PUBLIC-SPIRITED CHURCH SAVES WATER BY HOLDING BAPTISM IN HOTEL POOL
Tuesday 4th July 2006
The Reflections Spa and Leisure Club at Bridgewood Manor hotel, near Chatham, is the surprise venue for a mass, full-immersion baptism service this Sunday (9 July) – because a Medway pastor wants to do his bit to save water.
Chatham Evangelical Church has its own baptistry – an 8ft x 4ft x 4ft tank containing hundreds of gallons of water – for baptism services inside the church building in Ordnance Street, Chatham. But Pastor David Hadlum feels that during a time of drought it is wasteful to use so much water briefly then “flush it down the drain”.
Mr Hadlum said: “We have all been asked to save water and we felt we ought to be doing something to lead the way. We are not legally obliged to do this but it is a matter of conscience. We felt an overwhelming sense that this was the right thing to do.
“It was difficult finding somewhere that we could use on a Sunday but Marston Hotels’ Bridgewood Manor really came to our rescue and we were delighted when they said we could use the spa and a conference room for free.”
More than 100 friends and relatives will attend the ceremony to watch six teenagers and two adults – including a father and son – baptised by Mr Hadlum. In true Biblical tradition, dating back to John the Baptist, each will address the audience, explaining the reasons why they wish to be baptised before entering the pool with the pastor and being immersed in more than four feet of water.
Bridgewood Manor’s Paula Ward, who has helped organise the event, said: “When Chatham Evangelical Church approached us we were delighted to offer them our pool as a baptism venue. In this time of drought, water is a precious resource and it’s great that we can work together to make the most of this vital commodity for the community.
