I finally managed to get a good video of a baptism at Messiah! The problem in the past has been finding a place to put the camera on a tripod ahead of time that wouldn't be blocked during the actual baptism. So this time I had a moment of inspiration and handed the camera to a friend of mine who happened to be there and whom I thought would be able to handle the camera without dropping it. (Yes, this was filmed with the Diocese's extra special camera that I have been learning to use.)
This video starts out with my sermon. Like all good Easter Day sermons it is relatively short (10 minutes) and high-energy. It relates baptism and resurrection and also seeks to make the resurrection hope real to people, not merely an abstraction. I have heard some preachers over preach on days like Easter, and I think that's one of the worst mistakes you can make. I kept it pretty loose, which also meant making a few rhetorical mistakes (nothing drastic or heretical, just not as neatly phrased as I might like). Anyway, feel free to fast-forward through that part if what you really want to see is how we do baptism at Messiah.
Alas, I did not get a good video of the blessing of water part of the rite. I also skipped over a little moment I had with the kids around the font where I talked to them a little about the meaning of baptism.
-t
Showing posts with label baptism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baptism. Show all posts
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Classical Clerical Curfuffle #231
A priest friend of mine in another Diocese was showing off a newly baptized baby to his congregation when he remarked through the P.A., "Hmm, weighs less than my corgi..."
-t
Friday, August 21, 2009
St. Peter's Lutheran, NYC
Take a look at this font:
It's in an architecturally interesting church--St. Peter's Lutheran (ELCA), Manhattan--that you may recognize from the TV series "Kings" on NBC. Alas, "Kings" was cancelled. Too bad, another example of why the traditional networks can't imitate the success of HBO's high quality productions. They just don't have the patience to develop a show like this. Anyway, they shot a bunch of scenes on location in this church, and I was pleased to be able to track it down.
One of the interesting features of this font/baptismal pool is that you can walk into from above easily with the steps that go right into the pool. Or, it's an a convenient height relative to the nave floor for doing baptism via sprinkling.
The set-dressers for the show "Kings" added some really cool tree-shaped free-standing candelabras. I hope the chancel guild of the church was paying attention!
Here are some more photos of St. Peter's Lutheran...
And, yes, that organ is a "Tracker."
-t
It's in an architecturally interesting church--St. Peter's Lutheran (ELCA), Manhattan--that you may recognize from the TV series "Kings" on NBC. Alas, "Kings" was cancelled. Too bad, another example of why the traditional networks can't imitate the success of HBO's high quality productions. They just don't have the patience to develop a show like this. Anyway, they shot a bunch of scenes on location in this church, and I was pleased to be able to track it down.
One of the interesting features of this font/baptismal pool is that you can walk into from above easily with the steps that go right into the pool. Or, it's an a convenient height relative to the nave floor for doing baptism via sprinkling.
The set-dressers for the show "Kings" added some really cool tree-shaped free-standing candelabras. I hope the chancel guild of the church was paying attention!
Here are some more photos of St. Peter's Lutheran...
And, yes, that organ is a "Tracker."
-t
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Baptism Teaser
We had three video cameras rolling, plus an audio recorder, to capture this baptism. I don't have all the footage in hand, yet, so it's going to take me a few days to get around to editing it together. I'm certainly glad that she was keen to have the moment recorded. I'm getting better at aspect of COTM's operation. Anyway, here is a short (15 second) teaser of her getting into the water....
It was a remarkably moving and joyful Pentecost!
-t
It was a remarkably moving and joyful Pentecost!
-t
Sunday, May 3, 2009
A Tired Tay
When I miss a few days blogging it's a good bet I've been not only busy, but busy with things I can't really blog about because their are either too boring or too confidential. That has been the case for the past several days. Little of which I can talk about openly.
But I can say that today went very well. Solid attendance and a good spirit. One of our parishioners told me after the service that more and more it seems like the church and I are falling into synch. I would agree--there is a definite coming together that happens. I notice that people feel more comfortable with me and vice-a-versa! We definitely have some momentum going and that has everyone feeling good.
Which is not to say that I'm not challenging them. Today, for instance, we had to hold a special Vestry to authorize the Wardens to open a Line of Credit with the bank to make up for an expected shortfall in operating capital. In other words, we are about to spend more than we are taking in. This is not unanticipated, and we expect to make up the difference with the Stewardship campaign this spring and summer. But in the meantime we don't want to spend down the endowment, so the alternative is to take a loan against the Rectory (which the church holds free and clear).
