptize this!

Baptism is a very important sacrament (or ordinance) within Christianity.  Most Christians agree, although some groups (Quakers for example) don't feel it is necessary.  Like all most forms of ritual throughout the church, and other aspects of life for that matter, it can be looked at as a symbolic action.  This is disputed from church to church, of course, like most aspects of doctrine.  The typical Roman Catholic view is that baptism is the ritual that brings about your conversion, while other churches would view your conversion as the internal change that causes you to seek out the sacrament of baptism.  Regardless as to which viewpoint you and your church have, baptism has the potential to be tricky for small churches. 

There are several stances on how a baptism should be performed.  Submersion- the dunking of a person underwater, Partial Immersion- having the person stand in a pool of water and pouring water over them, Affusion- the pouring of water over the head, and Aspersion- sprinkling water.  Wherein this gets tricky is the first two forms.  Large churches often have tubs built into the floor, or even special rooms just for baptisms.  The latter of which I was able to see at a Mormon stake, where in a whole pool is available with large viewing windows.  Large churches are very uncommon in the Independent Sacramental Movement, and accordingly if you want to baptize by Submersion or Partial Immersion it may well involve a trip to the beach during a warm weather month.

While sprinkling holy water (with an aspergillum or your fingers)  is probably the quickest and easiest method, I happen to like Affusion.  Placing a bowl of holy water upon either the altar or credence, or a special stand for the event, and using an instrument to pour water over the head.

But what sort of instrument should you use?  I suppose you could use an empty Pepsi bottle, but I somehow doubt that would instill the greatest of confidence in your congregation.  Quite often what is used is a decorative seashell.  Church supply catalogs sell very nice looking metal shells used for baptism.  However, like I have complained before, church supplies are expensive. 

A quick Google search found me several of these metal shells going for well over $300.  And if I was the rector of a giant metropolitan cathedral performing 3+ masses per day and having a couple hundred congregants showing up each Sunday with envelopes full of money, I could easily afford a $300 seashell.  Like a great many members of the ISM I'm pathetically broke.  Fortunately, there are alternatives.  I have found a few different places that sell plastic or porcelain baptismal shells for only a few dollars apiece.  Making this a very affordable option, and even a nice souvenir to give to the newly baptized individual (or their parents in the case of a new baby) to keep as a memento of their church membership. 

While out shopping at the craft store this morning, however, I came across an even better option.

 

 

For four bucks, I grabbed this package of 6 seashells.  They're actual shells, not plastic or resin.  I think they'll give a nice rustic feel while performing the baptism. They're very inexpensive and easy to replace, so giving them away won't break anyone's budget.  In fact for a few cents more, craft stores have small wooden plaques.  The wood can be inscribed with a name and or date.  A little bit of glue and POW! 

 

 

 

An inexpensive wall decoration that for some people may be cherished as a memento from which they've joined the Christian community.  Small gestures often have big impact.