Live baptism festival in Unterrombach: Faith combines generations!

Live baptism festival in Unterrombach: Faith combines generations!

Unterrombach, Deutschland - On May 18, 2025, the Evangelical parish of Unterrombach celebrated a lively baptism -resistant, which attracted around 170 participants. The service, which began in the Christ Church, offered a festive atmosphere, in which music, stories and community were the focus. Particularly noteworthy was the baptism of a toddler and the possibility for the parishioners to have a cross made of water painted on the palm. The trombone choir Unterrombach provided musical accompaniment and contributed to the festive atmosphere. During the festival, members of the community shared personal baptismal stories, which further strengthened the community.

A highlight of the event was the decision of three confirmands to choose a river baptism in the water of the linen. Peter Stier-Simon, pastor of the community, carried out the immersion baptism, which is considered the oldest form of baptism. The water temperature was about 21 degrees, but the baptists did not express any complaints. After the service, the participants had the opportunity to come together with coffee and cake, organized by the parents' advisory board of the Evangelical Kindergarten Sandbergnest. The festival ended with a lunch together and a happy cooperation, which underlined the importance of baptism as the beginning of a new life with Jesus Christ.

baptism practice in change

The design of baptisms and christening eggs in Evangelical Landeskirchen has changed in recent years. Families are increasingly wanting to baptize outside the church, so that parishes react actively to these wishes. Regina Sommer, theologian at the University of Marburg, found in her research that parents are aiming for an individual celebration that takes their personal needs and experiences into account. Baptismers often take place on Saturday afternoons to facilitate the journey for relatives.

These trends are also reflected in the high level of baptism in Protestant churches, with 95% of the Protestant church members in West Germany supporting the baptism of their children. Baptism is often perceived as a family event, but current statistics show a decline in baptisms in recent years, which is partly due to demographic developments. In East Germany in particular, the baptism rate of children of non -married evangelical mothers remains low, at around 25%.

theological background

The understanding and practice of baptism in the Evangelical Church are characterized by differentiations and pluralization. Traditionally, baptism is considered in the Lutheran tradition as a actions of God, which inserts the baptized into the community of the church. In the reformed tradition, on the other hand, the focus is on baptism as a sign of assurance of faith. These different perspectives are reflected in the baptism practices and lead to a complex debate about the baptism of children, which was also important in the 20th century.

The 1973 Leuenberger Concordie tries to develop basic lines of the Protestant understanding of baptism. Baptism is always carried out in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit and remains a central element of the life of faith. Nevertheless, many municipalities experience challenges when it comes to teaching theological content in baptism discussions, which often leads to an emotional overwhelming sponsor and parents.

The baptism festival in Unterrombach shows in an impressive way how tradition and modern needs can come together in the Evangelical Church. The community and faith come together in such festive occasions that are understood not only as a ritual, but as a significant life in the faith of the baptisms.