Today's worship was, if I may say so, simply awesome.  Awesome is an overworked word, too often used for something that is averagely good, but for today's service its use is justified.

Yesterday's hard work paid off richly - the baptistery was toasty warm, and its central location really caused people to stop and stare.  I was especially struck when two small boys came in ahead of their father and stopped, rooted to the floor, eyes like saucers as they looked over at the (to them) huge tank of water.

Music was spectacular, with our occasional guest trumpeter and a cellist to augment the piano.  The choir, though depleted numerically due to holidays were on great form and sang several peices in Yoruba as well as some beautiful works in English.

The testimony of the baptismal candidate and those of folk covenanting with us as members were profound and moving... reminding us that we are never 'ready' but always a 'work in progress;' that love and support in action speak volumes; that the answer to 'why now?' is actually 'why not now?'

There was no sermon, there did not need to be one - and even at that the service ran to almost 90 minutes.  The pace was leisurely, the sense of oneness quite palpable, the presence of God's Spirit indisputable.

After we ended worship, we shared a lovely buffet lunch, ate a cake specially baked and decorated by one of our members and then a team of folk drained, dismantled, dried and repacked the baptistery ready for collection tomorrow.

I have not yet got any photos to post, but they will come.  For now, here are the plastic ducks (and a few other creatures, less those rehomed with the children who shared our worship today) which descended upon the water as the service ended... And lo, I saw the bag opened and the spirit descended like a duck....?  A bit irreverent, but generally well received - watching the children playing with the ducks seemed a fitting end to a wonderful morning.

Preach the gospel - if necessary, use words.

So, take five Baptists, one build-your-own-Baptistry set, add humour and off you go...

Four hours from starting work, and I was back home, and job done.

HUGE thanks to A, B, G and N who gave up half a day to help with this, set up the chairs and tables, change the drapes, and generally ensure everything was 'ticketyboo' before we left for home.

I have to fess up to ordering pizza and Irn Bru when I got home... the latter is probably THE most unhealthy soft drink ever invented, and I can't even claim to like it that much, but sometimes you just need some girder juice... :-)

SHOPPING

Bread for communion - gluten free, seed/nut free, soy free...

Grape juice for communion

Bath mat(s) non-slip for floor, just in case

Folding steps, as baptistery has only one set of steps supplied - so need some for outside use (will retain for use at home)

Plastic ducks... vis-aid/give away

RISK ASSESSMENT

Managing risks of small children deciding to use baptistery as a swimming pool with need to get baptisers and baptisee in and out safely... folding steps outisde pool seems best option: put up for use, take away afterwards. 

Bath mats to reduce slipping risk when wet feet hit lino flooring

Still not quite sure about the ducks... not during worship as that would be too glib, but adding then afterwards risks kiddies falling in... hmm.  Will probably just use as a giveaway!

Filling/emptying subject to strict controls!!

MECCANO BAPTISTERY BUILD

Fun with nuts and bolts as four of us build, fill and heat the baptistery... oh yes, I got a baby bath thermometer so we can see how warm it is/isn't!

... If you live in Scotland and want another chance to influence policy as part of the IF campaign, then go here and add your voice.

...is how someone referred to it yesterday.

This evening I am off to a sing-a-long Sound of Music event at Mugdock Country Park.

The question is - to dress up or not to dress up!  Actually, I think I have made that decision.

Based on this poster, the fact that I have a guitar, a stripey beach bag, a white, long sleeved blouse with round collar and a red sleeveless dress (not, it has to be said like the one in the poster) I think I can make a passable attempt at being a poster-style-Maria... which is preferrable to either a nun or a nazi which seem the obvious alternatives...

I am not planning to show off my petticoat or my legs though!!

It should be a really fun evening and will raise lots of money for a this project which one of the Gatherers is involved with and leaves soon to spend time in Malawi.

"♫ ♫ How do you solve a problem like Catriona...♫ ♫ "