Living Water: Baptism as a Way of Life

Klara Tammany is a professional Christian educator who goes about her calling with a joyous urgency. This book demonstrates her impassioned approach to religious instruction. She starts with the premise that ongoing Christian education must be central to a life of faith, and then proceeds from the corollary that baptism must be central to all Christian education. Eight group sessions focus repeatedly on water, first as a natural element necessary to life, then as a symbolic element necessary to spirituality. Gradually, through prayer, song, scripture, silence, poetry, visual arts, storytelling, group discussion, and personal reflection, water--as baptismal element--gains ascendancy. No longer mere, occasional refreshment, Living Water inundates, becomes life's very medium.

This text makes for excellent catechumenal preparation but is intended for use by all Christians--those who are years into their journeys as well as those who are beginning. Designed for small groups of adult Episcopalians, the program is easily adaptable to other denominations, to one-on-one spiritual mentoring, to children, young adult, or intergenerational groups, and even to individuals for private meditation.