what should I do? honest advice sought

[Torah613]

Ok, so I am moving to a location with two Episcopal churches. However neither one is what I'm looking for. Both are (or seem to be from my limited exposure great churches, but I felt distinctly out of place in both) great churches. One is very, very, very low. One is very, very, very high. The High churh is closer to what I'm looking for, but very unwelcoming (I felt distinctly unwanted there). The ultra low one is closer to my age range and has a lot of really cool outreach ministry, but is rabidly conservative.

I can attend any number of liberal churches in the area (UMC, UCC, MCC etc.) but would really miss the more catholic (note the small c) forms of worship. I'm not really looking for something ultraanglocatholic or anything, just something to the higher side of middle, and more liberally minded, but also willing to pull from the more protestant/evangelical expression of the faith.

Its been one of the great things about living in such a more rural area--the Episcopal Church is everyone's episcopal church (whether high or low) and so naturally falls somewhere in the middle. Now it is the much higher side of middle, but still middle. So, what should I do.

Joe Zollars

[Fairbairn]

I personally would go to the church which was more friendly and where I would feel a member of the church family - a church that was alive in ministry, mission, evangelism. Things like worship styles can vary according to the people involved - the vicar, the musicians, the PCC, the congregation - so what might be higher or lower this year, may be slightly different next. You may also get into a position where you can have influence too. The other option you have is to make one church your church home, but go to the other one occasionally to get your fix of whatever you are missing in your home church.

[AngCath]

being a part of a church family is more important than liturgical preferences in my opinion

[IowaLutheran]

I can attend any number of liberal churches in the area (UMC, UCC, MCC etc.) but would really miss the more catholic (note the small c) forms of worship. I'm not really looking for something ultraanglocatholic or anything, just something to the higher side of middle, and more liberally minded, but also willing to pull from the more protestant/evangelical expression of the faith.




Many ELCA churches I know would fit the bill for you, but if the Episcopal churches in the area are too conservative for you, my guess is that the ELCA churches would be similar.

[No Swansong]

Many ELCA churches I know would fit the bill for you, but if the Episcopal churches in the area are too conservative for you, my guess is that the ELCA churches would be similar.

Joe have you considered looking for an Old Catholic Church? If you have to chose between the two I would probably go with the one I felt more welcome in.
Praying for you.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Boy, that is a toughie.

How many times have you attended either parish?

Maybe the parishoners are really nice people, but just kind of shy. Perhaps once you attended 3 or 4 times, and they saw that you weren't just "passing through" as it were, maybe they would open up to you and things could progress from there. I don't know.

I would encourage you to maybe dedicate a month of consistent attendance to both parishes, and then make your decision from there.

This may give you a broader picture of what parish life is like at both Churches, and give you more information to make an informed decision.

God bless you on your journey.

In XC,

Maureen

[Finella]

I agree with what others have said, and especially with the idea of giving each church a few weeks of your attention before making a decision. I know I've been turned off by some churches based on a one-time visit, but then later wondered if that was really giving the community a fair shake at showing me what they were about.

I think the social/political views of the parish are important to consider, too. This is because the point of attending church isn't just about your personal comfort in the worship service, its also about the relationships built in that community and how everyone can build up each other. If you feel that a community is not going to help you live into the fullness of who God created you to be, then it may be a struggle to attend there.

It's hard, though, I know. In reading your OP I could empathize with the situation. Most of the ECUSA churches in my area are, frankly, dull, and I know that it would burn me out if I started attending any of them because I would feel compelled to start ministries and programs to meet my own needs. It's what drove me to head 45 minutes away to find a church I did like, because it had a theological/social/political outlook I liked. But as a result of this kind of church shopping, parishes become so specialized in their worldviews that ... it's almost like cable TV. You can't get by on the local, major networks anymore, you need to find a church that meets your needs. It's a double-edged sword, I think.

Sorry, thinking out loud there.

[Fairbairn]

...and if you find a perfect church, don't go there - you will spoil it :)

[AngCath]

...and if you find a perfect church, don't go there - you will spoil it :)

:D

[No Swansong]

...and if you find a perfect church, don't go there - you will spoil it :)

:D:D:P

[gtsecc]

Go to the High Church, and give it a little time.
I think my parish seems a little stand offish, but we are actually incredibly loving.
Just let folks get to know you, and go out to lunch with some folks, and you will find the love.

[artrx]

Everyone's given great imput already. I'll just add that we have not always lived where we could find a "perfect" church for us. Even my husband and I would disagree on some things :P and finding a good fit for the kids was not always the best for us. But we found a place where we could all feel at home and my liturgical/contemplative fixes sometimes had to come from elsewhere. For 3 years we attended a wonderful ELCA ( ? but in Canada) Lutheran church. It might be worth trying there as well.

[Torah613]

Thank you all for your advice. Its definitly the worst part of moving.

Joe Zollars

[SirTimothy]

For 3 years we attended a wonderful ELCA ( ? but in Canada) Lutheran church. It might be worth trying there as well.

ELCIC.