In the name of the Father

John the Baptist, roughshod in sack cloth, had only his voice.

The La Croix Church ministry team has a P.A. system, but it's really no different -- a voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing fervently the way of the Lord.

Instead of a locust-filled desert, the nearly 200 parishioners spread their blankets and camp chairs on the hill above the lake in Cape County Park. By the last Sunday in August, the days of true summer are numbered, but this afternoon is bright and thick and hot -- perfect baptizing weather.

The Revs. Ron Watts and J.T. Thomasson, of the Cape Girardeau and Benton, Missouri, arms of La Croix, respectively, call the 42 candidates forward.

They're a diverse bunch, some not yet 7 years old, some old enough to have grown children of their own.

"One of the things you do in baptism," Watts explains, "is that you identify with Christ, just as he identified with us -- publicly."

Sure enough, across the pond, a young family watches the proceedings as they fish. Just down the bank, a man and a boy plunk stones into the water. The candidates have gathered in humility, to profess their faith and be dunked in a lake without anxiety over who might see. Their earnestness and commitment make the day invigorating for them, but for the spectators as well, who are reminded of the time when they, too, found the courage to profess their faith publicly.

Linda Watson embraces her daughter Samantha after the the two women were baptized in the lake during the La Croix United Methodist Church baptisms Aug. 30 at Cape County Park South. (Laura Simon)

Watts asks them if they repent of their sins, if they believe in God the Father and if they promise to keep His commandments and walk in them all the days of their lives.

They do.

"This is not the end," Watts tells them, even though he's aware how hard each has worked to prepare for the day. "It's the beginning of a journey."

One by one, they wade out to Watts and begin their journey as Christians.

The younger, less confident candidates struggle anxiously to time the necessary deep breath as Watts performs the rite.

"I baptize you -- "

Deep breath.

"In the name of the Father -- "

Oh, here it comes -- now breath!

"And of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Breath!

The littlest ones' feet even kick the surface as they're submerged before Watts brings them back up sputtering.

The older candidates have more composure, remembering to thank the reverend before sloshing back to shore.

Relatives and friends circle forward to the bank for a better look at their loved one's big moment. Cammie and Kenny Seabaugh swell with pride as their daughter, Kenzie, 16, is baptized.

"I'm already in tears just listening to her," Cammie says. "I already can't put it into words how proud of her we are."

"Knowing she's going to follow the path of the Lord, it's a real special day for her and for me, too," Kenny explains. It's his birthday.

"It's a pretty good birthday present," he says. "There are some things money just can't buy. And that's a fact."

Among the last to go under are mother and daughter Linda and Samantha Watson of Jackson. Both grown women, they wade in together to be baptized at the same time. They go under together, come up together and high-five on the way back to the bank.

Samantha's eyes flush, trying to hold back tears as she tries to describe what the baptism means to her.

"I can't talk right now, I'm sorry," she murmurs, turning to her mother. "I don't know, what do you think?"

Linda can't talk, either. It's the first time they've been baptized, and there's a sense that for the Watsons, the sacrament has been a sort of vehicle to a deeper catharsis.

"We actually planned to do it last year," Samantha explains. "My grandma was sick, and -- "

Neither of them can articulate what it means, exactly. They don't need to. They know by looking at one another.

"Definitely an emotional experience," Samantha says.

"Very special," Linda agrees.

"It's a great joy, man," Watts says. "It's one of the best days of the year. A living picture of the love we have in Christ."

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627