Reflection Paper

I was able to attend three church services at the Athens First United Methodist Church and gain insight on what it was like to be a weekly congregation member. While focusing on the members of the congregation and their mannerisms, the pastor and the way that the congregation was being addressed, and the overall routine of the service I was able to write-up the way that I felt and the things that I noticed while being present. I feel as if the Catholic and Methodist church are different and attending the mass was not something that I was used too. I was experiencing a different religion and church service. I felt like there was a sense of community at each service and I really liked the way that I personally felt welcome each time I went. I am not saying that the catholic church does not have a sense of community, maybe it is because Athens is a small town and members get to know each other very well or what but I felt a strong community vibe. I was able to focus in on the members specifically and the way that they interacted with one another and the pastor. Friendly, is the word that I would use to describe the members. Each person had a smile on their faces on entering and exiting the church. Reverend Robert McDowell did a wonderful job interacting and engaging with the congregation throughout the service. He wanted his people to listen and reflect on the words he was saying not just blankly listen to. Going to the Methodist church was an eye opening experience to me, realizing that going to church and being in college is not a bad thing. It takes up one hour of my time one day a week. This project made me realize the difference between religions and unfamiliar places and how it can be educational and exciting to

After meeting Pastor Bobby Guerra I found to be very comfortable with the people and atmosphere. I kept going to service on a consistent base along with working and trying to get my life back on track that was one of the biggest struggles I’ve experienced only because I should have gotten it a long time ago and now trying to get it all back. I had got so comfortable with the church when they had invited me to their park outreaches for the community I was hesitant to go because I didn’t know if I was done with the past and the wreckage had haunted me.

I was a Follower of Christ and I didn’t even know it. I was the last of three boys to two faithful Christian parents. My parents attended St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, OH. I was baptized and confirmed by the same Bishop. Some of my earliest memories are of me standing in the pews with my parents and stacking the prayer books as if it were my own pulpit and I would pretend to be the priest giving the Sunday sermon. I didn’t know what he was talking about but I always thought that I would be like him one day. I was an acolyte and attended the youth programs regularly with my friends. I completed my studies to earn my God and Country award with the Boy Scouts.

After middle school, I attended Eureka High School. In my early high school years my family, including myself, became disconnected from the church because we got busier with academics and sports, which left less time for Church. However, I did go on mission trips with the church, one to Virginia Beach in Virginia and the other to Joplin in Missouri. In Virginia Beach, we helped fix up a nursing home and interacted with less fortunate children. In Joplin, we helped to rebuild homes due to the devastating

The church we attended was a traditional African American church and far from open-minded. That is why I chose to observe Expressions Church. Although, Expressions Church and my church is of the same religion, I knew it would be different. My experience at Expressions church was interesting, not because of the religious things that was mentioned but just about everything else. The church is not in a traditional chapel, it is located in a building on the North West side of Oklahoma City. After arriving I immediately noticed flyers on the front door for free HIV testing and dates. Upon entering the church I quickly felt like an outsider but still tried my best to be as open as

“I’ve really gotten to know some of the people who come in there on a regular basis,” she said. “I’ve had some amazing moments and I’ve been able to pray with people and pray for their needs and just share on a personal level.”

I’ve gone to the same church in Hartford almost every Sunday since I was born. The old building holds countless number of memories for my family and me. It has set the stage for a number of Christmas plays and Sunday School concerts. It’s where my little brother and I were baptized, and just recently it was where my goddaughter, Aurora, was baptized. After 20 years of marriage, it was where my parents renewed their vows, and a year later, it was where we held the funeral for my dad after he lost his battle with cancer. When it’s not a place of worship on Sunday mornings, it’s a daycare, where I work and care for a group of rowdy three-year-olds. In my 19 years of membership, the church has seen three different Pastors and

No matter what church we went to, I was always heavily involved. Newspring was a breath of fresh air, because there were so many people, I could just do what i was gifted in. One day, I showed up to clean after a baptism sunday. They had already finished as I was just arriving. I asked if i could help with anything else and they gave me some care cards to enter in. I became an intern. Then I got an opportunity to come on staff and assist several men, and now

Although I am not very religious, I attended the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton starting in 2nd grade. This year I was much less active, but I still kept in touch with the church youth group. I take to heart the U.U. church principles. The seven principles overlap the values I have been taught at home, and that LRCS practices. I also admire how religion can bring people of all ages into one caring community. I value the connections I have made and the members of the church have been very supportive of me.

The church I usually go to is Mision Evangelica Foursquare Church located in the city of Huntington Park. I have attended my church since I was two years old. It is very small in size and consists of no more than fifty members. My church is plain and does not have any fancy chandeliers or artistic windows. We do not have any statues of the virgin Mary because we do not rejoice her and we do not have a statue of Jesus Christ because we already have him in our hearts. I like my church because I feel welcomed, loved and complete. I also like St. Brendan because it is wonderful because in every corner there is a story to

Everyone in their childhood has a moment that stands out and defines who they are. Mine is a moment, but is also part of my background. This came about in my nine year Catholic education. I attended St. James Catholic School from when I was a kindergartner until I graduated eighth grade. I am the third generation of my family to attend St. James, and can still remember my first day as a kindergartner. I walked into school with the same feeling as all of my other kindergarten classmates with a blank face and did not know which direction to go. Kids, who I thought were giants, guided me to class. From that time on I looked up to them as my friends, and could count on them if I needed help. For the next nine years that building was my home, but I can recall a moment in second grade that sky rocketed me in my Catholic faith. This moment was when I made my First Communion.

A couple weeks ago I went to a program called Upperroom held at the Lighthouse Church in Deland. I found both the program and the church through the Revive website. I had been looking for a couple churches at the time, and when I first started attending Stetson, I worried that I would not find genuine campus or church family. I wanted to find a close group of people that had similar interest and beliefs so that I could better develop those interests

My church is my favorite place to be. I go to Cornerstone Bible Church. This is the place where I grew up. I have met so many friends there. Everyone is really nice. People always have an I’m-there-for-you smile on their face. We are all like one big family.

I attended Sunday Mass at Mission San Jose. I wanted to go to a place that was rich with History. I enjoyed the art displayed inside and outside of Mission San Jose. I was in awe with the beautiful structures, the Mission/Church was aged beautifully. Throughout the inside walls of Mission San Jose there was candelabras, and instead of the traditional stained windows you see in a Catholic church, this one was instead displayed by engraved plaques. The Main wall was displayed by beautiful Saints, angels, and the crucifixion of Jesus.

We had just moved across town from League City, Texas to Cypress, Texas, and my husband Mark and just moved his business from Downtown, Texas to Cypress, Texas. And this is the part where God was working, as we were seeking the place where He wanted us to be. I had been talking with my sister, who was helping me settle into our new house, and telling her that we were interested in finding a non-denominational church, and wouldn’t it be wonderful if it could be close by. While my sister was reading the “subdivision newsletter”, and this was all taking place while we were talking about where to attend church, she jumped out of the chair she was sitting in, ran over to me and said, “Bunnie, here is the church you are looking for, it is right in the neighborhood”. Of course, I was so excited, and promptly told my husband we have to go and check this church out. So, that Sunday we went to what started out as Fairfield Christian Fellowship, and today is known as Fountain of Life Church of God, pastored by John and Kerry LaLonde. The church met at that time in the pastor’s home, so it was a smaller church body, with about 30 people in attendance that particular Sunday. Everyone was welcoming and friendly, the praise and worship was wonderful, the uncompromised word of God preached, that is when we knew this is where God wanted