wfn.org | White House Baptism

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3533 notes).

Note 3532 by UMNS on April 2, 1997 at 16:17 Eastern (3891 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                            178(10-71BP){3532}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615-742-5470              April 2, 1997

EDITORS NOTE: A photo of the baptism is available.

Minister explains reasons for 
baptism at White House

by Jane Dennis*
     
     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) -- Performing a baptism at the White
House is "not a paramount thing," said the retired United
Methodist pastor who baptized the president's nephew on Easter
Sunday.
     The Rev. John P. Miles of Hot Springs, Ark. conducted what is
believed to be the first baptism of an infant or child at the
White House. He baptized Tyler Cassidy Clinton, the nearly
3-year-old son of Molly D'Ann Martin Clinton and Roger Cassidy
Clinton on March 30. Miles officiated at Roger and Molly Clinton's
marriage ceremony and is a long-time friend of the Clinton family.
     Participating in the private ceremony were Tyler's
godparents, William Jefferson Clinton, president of the United
States and brother of Roger Clinton, and Nancy Martin Reeves,
sister of Molly Clinton. 
     "Whether we did it at the White House or the National
Cathedral, or beside a river is not the paramount thing," Miles
declared. "The paramount thing is that the grace of God is applied
at baptism. God recognizes Tyler as part of the family."
     Tyler was born May 12, 1994, in Torrance, Calif. Though the
family resides in Redondo Beach, Calif., Roger Clinton retains his
membership at First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs, Ark.,
where Tyler is now listed as a baptized member. Molly Clinton is a
member of the Catholic church. 
     While most United Methodist services of baptism are conducted
in churches during a regular service of worship, clergy "have
permission to make exceptions in special circumstances," said
Miles, who serves as a part-time associate pastor at the Hot
Springs church. 
     In this case, the often cumbersome logistics of travel for
the president -- compounded of late by his knee injury and recent
surgery -- made it simpler to bring the ceremony to him. The
president stood, leaning on crutches, for the ceremony. 
     "Roger wanted his brother there," Miles said, noting that the
two are "very, very close." Because of their relationship, "Roger
would rather go to his brother than have his brother go to him,"
the pastor said. 
     Miles said prior to the service he discussed with Tyler's
parents, godparents and their families the importance of baptism
and the responsibilities that go along with their pledge to guide
and direct the child in the faith.
     "I tried to explain to them individually when I talked with
them, and as a group, that baptism is really the grace of God,"
the 67-year-old pastor said. "It is undeserved by everyone, yet it
is a symbol that God claims us." 
     The service also gave Tyler Clinton's family "an opportunity
to reaffirm their covenant faith," Miles said, "and to pledge
their support to raise the child, by precept and example, in holy
ways, to follow our Lord Jesus." Those who gathered for the
ceremony "represented the holy catholic church," he said.
      The First Church congregation is expected to repeat their
baptismal pledge to Tyler during the April 6 worship service. 
     Among the small group of close friends and family members
attending were Chelsea Clinton; Hillary Rodham Clinton and her
mother, Dorothy Rodham of Little Rock, Ark.; Dick Kelley of Hot
Springs, husband of the late Virginia Kelley, the president's
mother; and Emilie Martin, Tyler's maternal grandmother.
                              #  #  #

     * Dennis is the editor of the Arkansas United Methodist,
newspaper of the North Arkansas and Little Rock Annual
Conferences.

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