Low Sunday? Not at St. John's!

This past Sunday is known in Church circles as "low Sunday" since attendance is usually depressingly low, especially after the wonderful crowds on Easter (our attendance on Easter 2006 was 420 people - up 53 from last year). Even though the choir was down to a quartet this Sunday (which sounded great) instead of the usual 17, nothing else was 'low' about ur services on The First Sunday after Easter! In fact, we had 4 more people at services this week than on Palm Sunday (260 total).

How? BAPTISMS! We had 10 batisms from 6 families. A hearty DEO GRATIAS for the baptisms of Connor Baggett (infant), Miles DewBerry & Damani Dewberry (newborn and 1 year old brothers), Ian Guffy & Lilly Guffy (newborn twins), Margaret Kelly (my 3 month old daughter), Piper Perkins & Jon-Jon Perkins (6 and 4 year old siblings, and Cici Vogt & Severin Vogt (mom and newborn son). Additionally, at the end of the service we awarded an Episcopal Serviceman's Cross to Marine Lance Corporal Alan Mullin as he begins his active duty tour this week. When we do this, there are lots of tears and a standing ovation from the congregation for our young men serving our country and protecting our freedom.

I know that baptisms usually occur Easter weekend, particularly at the Vigil, but having it on "Low Sunday" (A.K.A. Doubting Thomas Sunday or Divine Mercy Sunday) sure continued the joy of the Easter celebration!