1: Begin by watching the 2015 fifteen minute short on The Birth of World Religions Civilizations and Ideas. It features a brief overview of these religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This documentary can be found in the St. Kates Library in Films on Demand. Here is the direct link: https://fod-infobase-com.pearl.stkate.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=129084&tScript=0
Step 2: After viewing The Birth of World Religions decide on which religious denomination you wish to focus on for your “Site Visit.” There are links below to choose from or find your own. Make sure it is a “site” that offers a good amount of information. Carry out a virtual visit by exploring their website. Learn as much as you can about their faith community (Who they are, what they believe and how they live their faith as a community). Consider investigating the following: Their Mission Statement-what are their principles and what do they say about who they are. What kind of religious, worship or prayer services are offered/ What kind (communal/individual/small group), how often, in what setting? Is their evidence of the use of sacred texts and in what ways? What kind of educational or social programs are offered for children, youth, adults, seniors? Is there attention given to social justice concerns and in what capacity? What kind of welcome is communicated? How inclusive or exclusive is this community in the way of gender, age, ethnicity, ability, etc.? What can you learn from the size of their staff and what they do? Which areas rely on paid positions and which on volunteers. View any videos available on their site for information and tone. Examine the weekly bulletin for evidence of their day to day activities, areas of emphasis and how this reflects their Mission Statement. You are the doing the investigator in your role as “virtual participant/observer.”
Here are some links to choose from. You are not limited to these. Please note that you may do this assignment in combination with an actual site visit – only if you feel comfortable.
• Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, MN (Catholic) https://www.mary.org
• St. Gregory of Nyssa, San Francisco, CA (Episcopalian) https://www.saintgregorys.org
• San Francisco Zen Center https://www.sfzc.org
• Islamic Center of Freemont, CA https://www.icfbayarea.com
• Freemont Hindu Temple https://fremonttemple.org
• Temple Beth Torah, CA https://fremonttemple.org
• Mount Zion Synagogue, St. Paul, MN https://mzion.org
• St. Catherine University Lady of Victory Chapel. Mass is held on Sundays at 10:30am in the chapel or live-streamed. Mass is live-streamed on: Zoom link
Center for Spirituality and Justice https://www.stkate.edu/life/spirituality-and-social-justice
Step 3: Begin by explicitly stating which faith community you explored (Important factual information). Write about your findings (observations) in form of an (800-1000 word) essay that summarizes what you’ve learned about this community through this investigative process. Make references as to how this faith community understands the Sacred and lives what they believe. Point to the evidence you have uncovered as to how this community “thinks,” “feels,” “acts,” “worships.” Consider “lex orandi; lex credenda” (“How one prays reflects what one believes.”) You may also incorporate a screen shot of the site or a logo of the parish church, mosque or synagogue.
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