Easter Sunday is the highlight of the calendar for Christians. It's the day we celebrate the death of death. The empty grave. Life eternal starting today.
It's also, in many churches, the day for baptism! Perfect synergy between the eternal celebration, and the personal.
Today was not my first Easter leading a church as their Pastor, but it was my first opportunity to baptise brothers and sisters. (I took a selfie in the baptistry :-) )
I baptised 4 people who I've been getting to know over the past while, one of whom I met last February when I started connecting with the Encampment. My friend lived there.
You never know what spiritual landscape you'll be walking in conversations and relationships with people living on the margins. I've met some very intelligent folks and had amazing exchanges with homeless atheists and agnostics. With people who look to angels and UFOs for their cosmology. With people who believe that they themselves are something beyond human. With people whose faith is most closely aligned with Indigenous tradition. The largest group I've encountered so far is folks who deeply believe in the power of 'karma:' an inescapable power of justice that levels out the universe and eventually delivers what you deserve.
Among my unsheltered friends, Christians are definitely in the minority. Many began life in, were christened or confirmed in, churches in our town. This might be connected to the increasing number of senior citizens comprising homeless populations, with younger generations not having spent their childhood 'in church.'
Regardless, like many not-homeless people, some have lost their connection with that beginning. I'm always sorry to hear that.
As a Chaplain, my role is not to only support people who believe the same metaphysics as I do. I provide whatever spiritual care is welcomed by whoever I'm talking to. If I met a Muslim homeless woman (hasn't happened yet) I would do what I could to help her engage with her faith. The same is true of my friends who are Chaplains in nursing homes or at the Canadian Legion. That's the job: to provide spiritual care and support.
But I'm always happy to meet other Christian people, even (or especially) among my homeless friends. I love praying with people, something that is deeply meaningful to many. I've had a few chances to provide people with their favourite translation of Bible. I've learned about resources that people find helpful when they're in prison, and that they've encountered 'on the range.'
And today... today was awesome. Today the Chaplain and the Pastor overlapped.
My friend, as I say, I met when they were a resident at the Encampment in town. Active engagement with their faith, as is often the case, took a back seat to survival. My friend has some chronic physical illness, mental health challenges, and a complicated family. Since we met, they have been in jail twice for short stints to catch up with old offenses in other jurisdictions and has, both times, returned here. Because it's home.
While on the range my friend connected with a chaplain who reminded them of and reconnected them to some good things in their past: like church. My friend discovered a Bible study program that has a good name and reputation. Once they were released, they got help obtaining their own copy of the materials and has been working through the teaching and questions. They got help finding a room in a house. Far from ideal, but better than some.
They started coming to my church on Sundays when they were able. And just before Christmas, asked me if they could be baptised.
I get a bit choked up just typing that.
See, baptism in my tradition is a simple symbol. It represents letting go of the old, and embracing the new. It's something that people do when they're ready to make themselves a promise, and to share that promise with a community. It's a chance to stand in front of family, beside someone you trust, and say "I'm worth loving."
My friend has, since I've known them, done some very hard work with lots of help: getting out of the deepest pit they were in, and then finding the strength to choose for themselves something that has value, taking hold of it, and making it happen.
I know that their life is still going to be hard. I know the mental health challenges, the family challenges, the injustices will still be there. But now, I hope, they have had an experience that (beyond the pure spiritual meaning) reminds them that they themselves are worth fighting for. And that they're not alone.
Spiritual care is an area in street ministry that has a very mixed reputation, and for valid reasons. It makes some people uncomfortable, and I understand that. I'm very aware that it's extremely easy to manipulate a desperate person into saying what they think you want to hear in order to get what you have and they need. Church people have not exactly been blameless, and have done harm. Because of that I approach new people, milieux, and settings with care, respecting their boundaries. Going slow. Taking time.
At the same time... I do deeply believe what I believe. I believe that it's the best news ever. I've seen the beauty and power when it's lived well. I've been gifted with wonderful examples and forebears. And I've seen this faith through the eyes of someone like my friend: something worth fighting for, taking hold of, holding onto.
And today, when they stood beside Pastor Me in that tank at the front of the church, dressed in a white robe, hands clasped on their chest, answering "I do" to my questions... it was a reminder to Chaplain Me of why I do what I do. Partly to encourage people like my friend. But also, if I'm honest, for my own joy in rare moments like that.
For each of the people I baptised today, I chose a verse from the Bible that spoke to me of where they are on their spiritual journey. For my wonderful, courageous, struggling friend I chose this:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
That valley... it's real. It's out there. It finds you.
But today... today was awesome.
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