If you attend an Episcopal church. . . .
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Anonymous
| I would love to hear from you. We are former UUs who are looking for something different, and I am interested in the Episcopal Church. I know there is a tradition of welcoming seekers, but how about doubters? My husband thinks there are probably Episcopalians who believe in, say, the resurrection in a symbolic way rather than a literal one. Is this your experience? I am hopeful that I can ask this without a religious debate. Thanks for anything you can share. |
Anonymous
From my experience, if you previously did UU you will be completely and utterly put off by Episcopal. I know you're thinking you've heard the Episcopilians are tolerant and liberal and everything. And all that is true, relatively speaking (to the Catholic Church) But in reality, the liturgy of the Episcopilian church will very likely be too much for you (and unfamiliar as well -- you'll feel lost). It is a Christian theology so the faith in resurrection *is* literal (which is true of all the protestant sects). The ritual of the Sunday service itself is rather ... elaborate. If you're not accustomed to it, you will find it intimidating. Signed, child of the UU church who was raised by Lutherans and baptised in a Methodist church who auditioned St. Mary's in Arlington but found it very uncomfortable and joined Walker Chape UMC. Good luck. |
Anonymous
| I am Episcopalian, and that has not been my experience. the resurrection is in the literal sense. I do actually find the church to be pretty liberal, and I enjoy the elaborate service. FWIW, when we joined a few years ago, someone told me that our congregation consists of 1/3 Episcopalians, 1/3 Lutherans, and 1/3 Catholics. It tends to be a compromise for couples like us - I was raised Lutheran and DH was raised Catholic. Best of luck! I hope you find what you're looking for! |
Anonymous
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Hah -- I'm a semi-lapsed Episcopalian and just had this conversation with my priest. She was basically like, we Episcopalians will take ANYBODY, no matter WHERE you are on the journey, no matter WHAT you believe; if you feel called to be here, come be here.
FWIW, even before I was semi-lapsed, I never believed everything literally, and I always found churches and communities that were fine with that. It's true that the liturgy is probably more formal than you're used to from UU (I've been to several UU churches). The traditional liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer definitely emphasizes the literal. Some churches try out different liturgies from time to time (the New Zealand Prayer Book, for example), which I like. One clue I find helpful? When you look at church websites, look for signs that they are welcoming to gay people. The more openly welcoming they are to gay folks, the more openly welcoming they are to seekers, doubters, people who just like the music, etc... Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Actually, the current presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church of North America is very "non-literal" for the lack of a better word, from a theological standpoint. Google some of the interviews with PB's over the last 5-6 years. Discussions of "many paths to salvation," etc. The churches themselves are all over the spectrum. These differences (not the gay bishop) were the real cause of the recent rift in the Episcopal Church. While the foundation of the church is allegedly based on the principle off "via media" (the middle way), the hierarchy of the church has aggressively tried to eliminate the more conservative churches. If you are UU by inclination and like the liturgy, you'll fit right in. |
Anonymous
ELCA Lutheran churches tend to be very welcoming to LBGT members. |
Anonymous
This is exactly the philosophy of our church. Very open and easy going about what you believe. |
Anonymous
| Episcopalians are slightly more liberal than catholics but their beliefs are pretty much the same. My catholic DH finds the mid-service "new member welcome session" uncomfortable, well, he finds the fact that they are friendly and upbeat uncomfortable, go figure. |
Anonymous
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Please name churches. I am episcopalian and have experiences with one small congregation and a large church and neither work for me right now. Small was not liberal and open enough for me and the large was not right for many reasons including distance.
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Anonymous
| If it isn't too much of a hike for you, look into St. Columba's in Tenleytown. |
Anonymous
St. Luke Episcopal church in Bethesda (Old Georgetown Road). Their Reverend is a woman! 
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Anonymous
| Have you considered United Church of Christ (UUC) AKA Unitarians Considering Christianity? They tend to be pretty non-dogmatic, and liberal but less overtly political than some UU congregations. I think services are usually less grandly ceremonial than Episcopal churches, generally speaking. |
Anonymous
| Episcopal Church of Our Savior on Powder Mill Road and New Hampshire in Silver Spring. |
Anonymous
| 1 rule, NO rules. Anything goes including gays and abortion |
Anonymous
| a second for St. Columbas in Tenleytown |