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Philosophy/religion

Advice on going to church (any)

19 replies

forestforthetrees · 20/04/2017 09:17

Hi all, I was hoping if someone could give me any advice?
I am a Lutheran living in the UK, I was brought up religious and faith has always been a big part of my life. Years ago when I moved to the UK I lost my way, I never stopped believing in God but I stopped listening and I stopped praying. For the last few years I have started talking to God again, I'm longing to go to church and be part of that community again. My problem is that there's hardly any Lutheran churches around (none near me) and I'm not sure if I was welcome in any others? I would be quite happy to go in any church at all! What can I do, would I have to convert and/or would I be welcomed in Catholic Churches or Church of England or any other church? Any advice appreciated!

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HallowedMimic · 20/04/2017 09:21

You would be welcome anywhere, it's just a matter of finding a church that suits.

You'd probably find the Catholic or High Anglican services most familiar.

Once you find a Church and doctrine that you are comfortable with you can look further into it.

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AntigoneJones · 20/04/2017 09:22

You would be welcome in any church I am sure. Its all the same religion.

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rosesandcashmere · 20/04/2017 09:25

You'd absolutely be welcome in any church. Perhaps start with Church of England as easy to find and there will be absolutely no pressure to convert just a shared faith in god. Do you have one nearby? I'm sure if you called they'd be happy for you to go along first and have a chat with the vicar. Good luck and let us know how you get on! I hope you find the church for you.

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forestforthetrees · 20/04/2017 09:27

Thank you, would I be able to have communion in any of them? Probably not in Catholic Churches? I have had my confirmation in Lutheran church.

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CaulkheadNorth · 20/04/2017 09:28

As others have said, you'd be welcome anywhere. I'd suggest visiting your local CofE church, which can be found from googling "a church near you". Once there, chat to the people leading the service and they may recommend somewhere else you'd be more comfortable or that would feel more familiar.

IME the Catholic Church would expect more of a conversion in the future than a CofE would.

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CaulkheadNorth · 20/04/2017 09:29

Mostly the line in CofE is "everyone is welcome to receive who is confirmed or who regularly receives in their place of worship". I sometimes add in "anyone who loves the Lord Jesus".

You wouldn't be able to receive in a Catholic Church.

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forestforthetrees · 20/04/2017 09:29

Yes I have a Church of England quite near where I live and also a Catholic Church which is even closer. Ringing in advance is a good idea! Or possibly an email as I get very nervous on the phone Confused

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AntigoneJones · 20/04/2017 09:31

You can take communion in a C of E church but not in a Catholic church, as far as I know.

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Niminy · 20/04/2017 09:33

Yes, you can definitely take communion in the Church of England and definitely not in the Catholic Church.

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forestforthetrees · 20/04/2017 09:34

Thank you, yes I thought that might be the case. Any of you able to tell me how communion works in Church of England? Like in Lutheran church we are invited to come and we all kneel down in front of the altar where the priest will come to everyone individually. What happens in Church of England?

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Niminy · 20/04/2017 09:44

It depends on the church, but that's the most common practice. It's normal to come to the altar rail and either kneel or stand, and the priest and server will give each person the bread and then the wine. Some very Evangelical churches may do it differently and won't have communion every week. The church web site should tell you about this.

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Niminy · 20/04/2017 09:45

PS lovely news that you are being called back to church! I hope you find somewhere warm and welcoming near you where you will feel God's presence. Let us know how it goes!

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CaulkheadNorth · 20/04/2017 09:48

I'd suggest sitting in the middle, so you're close enough to see what's happening but also far enough back that others will go up before you. We only have communion twice a month, but my last church had it every week.

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AgainstTheOddsNo2 · 20/04/2017 09:49

I have always found the methodists to be the most welcoming to "outsiders"

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forestforthetrees · 20/04/2017 09:59

Thank you Niminy, I feel quite emotional about this all and without any (religious) community I feel quite alone. Everyone around me are atheists, I have not met one person in this country who goes to church or even believes in God. It is very isolating.
This (what you all have just told me) gives me hope however and hopefully I find a church that is welcoming!

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forestforthetrees · 20/04/2017 10:00

Good idea CaulkheadNorth!

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forestforthetrees · 20/04/2017 10:01

I have never been to Methodist church nor do I know much about it, I might have to google this! Thank you Smile

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BroomstickOfLove · 20/04/2017 12:45

I live in a university town and there are several Lutheran students who attend my CofE church.

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EddSimcox · 21/04/2017 21:31

I have a Lutheran friend at my CofE church. You will find the CofE can vary enormously in style of worship, and theology, from one church to another. It's all the same faith, but if for any reason you just don't feel comfortable in the first one you try it is definitely worth trying out a different one.

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