by Wieland V.
[Editor’s note: This is an article from a current issue of the church’s newsletter in Cologne-Pesch. Wieland translated the article from German into English so that we could share it. He has periodically published letters in his home church’s newsletter about his experience in the United States and with our congregation.]
As different as the other students in the confirmation class and I were, one thing we all had in common: after our confirmation, our frequency of showing up in church sank rapidly. It is almost admirable how consistent my attitude of refusal was. No matter whether it was the party I had been to Saturday night, the newspapers I had to deliver, the repetition of the soccer games on TV or the important test in school on Monday morning – there was always a reason why I had to be somewhere else than in church.
I admit, that around Easter, Christmas or for the stand-up comedy shows that take place in our church every few months, I did show up. But I’m sure that this didn’t make me a frequenter of the Protestant Church in Cologne-Pesch.
But since doing my Voluntary Peace Service in our partner congregation in Chapel Hill, I can count with one hand how many worships I missed. How did this transformation happen? Has America turned me into a Bible-reciting person? Did the nation under God make me love Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour?
Not really. On the other side, no one has urged me to so far. Right after my arrival in the United States (September 2006), pastor Jill Edens showed a UCC-DVD to people who were interested in becoming a member of the United Church of Chapel Hill. A young woman named Laura W. confessed that she had a “kind of unusual idea of God”. “Don’t worry,” Jill answered and smiled, “you’re not the only one here.” By the way: Laura taught Senior High Church School with me and Vickie G. this year.
My impression is that this congregation doesn’t focus as much as maybe others on only praising God, but asks what Christian faith means for our daily life. Which responsibilities and opportunities does it bring? Questions like “How can I reduce the CO2 emissions in my household and do my part to protect the environment?” “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?” or “How can a modern family work together in the household?” are often the topics around which the pastor’s message is evolving. Furthermore, groups meet during the week, discuss these topics and look for solutions.
The worships have a more traditional liturgy. First, general information about ongoing or coming events is pronounced, followed by alternating prayers between pastor and congregation. There are silent prayers, lessons, songs, communion and the “Our Father,” of course. Nobody ever shouts “Amen” or “Alleluia”, as you may know it from African American churches.
But in some points there are certain differences from our German liturgy. At the beginning the pastor calls: “May the Lord be with you”, and the congregation answers “And also with you”.
Furthermore, there are three different lessons: the Old Testament and the New Testament lesson, which are just read, but not commented on. Then, there is the lesson that will be the basis of the pastor’s message. After reading this, the pastor says “Peace be with you”. The people stand up and wish peace to one another.
Generally, I have the feeling that this congregation is more involved in the worship than it is the case at home. They are more than visitors and listeners. No matter, if chancel, gospel or children’s choir sings, no matter if the group “Music and Drama” performs a short play or individuals play their violin or offer their personal story of transformation during Lent – there are a lot of people involved in making these 60 minutes a memorable event. There are volunteers doing the audio engineering, assisting with ushering and the offering or the Parish Nurse Aly B. from whom you can receive healing prayers. By the way, the offering goes directly to the congregation. Since there is no church tax in the United States, every congregation supports itself.
The UCCH focuses a lot on community. “In Germany, the people come to church at five to eleven and leave at five minutes after twelve”, a woman volunteering at the IFC Homeless Shelter said to me. Her daughter is becoming an Episcopal minister this year in Germany. In contrast to that, the church in Chapel Hill is packed an hour before the worship starts. People meet in the Fellowship Hall, have brunch together and go to Bible Study or Sunday School.
This is why going to church on Sundays is more for me than the 60 minutes of worship. It means that I meet people that I like and who like me (at least, I have the impression they do J). People, I can have good conversations with and whose warmness makes me feel good. Whether or not the other 699 members of this church come for the same reason, I don’t know. But I wouldn’t be surprised.