Baptism of Samson Rodgers Popivchak

Tomorrow will be a wonderful day. At Mellon Park in Shadyside, I will baptize my great grandson, Samson Rodgers Popivchak. Sammy has been wonderful to watch in this first year of his life. His parents, Alison and Pete have done wonders with him. Leslie Reimer will join me as we begin his life as a Christian.

Infant baptism has been something that the Christian Church has done for eons. It is a statement that God cares for each of us, forgives each of us, even as we grow into our bodies and our lives. Sammy is a year old today and is well on his way to becoming a wonderful person. He laughs and smiles well, can't take his eyes off me and behaves always with a twinkle in his eye that says that he enjoys the wonder of being a baby in a household that values him. We value him too. There will be lots for him to go through -- teenage years ought to be fascinating, but what he is after this baptism. Thank God for the possibility of hope that we vest in Sammy. Thank God for all that he will do and be, and thank God for our involvement in his life.