When last you sit down in church? I'll be the first to admit that I hardly find time to attend church - for the sole purpose of worship, these days. But I go church still. Like many people though, I find myself attending church mainly for weddings or funerals. But you know dat plenty other things happen in church?
Yeah man. But I'm not thinking about the title of that book by my good friend Pastor Winston Bell Sex in the Church. I'm thinking of the other things that take place in church buildings like educational initiatives, youth-empowerment programmes, adult literacy and skills-training courses, and so on. That makes sense to me.
I read a report in yestarday's Gleaner, where noted psychiatrist, Dr Wendel Abe, is making a call for churches in Jamaica to be used as counselling centres. That makes even more sense. Churches should really and truly serve the community. Every once in a while I get the opportunity to perform in church and it's usually such a rich experience. I'd love to also see more churches used as performance spaces. Why not? We have more churches per square mile than any other place in the world; so I hear. And Jamaica badly needs a few more spaces for live theatre; that I know.
MORE THEATRICAL
Furthermore, I find that most churches actually feel more theatrical than The Ward, with ample seating and plenty backstage areas. Also, the acoustics in many churches are usually so good, speakers really don't need a microphone, although some churchpeople preach and pray so loud that I sometimes wonder if they think the members are deaf and God is hard of hearing.
The Holy Trinity Anglican Church near the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto is a magnificent awe-inspiring church. When you enter the building, you have no doubt about whether God is watching you. But the space inside is not used solely for worship. Homeless people, drug addicts, the poor and hungry come there regularly for hot meals. Stage shows, plays and other cultural events are held there; and not just Christian productions. You can actually rent the building and keep a concert!
New things
And talking 'bout church and concert; I went to a wonderful concert at another church, Agincourt Church of God, last Saturday and was truly blessed. This church is in Ontario, and the membership appears to be mostly Jamaican. I discovered so many interesting new things. During services, you don't have to worry about not knowing the words because the lyrics of the songs are projected on stage karaoke style.
And ceremonies don't have to be interrupted to make emergency announcements. No, Hyah! You just see the words scrolling across the screen asking the driver of car licence number so and so to please move because they're blocking traffic. Nice! Maybe this is not so new and is just a matter of my not being to church for so long, but I found it very useful.
The people danced, sang and had fun in their church. The music was genuinely good too. Of course, I was sort of worried when the youth pastor, the Rev Pat Wynter, encouraged everyone to "dance if you feel like it, because you are in the house of liberty". I thought to myself: "Suppose one of these Jamaican-minded girls get carried away and started doing the 'Dutty Wine' or the 'Hot Wuk' in the house of the Lord?" Of course, nothing of the sort happened, but I shared some humorous stories, heard some wicked rap music and saw folks of all ages drop some serious legs in church. And I say, Amen!
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