River baptism expands tradition

Walking down a boat ramp and into the cool waters of the Kootenai River, Libby resident Cameron Gardner and the Rev. Sherry Edwards were stepping into a significant moment in their individual spiritual journeys.

In a religious ceremony that seems to be rare for these parts, Gardner went under the water and emerged as a cleansed individual at the beginning of his own journey of faith. And for Edwards, it was the first baptism by immersion that she had conducted.

Gardner embraced the idea of an old-fashioned river baptism because of his love for the outdoors, an affair that began for the 33-year-old doctor at his native Gold Beach, Ore. Thus, full immersion in a river with mountains and trees serving as the backdrop seemed like a no-brainer.

“More than the old-time notion of a full immersion for that reason, it was kind of combining the two Š the organized and structured part (of religion) but I still wanted to meld that with what I think is really God’s playground, the outdoors.”

The request for a river baptism didn’t bring immediate cheers from the First Presbyterian Church congregation. It was out of the ordinary, an act venturing over the boundaries of tradition.

“It wasn’t a big controversy or anything but it certainly raised some eyebrows like, ‘well, why does he want to do this?” Gardner said. “When she presented my rationale, at least it was thought out and not just a gimmicky thing and they were much more accepting of that.”

Indeed, the congregation turned out in high numbers to watch the event at Osprey Landing, known to locals as “Re-reg.” Edwards believes it was a special moment for the church.

“It was very unifying and they all experienced it in different ways,” Edwards said. “We can add to tradition. We don’t necessarily want to change it, but add to it.”

A river baptism is acceptable in the Presbyterian faith; it just hadn’t been done at the Libby church. Edwards said that the church’s “Book of Order” indicates that the key component to a baptism is water.

“It is stated that baptism is by immersion, by sprinkling or by pouring – all are accepted,” she said. “The symbolism is still the water.”

Gardner said he wasn’t really raised in a religious environment and was the last in his own immediate family to be baptized.

“My wife is from a Presbyterian background but basically I always had a spirituality more than I had a religion,” Gardner said. “So, being outdoors and doing outdoor things has meant a lot to me.”

The flat approach to the Kootenai at Osprey Landing allowed easy access for older members of the church’s congregation.

“It was perfect; it was like an 80-degree day and the water was probably 60, 65, so it was brisk but not freezing,” Gardner said about his day of baptism, which occurred on Aug. 17. “There wasn’t a lot of current there and she had nice linen on and I actually wore my stuff from church.”

So wearing his Sunday’s best, Gardner went into the water. Edwards said a few words and there was singing. At the time of the actual dunk, Edwards asked the much taller Gardner to bend at his knees.

“We were in waist-deep water and she’s not a big woman so really, when she put me down, I had to sort of get myself back up,” he said.

Edwards put a handkerchief over Gardner’s nose.

“I was a little anxious but it worked out fine,” Edwards said. “It was very invigorating for him when he went all the way under; it was a very spiritual moment for him as well. It seemed to be very meaningful.”

Since Gardner’s baptism, Edwards has received interest from others in the church to experience the immersion ceremony for themselves.

“It opened the door for broader thinking on baptism in our Presbyterian church and I’m thankful for that,” she said.