On May 15, Dr. James Carson baptized Molly and Beth Carson, two of his granddaughters. Prior to the baptism, Dr. Carson spoke to the two young women and used the definition of the sacrament of baptism found in the Westminster Larger Catechism. That statement reads in part: “Baptism … [is] a sign and seal of ingrafting into [Christ], of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life.” The grandfather placed special emphasis on the phrase “of adoption,” and he did so for a reason. Both Molly and Beth are Vietnamese and as children were adopted by their parents, Ken and Jean Carson.

The sacrament of baptism, therefore, took on a special significance not only for the Carson family but also for the College Hill RPC. This congregation may serve to illustrate, more than most congregations, the reality of the covenant relationship through Jesus Christ between God and His children that the writers of the Bible chose to call adoption:

“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Eph. 1:5).

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship [adoption]. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom. 8:15-16).

If one were to consider all the communicant members, baptized members, and adherents in the congregation, one would be struck by the fact that so many listed there are adoptees. At present there are 26 adoptees in the congregation, representing approximately 10 percent of the membership, and 15 parents who have adopted children. The adoptees range in age from 1 to 80. The children have been adopted from a variety of circumstances and locales: Caucasian and biracial children from the United States, and children from Ethiopia, Vietnam, China, and Russia.

There are 8 adult adoptees, including a floral arranger, a truck driver, a bank teller, a graduate student, and a schoolteacher. In two instances, adoptees eventually found their birth families. Although most adoptive parents brought one child into their home, seven parents adopted more than one child. In one family five children were adopted.

The great majority of these adopted persons worship regularly at College Hill RPC. Whenever a baptism occurs or we sing a psalm that declares the wonder of the covenant relationship with God, the congregation is once again visibly reminded of that wonder by the presence of those, young and old, who have by adoption been brought into their worshiping family.