Daniel Phelps - Church Visit #1

Church name: St Michael Catholic Church

Church address: 310 South Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187

Date attended: September 12, 2015

Church category: More Liturgical 

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

The worship service was very different from churches that I grew up in and currently go to now. There was a very strict and rehearsed order to it. Churches that I have gone to and currently go to frequently do not begin on time and no part of the service is viewed as truly "essential" with the exception of perhaps communion. My pastor on several occasions has cancelled his sermon in order to hear people's testimonies or continue praying and worshiping. Interestingly enough, I think that through a loose structure people find engagement in the service. At St Michaels, the rigid structure actually seemed to lead people to more involvement. Everyone would participate in kneeling at certain points in the service, singing and reading were responsive, everyone went up to take communion from the same cup. Altogether, it was a completely different experience than I have had with church.

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

I have always had this strange feeling when reciting things together at chapel or church where I feel like someone caught up in a mob or a cult. I've never truly understood why, but perhaps it is because usually I'm reading words off of a screen I've never seen before. When we recited the Nicene Creed together, due to having an understanding of it from class, I actually felt more of a spirit of unity than I ever have when reading as a body. I felt like I was connected to Christians across time and space, knowing that for more than 1500 years, Christians have been reciting this creed (aside: I also made sure to lower my voice for the filioque clause).

The other part of the service that I really appreciated was how connected the people seemed to be to the outside world. The prayers were not centered on events happening at St. Michaels, but rather broad, national prayers for politicians and global crises.

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

The most disorienting thing was probably going through the communion line and not participating, since I am not a member of the Catholic Church. I was planning on just staying in my seat, but my friend who I went with told me it would be better to go up. Other than that, it was a struggle to keep up with the flow of the service. At what points should I sit, kneel, or stand? Should I cross myself? Why does everyone go up to the fountain? The rituals definitely seemed foreign.

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

As I mentioned previously, I think that I really saw a good picture of what the "communion of the saints" should look like. I really appreciated the dedication to the tradition of Christianity. I did not find my theology by simply reading the Bible and figuring out what it says, rather I came to understand its meaning and significance through tradition. Looking across the time-span of Christianity adds an element of diversity, unity, and faithfulness that I feel like has often been overlooked in churches I regularly attended.