Establishing such a line-of-credit turns out to be a real hassle. Obviously, the Diocese wants to discourage this sort of thing, so we have to pass a Vestry motion, get the Bishop's permission, and apply for approval with several Diocesan Boards! It's a pain--but it's the right move from a ministry point of view, as most of this deficit is the result of missional spending (especially the Director of Children's and Youth Ministry). They say money follows vision, and certainly everyone who talks about revitalizing parishes speak of the need to make this kind of move. As one person wrote recently, "Stingy parishes don't grow."
So having a special vestry meeting (during announcements, no less) today probably raised the level of anxiety a bit for people, but that's okay. It's a challenge for people to fund the vision that they endorsed at Vestry a few months ago!
Also, remember how I was leaving it to the Holy Spirit to give me another Warden? Someone has stepped up and expressed interest. I'm gathering with the other Wardens and this person next Sunday to pray about it together. Assuming that lightening doesn't fall from the sky, we'll have our third Warden. Whew!
The ARC group met on Friday to look at the physical space at St. John's York Mills we will be using. It's perfect! Big and well suited. It's on the second floor but there is elevator access. We'll need some money for paint and shelves, but that's what grants are for! we are all really psyched about how this project is developing.
I can now reveal that one of my parishioners, who comes to the Saturday afternoon service, has expressed a desire to be baptized. We've set Pentecost as the date. It's going to be a rocking service with extra (rock) musicians and, now, an adult baptism. She is excited by the prospect of full-immersion baptism, which I have never done with an adult. I think it is going to be an incredibly powerful and meaningful way to celebrate the sacrament. Lots of practical issues to solve, but I embrace the challenge.
I've also done a lot of writing in the past few days. My Column for the June Anglican is off to the editor. I was extremely pleased with how it turned out and curious to hear the feedback. I also wrote a piece for The Episcopal Cafe which should be published sometime this week.
After church today I did confirmation prep with the youth group and now I'm just taking a little break. In a few minutes I'll walk down to Trinity to say Mass and then back up to COTM for this evening's big concert. As I write this the choir from Church of the Redeemer and our choir are workshopping. This evening (7pm) they will perform along with the Niagara Vocal Ensemble.
Besides putting on a killer concert, part of the point of this event is to experiment with partnering with Redeemer to host joint events. If it is successful we probably will do similar projects in the future. Indeed, we are going to get a small group of Messiah and Redeemer people together soon to discern possible directions for future shared ministry. These kinds of partnerships are absolutely essential for urban evangelism, IMHO!
So I'm a tired Tay!
-t
But I can say that today went very well. Solid attendance and a good spirit. One of our parishioners told me after the service that more and more it seems like the church and I are falling into synch. I would agree--there is a definite coming together that happens. I notice that people feel more comfortable with me and vice-a-versa! We definitely have some momentum going and that has everyone feeling good.
Which is not to say that I'm not challenging them. Today, for instance, we had to hold a special Vestry to authorize the Wardens to open a Line of Credit with the bank to make up for an expected shortfall in operating capital. In other words, we are about to spend more than we are taking in. This is not unanticipated, and we expect to make up the difference with the Stewardship campaign this spring and summer. But in the meantime we don't want to spend down the endowment, so the alternative is to take a loan against the Rectory (which the church holds free and clear).
Establishing such a line-of-credit turns out to be a real hassle. Obviously, the Diocese wants to discourage this sort of thing, so we have to pass a Vestry motion, get the Bishop's permission, and apply for approval with several Diocesan Boards! It's a pain--but it's the right move from a ministry point of view, as most of this deficit is the result of missional spending (especially the Director of Children's and Youth Ministry). They say money follows vision, and certainly everyone who talks about revitalizing parishes speak of the need to make this kind of move. As one person wrote recently, "Stingy parishes don't grow."
So having a special vestry meeting (during announcements, no less) today probably raised the level of anxiety a bit for people, but that's okay. It's a challenge for people to fund the vision that they endorsed at Vestry a few months ago!
Also, remember how I was leaving it to the Holy Spirit to give me another Warden? Someone has stepped up and expressed interest. I'm gathering with the other Wardens and this person next Sunday to pray about it together. Assuming that lightening doesn't fall from the sky, we'll have our third Warden. Whew!
The ARC group met on Friday to look at the physical space at St. John's York Mills we will be using. It's perfect! Big and well suited. It's on the second floor but there is elevator access. We'll need some money for paint and shelves, but that's what grants are for! we are all really psyched about how this project is developing.
