And also with you. The Episcopal Church is now involved in stopping human trafficking, racism, climate change, and many other justice ministries. I am involved in our parishes justice ministry. Plus many Episcopal churches help the homeless and poor. I also love that I can think and ponder things in the Scriptures, without 'going to Hell'.

Wow, Sursum Corda, Sanctus, Gloria Patre, Kyrie Eleison are man-made. These phrases appear in the Masses of The Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran Churches. I don't consider the Eucharest man- made. The sacred words of the Eucharest are directly from our Lord. So you don't like anyone who isn't Roman Catholic. If I thought that way about non-Episcopalians, I would have to hide myself away in the undercroft, or sub-basement of the Canterbury Cathedral. I don't look at you as a Roman Catholic, I look at you as another Child Of God. We are all God's children, even if we aren't part of the same denomination. One reason I love being an Episcopalian, is because we never claim to be the only right way to God.

The Episcopalian Church is involved in very decisive politics...I can't stomach it !! There is a need to maintain Religious Freedom and stop being involved in Worldly Politics..

It not really about politics. It is about justice and human rights. The Episcopal Church cares about all people. We aren't involve in politics, just looking out for people who many people ignore. We deal with refugees, immigrants, victims, and are fighting human trafficking. We also stand with Native Americans. In the recent election the Evangelicals were jumping into politics. They want Trump to win, while the Episcopalians were Bipartisan.

Catherine Cheek It is politics and get decisive ones which is destroying the Episcopal Church. Activism is good but can't you do outside the church?

Catherine Cheek Hi Catherine, forgive me, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to challenge some of your assertions here. Your entire opening about the love of TEC, about not being turned away and being welcomed, about coming as you are and how TEC is not judgmental is not entirely accurate. My experience and the experience of many that I know in TEC says otherwise. I spent around 7 years in TEC, being confirmed therein. I also spent two of those years as a novice within the Society of St. Francis, TEC's Franciscan order. I've lived in the Diocese of San Diego, California (San Francisco) and Long Island. In all areas, anytime you brought up Republicans, Conservatives, Catholics and/or Evangelicals, every conversation turned hostile and down right bigoted. If you expressed a belief in the Biblical and Historical understanding of marriage then you were made to feel less than. If you did not support 'women's ordination', then you were made to feel less than. The environment within TEC is NOT welcoming to conservatives and orthodox. A good friend of mine whose father was a clergyman here in San Diego was sacked several years ago because the orthodoxy of his beliefs would not permit him to comply with directives from TEC. So while there are a great many people who have found a welcoming home within TEC, to say that it is all welcoming and non-judgmental is simply not true. I wish it was, but I'm afraid it's not.

Hi, I am sorry that there are Episcopal churches that are intolerant of Conservatives. Our parish is a mixture of Liberals and Conservatives. We have a wonderful congregation. It is an exceptional church, with a fantastic person as our rector. I will admit that I have been to churches who weren't as open as our parish. I even left the church for a long time because of this. But when I returned, I noticed so much had changed. Maybe it is our diocese, but I have felt so much love in the Church. We have to remember that the Episcopal Church isn't infallible, it is comprised of human beings, which make mistakes. And some churches lean toward Liberal ideals, and others lean toward Conservative ideals. Last week the Columbus Gay Mens' Choir did our liturgical music, and church attendance dropped off that day. I wish you could experience the Episcopal Church the way I have. I returned to church after thirty-two years. And since then, my life has been so much better. The presence of the Holy Spirit is very strong at Trinity. I wish all Episcopal churches were like our church.

Catherine Cheek yes, a lady told me that you guys support gay relationships and homosexual marriages because everyone is same? I am just curious.

Thank You magalahi02...these are many of the experiences I found in the episcopal church as well.

Ros X Great post. If we followed the Bible word-for-word, we would be eating our children. Seriously, I was reading Ezekiel and found some references to this. I have seen this in other parts, as well. I went on a spiritual search, and realized the Episcopal Church was where God wanted me to be. I love inclusion. I love diversity. I enjoy my gay friends. They are kind. And the ones in my church get what Jesus was teaching.

I pray and hope that you were successful in doing so many years ago friend.

Can I suggest that you read your Bible and not allow the wayward Episcopal church to influence you. You will find that they have lost their way and that Christ's way is the 'narrow way'. God bless you in your search for his truth and in your surrender to it.

Go For It!!!!!! Join The Episcopal Church!!!!!!!

I became Episcopalian this past July. The people at the church I attend are wonderful and kind.

@@dutchmcgee101 Me Too!!!!!!!

jesters60 The church is the direct descendant of the Church of England, which came into existence as a separate entity so that Henry VIII could divorce his wife and marry his mistress.

mindspring57 Henry VIII was accredited for starting the Church Of England, and he did want to be able to remarry. But he is a small part of it all. Thomas Cramer was probably the biggest influence because he took a stand in the Reformation. He is a martyr in our faith because he was murdered by Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) because he would not show allegiance to the Church in Rome.

