I want to go to church, but don’t know where to start under these circumstances

[Anonymous]

We found our spiritual home in the Presbyterian Church. Ours is very progressive, and fits us perfectly.

I agree with trying out online services!

[Anonymous]

OP, please look at the ECUSA. Unlike other more rigid denominations, we have no doctrinal purity tests for membership. In every Episcopal Church we’ve belonged to, I can’t honestly think of one person I’ve met that takes the Creed word for word. Worshipers are free to interpret scripture, doctrine, and other statements of faith in a way that makes sense to them (particularly with the questions like the nature of the Trinity, salvation, forgiveness, etc). I’ve even known agnostics and atheists that attend simply for the sense of community you are seeking. This wide swath of diverse beliefs makes our denomination special and particularly welcoming for those seeking a more evolved spirituality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, please look at the ECUSA. Unlike other more rigid denominations, we have no doctrinal purity tests for membership. In every Episcopal Church we’ve belonged to, I can’t honestly think of one person I’ve met that takes the Creed word for word. Worshipers are free to interpret scripture, doctrine, and other statements of faith in a way that makes sense to them (particularly with the questions like the nature of the Trinity, salvation, forgiveness, etc). I’ve even known agnostics and atheists that attend simply for the sense of community you are seeking. This wide swath of diverse beliefs makes our denomination special and particularly welcoming for those seeking a more evolved spirituality.

This is my understanding, as well. However, some people might not be so comfortable in an environment where so much interpretation is expected, or allowed, or required in order to be comfortable with a liturgy does not change with the times.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, did you find a church that works for you? If so, I would be curious where - as my situation is similar - thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- no advice here just a message of support. I feel strongly about adding religion and spirituality into DC life. I think many people can be successful in raising children with morality without a focused religion but for us it certainly helps raise many thoughtful topics and provides a map and book ends to behaviors.

Good luck finding something that works for you.

but watch out for churches that teach or imply that the only way to learn such valuable things are via that denomination, and that people who are unchurched or who adhere to certain inferior religions, are not as moral or are even hell-bound.

That definitely won’t be a problem in Episcopalian or Unitarian churches. Not Methodist either, from what I understand. There are also some very progressive Presbyterian churches, called “new light” I think but I could have that wrong, that welcome gays. But some Presbyterian churches are pretty conservative so you’d need to check around.

In general, for teens, I’d go with a larger church. That way your kids won’t feel like a spotlight is on them and can grow comfortable at their own pace.

[Anonymous]

Your family would feel very welcome at any Episcopal church or Unity church. UU is a little different. I like the UU services. I’ve spoken at several (I’m a minister). But, oftentimes they don’t feel “churchy”.

[Anonymous]

Do any of your children's friends go to church regularly? If they do and the church has an active youth group, I would start there. Your children are more likely to engage if they have friends there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unitarian and Episcopal churches are both decent recommendations, but it really depends on what you're looking for in terms of God/Jesus.

Unitarians are very social justice oriented and tend to be spiritual, but they have no set beliefs about God. I know Unitarians who were raised Christian and have kept those general beliefs, but I also know Unitarians that are practicing pagans. There's no creed you subscribe to to be Unitarian.

The Episcopal Church, on the other hand, is a Christian Church. We believe in God, we believe that Jesus is God, etc. We recite the Nicene Creed in our services to affirm that belief. Now, we're more accepting of people who interpret the creed in untraditional ways to the point that they might not really believe it, and we've had some prominent members whose personal theology pushes the boundary on what could be called "Christian." Officially though, and in terms of what you'll find in the liturgy, we're Christians. If that turns you off, then the Unitarians will give you a more broadly spiritual experience.

+1 Nicely stated. Very explanatory

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your family would feel very welcome at any Episcopal church or Unity church. UU is a little different. I like the UU services. I’ve spoken at several (I’m a minister). But, oftentimes they don’t feel “churchy”.

Unitarian and Unity are not the same, right? Could you explain the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your family would feel very welcome at any Episcopal church or Unity church. UU is a little different. I like the UU services. I’ve spoken at several (I’m a minister). But, oftentimes they don’t feel “churchy”.

Unitarian and Unity are not the same, right? Could you explain the difference?

https://www.unity.org/resources/articles/unity-unitarian-universalist

[Anonymous]

My family has been looking for a church for several months now. It is really hard. We have been to Reston Bible a few times and have watched online as well with the Omicron spike. Today’s sermon was especially good. Best of luck to you in your search.

[Anonymous]

OP, just want to encourage you.

I was raised in a fundamentalist/evangelical family and it really turned me off of religion. But marrying my DH who is Catholic and doesn't suffer from the pressure/guilt I have from my parents, has been really refreshing.
I am technically more of a humanist, but have embraced being part of our local Catholic church for so many good reasons. I hope you can find a church community that adds to your life - and your DCs.
I totally don't believe/understand a lot of the RC theology things (and frankly I don't really care, I'm not there for theology or salvation, more for meditation, self-reflection, and community).

[Anonymous]

+1 to Floris UMC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any of your children's friends go to church regularly? If they do and the church has an active youth group, I would start there. Your children are more likely to engage if they have friends there.

I think this is the best suggestion in the thread.

[Anonymous]

I would search for a congregation, not a denomination. I spent most of my life in UCC (Congregational) churches, which are generally very welcoming to questioners and nom-dogmatic. They are explicitly Christian but tend to have less of a traditionally structured liturgy than Episcopalians, there's more local variation, and they don't do communion every week. When I moved here I wound up at a Baptist church, surprisingly, because it was warm and welcoming and close to my house with a cry room off the sanctuary. Never would have searched out Baptists, but that specific church felt like it could be home.

I would recommend searching for "open and affirming" near me because that is code for LGBTQ supporting, and you will be more likely to find single parents and other people with "nontraditional" family structures as well. I guess you'd maybe want a visible teenage contingent too, so your kids would have peers.