A couple of months ago, I wrote asking this forum for information about the Episcopalians. Many of you answered and I was intrigued by your replies. I was finally able to attend a service today and enjoyed it very much. I attended high mass at St. Mary's, built in 1857. The architecture is beautiful with all these gorgeous stained windows. They even had pipe organs too. When the organist would play certain notes, the entire floor shook. It was very inspiring, not to mention alarming. The guy who invited me to attend was the usher today. After the service I was delighted by the tour he gave me of the building.
I was allowed to take communion. This was refreshing to me because upon occasion, I have been attending an Orthodox church which has closed communion. Since I am not a member, I have had to do without. I was impressed by how inviting the Episcopalians are as compared to the Orthodox who tend to take themselves way too seriously in my opinion. Another thing, the Episcopalians used good wine, not the cheap stuff or grape juice.
Another difference that impressed me is that the Episcopalians have 2 days a week when they prepare food to feed to the poor and homeless. They also open their doors on Saturday to allow the poor of the community to receive a bag of groceries. These people walk the walk and talk the talk of what the Savior told Christians to do. The Orthodox in my area do not. I have seen members of the Orthodox church run off people who made the mistake of asking for food. This is one of several reasons I have not joined up with the Orthodox religion. I am, however, thinking of attending adult education classes at St. Mary's. The only thing that bothers me about the church is that it teaches that there is a hell fire. Even if I hadn't been raised a JW, I would still have trouble with this archaic doctrine.
I want to thank all of you who responded to my post several weeks ago. I hope you enjoy the web site of the church:
Love,
Robyn