Paulette Hamilton 
You are more likely to look jeans and T-shirts at Easter Sunday offerings than bonnets and 3-piece suits nowadays. While some churchgoers replicate nostalgically on hats, ties and stockings, traditional examples of “Sunday nice,” most clergy and laypeople alike pick a more laid-lower back vibe.
“It doesn’t affect your religion,” stated the Rev. Kerwin Lee, founder and senior pastor of Berean Christian Church, which has placed in Stone Mountain, Snellville, and Stockbridge. “Through the years, the African American church has long gone through levels, and it got to the point that a few humans wouldn’t come to church because they didn’t feel that they had the right clothes.”
Lee stated that modern-day church buildings take the emphasis off garments and focus more on the word of Christ. To make that transition, it starts with the management, he stated.
Lee said he handiest wears gowns to carry out weddings, and that’s best at the request of the couple. It’s not out of man or woman for him to evangelize in a polo blouse and khaki slacks.
“Our purpose is to exchange the methods, however now not alternate the message,” he stated. “We’re still in the business of doing God’s works.”
The Rev. Mark Westmoreland, the senior pastor of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, is of the same opinion.
“Our morning carrier is quite conventional,” he stated. “And there are many individuals who wear suits and attire every Sunday and they may be very relaxed.”
But with so many families within the congregation, he stated he’s happy to see mother and father who can wrangle their brood into something and show up for the provider.
“We want all people to sense there are no limitations to worshipping here,” he said.
He recalled an Easter at Embry Hills United Methodist Church in Atlanta when college students have been again for spring ruin and desired to carry the go in the procession.
“There changed into a female with red hair and later on a pair who were questioning approximately becoming a member of the church said that became a signal that it became the church for them,” he stated.
Both Joe and Heather DeGonge grew up in traditional Catholic houses, and they’re raising their three boys — Alex, eleven, Owen, 10, and Ethan, five — with the one’s equal traditions. And although their faith is set much greater than how they dress, each parent strain that displaying appreciate and reverence for the sanctity of the church is critical.
“We attend St. Ann in east Cobb, and we’ve visible a slow shift toward greater casual attire at church,” stated Joe DeGonge. “But we both feel it’s essential for the boys to put on collared shirts and normal footwear — not sneakers — to church.”
He stated the circle of relatives clothes pretty “dandy” for Easter with bow ties and suits.
Boys being boys, they aren’t so thrilled that they aren’t allowed to wear the types of denim and T-shirts they see other kids wearing.
“I tell them your dad wears an in shape each day due to the fact his activity expects him to dress that manner. And they need to dress appropriately for church,” said Heather DeGonge.
Right now, little Ethan enjoys the compliments and interest he gets.
“We get nothing but high-quality feedback,” said Heather DeGonge.