Attending A Black Church
For The First Time
State College, PA
Spring, 1987
When I lived in State College, there was not much diversity in race or ethnic backgrounds. Our diversity centered around the large spectrum of people from all over the state. We had lots of rich students and poor students. It was here, for the first time I ever met farmers or people who lived in trailer parks, joined 4H clubs, like the Steelers, had mountain views outside their back yard or drove a tractor. But that was the extent of our differences. In State College, we were mostly white.
There was one woman in my office who was black and one Sunday, she invited me to her church. I really didn't want to go to church but I didn't want to reject her so I went. It turns out, she invited everyone from the office and we all sat together. It was easy to find them in the church as we were the only white people. We really stuck out. But as shocking as it was to see it, I marveled at all the black people. Where did they come from? I never saw black people in town. Now there were about a 100 of them in this church that I didn't even know existed.
I took my seat and immediately noticed that I was under dressed. I didn't have a big, beautiful hat, I wasn't wearing a dress and I was self-conscious of my sloppiness. Fortunately, my colleagues, with the exception of Pat, were equally under dressed for the moment.
A preacher came charging out from the back of the church and everyone jumped up with excitement. He was in a silk, tailored suit and he was loud, forthright in his important message and demanding of our attention. He shouted about Jesus and his love for us and our responsibilities to be good Christians and asking, "Can I get an Amen on that?" And the crowd cheered and clapped and shouted AMEN with a conviction that was genuine and joyful. It was a Jesus lovefest.
Everyone sat down and the preacher paced the alter like a caged animal. He spoke in a loud voice and alerted everyone, "There is a nonbeliever amongst us today. One of us does not believe in the power and love of our Savior, of Jesus Christ. One of us is lost and needs to be found. Brothers and sisters, we have to reach out to our lost friend before its too late. Grab that friend right now." And then he pointed to the crowd and everyone shouted AMEN again. I began to panic. Was he talking about me? Had Pat asked me to come today because she knew I don't go to church? Were they going to try to convert me? I wanted out of there right now. I was so uncomfortable.
But then, he abruptly turned to the choir and they began singing a joyful song about Jesus being their friend. Everyone stood up and sang along and danced and clapped and just about reached a euphoria that nearly caused them to pass out. I stood up and swayed to the music. Pat leaned over to me and said, "It's OK, you can loosen up. You're in church, you're safe." I wanted to tell her that this is about as loose as I get and that I couldn't loosen up anymore in church. After all, I was raised a catholic and we just didn't do these types of things in my church. I was stepping out enough for one day.
Some people then spoke in tongues. Others stood up and professed their love of Jesus. Someone was baptized in a pool of water. With the exception of the five white people, everyone danced and had a great time. And after two hours, the preacher told everyone to go home and have lunch. But he reminded everyone to hurry back for the afternoon service.
As we filed out of the church and greeted one another, Pat asked me if I was coming back in an hour. I made up some lame excuse and I could tell that she saw it as just that. So I left and hide for a few hours, just to contemplate this moment, this event that so clearly showed me just how much of the world I was not seeing. It was as if I was blind but now, I could see just a little bit more today.
For The First Time
State College, PA
Spring, 1987
When I lived in State College, there was not much diversity in race or ethnic backgrounds. Our diversity centered around the large spectrum of people from all over the state. We had lots of rich students and poor students. It was here, for the first time I ever met farmers or people who lived in trailer parks, joined 4H clubs, like the Steelers, had mountain views outside their back yard or drove a tractor. But that was the extent of our differences. In State College, we were mostly white.
There was one woman in my office who was black and one Sunday, she invited me to her church. I really didn't want to go to church but I didn't want to reject her so I went. It turns out, she invited everyone from the office and we all sat together. It was easy to find them in the church as we were the only white people. We really stuck out. But as shocking as it was to see it, I marveled at all the black people. Where did they come from? I never saw black people in town. Now there were about a 100 of them in this church that I didn't even know existed.
I took my seat and immediately noticed that I was under dressed. I didn't have a big, beautiful hat, I wasn't wearing a dress and I was self-conscious of my sloppiness. Fortunately, my colleagues, with the exception of Pat, were equally under dressed for the moment.
A preacher came charging out from the back of the church and everyone jumped up with excitement. He was in a silk, tailored suit and he was loud, forthright in his important message and demanding of our attention. He shouted about Jesus and his love for us and our responsibilities to be good Christians and asking, "Can I get an Amen on that?" And the crowd cheered and clapped and shouted AMEN with a conviction that was genuine and joyful. It was a Jesus lovefest.
Everyone sat down and the preacher paced the alter like a caged animal. He spoke in a loud voice and alerted everyone, "There is a nonbeliever amongst us today. One of us does not believe in the power and love of our Savior, of Jesus Christ. One of us is lost and needs to be found. Brothers and sisters, we have to reach out to our lost friend before its too late. Grab that friend right now." And then he pointed to the crowd and everyone shouted AMEN again. I began to panic. Was he talking about me? Had Pat asked me to come today because she knew I don't go to church? Were they going to try to convert me? I wanted out of there right now. I was so uncomfortable.
But then, he abruptly turned to the choir and they began singing a joyful song about Jesus being their friend. Everyone stood up and sang along and danced and clapped and just about reached a euphoria that nearly caused them to pass out. I stood up and swayed to the music. Pat leaned over to me and said, "It's OK, you can loosen up. You're in church, you're safe." I wanted to tell her that this is about as loose as I get and that I couldn't loosen up anymore in church. After all, I was raised a catholic and we just didn't do these types of things in my church. I was stepping out enough for one day.
Some people then spoke in tongues. Others stood up and professed their love of Jesus. Someone was baptized in a pool of water. With the exception of the five white people, everyone danced and had a great time. And after two hours, the preacher told everyone to go home and have lunch. But he reminded everyone to hurry back for the afternoon service.
As we filed out of the church and greeted one another, Pat asked me if I was coming back in an hour. I made up some lame excuse and I could tell that she saw it as just that. So I left and hide for a few hours, just to contemplate this moment, this event that so clearly showed me just how much of the world I was not seeing. It was as if I was blind but now, I could see just a little bit more today.
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