When Calpurnia takes the children to church with her, in addition to their experiencing racism "from the other side of the fence," the children perceive how protective the church members are of one another as Lulu sees the arrival of Jem and Scout as an invasion. Reverend Sykes also demonstrates his true Christian charity in not using his pulpit to rail against the injustices against Tom Robinson unlike some so-called preachers in contemporary times who have denounced America and certain groups of Americans.
Further, Jem and Scout are witness to the poverty of the church members who cannot afford songbooks; yet, they all find something to contribute to their "brother" and his family in need. Indeed, there is a love that permeates this humble church, a sense of Christian charity that is sadly lacking when, in a later chapter, Mrs. Merriweather has the temerity to derogate Atticus in his own home before his sister Alexandra, who is the hostess of the Missionary Tea, not to mention her demeaning comments about Maycomb's black community and her maid after this sanctimonious hypocrite has only finished talking about the wonderful missionary work done in Africa, yet she denegrates the African-Americans in her own town.
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