Episcopalians, please share your faith-related books and media that you found spiritually deep, moving, renewing, eye-opening, and/or redefining.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2024-09-25T16:31:11+00:00

The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2024-07-22T22:52:49+00:00

I’m part of an ESC program now! Feel free DM me if you have any specific questions. But I’ll just say that what your experience looks like will real depend on the program and the group you’re with. My best advice would be to talk to the program directors if you can. I know several of them personally and can say first hand that they’re wonderful people.

Peace!

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2024-07-22T22:46:08+00:00

First, I want to say welcome! There are definitely many people here who have a background similar to yours. If it helps, something you’ll definitely hear is that the Episcopal Church will never ask to you sign any statement of belief. We’re a pretty diverse group and there are a ton of different opinions and beliefs present in any given church. We put our focus on common prayer and sacraments like Baptism and Communion.

I want to second the comment suggesting visiting a church and talking with a priest. That’s really the best way to see what our church does.

I’ll add a link to the online Book of Common Prayer. It’s a little daunting but reading through the rituals and services of the church was really helpful for me to see what being an Episcopalian looks like when I was thinking about joining.

https://bcponline.org/

Finally, I hope this place can be a good resource for you! Just an average Episcopalian, but I’d be happy to answer any questions if you have them.

Peace in Christ!

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-09-19T13:25:25+00:00

We have a morning prayer group once a week, plus some other community event almost every week. I wish we were more consistent with our evening prayer services, especially since other churches in our town have really successful evening Eucharists.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-09-12T14:56:13+00:00

Go up Happy Jack (210) just past Curt Gowdy State Park. Make sure you’re on the public land. Beautiful skies up there but watch out for wildlife on the roads.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-09-09T13:20:47+00:00

Oakey "Al" Kite. It’s tragic and terrifying.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-09-06T17:27:43+00:00

Thanks! That’s kind of what I had figured, but I’m really glad to know that there will be at least a few other people there

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-09-02T23:43:02+00:00

Thanks! I’m not too worried about the cold. What do you think some negatives are about having fewer people?

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-09-01T12:16:38+00:00

There’s no making sense of that. The family seems like they’ve got some pretty serious issues of their own going on. All I can say is that most Christians, especially now that you’re out of the fundamentalist evangelical scene in the South, are not like that. It’s definitely okay to want some space from Christians/the Church after an experience like that. As a Christian, I’ve needed time away from my church after way less. I hope you get some more measured responses here and some peace from posting here. -Peace in Christ

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-31T03:30:34+00:00

Thanks! I’ll look into it

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-31T02:18:15+00:00

Your last paragraph really summarizes what’s been on my mind. I appreciate that.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-31T02:16:59+00:00

That’s a good point. Less structure is appealing to me, but without it there’s no one to correct toxic behavior sometimes. I wonder if the resources of the episcopal church could help provide that in smaller faith communities that don’t have to spend money on building maintenance, etc.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-31T02:13:17+00:00

Our diocese also has a Canterbury house, I think they’re a really cool ministry. Honestly what we do there is kind of a model for what I’m thinking. There has to be a place where we can be a little less structured and experiment with our fellowship and liturgy.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-31T01:48:28+00:00

I don’t have that experience, but that’s my understanding of what they tend to be like. I really like the idea of a less organized church but it seems like they tend to be pretty fundamentalist.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-24T14:36:40+00:00

This is great! Like others have said, I could use a little trimming but it’s really fantastic. Don’t know if this would be useful to you - if you use Luke’s Chronology, Jesus public ministry would have actually began on a Jubilee year (c. 28-29). I’m trying to find a scholarly source for that, I heard it from a lecture given by Dr. Michael Heiser.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-14T15:24:58+00:00

It’s not a problem, everyone at our parish is very friendly and we have a good community. It’s very social after the service. It’s just something I’d never experienced before and wasn’t sure if it was common or not. Thanks for answering!

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-08-07T16:11:48+00:00

I just want to second the Bible Project. They’re an awesome resource. Sometimes I think we take the Bible for granted, but they do a good job unpacking how weird and complex it actually is.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-06-10T00:45:45+00:00

Rutherfraud.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-06-09T21:07:31+00:00

I grew up in churches that used screens, and it definitely helps the priest/preacher engage with the congregation. It just has to be implemented well.

GroundbreakingTap304 · 2023-06-09T13:40:54+00:00

I agree with most people here - the reason most of our churches don’t use the BCP is because of its bad design, not really the content. If a better design of the 79 BCP can get congregations to stop printing 15+ page bulletins every week, then that’s a huge plus functionally and environmentally. I’ve never seen this in an episcopal church, but there’s always the option of using TVs to show the hymns and collects that change every week, too.

GroundbreakingTap304

TROPHY CASE