When glancing at this structure quickly while passing by on the streets of Rohnert Park, one may only notice the plain egg-white tall walls, with stone work covering a section of the building, and the almost too neatly trimmed forest green bushes that seem to be spread evenly throughout the premises; however, once stepping foot into the Berean Baptist Church, visitors see that this important location for many of Sonoma County’s people is much more than your average building. An older gentleman - dressed in a tight fitting plaid shirt and cream pants - greets visitors at the door with a smile that is heartwarming, welcoming, and accepting. Instantly upon the opening of the door, a sense of warmth both of temperature and of being are noticed, like the bright and warming sun emerging from a cold morning mist. After peering past the large, velvet red curtains hanging from the high above ceiling, a middle age women is seen with shoulder length, sandy blond hair, seated upon a glossy black wood bench in front of an enormous grand piano. As her fingers peacefully trickle across the now off-white keys with great ease, her eyes close indefinitely. The harmonious tunes that flow throughout the room are not forced – this is clearly not the woman’s occupation, but rather her passion. As her head sways and as the creases in her middle aged pale skin move up and down in correspondence to the music, we can see that the astonishing sounds are not coming from memorization, but rather her heart.
Many occupants fill the rather large room in a small period of time. A young man quite tall and stout excuses himself from a row of bright white chairs, covered in soft, fluffy, ocean blue cushions, to allow a family of three to sit. This man does not show anger or disturbance for this interruption, but performs this act of kindness with a smile. He arose quietly, directed the family happily, and seated himself gracefully. Large ruby red drapes slightly cover enormous gaping windows showing an assortment of calming colors such as lavender purple, exposing bits and pieces of the misty winter night. Pots of flourishing flowers containing blooming white lily's with soft brushes of subtle pink seem to bring a large essence of serenity in the spacious room. In the corner, an opening in the wall is evident, and bright angelic lights are shined upon a large embossed cross. Underneath, a pool of crystalline water is placed. As the Wednesday night ceremony begins, the quiet conversations of the very mixed society cease to exist, and the full attention of most of the visitors turns to the speaker in the front. He is a rather well kept man, wearing a royal blue dress shirt closed with pearl-white buttons, a silk tie that seemed to gleam ever so brightly in the fluorescent bright lights, and a coat that made than man seem of a higher stature. The faces of the audience – pale and dark, shaved and hairy, young and aged – all watched this man in amazement. His strong yet calming voice seemed to pacify all of the worries of the church members.
When looking about the room one thing is certain: the group contains a very diverse set of people. Some men wore suits with sleek dress shoes and their hair combed back; others wore a t-shirt and jeans. Some women wore tasteful dresses with matching earrings and had curled their hair for the occasion; others wore their uniforms from their occupation from which they had just left. Some of the visitors seemed to be but the age of five; others seemed to be beyond the age of fifty. And as this audience of various members focused all of their attention onto the man telling the words of the Lord, this man focused all of his attention on reaching into the hearts of the audience.
The group prayed and sang and read and laughed and cried and smiled and grieved and, ultimately, showed many of the emotions humanly possible in the one-hour service. There were a few members, however, that particularly stood out from the rest. An older gentleman – far beyond the age of fifty – sat in the first row and, when the members of the church sang, remained motionless. The pale and shriveled lips that were placed upon his face were still, however, the focus of this man was still intact. Heartily, gracefully, devotionally – the man’s honey brown eyes seemed to sing for him. Another woman, although not directly identified, could be heard throughout the service agreeing with the speaker’s words, constantly stating “Amen,” softly but courageously, when an important piece of information was stated.
As the service drew to a close, many people stating their appreciation to the churches volunteers could be heard. These people – Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian – were all human. They ate. They slept. They breathed. But the qualities of these people, and the gratitude in which they are able to express between each other is impeccable. As the many members of the church approached the same gentleman at the door as earlier, he wore the same smile that he had when he welcomed these community members within the inclusive place. When the doors opened into the moist air, these people did not lose their now increased happiness, as they would soon be returning; and as these people exited the doors of the Berean Baptist Church and began to venture through their other various activities in which they partake in, I cannot tell if they maintain the qualities that protruded within the ceremony held in this simple building. But within this peaceful, calming structure of prayers, hopes, and relief of sins, the various people of Rohnert Park are able to devote their time to help one another through the struggles of life, no matter the extent of their differences.
Many occupants fill the rather large room in a small period of time. A young man quite tall and stout excuses himself from a row of bright white chairs, covered in soft, fluffy, ocean blue cushions, to allow a family of three to sit. This man does not show anger or disturbance for this interruption, but performs this act of kindness with a smile. He arose quietly, directed the family happily, and seated himself gracefully. Large ruby red drapes slightly cover enormous gaping windows showing an assortment of calming colors such as lavender purple, exposing bits and pieces of the misty winter night. Pots of flourishing flowers containing blooming white lily's with soft brushes of subtle pink seem to bring a large essence of serenity in the spacious room. In the corner, an opening in the wall is evident, and bright angelic lights are shined upon a large embossed cross. Underneath, a pool of crystalline water is placed. As the Wednesday night ceremony begins, the quiet conversations of the very mixed society cease to exist, and the full attention of most of the visitors turns to the speaker in the front. He is a rather well kept man, wearing a royal blue dress shirt closed with pearl-white buttons, a silk tie that seemed to gleam ever so brightly in the fluorescent bright lights, and a coat that made than man seem of a higher stature. The faces of the audience – pale and dark, shaved and hairy, young and aged – all watched this man in amazement. His strong yet calming voice seemed to pacify all of the worries of the church members.
When looking about the room one thing is certain: the group contains a very diverse set of people. Some men wore suits with sleek dress shoes and their hair combed back; others wore a t-shirt and jeans. Some women wore tasteful dresses with matching earrings and had curled their hair for the occasion; others wore their uniforms from their occupation from which they had just left. Some of the visitors seemed to be but the age of five; others seemed to be beyond the age of fifty. And as this audience of various members focused all of their attention onto the man telling the words of the Lord, this man focused all of his attention on reaching into the hearts of the audience.
The group prayed and sang and read and laughed and cried and smiled and grieved and, ultimately, showed many of the emotions humanly possible in the one-hour service. There were a few members, however, that particularly stood out from the rest. An older gentleman – far beyond the age of fifty – sat in the first row and, when the members of the church sang, remained motionless. The pale and shriveled lips that were placed upon his face were still, however, the focus of this man was still intact. Heartily, gracefully, devotionally – the man’s honey brown eyes seemed to sing for him. Another woman, although not directly identified, could be heard throughout the service agreeing with the speaker’s words, constantly stating “Amen,” softly but courageously, when an important piece of information was stated.
As the service drew to a close, many people stating their appreciation to the churches volunteers could be heard. These people – Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian – were all human. They ate. They slept. They breathed. But the qualities of these people, and the gratitude in which they are able to express between each other is impeccable. As the many members of the church approached the same gentleman at the door as earlier, he wore the same smile that he had when he welcomed these community members within the inclusive place. When the doors opened into the moist air, these people did not lose their now increased happiness, as they would soon be returning; and as these people exited the doors of the Berean Baptist Church and began to venture through their other various activities in which they partake in, I cannot tell if they maintain the qualities that protruded within the ceremony held in this simple building. But within this peaceful, calming structure of prayers, hopes, and relief of sins, the various people of Rohnert Park are able to devote their time to help one another through the struggles of life, no matter the extent of their differences.
-Bick T.
Good essay Bick, loved the picture. Also i like the intro and conclusion. Great Essay
ReplyDeleteDillon