Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Methodists hate gays.

some do, some don't. Be sure to ask before attending. People will be happy to tell you their policy on gays.

No, the official church position on this is pretty clear. I mean, they defrocked a Methodist minister for performing a gay marriage. They're pretty much the worst of the worst on gays. Extremely intolerant.

Anonymous wrote:Methodists hate gays.

some do, some don't. Be sure to ask before attending. People will be happy to tell you their policy on gays.

Methodists hate gays.

Presbyterians are Calvinists, which I think is a more important distinctions between the denominations you list than anything else.

Of those three, I prefer the Episcopal church. I liked the service the best, and the people generally seemed the most educated and open minded in my opinion. Have you tried at least two services of each?
(I actually attend a Lutheran church now fwiw.)
Good luck with your decision.

A Presbyterian is a Methodist that graduated college.

An Episcopalian is a Presbyterian with a trust fund.

In terms of alcohol consumption:

Methodists < Presbyterians < Episcopalians

Where do you live OP? I am Presbyterian. I love the friendliness and the general welcoming nature of Presbyterians. The service follows a general order each week but with variation. E.g. There is a Prayer of Confession but it changes each week so you actually have to read and think about the words. Adult CE classes are usually thoughtful and try to apply the gospels to contemporary issues.

^ my church is Methodist and traditional in service style although very progressive in temperment. Oldish building.
Liked that combo although I grew up Presbyterian.

SS united Methodist.

Anonymous wrote:In my limited experience, Episcopaleans are very close to being Catholic but without emphasis on guilt, they have female priests, etc. They lean very liberal. Too much so for me!

It's very hard to find a Methodist church in this area that has a traditional service. They are mainly contemporary, with praise bands, individual chairs, coffee and snacks you can bring into the service, along those lines. But I love me a good old traditional Methodist service, when we can find it!

Presbyterians seem more likely to offer a choice of contemporary or traditional worship. Some great youth programs as well.

I just left the Catholic Church so have done a lot of "sampling" to decide what I want. But for me I'd be most comfortable with traditional Methodist, Presbyterian, or Lutheran. Hope this helps! Are you looking for a new denomination, OP?

Wrong!

Northern Virginia, as well as Suburban Maryland has lots of traditional services.
I live in Ffx County, and it is harder to find contemporary than traditional. Ask around.

PP here, sorry, I just saw where you said you're looking for a new church!

In my limited experience, Episcopaleans are very close to being Catholic but without emphasis on guilt, they have female priests, etc. They lean very liberal. Too much so for me!

It's very hard to find a Methodist church in this area that has a traditional service. They are mainly contemporary, with praise bands, individual chairs, coffee and snacks you can bring into the service, along those lines. But I love me a good old traditional Methodist service, when we can find it!

Presbyterians seem more likely to offer a choice of contemporary or traditional worship. Some great youth programs as well.

I just left the Catholic Church so have done a lot of "sampling" to decide what I want. But for me I'd be most comfortable with traditional Methodist, Presbyterian, or Lutheran. Hope this helps! Are you looking for a new denomination, OP?

Differences in governance too. Methodists and Episcopalians have a diocesan structure but Presbyterians are generally governed by elders in their own congregation.

Anonymous wrote:Please compare and contrast. Looking to join a new church.

it really varies according to the individual church -- around here, most are liberal, but some are quite conservative. The biggest difference is in the ceremony -- the Episcopalians are much closer to the original Catholic liturgy than the others.

Please compare and contrast. Looking to join a new church.