• UB Home
  • Magazine Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • UB Links

  • Current Issue
  • Archive
Summer 2013
Filter By: Filter By:
share this page

Branching Out

by Stacey Marriott, M.A. ’11

Category: WebExtras

More students in Taylor Branch’s HIST 493: The King Years course took a leap out of their comfort zones and share their perspectives on those experiences.

Don Clark, Digital Communication major, Creative Writing minor

Activity: “I visited a small Ukrainian church during their Sunday service.”

Why it was out of your comfort zone: “I felt a bit out of place initially, simply because I am an atheist and only enter churches for weddings, and then only when begged to do so. But I carried no preconceived notions about these people prior to entering their church. They were an unknown quantity to me, and that was what piqued my interest in them.”

The key lesson: “My overarching impression was that the Ukrainians in my neighborhood are a private, pious, close-knit community that welcomes outsiders but would just as soon be left alone. The older congregants were much more inviting to me. If there was a key lesson, I suppose it is the fact that any nationality can be a mystery to anyone until you’ve broken bread, or shared an hour of worship, with them.”

Stephanie Danesie, History major

Activity: “I attended service at Douglas Memorial Community Church [in midtown Baltimore].”

Why it was out of your comfort zone: “I was raised Catholic and have not attended church for a long time. I felt it was awkward to attend a different church uninvited [without] knowing any of its members.”

The key lesson: “Everyone at Douglas Memorial was so cordial. Prior to the start of service, members moved from their seat to hug me and say welcome. During fellowship, I hugged and kissed just about everyone there. Pastor Yeary asked first-time visitors to stand, which I did along with a few guests from the Peabody Institute, and the congregation clapped for us. The service lasted for two-and-a-half hours, and I thought it flew by. The choir was supported by a full band, everyone danced and sang, I participated in communion and shared comments with the lady sitting next to me throughout the service. At the end, I met the pastor and his wife, and I was invited back. It was a great experience, and I would feel most comfortable going to church at Douglas again.”

Adnan Hameed, Business Administration major (International Business specialization)

Activity: “I attended a Sunday service in an all-black church.” 

Why it was out of your comfort zone: I had never been to a service before, and as a Muslim, I felt uncomfortable to what kind of reaction [people would have to me] while I was in the church.

The key lesson: “I learned that the people were very welcoming and did not judge me by my religion but rather by the content of my character. They did not question why I was a Muslim and thus showed the importance of respecting one’s religious beliefs and all religions. We should get out of our box and learn more about other cultures before we judge someone or his religious practices.”

Read the Main Article

Branching Out

More articles in WebExtras

Events and Photos

Events and Photos

Browse even more photos featuring UB alumni at recent University events.

The Talk of the Town

The Talk of the Town

Take a look back at the April grand-opening events for the new John and Frances Angelos Law Center.

Highlighted Class Note: Janice Jackson, B.A. ’02, M.S. ’05

Highlighted Class Note: Janice Jackson, B.A. ’02, M.S. ’05

If you’d like to learn more about this alumna’s top honor, browse links to coverage in various media outlets.

10 Things You May Not Know About U.S. History

10 Things You May Not Know About U.S. History

Read up on the remaining five “untold” facts about U.S. history from UB historian Eric Singer.

UB By the Numbers

UB By the Numbers

Learn more about a student-written anthology and about Tom Hollowak’s favorite archive items.

blog comments powered by Disqus
University of Balitmore
Office of Alumni Relations
1420 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201-5779
410.837.6131
alumni@ubalt.edu
© 2021 University of Baltimore
Email the editor with comments on the current issue or ideas for future issues. We want to hear from you!

2012 IMA winner
Last Published 7/3/13