I can now reveal that one of my parishioners, who comes to the Saturday afternoon service, has expressed a desire to be baptized. We've set Pentecost as the date. It's going to be a rocking service with extra (rock) musicians and, now, an adult baptism. She is excited by the prospect of full-immersion baptism, which I have never done with an adult. I think it is going to be an incredibly powerful and meaningful way to celebrate the sacrament. Lots of practical issues to solve, but I embrace the challenge.
I've also done a lot of writing in the past few days. My Column for the June Anglican is off to the editor. I was extremely pleased with how it turned out and curious to hear the feedback. I also wrote a piece for The Episcopal Cafe which should be published sometime this week.
After church today I did confirmation prep with the youth group and now I'm just taking a little break. In a few minutes I'll walk down to Trinity to say Mass and then back up to COTM for this evening's big concert. As I write this the choir from Church of the Redeemer and our choir are workshopping. This evening (7pm) they will perform along with the Niagara Vocal Ensemble.
Besides putting on a killer concert, part of the point of this event is to experiment with partnering with Redeemer to host joint events. If it is successful we probably will do similar projects in the future. Indeed, we are going to get a small group of Messiah and Redeemer people together soon to discern possible directions for future shared ministry. These kinds of partnerships are absolutely essential for urban evangelism, IMHO!
So I'm a tired Tay!
-t
Sunday, January 18, 2009
MLK Day
We had an MLK service at church this morning. To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. we had a drummer and Bass player and sang lots of Gospel and civil rights hymns. This congregation has enough people of black heritage (perhaps a third of the congregation) that these themes resonate deeply. I'm blessed with a truly diverse congregation. Like last Sunday, there was a lot of joy and energy and warmth. I feel really good right now about the way things are developing here at the church. More than one person has commented that they feel like the community is very close right now.
I believe strongly that the way to achieve growth for us, besides focusing on ministry to kids and focusing on the local neighbourhoods needs, is to create a tightly bonded and loving community. In fact, that kind of tightness and enriched community life is probably prerequisite for the kind of Mission that we want to do.
You see, many people talk about how churches need a "critical mass" in order to grow. Without that mass there just isn't enough energy or people to reach, attract, and integrate new people. It is said that you can achieve this critical mass either by being in a demographically growing area or by merging congregations together, but I think a third way is by making your existing congregation denser. That is, to enrich the interconnection and intimacy within your existing community. In that way, even a very small congregation can achieve such warmth and love that growth will be almost inevitable.
I know, this probably seems like an obvious thing, but actually shifting a congregation's social culture is very, very difficult. From a leadership perspective, I think it's probably very important that the new way of being together be modelled from the top-down. It's also important to be very firm about maintaining the boundaries of psychological safety. What I mean by that is that if Pastors want warm communities they need to police bad behaviour like bullying. I know so many congregations that have a dynamic poisoned by bullying!
A colleague who is leading a fast-growing midtown congregation told me the other day that one of her recent learnings is how fledgling, emerging, or newly growing communities, especially, need pastors willing to protect them from the wolves. You have to have some sense as the Pastor about what kind of behaviour you are willing to accept or not accept. Otherwise you'll end up harbouring all kinds of nastiness.
Back to this morning. I asked Marili (my Honourary Assistant) to preach. I'm glad I did as she gave an excellent sermon about social justice and the legacy of MLK. She could even talk about visiting King's church in Atlanta. She was excellent. I'll post it when I get a chance.
Another highlight this morning was being visited by a family looking to have their child baptized. Considering how well the last two baptisms went I'm feeling fantastic about a third. I know that many pastors feel badly when families disappear after having their children baptized, but we haven't had that problem yet. I'm really proud at how well our community has integrated the new families that have come to us. Usually in Pastoral-Sized congregations it's the Rector that does the work of integration, but I feel that here the congregation itself has done that remarkably well. The new families have even started volunteering for different projects and programmes. That said, I think I probably need to beef up my baptism preparation stuff. For example, a lot of congregations have handouts they give that cover a lot of basic groundwork and get things going. On the other hand, the more informal style of COTM is part of our appeal.
Now I'm getting ready to go home to take the rest of the day off to watch the NFL Playoffs. Life is good.
-t
I believe strongly that the way to achieve growth for us, besides focusing on ministry to kids and focusing on the local neighbourhoods needs, is to create a tightly bonded and loving community. In fact, that kind of tightness and enriched community life is probably prerequisite for the kind of Mission that we want to do.
