One of the focal points of our beautiful church
is the Baptismal font, located in the front of the church near the
tabernacle. It is the newest addition to our church.
The design of the font wanted to highlight two
dimensions of this beautiful sacrament. First, "living water."
The waters of Baptism bring us new life, the new life of Christ.
For the Old Testament People of God (and all for desert dwellers),
"living water" meant flowing water. Stagnant water was
polluted. It could kill. Flowing water was naturally purified. Our
flowing fountain is a symbol of this "living water."
Second, the immersion pool. The use of the water
for baptism has a number of traditions. Historical records, as well
as early baptismal fonts, indicate that the common practice of Baptism
was immersion (no submersion). The person to be baptized stepped
into a pool of water.
The water from the pool was then poured over the head
of the person. They were not submerged, but immersed into the pool.
Our Baptismal font allows for this practice. We also employ the
practice of simply pouring the water over the head of the person
to be baptized as an option. In either case, the water must "flow"
when the person is baptized, again, signifying the living nature
of the act.
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