Which denomination?

[02aw]

Hi,
I've been a Christian for about a year and until recently hadn't felt the need to attend a church. I now feel that after restrictions are eased I would like to attend a church, however, there seem to be so many different denominations that I'm unsure which would suit me best.
In my town there are Evangelical, Mormon, Pentecostal, Catholic, Church of Scotland, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. Would anyone be able to give me an idea of their beliefs etc.? Thanks in advance!

Thanks everyone. I've had a look at the websites of local churches and think I've found one to attend virtually this Sunday. From pictures, the members do seem to be on the older side but I think that's to be expected, at least in my town where younger people don't tend to be religious (at least in my experience). I did look and they've had female ministers to speak in the past, do lots of practical work in the community and don't seem too heavy on the fire and brimstone so hopefully that'll work out! I've checked and our local Methodist church closed in 2017 and it doesn't appear that we have a Baptist church either sadly.

The length of the service or mass does vary too - I am RC and with hymns, it is about an hour. I friend goes to a more evangelical church - a free church they are in there for about 2 hours 15 minutes - the children under a certain age are taken to a separate room for their own play/prayer combo as the main service is too long for them.

I was brought up RC but I would struggle with a longer service tbh an hour is about right plus many get there bit earlier for private prayer.

That's a shame you don't have a Baptist church. I went to one for a few years and have fond memories of it. The preaching was good and often seemed very relevant to where I was at that time. I only stopped going because I moved away.

You are allowed to turn up to any church service and should be welcomed.

@PilatesPeach Yes, I'd say about an hour would suit me too. I looked at my local RC church website and I did like that they have a daily mass instead of one weekly service like most other denominations I've looked at.
@applesandpears33 I've searched online and there is a Baptist church in the next town over, I might attend a service or two and if I really click with it it could be worth the longer journey.

Hi 02aw

So as my user name suggests, I'm the wife of a clergyman, and I'm part of a Facebook group that is for clergy spouses. We have people in the group from all over the UK, and people often post looking for a active and friendly church in a particular area for someone they know. If you're happy to DM me with your rough location, I could find out some of the churches that are near you, and maybe even give you a contact name of someone you could get in touch with for more information if you would like that.

No obligation, of course - just an idea! 

@marriedtothevicar Thanks, I've sent you a PM

OP weekday RC mass will be about 25 minutes and less likely to have any hymns depends what you like. I do enjoy them myself, they are generally quiet and I find I get more out of them and can concentrate that the noisy busy weekend ones.

Re the theology
Protestant - consubstantiation - the bread and wine Represent the body and blood of Christ
Catholic-Transubstatiation -the bread and wine turn into the body and blood of Christ
This is the main theological difference and blurs in the Anglican “High church” a bit.

Catholics tend to believe in purgatory-heaven/hells waiting room

The sacraments play a big part in Catholicism and there’s more of them than the Anglican equivalent

The Catholic Church has a much darker history than Anglican

I like big noisy Sunday mass, but agree with Pilates. It’s the quieter weekday ones I miss most.

The weekday ones won’t necessarily have a homily (sermon) in them either. They can do but unlike Sundays it isn’t compulsory. Ours often do, but before lockdown, they were more just a few quick thoughts, rather than the longer Sunday one.

You might find that different Sunday masses in the same Church have a different feel too. Our mid morning is very busy, family service with a mixture of newer and older hymns and some praise&worship. The evening one has more traditional hymns and the earlier morning is midway between the two.

Could you do all of them on a rota? Maybe then expand to try other faiths, giving a rounded view of the worlds' faiths?

Thanks for your insights everyone. I think the general consensus has been to try lots of different places and see what fits. Regarding other faiths altogether, I have looked at them before I was personally interested in religion, but I really feel that Christianity is right for me and is what I have a real connection with.

Have PMed you with some ideas.

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay

I like big noisy Sunday mass, but agree with Pilates. It’s the quieter weekday ones I miss most.

The weekday ones won’t necessarily have a homily (sermon) in them either. They can do but unlike Sundays it isn’t compulsory. Ours often do, but before lockdown, they were more just a few quick thoughts, rather than the longer Sunday one.

You might find that different Sunday masses in the same Church have a different feel too. Our mid morning is very busy, family service with a mixture of newer and older hymns and some praise&worship. The evening one has more traditional hymns and the earlier morning is midway between the two.

Yeah I am thankful that my church (RC) has stayed open during this latest lockdown. Our very big and noisy Sunday family Mass is, though, now pretty quick - 40-45 minutes. And the weekday Masses have been reduced to one a week. It's very peaceful and serene, but I timed it and the last one was under 25 minutes!