You see, many people talk about how churches need a "critical mass" in order to grow. Without that mass there just isn't enough energy or people to reach, attract, and integrate new people. It is said that you can achieve this critical mass either by being in a demographically growing area or by merging congregations together, but I think a third way is by making your existing congregation denser. That is, to enrich the interconnection and intimacy within your existing community. In that way, even a very small congregation can achieve such warmth and love that growth will be almost inevitable.
I know, this probably seems like an obvious thing, but actually shifting a congregation's social culture is very, very difficult. From a leadership perspective, I think it's probably very important that the new way of being together be modelled from the top-down. It's also important to be very firm about maintaining the boundaries of psychological safety. What I mean by that is that if Pastors want warm communities they need to police bad behaviour like bullying. I know so many congregations that have a dynamic poisoned by bullying!
A colleague who is leading a fast-growing midtown congregation told me the other day that one of her recent learnings is how fledgling, emerging, or newly growing communities, especially, need pastors willing to protect them from the wolves. You have to have some sense as the Pastor about what kind of behaviour you are willing to accept or not accept. Otherwise you'll end up harbouring all kinds of nastiness.
Back to this morning. I asked Marili (my Honourary Assistant) to preach. I'm glad I did as she gave an excellent sermon about social justice and the legacy of MLK. She could even talk about visiting King's church in Atlanta. She was excellent. I'll post it when I get a chance.
Another highlight this morning was being visited by a family looking to have their child baptized. Considering how well the last two baptisms went I'm feeling fantastic about a third. I know that many pastors feel badly when families disappear after having their children baptized, but we haven't had that problem yet. I'm really proud at how well our community has integrated the new families that have come to us. Usually in Pastoral-Sized congregations it's the Rector that does the work of integration, but I feel that here the congregation itself has done that remarkably well. The new families have even started volunteering for different projects and programmes. That said, I think I probably need to beef up my baptism preparation stuff. For example, a lot of congregations have handouts they give that cover a lot of basic groundwork and get things going. On the other hand, the more informal style of COTM is part of our appeal.
Now I'm getting ready to go home to take the rest of the day off to watch the NFL Playoffs. Life is good.
-t
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sermon - Advent 3 2008
This sermon was given by me on December 14 (Advent 3), 2008, at The Church of The Messiah. We were having a (full immersion) Baptism of an infant that day, so I was pretty focused on that.
Here's a direct link to the MP3 file...
-t
Here's a direct link to the MP3 file...
-t
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sermon - Pentecost 22 2008
I preached this sermon on Pentecost 22 (October 12) 2008. It was was a baptism, so I kept the homily short and on that topic. It had a very nice feel to it, however, and people really appreciated the warmth.
Here's a direct link to the MP3 file...
-t
Here's a direct link to the MP3 file...
-t
Adventures in Baptism
Wow, what a wonderful Sunday. The (immersion!) Baptism went off without a hitch. The parents were very pleased with everything and little Matthew seemed to enjoy himself.
I arrived extra early to prepare the tank. First I wiped out the inside to get the dust and bits of plants that were still sticking to the inside. Then I filled it with warmish-hot water with a garden hose hooked up to the facet in our broom closet. I thought we might have to use a water-heater gizmo to keep it at temperature, but actually the water stayed warm for several hours just fine. A good learning about the properties of that kind of volume (more than 100 gallons).
Rolling it into position near the chancel was a bit tricky. I had calculated the weight on each wheel but didn't believe it before I filled the tank (~250 lbs?). So I think I'll add another pair of casters to the base to make it easier to roll around. I put some muscle into and got her done.
Kerrie, our Director of Children's and Youth Ministry, arrived early with supplies to dress the font with fabric. She used double-sided tape, though we may switch to Velcro. The result looked pretty good, and I'll post a photo once I have one.
I put the pascal candle next to the font and a small table for odds and ends (oil of chrism, baptismal candle, etc.).
The service started out strong. I was thankful that the collect, prayer over the gifts, and prayer after communion all mentioned baptism--that was pure coincidence. I do believe in saving baptisms for special occasions, but in this case I made an exception so little Matthew's grandmother could attend. As the time came for he sermon I felt tremendous warmth and gentleness. The Epistle, with it's call to "Rejoice always," buoyed me to a wonderful moment of preaching that was extremely present to everyone present. It felt wonderful to be that extemporaneous zone on such a joyful day. I used words like "beautiful" and "love" a lot!
