Madeline Allen Church Visit #2

Church name: Urban Village 

Church address: Bethany Retirement Center, 1602 W Ainslie, Chicago, IL

Date attended: 03/30/14

Church category: Significantly less liturgical and at least 10 miles away 

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

The worship service was held in the basement of a retirement home and began with most people lingering around the refreshment area. As 10:30am came around, contemporary worship began with a small band of young adults playing the drums and guitar. After this, a man came to the front to welcome all that had come to the service, and to make proclamations of the church’s beliefs, along with updates regarding different events in and outside of the church. After about 30-40 min a woman pastor began to preach on the Prodigal Son in a way that emphasized forgiveness. It was refreshing to hear this message through the eyes of a woman for the first time. After her message, a guest pastor administered the Lord’s Supper in a relevant and meaningful way that I found a bit uncomfortable and comforting both at the same time. After prayer and receiving the bread and juice, the peace was passed and more worship began to end the service. This service was familiar in that there were common parts, but they were more disjointed and laid back than what I am used to. 

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

By far the most interesting and appealing aspect of Urban Village’s worship service is their focus on the LGBT community. This was the first non-unitarian, Christian church I had been to where I have felt I could approach the throne of God as a member of the LGBT community. In the beginning, this topic was addressed when the welcomer stated, “Gay or straight, you are welcome here.” Those words spoke straight to my heart in a way that encouraged, strengthened and revived the Holy Spirit within me in a way that I have not experienced for years. It was also interesting that about 50% of the demographic seemed to be a part of the LGBT community, while the other 50% consisted of families and single young people, which I found encouraging. The varied ethnic demographic was also encouraging because I am used to a predominantly white crowd, but this was definitely more of a mix of white, black, hispanic and asian. 

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

I found it challenging how disorganized the service seemed to be at times. The chairs were set up in three different sets: one in the middle facing the front, and two sets on each side facing in. This felt disorganized in that it was a bit segregated and the viewing was difficult at times. Additionally, as mentioned above, the service was substantially less liturgical than what I have previously experienced. Instead of smooth transitions and formal speak, it felt as if we just moved from different sections to fulfill the general understanding of what non denominational church should look like. Specifically, the process of blessing and administering the Lord’s Supper made ma bit uncomfortable as I am generally used to this process being administered by a certified, professional, unnecessarily serious pastor or priest. Although the lack of organization was challenging and uncomfortable, it helped me become more aware of the unity, but also imperfection of humanity. 

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 far as Scripture use, I was (embarrassingly) surprised that the service was scripturally based throughout. As an outwardly friendly LGBT community, I made the wrong assumption that the service would be pluralistic and universalist, but I was incorrect in expecting this. With that said, each part, from the announcements at the beginning, to worship at the end, each leader of this church in the service made a concerted effort to support their love and claims with Scripture in a way that I deeply appreciated. Specifically, it was important for me to hear Scripture and its interpretation from a woman. She highlighted aspects of forgiveness through the story of the Prodigal Son that I had previously not thought through. For example, she told personal stories that revealed the importance of forgiveness as a process, and as something that we receive daily through grace. This was a much needed message for the LGBT community that has consistently struggled with forgiveness in light of discrimination and hurt by the Christian church.