Running to the River - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

Excitement, singing, running to the water
to the river, to be washed clean
joining in the faith, by water, into the river
the Spirit filling them, filling the air
excitement of the moment, of this joy

Dying into the depths,
jumping from the water
able to walk free, up from the river bank
into the arms of family, of the congregation
laughing, singing, a community

Joining our savior, in the baptism
becoming the beloved of God
the Spirit indwelling within us
forever changed, life anew
up out of the waters

Sent forth, each of us a messenger
connected by the waters
the living waters, flowing
from the Jordan to our hearts
singing praise to our God

July 3, 2009
Reverend Sammie Maxwell
African Choir
Celebration of Youth
Baptism of the Teens
families from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
who suffered through the massacre of August 13, 2004,
at Gatumba, their refugee camp in Burundi
See - http://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/burundi/2004/0904/1.htm#_Toc81987410,
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Activists_remember_Burundi's_Gatumba_massacre
Psalm 130
Mark 1:1-13
and sermon, “A Baptism of Life Change”
by Bishop Peter Weaver of New England United Methodist Conference
Contoocook United Methodist Church
June 28, 2009