At the last minute (big) Matthew and I added an extra hymn to give me time to change into a stunt-alb. He lead the whole congregation is singing a rousing version of "Wade in the Water," while I feverishly changed.
Just before the Baptism itself the parents took the baby to the vestry where I had a changing table and extra towels standing by. They brought him back naked except for a towel thingy to stay warm. At the appropriate time I took him out of the towel. and put him gently into the water up to his arm pits. He seemed to like the water just fine. The temperature was perfect.
I got comfortable again and then cradled him in the water with my left arm. As I pronounced the baptismal formula I used my right hand to block his nose and mouth and just tipped him back for a second. He didn't really care for that, but I wonder whether it was my hand on his face, the tipping backwards, or the submersion that he didn't like. I think next time I would probably lower rather than tip the baby in--but once I had him out of the water and back into a towel he calmed down just fine. Learnings. Learnings.
Next was the anointing and then a hymn while the parents dressed him in the Vestry. When they came back he was righter than rain--spiritually bathed and clothed in Christ. In the mean time I switched back to my regular alb, as the stunt alb was predictably wet. I presented him with the candle and then the congregation greeted the newest Christian.
The rest of the service continued in the same theme of warmth and joy. Afterwards the parents and godparents told me how pleased they were with everything. The rest of the congregation was please, as well, and told me how much they liked it. As it turns out this is not the first time COTM has done immersion baptism. A member of the choir recalled it being done back in Desmond Hunt's day. Perhaps sometime I'll search for a record of that.
Someone said I was very brave to do such a service on such short notice. Yet I think it's one of the very special attributes of this church (COTM) that they are willing to "go there" whenever we try something new. They have a high tolerance for experimentation in this place that I am deeply greatly for. Man, I love these people!
-t
I arrived extra early to prepare the tank. First I wiped out the inside to get the dust and bits of plants that were still sticking to the inside. Then I filled it with warmish-hot water with a garden hose hooked up to the facet in our broom closet. I thought we might have to use a water-heater gizmo to keep it at temperature, but actually the water stayed warm for several hours just fine. A good learning about the properties of that kind of volume (more than 100 gallons).
Rolling it into position near the chancel was a bit tricky. I had calculated the weight on each wheel but didn't believe it before I filled the tank (~250 lbs?). So I think I'll add another pair of casters to the base to make it easier to roll around. I put some muscle into and got her done.
Kerrie, our Director of Children's and Youth Ministry, arrived early with supplies to dress the font with fabric. She used double-sided tape, though we may switch to Velcro. The result looked pretty good, and I'll post a photo once I have one.
I put the pascal candle next to the font and a small table for odds and ends (oil of chrism, baptismal candle, etc.).
The service started out strong. I was thankful that the collect, prayer over the gifts, and prayer after communion all mentioned baptism--that was pure coincidence. I do believe in saving baptisms for special occasions, but in this case I made an exception so little Matthew's grandmother could attend. As the time came for he sermon I felt tremendous warmth and gentleness. The Epistle, with it's call to "Rejoice always," buoyed me to a wonderful moment of preaching that was extremely present to everyone present. It felt wonderful to be that extemporaneous zone on such a joyful day. I used words like "beautiful" and "love" a lot!
At the last minute (big) Matthew and I added an extra hymn to give me time to change into a stunt-alb. He lead the whole congregation is singing a rousing version of "Wade in the Water," while I feverishly changed.
Just before the Baptism itself the parents took the baby to the vestry where I had a changing table and extra towels standing by. They brought him back naked except for a towel thingy to stay warm. At the appropriate time I took him out of the towel. and put him gently into the water up to his arm pits. He seemed to like the water just fine. The temperature was perfect.
I got comfortable again and then cradled him in the water with my left arm. As I pronounced the baptismal formula I used my right hand to block his nose and mouth and just tipped him back for a second. He didn't really care for that, but I wonder whether it was my hand on his face, the tipping backwards, or the submersion that he didn't like. I think next time I would probably lower rather than tip the baby in--but once I had him out of the water and back into a towel he calmed down just fine. Learnings. Learnings.
Next was the anointing and then a hymn while the parents dressed him in the Vestry. When they came back he was righter than rain--spiritually bathed and clothed in Christ. In the mean time I switched back to my regular alb, as the stunt alb was predictably wet. I presented him with the candle and then the congregation greeted the newest Christian.