I am sure that the split would have come even if Catherine of Aragon had been able to produce ten male children. Henry VIII and his cohorts wanted the church's monasteries and property as well, and as soon as the break was made, seized them.

You may not want to hear about Hell, but if you believe in JESUS we need to listen to him and follow him

Ros X Henry XIII was ex-communicated from the Anglican Church. Such irony. He really had issues.😄

Yes this. I was baptized Episcopalian last year and getting confirmed the end of June.

Amen. "If it's not about love, it's not about GOD" -Bishop Curry.

Maria Madriquez You mean the Orthodox Catholic Church?;)

that's right there is no salvation outside the holy Roman Catholic Church

So because multiple bodies claim the same authority, we can just ignore every claim? I would think that just means they should all have their claims explored.

The problem is The Catholic Church has been corrupted also.... Where do you go: The Orthodox Church is full of Idols, statues and ICONS. Rome prayers to other GODS and Dead saints. Where do you go??

Jim Eckland... you obviously haven't done your research. No one prays to "other gods".

I liked what you said, Sharon. I am not Episcopalian (not so far at least), but among the different Christian denominations I find it one of the two or three that, within the context of the heritage and values of traditional Christian thought, actively encourages questioning and recognizes that we must wrestle with our doubts, our occasional lack of clarity, and even apparent inconsistency in that which we are taught. IMHO the surest way to an authentic relationship with the Divine is to delve and ponder and question and reflect, rather than take in dogma parrot-like so it can be repeated without as complete of an understanding as we can attain. -- Todd

Sharon, I really enjoyed what you have said in your post. I don't have to agree with everything someone says in order to fellowship with him or her. I accept the fact that God has given each of us a unique ministry and sometimes, those ministries can have a different emphasis than others, though these ministries don't have to conflict with one another. The Presiding Bishop +Katherine Jefferts Schori expressed it very nicely.... BTW, she and the retired Bishop +John Shelby Spong are the top reasons (though not the only reasons) I went from Roman Catholic to the Episcopal Church. :)

I call the Episcopal Church the "thinking man's church" because they encourage you to think for yourself and to question.

My motto is: ' Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, that ain't easy in light of this world of sin, nevertheless a workman for the Lord I'll be, and if He tarries, I'll be to the end. Just for your comment I will pray for you mam, I know nothing of you, however you fellowship in a wretched abomination of a 'denomination', which endorses sin on every hand, preaches a social gospel of works, does not worship the Lord in Spirit, neither in Truth (Jn. 4:24), disobeys the plain command of the Lord, and thereby makes known their disdain and lack of love for Him (Jn. 14:15, 23, 1 Jn. 5:3), rejects the plain reading of the word, favoring lost men's fables and theories of men, communes with devils, denies the coming of the Lord and is without care, nor concern for the many multitudes of lost, being turned into hell daily. I do not lay these sins to your account mam, however in judgment they will be, you must separate from those in error, the episcopal church is in flagrant violation of the Lord's word to Christians, bible separation is not a suggestion, it is a command. May the Lord bless you and keep you from sin, I'll be praying for you.

When I say the Thinking Man's religion, I meant that we don't have to follow blindly, but read the word of God and dessern the truth for ourselves. I will never follow blindly.

Hey, whatever brings you to the Episcopal Church, please know that "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You".

Sure Jeff. Better to go to a church where everybody understands God's Will perfectly and KNOWS exactly what to do. My problem is that there are so many DIFFERENT churches and creeds out there JUST LIKE YOURS! They all KNOW what's best. Which is why we live in such a great world, full of peace and love and without wars. Many Muslims, Hassidic Jews, Baptists, and other creeds ARE THIS WAY. The all have THE RIGHT ANSWER for every question and problem. Maybe one day I will become A CHOSEN ONE just like YOU are.

This Episcopalian loves "The Vicar Of Dibley". 😆

Catherine Cheek one of my favorite shows💓

Ros X, Isn't coffee hour great. I meet many newcomers that way. People are very interesting. Meeting different cultures is enlightening. I get great recipes. 😁Which reminds me. I host coffee hour on Sunday. Plus, Episcopalians are a lot of fun. 🤠

Jeffrey Morrissey Yes, it is a requirement in the Episcopal Church to love "The Vicar Of Dibley" I love British programs.

Yes, this is why I hate the modern episcopal marketing strategy. "We're the progressive church", well every church is progressive these days. We're getting so many outsiders from other denominations and atheists that our church has lost its vision of being the American branch of the Anglican communion. Half of the newcomers don't even know what Anglicanism is, and the church is alienating all of its traditional Anglican followers.

Riiiiight. Only one political party. The Woke party.

michael coo I totally agree. We totally love God, and what's awesome is that God loves everyone.