A lady from Haverfordwest was baptised in the sea by St. Catherine's Island on Sunday. Well known to the members of Emmanuel Gospel Church, Manorbier and Hesed Fellowship, Tenby, Angela sealed her commitment to God in the most traditional way - in the open air. It was set off with a small service on the beach led by Rev. Peter Richmond. He quoted the parting words of Jesus: "Make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Friends and relatives laughed when the pastor said he doubted that Angela had done anything dramatically evil in her life; "but you will see some changes, because she has the spirit of God living in her," he stated. "Baptism is the outward symbol of an inner change, and it's like washing off the devil's fingerprints." After the baptism, a large party had lunch together in Carringtons Restaurant. If they had glanced across Castle Square to Laston House as they were leaving, they would have seen the old Greek inscription, 'The sea washes away the evils of man'. Perhaps they would have argued that it takes more than sea water; it takes the sacrificial love of a perfect man, the son of God. Christians believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again, defeating death for all those who believe - and that is what baptism is all about. Sunday afternoon was the third time Mr. Richmond has performed a sea baptism in Tenby since moving to the area in 1989.
