day 4 - outreach at neighborhood churches

New City Church People: After the service at New City Church I spoke to a few people about what we were doing at Cornerstone. Some of the people were really excited about the fact that the play was about their community, they were long term residents and had seen the area change, they really wanted me to know their stories, what this community means to them. There were also people who have been going to the church since it started and who didn’t have a clue what was round the corner! They were eager to find out more...it took me a while to get out the door!

Rhiannon Lane

graffiti on bloom's store

My faith is in a state of constant flux, a circumstance that I’m sure many people of many faiths can relate to.  My home church and I haven’t been on great terms, and church services can be incredibly emotional experiences for me (for better or for worse).  So when it was suggested that Cornerstone Institute students attend church services in order to spread the word about auditions for @traction, I was a little hesitant.  Eventually I decided that reaching out to the community around Traction Avenue was more important than any religious qualms I might have, so I agreed to attend Sunday morning mass at St. Xavier Catholic Church.  And I’m so glad I did! St. Xavier’s is the only Catholic church in the Los Angeles area to offer a service in Japanese, and has a very strong Japanese-American population.  Judging from this morning’s attendance, there is also a sizeable Latino population in the congregation.  There was a baby, Jonathan, who was baptized yesterday, and another who was to be baptized after the service this morning.  It was a lively bunch of people, who seemed to go to mass as naturally as they would eat or breathe. During the passing of the peace, I approached Father Richard.  The Institute director, Paula, told us that Father Richard had been involved in the process of creating the scripts through story circles and was very excited about the show.  Father Richard didn’t let us down.  I spoke to him briefly to tell him that a contingent of I-5 students was present, and he grinned and said “Great! I’ll be making the announcement later and I have fliers in the back of the church.” Just after the passing of the peace was Eucharist.  Communion.  Kind of a big deal, especially in the Catholic church.  Ordinarily when I attend a Catholic church, I go to the priest for a blessing, but don’t take communion because I’m not Catholic.  However, when I got to the front of the line, Father Richard smiled and said “The Body of Christ for Cornerstone.”  He didn’t ask whether I was Catholic, and I didn’t volunteer the information.  I just took the Host and felt… happy.  Accepted.  Embraced, even.  It was a good feeling. After the service, Father Richard made the announcement about our presence and our reason for being there.  Then he sent us to the back of the church before everyone else so we could stop people on their way out!  No one could leave without getting by us first!  So many people were enthusiastic, while others seemed anxious about being involved.  But everybody was curious and everybody had questions.  Even the people who said they didn’t want to participate were reaching for the fliers.  One highlight for me was when an elderly woman with a strong Japanese accent asked whether the show was for people of all ages, and seemed very interested in attending auditions, or perhaps helping with costumes. Being a part of this community was eye-opening, and I’m glad I was able to experience this particular facet of our neighborhood.  Next week Cate and her daughter Claire, two of the other I-5 participants, and I will be attending mass there again.  The weekend after Marcos, a past Institute participant and a volunteer for this year’s Institute will be coming with me to the 8:30 service in Japanese.  I look forward to continuing a relationship with this unique and welcoming community, even if it lasts only for the month.

Molly MacLagan

Cate’s interview with Diane Freaney about New City Church

C: Why did you choose to attend this particular service?

D: I am interested in alternative church spaces and kinds of services. This church only began in April, so it is still very new. 

C: How many people were there?

D: Around 50, with a lot of children.

C: How much interest was there in Traction Avenue?

D: They were very open and interested in Cornerstone. Jeanne, a core member of the church, participated in the community reading of the @Traction script. Pastor Kevin invited us to make an announcement at the service, which we did and it was well received. This pastor had another church in the Mission district in a parking lot. Their music consisted of a guitar and the songs were very good. `new `city `church wants to take advantage of the neighborhood and are determined to be as inclusive as possible.