The rest of the service continued in the same theme of warmth and joy. Afterwards the parents and godparents told me how pleased they were with everything. The rest of the congregation was please, as well, and told me how much they liked it. As it turns out this is not the first time COTM has done immersion baptism. A member of the choir recalled it being done back in Desmond Hunt's day. Perhaps sometime I'll search for a record of that.
Someone said I was very brave to do such a service on such short notice. Yet I think it's one of the very special attributes of this church (COTM) that they are willing to "go there" whenever we try something new. They have a high tolerance for experimentation in this place that I am deeply greatly for. Man, I love these people!
-t
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Build Your Own Adult-Sized Font: Part I
One of the great and ingenious aspects of Sacramental Theology is that requires us to roll up our sleeves and dig our fingers into the messy materiality of God's created world. The moment we break bread, pour wine, or swear oil on someone's forehead we are saying something profound about our connection to this world of ours. We aren't just temporarily confused visitors passing through on our way to enlightenment beyond the flesh--we are co-creators with God capable of transforming all of creation into something holy and grace-bearing.
It seems to me that recovering the tradition of full-immersion baptism is both right and good. There is nothing wrong with the sprinkle-of-water variety, but if we can make this rite richer and more in keeping it's monumental spiritual importance, so much the better. So this Sunday at COTM we are doing a full-immersion infant baptism. As luck would have it, my first candidate for inclusion in the Christian family in this way happens to have a mother from Africa who is familiar with full-immersion and thinks it's great.
One problem, we don't have a font deep enough to submerge an infant (let alone anyone bigger). So in less than a week we are building our own baptismal tank:
It's a fun project. I pleased to have done it. It's going to make the actual Baptism on Sunday even more fulfilling.
-t
It seems to me that recovering the tradition of full-immersion baptism is both right and good. There is nothing wrong with the sprinkle-of-water variety, but if we can make this rite richer and more in keeping it's monumental spiritual importance, so much the better. So this Sunday at COTM we are doing a full-immersion infant baptism. As luck would have it, my first candidate for inclusion in the Christian family in this way happens to have a mother from Africa who is familiar with full-immersion and thinks it's great.
One problem, we don't have a font deep enough to submerge an infant (let alone anyone bigger). So in less than a week we are building our own baptismal tank:
Build Your Own Adult-Sized Font: Part I
Materials
Galvanized Steel Stock Tank, 6' X 2' X 2' works well
2 1/2' X 8' X 3/4" Plywood Sheet
4 3" Casters with brakes
16 1.5" X 1/4" Carriage bolts
16 Locking Washers to fit
16 1/4" Nuts2' X 2' X 6' Stock Tank (167 Gallons!)
Tools
Saw horses
Orbital Jigsaw (Use Stardard Wood blade--medium speed)
Pencil
Carpenter's Square
Hand-held drill (with 1/4" bit--self-piloting in even better)
Wrench (Crescent is just fine)
Hammer
Time: 1.5 Hours
Skill Level: Basic
Construction
1. Put your plywood sheet (large enough to cover the base of the tank) on the floor. Put the tank on top and trace the outline of the tank bottom on the plywood.
2. Put the plywood on the saw horses and cut along the pencil line with the jigsaw.
3. Flip the plywood and write "bottom" on the plywood in pencil! Use the square to figure out where to put the casters. They should be symmetrical and not too close to the edge. Then place the actual casters in place and use the pencil to mark drill holes. Drill the holes.
4. Flip the plywood over and put the bolts through the holes. You'll probably need to tap them with the hammer (a snug fit is good).
5. Flip the plywood over again and put the casters in place. Secure with locking wasters and nuts. Don't over-tighten.
6. Put the chassis on the floor and put the tank on top! Done!
Notes
* Get a water heater for the tank to keep the water warm.
* The best place to fill the tank is from a facet that you can attach a garden hose to and get hot water from.
*I'm probably going to add L brackets to the wood chassis to keep the tank from sliding off the platform, though with water in the tank I think it will be okay.
Part II will involve dressing the tank with fabric to make it look pretty. I'm still figuring out what the best way to do that will be. One idea was S-Hooks, but Home Depot didn't have any big enough to fit for the rim. I thought about using a glue gun to attach a velcro strip, but I'm not sure it will adhere to the steel well. Any ideas?
It's a fun project. I pleased to have done it. It's going to make the actual Baptism on Sunday even more fulfilling.
-t
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