Episcopalian church

[Anonymous]

I just threw up a little

A C & E Christian no doubt...

[Anonymous]

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

Not sure about the Orthodox thing, but as far as Lutherans go, stick with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churches if you are looking for something on the progressive side. Missouri Synod Lutherans are pretty conservative and Wisconsin Synod Lutherans are practically medieval.

[Anonymous]

OP, I over the past year I have gone to a Presbyterian church at Easter, a non-denominational protestant church over the summer and an Episcopal church on Christmas Eve, all in places with a simial demographic as Alexandria and have been shocked by how casually people are dressed. On X-mas Eve, my DH said to me "since when has church become business casual?" So, my point is that it is not the specific church you went to but probably a general trend toward casualness everywhere.

It does strike me funny though that as a Catholic you are surprised. I have always chuckled at how casually Catholics seem to be dressed to go to Mass but I figured it was because they are always going to Mass and the church figures it's better to go and not be dressed for it than not go at all!

[Anonymous]

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

Many of the Protestant denominations will teach you that the purpose of the format of worship is to get your mind and heart into the place to speak to God aNd discern his will. I know that for me having the ritual That I grew up with -- the vestments and the songs and putting on your "Sunday best" gets me in a place where I can let go of my spinning thoughts and turn my heart to prayer. So if I were seeking a church a "high" episcopal church fits the bill. That isn't to say that I think god gives. Hoot about those things, or that my prayers are heard more clearly than a Quaker who prays in silence or. Muslim who prays in Arabic or th goofy chaplain at my college who seemed to think that acoustic guitars were gods instrument of choice. But If I were looking for a church home jeans would probably be a sign it wasn't the place for me.

[Anonymous]

23:14 you clearly understand my point with this comment. For many of us there is some sort of ritual that connects our physical presence to our presence before God. For some it is more formal than for others, but the important point is that whatever that is, it lets our heart be in the right place.

"Our heart in the right place," is the most important point, whatever it takes to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Grace Episcopal or Christ Church in Old Town. That said, why not go Methodist. I am Episcopalian and really don't see a huge difference in Catholic or Episcopal. FYI God doesn't care what you are wearing. Jeans, dress... at least they are there. Maybe that is all they have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grace Episcopal or Christ Church in Old Town. That said, why not go Methodist. I am Episcopalian and really don't see a huge difference in Catholic or Episcopal. .

Really? The OP said she wanted to move for political reasons. Although there are lots of liturgical similarities between these two churches (which may be why the OP is drawn to Episcopalianism) politically and theologically they couldn't be more different. Birth control, abortion, homosexuality . . . . I think the Episcopal church is a natural home for people who grew Catholic and still like the "trappings" of the faith, but no longer believe in some of the teachings.

[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.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Being a Catholic, I don't know the difference between "high church" and regular Episcopal service. What's the difference? I don't know much about the Methodists, as they were not a large presence in my hometown. I am inclined toward the Episcopal Church as I am familiar with the ritual of the service as it is so close to a Catholic mass. I sort of enjoy the order of it all, it helps me focus and clear out the "noise." PP was right -- I need to worship somewhere that is gay friendly, and inclusive of women in the Church. I may not always agree with a sermon totally, but I need it to be something that I can accept.

I know that God doesn't care what we wear. In this day and age where everything is so casual, I sort of yearn for the tradition of dressing up as a sign of respect . . . for me that includes where I worship (at least on Holidays), nice places to eat, the theater, etc. I'm 33, and if that makes me an old grandma kitty cat, I'll own it.

[Anonymous]

Episcopalian here. High church means more formal service--in the sense of using some of the older rituals such as the priest chanting parts or all of the service, use of incense, sometimes more formal preparation for communion with the priests hands being ritually washed. High church is I think closer to many Catholic services.

Low church is less formal, more modern service. So no chanting or incense, may use modern Lord's Prayer, maybe more progressive with congregation members preaching, more contemporary music etc. Closer in many ways to other protestant services than Catholic.

[Anonymous]

I should add that if you want progressive politics, avoid Epicopal churches that identify as "Anglican church of America" which is code for the congregation separating from the american Episcopal church and taking the reactionary stance against gay rights and often against female priests. You may find that some of the churches with a more "high church" style tend to be more politically conservative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may find that some of the churches with a more "high church" style tend to be more politically conservative.

This is often true but not always. My church is fairly high church in terms of ritual but pretty liberal wrt things like gay rights and women's participation (our associate rector is a woman). We're in Maryland, though, so that won't help the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I should add that if you want progressive politics, avoid Epicopal churches that identify as "Anglican church of America" which is code for the congregation separating from the american Episcopal church and taking the reactionary stance against gay rights and often against female priests. You may find that some of the churches with a more "high church" style tend to be more politically conservative.

I agree with the first part but not the second. Anglican and Episcopal are no longer the same, and it sounds like the OP wants Episcopal. Any easy way to figure it out is just to call and ask what the rector's view on Gene Robinson's ordination -- the response will tell you everything.

As far as whether "high" and Anglican go together, my mom worships at St. Alban's which is relatively high -- people are dressed up and chanting. I was there once for mother's day and the topic of the sermon was how the deacon (priest in training) who was preaching felt the love of god reflected in his mother the first time she marched with him in the Pride parade when he was in college. It was quite a well done sermon, and one that would horrify the "Agnlicans".

[Anonymous]

The various breakaway congregations/groups had different flash points.

Some broke off when the new Book of Common Prayer was released back in the 1970s.

Others broke off when women were allowed to be ordained.

Others broke off when gays were allowed to join/be ordained as priests.

The biggest breakpoint was when Gene Robinson was ordained Bishop of New Hampshire. This led to Truro, The Falls Church, and several other congregations breaking off to form whatever the heck they're called under the control of the head of the Anglican church of Nigeria.

More conservatives got mad when our current presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori, was elected in 2006.

Of course, the various breakaway factions soon took to squabbling among themselves.

About half the member churches of the Anglican Communion refuse to meet with her, since she's a woman and it's contagious.

[Anonymous]

My husband is Catholic, and we go to Christ Church at his request, so you may want to check that out. Definitely on the liberal side politically, but beautiful and liturgically classic. They have a great music program and two great female priests (in addition to the male rector and two fellows). Our boys like the church, too, and have been willing to swallow the longer services (longer than the Catholic mass) in part because the preaching is so good (and, generally, because they like the ceremony more than the more casual Catholic service).