Missing Church - Where can I go?

[Anonymous]

I am missing church. Any suggestions for a church that offers praise and fellowship in the Arlington area? My challenge is that I am a parent to two kids in the LGBTQAI+ community and am their advocate and ally. I do not want to hear damnation of this when I worship. I have a very open heart but am feeling called back to interdenominational style praise but was raised and happily Catholic for many decades. At this point, I am saddened by the Catholic Church leadership and the history of abuse. Am I just out of luck to find a church that could help me come back to a practice of faith?

[Anonymous]

The Episcopal Church has services that are very similar to Catholic services, but they’re pro-lgbt to the point of having lgbt priests.

[Anonymous]

Unitarian Universalist churches. I know a few in Maryland, but suspect you can find good ones in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unitarian Universalist churches. I know a few in Maryland, but suspect you can find good ones in VA.

This might be a good option for OP unless they are looking for a Christian church.

[Anonymous]

For Christian, I second episcopal and suggest also checking out UCC (united church of Christ). Many Methodist churches are also quite socially liberal.

[Anonymous]

We are a 2 mom family and attend an Episcopal Church. We are in MD though so I don’t know any specific churches in Arlington.
I enjoy the outreach they do in the community as well.

[Anonymous]

Mount Olivet Methodist in Arlington. LGBTQ-friendly, active youth program, lots of former-Catholics (including myself). They have a traditional and a contemporary service. I find the traditional service reminds me of some of the aspects of Catholic worship that feel comfortable from my childhood.

[Anonymous]

I would look for a Methodist or Presbyterian church. Also ELCA Lutheran, which will have a liturgy you are used to. The Missouri synod Lutherans are quite conservative though, so I'd avoid that.

[Anonymous]

St. Mary’s Episcopal in Arlington, on N. Glebe Rd. near Marymount University. One of our terrific priests is a woman married to another woman.

(That is, if you’re looking for a more traditional service that will seem familiar to your Catholic roots. If you’re looking for something less structured and with more guitars/informal praise/audience participation, this might not be entirely your jam. But you are welcome to come and try us out.)

[Anonymous]

The Falls Church Episcopal has a focus on queer faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would look for a Methodist or Presbyterian church. Also ELCA Lutheran, which will have a liturgy you are used to. The Missouri synod Lutherans are quite conservative though, so I'd avoid that.

Only PC-USA Presbyterian churches. There is an arm of Presbyterian that split off called PCA that is not LQBTQ friendly.

Also this website captures churches that it knows are LGBTQ friendly.

https://www.gaychurch.org/

[Anonymous]

I have been looking for this as well. Unfortunately the combo of "contemporary praise/worship service" AND "lgbt friendly" seems to be too niche, at least in this area. You can have one or other, but not both.

Churchclarity.org is a good source for info on whether a congregation is lgbt affirming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been looking for this as well. Unfortunately the combo of "contemporary praise/worship service" AND "lgbt friendly" seems to be too niche, at least in this area. You can have one or other, but not both.

Churchclarity.org is a good source for info on whether a congregation is lgbt affirming.

Mount Olivet Methodist, mentioned above, has both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been looking for this as well. Unfortunately the combo of "contemporary praise/worship service" AND "lgbt friendly" seems to be too niche, at least in this area. You can have one or other, but not both.

Churchclarity.org is a good source for info on whether a congregation is lgbt affirming.

NP but adding on for those not familiar with church language:

“Welcoming” means they welcome you to attend and you aren’t likely to hear anti LGBTQ sermons. But they will probably restrict you from serving in leadership positions or performing on stage. (My old church wouldn’t allow someone living with a (opposite gender) partner to sing in the band, which would also apply to someone in a LGBT relationship.)

“Affirming” means they welcome you and you are allowed full participation without restriction.

Just sharing so you know phrases to look out for. You should still do due diligence because like everyone, they can say one thing and do another.

[Anonymous]

Try Our Lady Queen of Peace in south Arlington. The 9:30 Sunday mass has a small and mighty gospel choir that is the most inspirational musical experience I’ve ever had in church.

OLQOP also has an active LGBTQ ministry and same sex couples active in parish life:

https://www.ourladyqueenofpeace.org/pastoral-carehospitality.html