Marissa Jensen, Church Visit #1

Church name: St. James Catholic Church  

Church address: 428 N. Second St.Rockford, IL 61107 

Date attended: January 19th 

Church category: Socioeconomic-ly different from traditional context   

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

This worship service was very different from my regular context in many ways. It was a denominationally different and socioeconomically different. The overall style of the church was very different from normal context. There were a few similarities, but they were primarily theological. The sermon overlapped a lot with some of the teachings of my home church. It was on why we were created and Jesus' function in our life as our Savior. The priest elaborated on how we are made to love God and be loved by him and also how we are to serve others as Christians. Most of the sermon was theologically similar to my own beliefs. But there were many differences, one of the biggest differences was the immense diversity of the church. There was almost an even 3 way split between caucasian, latino, and asian populations. Also the church was economically very different from my home church. Most of the congregation seemed to be a part of the lower middle or lower classes. But I personally felt like the church was much more focused on personal aspects of the service and the community rather than being fixed on finances or the financial status of the congregation. I thought that this was really fantastic. The service was also much more liturgical than my home context, which is Nondenominational. But I also really enjoyed this part of the service. I think that there is a lot of value in liturgy. 

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

I really enjoyed the liturgy during the service. We recited both the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed. I felt like this brought the congregation together and also solidified the core beliefs of the church. I also loved reflecting a bit on the purpose of reciting these creeds every week, beyond their theological context. It is very unique that the Catholic church has a special unity in their belief and practice through regularly reciting these two creeds. I love that every Sunday the church has these two reminders that they are a part of a much more global community of believers.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

I feel a bit shallow being honest with myself about what was the most challenging for me during the service and I think that it was the economic status of the congregation. I felt very out of place being so dressed up for church and being in a congregation where some individuals were comfortable in their PJs. When I walked in I felt like I screamed upper middle class. Going to this church I was unsure of what the socioeconomic status  would be. It was in Rockford and was a different tradition than my own so I wasn't sure which of our three required categories I would use this visit to fulfill. But honestly, I am glad that I was surprised in this way walking in. It made me think a bit about how visitors in the lower middle class or low class status must feel walking into my church, which reflects a different economic congregation. But I don't think that my experience is anywhere near as difficult as a visit would be for someone on the other side of the spectrum to visit my home church. 

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

The emphasis on the global catholic community was surprising to me. A large portion of the service was spent elaborating on the role and purpose of functioning within a large community of Catholic believers. This was a very different source of emphasis than my church historically has embraced. I definitely thought about how a church can be more globally connected beyond mission trips and global service. There is definitely something to be said about the role of the congregation to feel connected to global believers in Christ. I think that my church attempts to achieve global unity through international mission trips, which is great! ...But I think that there are other ways in which a church can encourage global connectedness through other believers internationally.