Around 800 guests celebrate a church service of the Protestant Deanery of Darmstadt
Fifty people, ranging in age from one year to their mid-forties, were baptized at the baptismal festival at the Woog lake in Darmstadt . Around 800 people attended the open-air service on Sunday. Some of the baptisms took place directly in the water of the Woog, others on the shore. This was the sixth baptismal festival organized by the Protestant Deanery of Darmstadt since 2008.
Among the guests were families of children being baptized, godparents, and members of various church congregations. More than 50 volunteers from twelve parishes in the deanery supported the event.
Baptisms in the Woog and on the shore
The service centered on an interactive sermon about the miracle of Jesus and Peter's miraculous catch of fish. The ImPuls Band from Eberstadt provided the music. Afterwards, the 50 candidates were baptized at several stations along the shore and in the pond.
For some participants, the baptism in the lake had a special local connection. "Being baptized in the lake where I live connects me even more to my city," said a 13-year-old who was fully submerged in the Woog for his baptism.
The baptismal celebration was organized by pastors Astrid Maria Horn and Ilka Friedrich. They were supported by other pastors, parish educators, and the two deans, Dr. Raimund Wirth and Sven Sabary.
Horn and Friedrich particularly emphasized the cooperation of the numerous participants from the various parishes. Pastor Dr. Gerhard Schnitzspahn, who had previously been the lead organizer of the deanery's baptismal celebrations and is now retiring, expressed his delight that the tradition will be continued.
More than 2000 euros collected in the collection
In addition to the baptisms, visitors had the opportunity to receive a personal blessing, reflect on their own baptism, or submit prayer requests. After the service, the festivities continued on the Woogswiese meadow.
According to the Protestant deanery, the collection raised more than 2,000 euros. The money is earmarked for projects of the United Evangelical Mission to provide clean drinking water in rural regions of Africa and Asia, as well as for the sea rescue organization Sea-Watch.
The baptismal festival at the Woog has been organized by the Protestant Deanery of Darmstadt every three years since 2008.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM)
Featured image: Protestant Deanery of Darmstadt/Ben Pakalski
