Episcopalian church

[Anonymous]

I grew up Catholic but have a lot of political differences with the church. I would like to find a progressive Episcopal Church that is not overly formal. I attended one in Alexandria on Christmas, and gasp, found it almost too informal. Jeans on Christmas? Anyone have a church to recommend, particularly in Alexandria? Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

WTF? On Christmas half the antendees aren't part of the parish or don't go regularly. This is like saying you won't go to a church because it was crowded on Easter. Give them another chance.

[Anonymous]

Not sure which one you went to in Alexandria, but I'm a former member of St. Paul's in Old Town, and LOVED it there. The rector is excellent. I attended Christ Church there too, and it would surprise me if anyone thought either was casual. If we hadn't moved we would still be at St. Paul's.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the recs. There were other things that I disliked about the service but I didn't want to be overly critical. I used to attend St. Marks in the city and really enjoyed their service but it's too hard dragging 2 kids out there every Sunday. I will give St. Paul's a try.

[Anonymous]

OP here. And it was ushers and greeters wearing jeans, so I'm guessing they are regulars. I don't have a problem if people want to dress casually but when searching for a place where I feel like I want to establish a community, dressing up a little on Christmas is important to me. Silly to you . . . so be it. Different strokes for different folks.

[Anonymous]

19:52 here. I'll add that I think St. Paul's is a great place for kids too. It's a very healthy parish. We got married there...just love it!

[Anonymous]

Immanuel on the Hill, off Quaker Lane and Seminary is a little more formal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the recs. There were other things that I disliked about the service but I didn't want to be overly critical. I used to attend St. Marks in the city and really enjoyed their service but it's too hard dragging 2 kids out there every Sunday. I will give St. Paul's a try.

It's a truly beautiful church!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:StPaulsChurchAlexandria_Interior2008.jpg

[Anonymous]

I hear ya - I have real issues with people wearing jeans in church, especially more formal churches. I go to Christ Church in Georgetown in part because I like the priest and the programming but also because it's a church where people really dress up. Good luck finding a new church! (wish I could help you, but I only really know the DC churches and a few in Arlington/Fairfax.)

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for something similar to Catholic, try the lutheran church. Or if you really like tradition, go orthodox

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear ya - I have real issues with people wearing jeans in church, especially more formal churches. I go to Christ Church in Georgetown in part because I like the priest and the programming but also because it's a church where people really dress up. Good luck finding a new church! (wish I could help you, but I only really know the DC churches and a few in Arlington/Fairfax.)

Judge not lest ye be judged.

[Anonymous]

There are several folks from Old Town who come into our parish downtown - St John's Layfayette Square. Great for kids and families, and definitely a dress up kind of place. On the politically progressive side of the Episcopal church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear ya - I have real issues with people wearing jeans in church, especially more formal churches. I go to Christ Church in Georgetown in part because I like the priest and the programming but also because it's a church where people really dress up. Good luck finding a new church! (wish I could help you, but I only really know the DC churches and a few in Arlington/Fairfax.)

Judge not lest ye be judged.

oh grow up. Or F off. If they were homeless and it was their only or nicest garment, that would be one thing. But these are not poor people. Judging from the clothes they are wearing - expensive - the jeans are not the only garment in their wardrobe, nor the nicest. Just because you "can" wear something doesn't mean you should. There's such a thing as appropriate clothing. Most people grasp the concept that you dress a certain way for work and another way for going out, or for doing housework. My church is a dressy church. My friend went to my church one day with her husband and he was the only guy not wearing a suit. (he was wearing nice dress pants, shirt and tie, but not a jacket.) I felt bad - I would have warned him if I'd known they were going.

Listen, there are plenty of casual churches where jeans are totally the norm, just as there are plenty of casual workplaces where jeans are totally acceptable every day, not just Friday. But I feel like it's kind of disrespectful to wear jeans if you have something nicer in your closet. It's church, not yardwork or a football game. People can go without wearing jeans once a week.

[Anonymous]

An observation -- God doesn't care what we wear, only what is in our hearts...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An observation -- God doesn't care what we wear, only what is in our hearts...

I just threw up a little.