Ask about the Episcopal Church

[Free Spirit]

I don't claim to be an expert because I've been attending an Episcopal church for only 2 1/2 years now, but I love it and am happy to talk about it. It's a very liberal church, where both women and LGBT folks can be ordained as priests, so it's a complete 180 from the COC. I also appreciate the fact that they don't denigrate or deny science, so I don't feel that I have to check my brains at the door.

I sing in the choir and am really enjoying it. Right now we're learning Gabriel Faure's Requiem to be performed for the All Souls'/All Saints' Mass on November 2. Here's a link to a good YouTube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azt6OVbgMlI.

[agricola]

What attracted you initially to the Episcopal church? was it 'doctrine' or culture or the people you met, or what?

[Free Spirit]

What attracted you initially to the Episcopal church? was it 'doctrine' or culture or the people you met, or what?

Many years ago when I was still going to the COC part time and visiting other churches part time, I went to an Episcopal service, and it was way too close to Catholicism for me. The incense and people crossing themselves really freaked me out. So that was it for a while. Then I left the COC completely and went to an ecumenical service at a secular university chapel for several years. Even though the service was ecumenical, it was fairly "high church" and followed the liturgical calendar, which was new for me. Then a new dean took over, and she was Episcopal and incorporated even more Anglican elements to the service, including incense and singing the eucharist. When I decided to leave 2 1/2 years ago (for a variety of reasons), I intended to take a break from church for a while. But then a friend invited me to go to the local Episcopal church with her, and this time around it felt much more comfortable and familiar to me. What really pulled me in, however, was the culture and the people. The community at this particular parish is very active and engaged in the community--they have an organic garden where they grow produce for the local food pantries and soup kitchens, they work with a battered women's shelter, and they sponsor a school lunch program for an Episcopal parish in Haiti. I got involved in the choir and have made some good friends through that. I also appreciate the openness and inclusiveness. I don't feel that being a woman makes me a second-class citizen, as it did in the COC. It feels right, like a place where I can grow and become a better version of myself, not a Stepford Christian.

[agricola]

That is an excellent answer, and exactly the kind of statement we like to see in 'New Paths'!
Thank you.

[Free Spirit]

That is an excellent answer, and exactly the kind of statement we like to see in 'New Paths'!
Thank you.

You're welcome! Just tellin' it like it is.

W/r/t Episcopal doctrine, this particular parish is open on that subject, too. For example, they were blessing gay unions before it became legal in this state, and they practice open communion. You don't even have to be baptized to take it. They talk a lot about the "radical hospitality" of Jesus, and I really dig that, after a childhood of the stinginess of spirit that characterizes the COC.

[B.H.]

If I remember my history right haven't most presidents of the United States been Episcopal Church members more than any other denomination?

[Dixie_Amazon]

I felt at home with the Episcopal Church very quickly. The liturgy seems to suit my ADD soul.

[Dixie_Amazon]

What Do You Mean by Anglo-Catholic?
http://thecuratescorner.wordpress.com/2 ... -catholic/

[Free Spirit]

The last Sunday before Lent is called Shrove Sunday in the Anglican tradition. This year, our choir is rehearsing Will Todd's "Mass in Blue" for the liturgy that day. I wrote a blog post about it and compared it to my experiences singing in the COC: http://normalisnotanoption.blogspot.com ... hurch.html

[Dixie_Amazon]

11 things I love about the Episcopal Church
http://benirwin.me/2015/01/22/11-things ... al-church/