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As the water passed from a plastic pitcher to the baptismal fount, I felt peace.

Last Sunday, a combined worship service was held with Trinity and St. Anna’s Episcopal Churches because of the annual bishop’s visit.

The Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, led a beautiful service, which also included a baptism.

In the Episcopal Church during baptisms, parishioners stand and read the Baptismal Covenant. The covenant, in my view, serves as a reminder, and it reminded me that we all are loved.

Kendrick admitted to those attending the packed service at St. Anna’s that due to the last-minute arrangements of the baptism, it will be an instructional baptism.

He beckoned the children to sit around the fount, and had the child’s sponsors and parents gathered nearby.

Saying a blessing over the water, Kendrick poured the cool and clear liquid to get it ready for the next step.

The Rev. Mike Hill then took a large sea shell, dipped it into the water and poured it over the newly baptized’s head.

Everybody in the church was on the edge of their seats, and I was, too.

Sitting next to a window, I looked out and thought that it was a beautiful day.

It ended up being a peaceful one, too.