Question:

I was just curious if there were different types of Episcopal churches. Do you know?

Answer:

"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things love..."

I may have mangled that quote a little, but it is the essence of Anglicanism (Episcopals are part of the Anglican communion). The root difference between the Roman Catholic church, and the other churches within the catholic tradition, is that our Bishops are equal and independant of human authority, having responsibility directly to God. They maintain unity by prayerful consensus -- sometimes more successfully than others. As a result, the Anglican Communion enjoys much greater diversity than is seen in a church where a strong central hierarchy maintains control over the forms used by the church.

Within the Anglican tradition, several general groups thrive, based on their historical roots. The biggest difference *theologically* are the schizmatic Anglicans who have broken communion with the rest of the Anglican communion over liturgical reform (i.e. the introduction of new or revised prayer books), or the ordination of women, or the attitude toward homosexuality, or intercommunion with other denominations.

Among those who are *in* communion, the biggest differences are differences of style. "High Church" Anglicans retain as much ceremony as possible, in some cases borrowing from the Roman Catholic church additional ceremonials that developed in that denomination after the Reformation. "Low Church" Anglicans lean heavily on the influences of the Puritans and Calvinists on Catholic thought: their services though liturgical may be devoid of "extras" like incense, candles, and paraments. "Evangelical" Anglicans are similar to Low Church Anglicans, with a special emphasis on personal witness and scriptural reliance and a de-emphasis on episcopal authority, Tradition, and Reason. "Celtic Christians" draw on the pre-Roman traditions that were brought to Ireland and Scotland in the first and second century after Christ, long *before* the Establishment and legalisation of the Church by the Roman Emperor -- they use rich ceremonial and symbolism but with a very different style from the Roman style and with a strong dose of mysticism. Because a hundred years ago Anglican Christianity was the state religion of an Empire on which the sun never set, there are also many Anglican churches around the world: African and Asian immigrants often bring their own flavour of Anglicanism to America, where it may be integrated into the spectrum of the Episcopal church. And "Charismatic" Anglicans value the living witness of the Holy Spirit in much the way that Pentecostals do -- speaking in tongues, dancing in worship, and prophesying.

Then, we have the variety that comes from our different liturgical language. Most Anglican provinces (all except the U.S., in fact) retain some form of the Book of Common Prayer of 1662. This is the language that is somewhat retained in your (I think) Rite I. Most provinces also offer some alternative forms of liturgy, in either a Book of Alternative Services as in Canada, or the book of Common Worship in the UK, or in the U.S. subsumed into your 1979 prayerbook as Rite II. Most "High Church" parishes use the traditional language and chant "The Lord be with Thee/And with Thy Spirit". Most "Low Churches" use more modern language and say "The Lord be with you/And also with you". But some churches who use incense, light votive candles, have elaborate hangings and celebrate Saints days *also* use modern language. And vice versa.

Apart from that, we're all exactly alike ;-).