You are visiting in a town which does not have a church in your denomination.

[UberLutheran]

What denomination would you attend that Sunday?

[UberLutheran]

To feel comfortable worshiping, I need a church which has Sacraments, celebrates the Eucharist during the service, believes that the elements of Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of Christ during Communion, reads selections of Scripture such as an Old Testament lesson, a Psalm, a New Testament lesson and a Gospel reading, and has decent music during the service (OK, so I'm a musical snob!).

I would be perfectly comfortable in a Catholic or an Episcopal church, and pretty comfortable in a United Methodist church.

[Loki]

Episcopal. More Catholic than the Catholics sometimes ;)

Seriously, though, the Episcopal masses I've been to have been very nice.

[Rochir]

To feel comfortable worshiping, I need a church which has Sacraments, celebrates the Eucharist during the service, believes that the elements of Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of Christ during Communion, reads selections of Scripture such as an Old Testament lesson, a Psalm, a New Testament lesson and a Gospel reading, and has decent music during the service (OK, so I'm a musical snob!).

I would be perfectly comfortable in a Catholic or an Episcopal church, and pretty comfortable in a United Methodist church.

Heh, I would almost say the same. Back then when I was in Boston I often attended the (I think) Congregational Park Street Church.

It's clearly a trinitarian congregation but that didn't bother me. What drew me tehre was the minister and his sermons! He was an amazing man (Doctor Fisher by name) who told of a God of love and encouragement.

After he left, I continued with Park Street Church but his successor was quite bad, only held dry boring sermons.

So, if I lived in a town for a longer time and would not find any Unitarian congregation, I would looka round and see how the different ministers would impress me!

If I was only passing through ona Sunday, I would try a Roman Catholic or Episcopal Church. I am drawn by the ceremony and "holiness" of their services!

One Church I would LOVE to attend at least once would be Crystal Cathedral in California where Doctors Schuller preach. I love their positive approach to life and problems. It#s wonderful to listen to them.

So

[Rebekka]

I would not visit another church. :sorry: I've only ever been to catholic mass, and I think that I wouldn't have the courage to visit another denomination when I was visiting somewhere.

When we're on holiday we always visit all churches as tourists, and go to mass - but that's within our own denomination (I do visit protestant churches as a tourist though).

[JasonV]

I live in a town that does not have a church of my own denomination! So I typically attend the Episcopal Church when I need the Eucharist, otherwise I pray the Hours at home.

[Protinus]

I live in a town that does not have a church of my own denomination! So I typically attend the Episcopal Church when I need the Eucharist, otherwise I pray the Hours at home.

I would go to a Disciples of Christ, the church I grew up in...but I could not recieve communion.

[Lel]

Seriously, I'd probably find myself at the church of the comfy bed. :|

[Pogue]

Seriously, I'd probably find myself at the church of the comfy bed. :|

I think I would too ^_^
Although I might visit a non-Catholic church out of interest, I wouldn't use it as a substitute for going to Mass.

[JasonV]

You mean worshiping at St. Mattress? Oh yes, I've done that many times.

[DeoJuvante]

If I couldn't find an Anglican church, I'd probably just to go a Catholic one. In the highly unlikely event that there were neither an Anglican or a Catholic church, I don't think I'd bother.

[Fantine]

Oops, I misread the poll question.

I was once an interim pianist/accompanist in a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church for about six months.

And two of my three children went to Lutheran preschools.

I like the Lutheran Church's similarity to Catholicism, and in all my experiences with Lutheranism, I have been impressed with the genuine faith and good works of the people I've met.

When I went to a parent/teacher conference at the Lutheran preschool, the teacher would say, "Let's start with a prayer....."

One of my children went to Catholic school for five years--no one EVER said, "Let's start with a prayer."

[Caedmon]

To answer honestly, I would say "none." If I had to attend one, I would go to an Episcopal church. I don't know if any of the choices in the poll really fit. I'd just choose "Episcopal."

[Abiel]

All those lovely choices you have. If I came to America I would try Episcopal

[JasonV]

Actually, on second thought, I'd like to attend a Quaker service. I've taken several of those denominational quizes from beliefnet, and Quakers are usually up there in my list.

[Teshi]

In Eastern Europe I'd go to Orthodox liturgies if there weren't Catholic parishes nearby. Preferably Russian, just because I'm more familiar with how they go.

In the US, probably ECLA. I grew up in a community that was split about 50/50 Lutheran and Catholic. I've only been to WI Synod services twice, at two different churches, and both times the congregation was treated to an anti-Catholic homily. I know that's not the norm (or at least I assume that's not the norm!) but it's given me a bit of a preference for the more liberal flavor of Lutheranism. ELCA feels friendly to me.

[Adammi]

I wasn't sure who this poll was intended for, but I voted anways.

I voted ECUSA and PCUSA because I am ECUSA and I've only heard good things about PCUSA.

[Protinus]

I wasn't sure who this poll was intended for, but I voted anways.

I voted ECUSA and PCUSA because I am ECUSA and I've only heard good things about PCUSA.

I think Adam's post is meaningful as it expresses a perception that we set out to avoid in another forum.

I came to the Catholic Church through a man who greeted me when I was alone in a sanctuary of a campus ministry. The lights were turning out and he was closing the ministry down for the night. Long story, short, this man (a man training to be a Jesuit) would lead me to the Church eventually.

My point is (and I've been avoided Loki's thread about converts!) that I was not recruited to join the Church. I was not overly desensitized by the group of "fallen Catholic" friends that I had at time. I was just searching.

