WORTHINGTON, Minn. — As noon approaches on Sundays, the bustling religious landscape of Worthington reveals the significant transformation of this town from a traditional Midwestern farming community to a vibrant majority-minority center, enriched by a diverse population of migrants from across the globe.
Within the walls of St. Mary’s, an electric atmosphere resonates from one of its two Spanish-language Catholic Masses featuring one of the ten Latino choirs, while just a half-mile away, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians conclude their lengthy six-hour service held in what was once the local newspaper office.
Beyond the town’s borders, in the cornfields, refugees from Southeast Asia unite to offer prayers and songs in the Karen language at a Baptist church originally established by Swedish settlers in 1873, whose descendants continue to attend the morning English service.
The various congregations are putting forth efforts to maintain their unique cultural identities while also providing pathways for integration within communities that often remain separate.
“The goal of my ministry at both congregations is to foster unity,” explained Rev. Lucio Berumen, who serves as the Mexican pastor at Indian Lake Baptist Church. “You find yourself with a history of 150 years versus 15 years, and the challenges you face are known. My focus is to ensure we can collaborate and work together.”
Berumen has taken the initiative to learn about Swedish customs, participating in their traditions like julotta (Christmas morning prayers). He regularly observes the lengthy Karen services, often without comprehension but praying silently for all of his church members throughout the process.
For Karen volunteer pastor Eh Ler Plaw Saw, who recently celebrated 15 years at Indian Lake, there is a strong emphasis on encouraging children to practice their native language, addressing the balance between their linguistic skills and the older generation’s challenges with English.
Meanwhile, at St. Mary’s, Rev. Tim Biren aims to bridge the gap between the Latino population and a predominantly white congregation, recognizing their distinct pastoral needs and differing worship experiences, even the varying intensity of choir music.
Some parishioners have expressed interest in bilingual Masses, hoping to learn some Spanish along the way and foster connections beyond their own communities. “So we can learn some Spanish, and help them to build relationships outside their community,” shared Pat Morphew, a longtime member of St. Mary’s since the 1980s.
For those participating in the Spanish choirs, the embrace of familiarity in an unfamiliar environment has brought comfort, as conveyed by Dagoberto Mendez, who arrived in Worthington in 2000 and now directs the Nueva Inspiración choir.
Recently, his three children, along with fellow Guatemalans, uplifted the congregation during services with a dynamic fusion of instruments, including trumpets, saxophones, an electric piano, and the unique güira, a percussion tool resembling a large cheese grater.
In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo tradition, prominent elements such as big drums and towering sticks form an integral part of the liturgy. This characteristic worship style raised curiosity among the Lutheran community that had previously hosted them until the Ethiopians established their sanctuary.
“We have our own way of worship that might be unfamiliar to them, yet they graciously allow us that space,” reflected Abebe Abetew. “They’re God-loving people.”
Each Sunday, a dedicated group of around 500 congregants assembles before dawn in their sanctuary, adorned with intricately designed Ethiopian icons, commencing their day with prayers shared over a meal in the church basement.
“Attending church is fundamental for us, akin to the necessity of food; without it, we cannot thrive,” Abetew concluded.