On our first day of Intensive Learning, we visited three Christian churches on Main Street, each with a different denomination.
The first church our group visited on Monday was First Baptist Church of Moorestown. There, we took a tour led by music director Howard Raudenbush and art director Dabid Acosta; we saw prayer, discussions, and community take place. Our guides explained to us how over the years people from all kinds of backgrounds came to First Baptist church for feelings of community and belonging.
After our tour of First Baptist Church, we walked several blocks over to Trinity Episcopal Church, which is also located on Main Street. Trinity Episcopal Church impressed our group with its remarkable design of stained glass windows and striking stone statues. We met with Reverend Emily A. Mellott, the rector of the church; we called her Mother Emily. She taught us about the history of the church, its unique aspects, and how we all can use the church’s practices in everyday life.
The last church our group visited, Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, offered us a more modern version of a sacred space. Saint Matthew’s leaned away from traditional architecture and instead opted to focus on interconnectedness among attendees by utilizing facing benches and a centered prayer area. We met Rev. Dr. Eric Trozzo, who we called Pastor Eric; he taught us that the church focused on much more than just Sunday service programs, with offerings of children minority, adult education, and even community service programs!
The opportunity to view how three different churches in the area offered our group a new and unique perspective on the work and thought that goes into managing, respecting, and supporting religious spaces.
