Last fall, the congregation of Lindale Mennonite Church in Linville, Va., was invited to celebrate the baptism of Robert Silvers, a member with an intellectual disability. For months, Robert and his mother, Sandi, had been discussing baptism and how Robert could participate in a way that reflected his relationship with God.

After Robert said he wanted to be baptized, Sandi consulted with Derek Yoder, part of the leadership at Faith & Light, an inclusive worship gathering for people with intellectual disabilities, and began a conversation about what baptism could look like for Robert.

Derek and Amanda Swartley, minister of congregational life at Lindale, agreed the service needed Robert’s input. Meeting in the library at Lindale, seven people gathered to support him in his decision to follow Christ.

Robert was asked what songs he wanted (“He Who Began a Good Work in You”), which cup he wanted for the water to be poured over his head and how he wanted to be baptized (“standing, because of these creaky knees!”).

On Sept. 24, a rainy Sunday afternoon, after a last-minute venue change from the creek at Highland Retreat to Lindale Mennonite Church, the baptism began. In attendance were many members of the Faith and Light community, people with disabilities and their families.

The Faith & Light members brought humor, affirmation and celebration — all of which felt inclusive, exciting and just a bit unpredictable.

The baptism service affirmed both the grand nature of God and the vulnerability of loving one another. It was physical and intimate in a way that was uncomfortable yet playful, communal and raw.

Robert’s witness came in the inaudible tune he played on his air guitar, the drumming on his bongos and when he told Amanda Swartley he wanted to be baptized so he could be like God.

She asked Robert, “What do you mean? Tell me more about how you want to be like God.”

Robert replied, “Well, God planted a garden, and it was good.”

God tending the Garden of Eden, caring for the animals and breathing life into a once desolate space, is an example of what inclusive worship can yield. It demonstrates Robert’s witness as a source of life within the community of faith.

At that moment, members of Lindale Mennonite looked at each other, confirming the presence of each other and God.

After the service, Dennis Bru­baker, a fellow member, asked me (Kendal Swartzentruber), “You know what my takeaway from this is? We need to hug each other more.”

I smiled, and we both stretched out our arms — almost checking if the other was serious — and hugged in the middle of the worship hall.

Robert’s baptism strips away the prideful intellectualism and pious obligation that many feel are necessary in church.

Perhaps Sandi’s letter to Robert sums up what might be learned in committing to inclusion. She wrote:

“It has been exciting to watch you grow in your love of God and Jesus and how it has helped me grow. I am so excited that you are taking the step to be baptized. I know God is looking down on you and saying, ‘Robert, you are my treasure, and I find my pleasure in you.’ ”

Kendal Swartzentruber is an elder and disability ally at Lindale Mennonite Church. Amanda Swartley is minister of congregational life at Lindale.