Calling: A Song for the Baptized

Caroline A. Westerhoff begins her exploration of the Christian Life with the memory of childhood afternoons spent rocking in green wicker chairs on her grandmother's front porch, listening to the stories of women who came to call. The multifaceted image of calling--as baptismal vocation, the sharing of time and conversation, and the vision that informs our actions and choices--is vividly described through Westerhoff's stories drawn from her life and work. Narratives of what it means to live as a Christian provide the variations on the baptismal themes of ministry, community, and responsibility in this "song of the baptized." Each movement, theme, and variation is introduced by one feature of the prayer book baptismal service. This study guide suggests ways that Calling can be used not only in preparation for baptism and confirmation, but for individuals and groups reflecting on the meaning of ministry.