What is the difference between the Episcopal Church and the: Roman Catholic Church? The United Methodist Church? The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America?

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The Roman Catholic Church is the largest single body of Christians in the United States.  The Roman Catholic Church is under the spiritual leadership of the Pope (or the Bishop of Rome).  Its establishment in America dates back to the priests who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage.  The Roman Catholic Church has celibate bishops, priests, and married deacons, and is sacramental and liturgical in its style and ethos.  See their website at www.usccb.org.

The Episcopal Church is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion which had its formal beginnings in its separation from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century Planted here in the United States formally in approximately 1789, there are now 2.4 million members in the U.S.   Bishops, priests, and deacons can marry in the Episcopal Church. The Pope has no authority in the Episcopal Church or the Anglican Communion.  For more information, go to www.episcopalchurch.org.

The United Methodist Church was formed in 1968 by the union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.  The Methodist movement began in the 18th century in England under the preaching of John Wesley, an Anglican priest whose followers later left the Anglican Church.  Methodists emphasize personal piety and social concern.  They have bishops, elders, and deacons, all of whom may marry.  Methodists are somewhat less liturgical and sacramental in style than Roman Catholics or Anglicans.  For further information see their web site www.umc.org.

Since 2006, Episcopalians and United Methodists have been involved in an Interim Eucharistic Sharing relationship, which is a step on the way to full communion. For more information, click here http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84650_ENG_HTM.htm.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), with 4.8 million baptized members is the largest Lutheran denomination in North America.  The Episcopal Church and the ELCA share full communion by way of a 2000 agreement called “Call to Common Mission.” The argeement is here, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/6947_10367_ENG_HTM.htm. For more information about the ELCA, click here:  www.elca.org.