Baptism of Thomas Fraser
Posted Monday 11 May 2009 ~ 4:09pm
Carolyn, Jevan and Thomas
On 26th April, Thomas Hume Campbell Fraser was baptised. His parents, Jevan and Carolyn have taken him regularly to the early service and now brought him to be baptised. A good number of family and friends attended the service and along with godparents Jane Barley, Joyce Botham and Martin Richie enjoyed a celebration with church members after the service in the Trinity Centre and then had a private party for lunch. It was a long day for Thomas, but he took it all in his stride with a cheery look. Carolyn and Jevan also seemed to be enjoying the day.
Carolyn had chose two reading to mark the occasion from Julian of Norwich. Fr Maurice said in the sermon:
Thomas – I think your mother chose well today. Listen to the words of Julian. I hope you grow up like that other Thomas in the gospels with your own doubts, your own disagreements and faults. I hope you know you are loved. I know that Carolyn & Jevan love you. I trust your new Godparents love you and will remember your birthdays and the like. Today this congregation will promise to love you, today I proclaim (along with sister Julian) that God loves you forever, unconditionally and irrevocably.
Because this gospel that we confess(unlike the Hollywood version of stories) makes no assumption that we all begin innocent; includes no removal or excision of the ‘damage’ in our lives done to or by us; and has no place for revenge. Rather we are all found to be guilty and damaged, we are not forgiven in a way that removes our frail humanity; but we are assured that we are loved. And as the Norwich woman said, “that is the meaning, that is what God means for us – Love is his meaning.”
Thomas is already a well loved and accepted member of Holy Trinity.
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