I would hope anyone could come here, Adam included with open arms, to discuss the Liberal Catholic Church and issues that progressive Roman Catholics have as they approach their faith...the caveat being that all that are interested in these struggles and ultimate triumphs ...are welcome here...despite creed or fallenness!!

[Loki]

I came to the Catholic Church through a man who greeted me when I was alone in a sanctuary of a campus ministry. The lights were turning out and he was closing the ministry down for the night. Long story, short, this man (a man training to be a Jesuit) would lead me to the Church eventually.

My point is (and I've been avoided Loki's thread about converts!) that I was not recruited to join the Church. I was not overly desensitized by the group of "fallen Catholic" friends that I had at time. I was just searching.

I would hope anyone could come here, Adam included with open arms, to discuss the Liberal Catholic Church and issues that progressive Roman Catholics have as they approach their faith...the caveat being that all that are interested in these struggles and ultimate triumphs ...are welcome here...despite creed or fallenness!!

Catholics recruit? I thought only overzealous street preachers and such recruited. Everyone I know who's converted to Catholicism did it via long, gradual process (which I'd hardly consider recruiting), as opposed to "say these words, sign at the x" sort of conversion.

From my understand, Catholics view Orthodox communion as valid Eucharistic participation (vocabulary failing), but the Orthodox church prefers that Catholics not approach. Stimmt oder nein?

[Protinus]

Catholics recruit? I thought only overzealous street preachers and such recruited. Everyone I know who's converted to Catholicism did it via long, gradual process (which I'd hardly consider recruiting), as opposed to "say these words, sign at the x" sort of conversion.

From my understand, Catholics view Orthodox communion as valid Eucharistic participation (vocabulary failing), but the Orthodox church prefers that Catholics not approach. Stimmt oder nein?


I'm sorry, it was an awkward metaphor for this forum that only seeks involvement and sharing of experience, loss, renewal and struggle.

You are right about Catholicism....it is a labyrinth of complexity to approach...even with full measure. Therein lies what we must profess: an ability to express the positive nature of the Church while revealing its weaknesses and struggles...not unlike our life journey. This is what I think will be meaningful to those that come here.

[Loki]

Also, why avoid the thread about converts? ;)

[Torah613]

Loki,

In an Orthodox Church, only Orthodox Christians may commune. If your visiting from out of town, its best to call ahead and warn the Priest that your coming or he may likely turn you away.

I voted Episcopal. Meaning that I would attend an Episcopal church if there was no shul nearby. I voted this way because I like the beauty and pagentry of good high church worship, and lets face it--you can't find that in the RCs anymore. Not saying that I would pine for the days before vatican II, but you don't have to be a stodgy conservative to enjoy a truly transcendent liturgy.

The Episcopal church nearest me (halph a block away really) is such a place. Its a cathedral, and is simply awe inspiring architecturally. Moving beyond that, while tending to be more middle of the road for the diocese, its definitly the high side of middle and certain days and times its down right anglo-catholic. i went there on just such a day. It was the early morning Rite I service, and was very catholic leaning. However, the Priest gave a wonderful homily on listening to the holy spirit when were being told to open up the boundaries of the church. Numerious GLBT couples were in attendance, and all were communed without discrimination. I call it "
Catholic with a conscience."

Yochanan

[Tulip]

I see that the Eastern Orthodox churches are not in the poll. I would chose one of those. If there was no such church in the city/town where I was going and no possibility to attend a valid Mass I would before I went talk with my priest and ask for his advice.

[PaladinGirl]

Roman Catholic if they had it. If not, I'd visit an Episcopal church.

[JasonV]

Tulip,

Define for me "a valid mass"?

[Adammi]

I think Adam's post is meaningful as it expresses a perception that we set out to avoid in another forum.

I came to the Catholic Church through a man who greeted me when I was alone in a sanctuary of a campus ministry. The lights were turning out and he was closing the ministry down for the night. Long story, short, this man (a man training to be a Jesuit) would lead me to the Church eventually.

My point is (and I've been avoided Loki's thread about converts!) that I was not recruited to join the Church. I was not overly desensitized by the group of "fallen Catholic" friends that I had at time. I was just searching.

I would hope anyone could come here, Adam included with open arms, to discuss the Liberal Catholic Church and issues that progressive Roman Catholics have as they approach their faith...the caveat being that all that are interested in these struggles and ultimate triumphs ...are welcome here...despite creed or fallenness!!
I wasn't trying to be very deep with my statement, but you have made me think about what constitutes a good reason for going to a church. It's been over a year ago I heard someone say in the Methodist forum that they completely disagreed with the doctrine of their Methodist church, but went there because they felt it is where God wanted them to be. I found this to be very wonderful and strange. Strange in the sense that I have heard very few people say this.

Anyways, I couple weeks ago I was out of town with a friend and on Sunday I went to a fairly liberal Roman Catholic parish and she went to a PCUSA church. Afterwards, we shared our experiences and she told me about the sermon. It was the minister's final sermon before he would be retiring and he was describing the evolution of the Presbyterian church. He spoke of being a child hearing a sermon in which the minister smashed a drinking glass with a hammer to illustrate God's hatred toward us. The minister recalling this memory then continued his sermon on God's great incomprehensible love. I found both this minister's sermon and the past of the Presbyterian Church compared with its present to be very intriguing. I look for great things to happen in the future of the PCUSA and I hope to attend occasionally to witness these events.