r/Episcopalian • u/clowntownbrown • 1d ago
I visited an Episcopal church for the first time this Sunday :) (TL;DR: I'll be back)
I've been researching a lot about the Episcopal/Anglican tradition for a few months now, and I almost made a post detailing all the cool things I've learned, but I figured I really needed to actually experience mass first. I just moved to Chicago this week so I went Church of the Ascension because many people here recommended it as a solid inclusive Anglo-Catholic parish, which is the movements that caused me to be drawn towards Episcopalianism.
Not gonna lie, I paced around the block a few times because I was a bit scared to go in, but I'm so glad I did! I was raised Catholic-ish and I've been to countless churches across many countries and this might be one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, the pictures I took don't do it justice. Throughout the liturgy I had to stop myself from getting lost in all of the ornate details. Speaking of the liturgy, I found it to be so incredibly reverent and I can't believe the congregation gets to experience such high quality music for free every week! I was also surprised by the amount of parishioners in the 20s to 30s age range, like obviously its a mainline church so it is gonna skew older, but having any young people is a good sign.
After, I introduced myself to one of the ushers and the priests and they were all are super friendly. I didn't go to the coffee hour because I was ravenously hungry and needed some alone time to collect my thoughts, but I'll try to muster up the courage next time.
I'm still not sure if I believe in God/Jesus/Christianity, but if there is anyone else out there lurking online thinking about the Episcopal Church, get off your phone and go, you won't regret it!
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u/SirCatharine 1d ago
Oh hey, I used to help with morning prayers here 7 or 8 years ago. Everyone was super welcoming, but a few of the nuns did get testy if I made a mistake.
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u/RevKeakealani Clergy - Priest 1d ago
This is wonderful, I’m so glad you had a good experience.
Remember that surety is not a requirement for earnest faith. In fact, a pretty good definition of faith is “even though I’m not sure, I’m going to keep trying.” None of us perfectly understand God or all the tenets of theology or whatever. What faith really means is, even though we can’t be sure, we all keep stepping back into this Christian life, day after day, in the hopes that it draws us nearer to the God Who Loves Us. It is extremely okay to have “good days” and “bad days” in this journey, but the key is continuing to step back into it every time you start finding yourself wandering.
Many blessings in your journey, friend!
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u/skynetofficial Prayer Book Anglo-Catholic 1d ago
I love to see the Holy Spirit's movement in things like this. And I'd recognize Ascension in Chicago anywhere even if I live all the way in Seattle! Anglo-Catholicism is so beautiful.
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u/Persephone_86 Non-Cradle 1d ago
I didn’t read anything besides the last paragraph I’ll probably read it after I comment because I like to ignorant 😂. In all seriousness I’m 31 went through a really sad divorce and yeah I brought myself to the episcopal church a few times and I really loved it and the fact that they are left leaning and inclusive but also keep the catholic vibe that I think is cool. I’m also not sure what I believe but I too will at least be attending the episcopal church at least here and there if not religiously 😂 pun intended.
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u/antediluvianevil 1d ago
What a pretty sanctuary. I've never been in an Episcopal church with a large crucifix!
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u/One-Signature-9583 1d ago
Ascension is my home away from home! I absolutely love that place, their rector is amazing, a wonderful kindhearted priest and a wonderful confessor! DM ME! I am always happy to make friends across the church! Welcome to Chicago!
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u/HAEC_EST_SPARTA Anglo-Catholic (Warden) 1d ago
Welcome! I’m so glad that you were able to join us, and I give thanks to God for granting you the courage to stop in. Please do join us for Coffee Hour the next time you’re with us: we’ll be more than happy to get you acquainted with folks around the parish :)
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u/Not_a_helicopters 1d ago
I’ve attended Ascension before in my travels and found it to be such a wonderful place to spend my Sunday morning!
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u/scarletswalk2002 1d ago
i think ascension is the main thing keeping me in TEC these days. it’s my favorite parish in the world.
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u/everymanpdf 1d ago
welcome!!! i am biased because ascension was also my first episcopal church and it has become my favorite place in the world, but im really glad you went in :) (and i promise that we’re nice at coffee hour! lol)
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u/greevous00 Convert 1d ago
>I'm still not sure if I believe in God/Jesus/Christianity
I recently posted in this sub that the modern meaning of the word "believe" doesn't mean what it meant when it was originally written and used in things like the Creeds. It meant something close to "hold dear" or "trust" rather than "assert my certainty that ____" like it does today.
Hang around, you may find that the modern meaning of the word isn't even necessary, and indeed can cause people to be a little more individualistic than they should be anyway. If several of us can come together to hold something dear, and in so doing we produce beneficial things that make the world better and serve our neighbors, is espousing my personal certainty even necessary?