An uptempo jazz/afrobeat instrumental plays through the auditorium speakers as I enter. There’s a ship steering wheel with a face that appears etched on it in the middle of the stage.

As the event was about to get underway, a woman walked up to a podium at the side of the front stage:

“In keeping with our African tradition, may we have permission to proceed with our worship? To signify, wave your hankerchief.”

With that, a procession of choir singers entered the auditorium accompanied by the syncopated beats of the African drum players on the front stage. Nearly every choir member was wearing a West African-inspired dashiki, dress, head wrap, or kufi.

In the first 15 minutes, the people assembled in this space experienced a wider and more global expression of love for God than most people will see in a year. The opening song was performed with a reggae vibe. The opening meditation was offered in Spanish and English. The opening prayer was delivered in Jamaican Patois. The mime/dance performance that followed was set to a gospel ballad.

The time set aside for the audience to greet the people seated around them lasted for a good five minutes, and was one of the more joyful breaks of this kind that I’ve seen so far. The band played a jazz instrumental while people embraced, laughed, and smiled at each other.

The journey continues in the Washington Heights neighborhood on the south side, on the corner of 95th Street and Eggleston.

Intro Theme Music: Victory Lap by QSTN ft. Mecca:83
Background Music: http://www.bensound.com/

Pick up your copy of the companion book at https://godinchicago.com/

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