Former Catholic who now attends a Methodist church -

I like the focus on being inclusive, doing rather than talking about, no sermons about sin, focus on positives - God’s love, grace and so on

One thing I find I miss is that Catholic mass is much more formal with a repetitive set of prayers.

Former Catholic here, and my Episcopalian church is full of former Catholics. If you feel comfortable and welcome at your local Methodist church, if you find that the worship feeds your soul and challenges you and helps you grow in love of God and your neighbor, then go there.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

+1

I am a lifelong Methodist and I married a Catholic boy. He feels welcomed by the Methodist Church (we have attended several) and he would say never know that he should experience joy in church (and worship). There are lots of reasons testing out different churches is good for people.

God doesn't care what building you're in - it's more important to worship with shared beliefs, offer assistance to the needy, and do so in a welcoming environment.

If this perspective appeals to OP, she definitely isn't Catholic anymore.

Lots of flavors of Catholic.

Yes, but they all care what building you're in - it's got to be a Catholic church and it some cases, it has to be the one in your neighborhood, to which you are assigned.

True, but you can find a parish welcoming to LGBTQ people right here in DC. It’s near the HRC and some HRC staff worship there.

But it's not officially welcoming and a new rector could change all that. Same goes for the Methodist church. THough they are putting up a fight, (unlike the RC's) some Methodist clergy might have to leave or break off if they can't force change. For that reason alone, it might not be a great time to go Methodist -- unless you like a good fight, of course.

In the Episcopal church you can avoid all that. They are officially accepting and have many openly LGBTQ clergy and congregants.

I was raised Catholic and am now Methodist. Our church has a lot of former Catholics.

I like my congregation's focus on mission/community service and the equal participation of women (one of the main reasons I left the Catholic church), but it also has the more formal service that feels right after having grown up with Catholic mass. We also oppose the UMC's recent decision re: inclusion of LGBTQ people and our congregation is part of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a group that advocates for full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the Methodist church/ministry. https://rmnetwork.org/find-a-reconciling-community/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

+1

I am a lifelong Methodist and I married a Catholic boy. He feels welcomed by the Methodist Church (we have attended several) and he would say never know that he should experience joy in church (and worship). There are lots of reasons testing out different churches is good for people.

God doesn't care what building you're in - it's more important to worship with shared beliefs, offer assistance to the needy, and do so in a welcoming environment.

If this perspective appeals to OP, she definitely isn't Catholic anymore.

Lots of flavors of Catholic.

Yes, but they all care what building you're in - it's got to be a Catholic church and it some cases, it has to be the one in your neighborhood, to which you are assigned.

True, but you can find a parish welcoming to LGBTQ people right here in DC. It’s near the HRC and some HRC staff worship there.

Become a Methodist OP

I am becoming of a member of my Methodist church next month

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

+1

I am a lifelong Methodist and I married a Catholic boy. He feels welcomed by the Methodist Church (we have attended several) and he would say never know that he should experience joy in church (and worship). There are lots of reasons testing out different churches is good for people.

God doesn't care what building you're in - it's more important to worship with shared beliefs, offer assistance to the needy, and do so in a welcoming environment.

If this perspective appeals to OP, she definitely isn't Catholic anymore.

Lots of flavors of Catholic.

Yes, but they all care what building you're in - it's got to be a Catholic church and it some cases, it has to be the one in your neighborhood, to which you are assigned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

+1

I am a lifelong Methodist and I married a Catholic boy. He feels welcomed by the Methodist Church (we have attended several) and he would say never know that he should experience joy in church (and worship). There are lots of reasons testing out different churches is good for people.

God doesn't care what building you're in - it's more important to worship with shared beliefs, offer assistance to the needy, and do so in a welcoming environment.

If this perspective appeals to OP, she definitely isn't Catholic anymore.

Lots of flavors of Catholic.

Wrong. Either one believes what th3 Holy Catholic Church teaches or one does not. There are no “flavors” of Catholicism. Deny a single dogma and you’re not Catholic anymore.

“O my God, I firmly believe
that you are one God in three divine Persons,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I believe that your divine Son became man
and died for our sins and that he will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths
which the Holy Catholic Church teaches
because you have revealed them
who are eternal truth and wisdom,
who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
In this faith I intend to live and die.
Amen.”

In Christ
SSPX poster

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

+1

I am a lifelong Methodist and I married a Catholic boy. He feels welcomed by the Methodist Church (we have attended several) and he would say never know that he should experience joy in church (and worship). There are lots of reasons testing out different churches is good for people.

God doesn't care what building you're in - it's more important to worship with shared beliefs, offer assistance to the needy, and do so in a welcoming environment.

If this perspective appeals to OP, she definitely isn't Catholic anymore.

Lots of flavors of Catholic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

+1

I am a lifelong Methodist and I married a Catholic boy. He feels welcomed by the Methodist Church (we have attended several) and he would say never know that he should experience joy in church (and worship). There are lots of reasons testing out different churches is good for people.

God doesn't care what building you're in - it's more important to worship with shared beliefs, offer assistance to the needy, and do so in a welcoming environment.

If this perspective appeals to OP, she definitely isn't Catholic anymore.

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

+1

I am a lifelong Methodist and I married a Catholic boy. He feels welcomed by the Methodist Church (we have attended several) and he would say never know that he should experience joy in church (and worship). There are lots of reasons testing out different churches is good for people.

God doesn't care what building you're in - it's more important to worship with shared beliefs, offer assistance to the needy, and do so in a welcoming environment.

Anonymous wrote:Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

I agree. But if you're intent on church shopping, try the Episcopalians too. THey have the ritual, music and all the things you probably like about the Catholic church, without the rules, beliefs or celibate priests. Most Episcopal churches are very liberal

I've never been Catholic, though I have attended Catholic services, so I don't have any experience converting. I will say Methodists in this area are very welcoming and don't require blanket loyalty to the church's position. Denominations in this area also tend to be much more liberal than the church as a whole, if that matters to you. The United Methodist Conference (global) voted against allowing LGBTQ members full rights in the church, which has splintered the denomination and impacted membership. That said, there are churches within the denomination that very strongly disagree with that decision and are looking at paths forward.

Just join the methodist church if you like it. They don't have a ton of rules like Catholic do. They will welcome everyone.

I have a few questions for former Catholics who are now Methodist or who attend Methodist churches:

What made you leave the Catholic faith?
Was the transition to the Methodist denomination difficult for you or not?
What do you like about Methodists?

The reason why I am asking these question is because I am a Catholic. I returned back to Catholicism after years of being away from the church. During the years I was away from the church I began to do some inner reflections on myself, my life, and what my beliefs are. During that time I was scared that my personal beliefs did not align with Catholicism. So, out of fear I returned back to what was familiar. I like the structure, history, and culture of the Catholic faith, but that is about it. There are just certain philosophical things that I will never like about Catholicism. Catholicism is familiar to me, but it contradicts with my personal beliefs.

With all that said I have been attending Saturday services at a Methodist church in my community. I like this church. I have considered joining this church. I just want to see what have your experiences been with the Methodist Church if you were a former Catholic? Or did you decide to just say screw it I am done with organized religion period?