This Sunday is a special one in the church calendar as we welcome over a dozen people into the life of the church through baptism!

The early church used Lent as a time to prepare for baptism, thus baptisms were held in Eastertide. The preparation wasn't just for those being baptized, but for the whole community. On Sunday, we will, each of us, renew our baptismal vows.

During lent, we've turned from the Kingdom of Darkness in repentance, and on Sunday we will turn again to Jesus and His Kingdom in faith. Some churches physically act out this turning by facing westward in the baptismal liturgy as we renounce Satan and all his works and turn eastward as we affirm our faith in the words of the creed. We turn from the darkness of the setting sun and to the rising light.

We've spent several weeks in lent turning from the world, but over the next several weeks we'll be thinking together about what it looks like to turn toward heaven. How can we live lives not just devoid of sin, but full of grace? How can we embody Jesus' kingdom in our lives of mercy and justice? This is the question of Eastertide, and it's the question we'll begin to address Sunday.

If there are any pastoral needs that arise between now and Sunday, please don't hesitate to reach out to a member of the clergy. I look forward to worshiping with each of you soon!

This Sunday, Baptism Sunday, is likely to be especially full at All Saints as we welcome many visiting guests. To help us be hospitable and make room for newcomers, we kindly ask our regular attenders to consider parking in the overflow lot across the street on Cadiz. We've reserved extra spaces there specifically for these Sundays. Our main parking lot is typically most crowded during the transition between the 9:30 and 11:00 am services, so if you arrive and find no available spots, please head to the Cadiz lot. Thank you for helping us extend a warm welcome to all!