Which church meets these criteria?

[Anonymous]

We switched to an Anglican church and while the substance is better (actually focusing on the Bible and not politics) the services are much less traditional and more evangelical (contemporary music, raising hands toward people when praying for them) and it feels... wrong.

We may be in the same place. The preaching is excellent, but the more contemporary evangelical features (praise music, hands uplifted, immersion baptism) don't feel quite right.

We were previously were ECUSA but also tired of the politics. The breaking point was when the former bishop ranted about the breakaway parishes ON GOOD FRIDAY. Really? An angry rant about property disputes on Good Friday? I never experienced anything as overtly political as what you say, but it also would not surprise me.

I do love my traditional smells and bells and want God, not politics. I am following this thread with interest (and may check out Falls Church Anglican).

[Anonymous]

Try Vienna Presbyterian Church at the traditional 11am service. Good luck. It is very difficult church shopping.

[Anonymous]

You just hit a weird Episcopal church. I go to a church that is as liberal as they come, and I have never heard anything like what you describe. No active discussion/preaching on political parties or politicians, and certainly never any prayers to wish anyone harm. There is a standard prayer for wisdom for all elected officials, during the prayers for the people, but that has always been in there regardless of who is in any office. If there is a particularly discriminatory action that has occurred, we will get admonitions to love and respect all people, but if that’s not for you, then you really aren’t in the right place.

I think you just need to check out a variety of specific churches. I think you run the risk of any one individual parish taking it too far in a mainline Protestant church, so I wouldn’t write off a particular denomination after going to one church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try Vienna Presbyterian Church at the traditional 11am service. Good luck. It is very difficult church shopping.

I've never been to a Presbyterian service that had smells and bells.

[Anonymous]

The answer to your question is Catholic, but you knew that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure what Episcopal Church you were at where anyone prayed for harm to anyone, but you probably need to explore more Anglican churches to find what you're looking for. There's a spectrum of churchmanships in Anglican/Episcopal churches, and some will be more evangelical but others will be very high church. The non-Episcopal Anglican churches are a real mix with a lot of overlapping groups and jurisdictions, so it can be harder to navigate.

Where are you?

Out in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The answer to your question is Catholic, but you knew that.

...This is like a gnawing fear in my heart. But I see so many issues with the Catholic church that I truly hope we can find a Protestant one that works for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church Anglican has the very traditional service, family service and wave-your-arms in the air with praise bands service. Actually four services to pick from on sundays. All bible. no politics

Thank you for the recommendation!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might try Christ the king. Anglican. More high church/ reverent than the other local Anglican churches.

It sounds lovely. We're in Fairfax but I'll try to visit it sometime.