“Affirming” church not doing it for us
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Anonymous
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We are a gay couple, not married but living together and committed to each other.
Our church is LGBTQ and everything else affirming and more and more, it is just a grievance fest, pretty much like No Kings in church format. And it is dying. I was back home this last weekend and attended Catholic mass with my aunt at her somewhat progressive parish. It was a such a breath of fresh air. Not my first time in a Catholic Church by a long shot, nor for my partner. But I don’t know if we can really exist in that church. We tried Episcopal but that wasn’t it either. Any ideas? In NoVa. |
Anonymous
| My Episcopal was similar to what you experienced. 98% political grievances -- whether in the sermons, conversations at coffee hour, small groups, or whatever. I sympathize and haven't found an answer yet. |
Anonymous
| If you happen to be close to Herndon, I would strongly recommend Floris UMC. I think it accurately presents itself as "one church for all" but without the grievances/politics. For example, the corporate confession did not reference white privilege/systemic racism/or a stolen land acknowledgement. Just good people across the board doing a lot of good in the community. |
Anonymous
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Grace Episcopal in Alexandria. Completely welcoming for LGBTQ, but it's just baked in, and therfore not reiterated in sermons. It's high church in style, but again, LGBTQ welcome, some women clergy.
Come for Holy Week services. You're most welcome! gracealex.org |
Anonymous
| Where are you currently (which church)? That may help. Not sure what you mean by grievance fest vs .the welcome you're looking for. |
Anonymous
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Episcopal is really your best bet.
What about it didn't work for you? |
Anonymous
| Maybe lutheran? Faith lutheran in Arlington might work. |
Anonymous
| Have you tried Unitarian? Congregations in Arlington, Fairfax, Reston. |
Anonymous
| If you like catholic church, I would go for that. Others don't really substitute for that. There are plenty of gay catholics. |
Anonymous
+1. Episcopal seems like your best bet. As with every denomination, the vibe (for lack of a better word) varies from parish to parish and from priest to priest. I'd recommend you keep trying Episcopal churches. |
Anonymous
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It's an open secret that a majority of the College of Cardinals are gay and non-celibate. But what the Catholic church is trying to do (that the Episcopal church is not) is to actually maintain some continuity in this Christian religion. And Scripture and Tradition (i.e., the Magisterium) clearly and consistently put forward that homosexual acts are sinful.
So if you want to be affirmed for your sex acts, you'll have to go Episcopal or Unitarian or something and join the grievance fest. But if you want to be affirmed for your image as a child of God in communion with all the saints and angels, give the Catholics a chance. |
Anonymous
Hmm. It's really more about agreeing with the theology (transubstantiation, anyone?) and OP's stated desire for (no judgment here) smells and bells. A high church Episcopalian congregation would provide the smells and bells in a way the Unitarians, Lutherans, and Methodists don't, also an articulated-but-still-personal theology in a way the Unitarians don't. I know people who are very happy in all these congregations, but OP seems to be expressing a desire for something very particular, and the Episcopal church seems to fit that bill better. |
Anonymous
| Liberal churches are dying on the vine. Repent and believe. |
Anonymous
| Any church is accepting around here. Don't over think this. |
Anonymous
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If you're open to Catholic try Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington.
https://www.ourladyqueenofpeace.org/ |