Episcopal churches in Memphis (Midtown: school, move to, activity)

[Cellist]

When I move to Memphis in a year or so, I will probably be attending an Episcopal church. I have always enjoyed choir singing and I hope to find a choir that doesn't mind my chirpy whispy soprano voice. What can you tell me about the music activity at Grace/St. Luke's, St. Philip's, St. John's, or Calvary? Since I also play cello, I hope to find a church that uses instruments in its worship.

[strumpeace]

Hello, Cellist, from a fellow Episcopalian!

I attended St. Mary's Cathedral while in grad school. I now attend Church of the Annunciation (Episcopal) in Cordova. So I'm not super-familiar with the churches you mentioned. However, I have heard things.

I have heard that Grace-St. Luke's choir is very good, though very traditional -- in other words, mostly organ music. St. John's has a smaller choir, also very traditional. If I were betting, I would bet that Calvary's music program is the most diverse, which would reflect the interests of its more diverse congregation.

St. Mary's, btw, has a very good choir and welcomes instruments other than the organ. There was a person who played the harp there once in a while, and I seem to remember a trumpeter also. However, parish life at St. Mary's is sadly lacking.

St. Philip's is affiliated with the 'Network', and since I'm a progressive Episcopalian, I've never bothered visiting.

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Hello, Cellist, from a fellow Episcopalian!

I attended St. Mary's Cathedral while in grad school. I now attend Church of the Annunciation (Episcopal) in Cordova. So I'm not super-familiar with the churches you mentioned. However, I have heard things.

I have heard that Grace-St. Luke's choir is very good, though very traditional -- in other words, mostly organ music. St. John's has a smaller choir, also very traditional. If I were betting, I would bet that Calvary's music program is the most diverse, which would reflect the interests of its more diverse congregation.

St. Mary's, btw, has a very good choir and welcomes instruments other than the organ. There was a person who played the harp there once in a while, and I seem to remember a trumpeter also. However, parish life at St. Mary's is sadly lacking.

St. Philip's is affiliated with the 'Network', and since I'm a progressive Episcopalian, I've never bothered visiting.

Hearing from Episcopals in Memphis, there is a fairly large schism between the traditional Episcopals allying with the main church and the ultra-conservatives who want to split. I can't comment on any particular churches, but I would check out the overall vibe and see how the people there feel in regards to staying with the main church. The ones in Midtown and Downtown aren't really going to have a problem, but it is a big issue with a lot of the ones out east.

[strumpeace]

We are Episcopalians, not Episcopals.

The OP wasn't asking about theology or the current attempts at realignment; he/she was asking about music programs.

[bjspr]

I heard that there was an Episcopal church meeting at the Agricenter. Can anyone give me more information?

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by bjspr

I heard that there was an Episcopal church meeting at the Agricenter. Can anyone give me more information?

It's Faith Anglican Church. It's a conservative congregation in the governance of the Anglican Church or Rwanda by way of the Anglican Mission in America. It is intentionally not part of The U.S. Episcopal Church

[bjspr]

Could you elaborate on this? I had heard that it was started from some former members of a church I attended many years ago before my husband was killed. Thanks.

[strumpeace]

Faith Anglican was started by some folks who left Church of the Annunciation a few years ago.