Church Name: The
Faith Community of Saint Sabina
Church Address: 1210
W 78th Place, Chicago, IL, 60620
Date Attended: 21/9/14
Church Category: different
ethnic/racial demographic
Describe the worship
service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular
context?
Although
I have never been to a Roman Catholic Church before, I expected my background
with Eastern Orthodox churches or protestant high-church to give me an edge
navigating the worship service. I was wrong. Nothing throughout the service
remotely resembled a liturgy; the only familiar aspect was the scripture
readings, which were conducted in a similar manner to contexts I’m familiar
with. Otherwise, it was a festival of dance and gospel music – very good gospel music, which lasted for a long time. Similar to Church of the
Rock, the music style was modes of repetition and ascending vocals. Unlike
Church of the Rock, the performance was richly artistic and awe-inspiring. The
worshiper was easily transported to a place of reverence simply by the music,
and at least once per song I got chills on the back of my neck from the energy
generated by the worship team and congregation.
What did you find
most interesting or appealing about the worship service?
I
found the dedication to artistry the most satisfying and engaging aspect of the
worship service. Too often in the evangelical church, we satisfy ourselves with
poor musicianship and little or no attention to the aesthetics of our
surroundings. Not so at Saint Sabina. The music was a glorious expression of
praise because of the talent clearly
demonstrated by the musicians. Like an good Catholic Church, we were surrounded
by beautifully done stained glass, but it was augmented by an enormous painting
of Christ (as a muscular African American man) descending to earth from the
hands of God the Father while a neon sign hanging high above the congregation
stated simply: “Jesus.” Behind the altar there was a large globe with the world
peace written on it, to serve as a reminder of the church’s mission.
Everywhere, attention had been paid to ensure that not only our words but also
our actions and environment gave glory to God.
What did you find
most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?
Father
Michael Pfleger. I have never encountered in such close proximity (and I was
sitting in the back) a man with a more powerful personality. If Saint Sabina
weren’t a Roman Catholic Church, it would surely be a cult of personality. Father
Pfleger spoke powerfully about justice and the role of their church and the
role of The Church. And all the while I just felt so wary, attempting to weigh
his words with care to make sure that I wasn’t being pulled into agreement
simply because of his charisma. I think it is at once brilliant and dangerous
for a church to have such a magnetic personality as its leader. I have a
difficult time with the notion that the priest acts as an intercessor, acts as
Christ, for the congregation. Because I am not Catholic (nor an official member
of the Orthodox Church), I didn’t go up for communion, but I think even if I
had I would have been uncomfortable taking communion from Father Pfleger.
What aspects of
Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had
not perceived as clearly in your regular context?
This
church gets social justice in a way that is completely foreign to any church
context I have been a part of. More so even than Church of the Rock, a church
dedicated to racial reconciliation, Saint Sabina is a church dedicated to
righting the wrong of racial injustice and injustice of all kinds. Father
Pfleger spoke very powerfully and really illuminated, for me, the
uncompromising nature of Christian truth claims when it comes to justice. I
feel that often, in an evangelical context that focuses on a narrative of
individual salvation, social justice becomes an option as opposed to an
imperative. Saint Sabina does not give you the option to opt out of
participating in justice ministry. It is the central ministry there.
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