Sundays in America

Suzanne Strempek Shea, author of "Sundays in America: A Yearlong Road Trip in Search of Christian Faith," visited 50 diverse churches in 30 states to get a better understanding of contemporary Protestant Christianity.

Tomorrow, she will speak and sign books at Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond, which is featured in her book. Shea talks about why she embarked on her journey and what she discovered.

What prompted you to write the book?

Because I was raised Catholic and am Polish-American, I had a strong interest in the telecasts of the wake and funeral of Pope John Paul II back in April of 2005.

The fervency of the mourners was what really hit me, though, and got my writer's brain thinking in a few different directions -- about my feelings for my religion, and about the fact that I didn't know a heck of a lot about any others.

Back in that Catholic upbringing, the nuns and priests told us that if we ever entered any other type of church, the roof would fall in on us and we'd go to hell. At age 48, I thought I'd take my chances and decided to spend a year finding out just what goes on every Sunday in the rest of Christianity.

Why did you select Easter as the day to start and end your journey?

Easter is a major holy day for Christians. For Polish Catholics, it's even bigger than Christmas, and it seemed like a logical day on which to start this new project, when I might get to be part of an extra special liturgy.

I certainly got that on the first Easter Sunday, which is the first chapter. As for the second Easter, and the final chapter, it was quite different, and an example of that whole thing about God laughing when you make plans.

Talk about your visit to Richmond's Metropolitan Community Church.

Because gays, lesbians, transgendered and bisexual people are not always welcome or comfortable in the religion in which I was raised, I was interested in visiting an MCC church, where they, and anyone else who wants to enter . . . are most welcome.

I really was blown away by the palpable love I felt during the service, which, due to some structural problems at the church, took place that day in the basement.

I looked around and was struck by the fact that his congregation happened to be meeting in a room where we normally throw things we don't want or need or like, but here were God's people, too.

The communion service, during which couples or entire families formed a prayer circle with the pastor before receiving, was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

How has writing the book affected your faith?

It's brought me a lot closer to God. Over and again in the testifying portion of many of the services during the year, I heard people telling how God had been with them during a job interview the previous week, or how he was going to be with them when they went to a doctor's appointment in the coming week, or how he was next to them as a new baby was born into the family.

Too many Catholics leave God inside the building when they close the church door on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning. I really was struck by the numbers who spoke who invite God along everywhere they go, every day of the week. It was a great reminder to do that!

What did you learn from your yearlong trip to 50 Protestant churches in 30 states?

I think everyone should stick their head outside their own doors once in awhile. I now hear from Catholics who say they received the same warnings that I did, and from Protestants who say they were warned to not go into Catholic churches.

How are we going to learn about one another if we stay where we've always been?

No roofs fell in, I've yet to plummet to hell, and I've learned a whole lot about the depth and breadth of Christian faith and worship in this country, at top volume in Joel Osteen's 16,000-seat megachurch, or without a sound in a Philadelphia Quaker Meeting House, in grand buildings like West Point's hilltop cadet chapel, and within the rubble of a historic Episcopal church on Maui.

I'd really encourage others to visit at least one new church as they travel, or stay home, this summer.

What church touched you the most during your yearlong road trip?

I know I'll be in your city on Sunday, to return to Richmond Metropolitan Community Church, but I have to say my experience there really sticks out due to the total love and acceptance I felt that one Sunday morning. And isn't love and acceptance what God's all about?

Why didn't you visit other faith communities?

Growing up, I didn't know about Jews, Muslims, anyone other than us Catholics and "them" Protestants, the rest of Christianity. And we were warned to stay away from "them." So Protestant churches were my destination.