Freedom
... a celebration of Rosemary Baptist
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

These photos show the baptism of Molly Dann by her father, the Rev. Mike Dann, during an "oldfashioned" ceremony held Sunday afternoon, June 24, at Bennett's Landing on the Ogeechee River. Rev. Dann, pastor, and members of Rosemary Baptist Church gathered on the riverbank to baptize eight persons into the Christian faith.

While most of the nation is celebrating freedom from tyranny and independence this July 4th, a local church is also celebrating a different kind of freedom, the kind that comes from forgiveness of sins.

It was not the Jordan River, and he was not John the Baptist. But with "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" the Rev. Mike Dann, along with members of Rosemary Baptist Church, gathered on the banks of the Ogeechee River Sunday afternoon, June 24, at Bennett's Landing for one of the most solemn ceremonies of the Christian faith - baptism.

Forsaking the comforts of an air-conditioned church and the warmed waters of a baptistery, Rev. Dann and congregation opted for an "old-fashioned" service. The suffocating heat, annoying gnats and preying horseflies did little to dampen the spirits of those gathered as they offered prayers and songs prior to the baptism of eight persons in the muddy river waters.

(Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

Among those baptized were Molly Dann, 5, and Maggie Dann, 7, daughters of Rev. Dann and wife Allison.

"This is new to me too," Rev. Dann jokingly remarked as he waded into the river. "If we fall down, we'll just get back up."

They did not fall down, however, as one-by-one participants joined Rev. Dann in the river. With smiles they were submerged beneath the water and with smiles they were lifted up again. Only Maggie and Molly suffered any "ill-effects", both temporarily losing their flipflops.

For older participants and congregation, it was a momentary return to the "good ole days" and for younger ones, a new experience. In the end, it was not the unconventional setting of the ceremony that made the day an event to remember, but the knowledge that eight persons could also celebrate "freedom from sin", along with their July 4th independence festivities.

From "shore to shining shore" to the muddy waters of the Ogeechee River, freedom rings in more ways than one this July 4th!