Unitarian churches in Austin (Houston, Mission: live, friendly, education)

[1mintjulep]

Hello,

Does anyone here have any experience with Unitarian churches in Austin? I'm a practicing Buddhist and belong to a temple in Houston, so mainly I'm looking for social interaction with like-minded people, and not really a new spiritual path/practice. I'm not interested in a group that is heavily political or heavily Christian (obviously). I live South, so I was looking at the Wildflower Church's website - so any info on them in particular would be good, too.

Many thanks!

[TexasHorseLady]

I don't know about Wildflower, but my experience with Unitarian Churches in general, and the original one in Austin in particular (on Dover, I believe it is, but that could be wrong), is that anyone who thinks is welcome and I certainly didn't feel any pressure to believe a certain way, as long as I was thinking about what I believe.

[centralaustinite]

First UU is a great place. It is on Grover (very close TexasHorseLady
It is just a few blocks north of the original Central Market off Lamar.

We live south (and don't make the drive on Sunday), I haven't found anything comparable south.

Here's their website:
First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Austin

[rg80]

There is a nice buddust temple off of 360 as well. Another one near Parmer and Lamar.

[woodinvilleguy]

Any UCC churches in the northwest area?

[G Grasshopper]

Try Live Oak UU in Cedar Park. The music program there is incredible, the people are great, lots of great programs, always wonderful potlucks! My sister and her family go there, and when we visit, we always go, too. We usually visit only once a year, at Christmas, and people always recognize us like old friends.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

Any UCC churches in the northwest area?

Very few in the entire state! The UCC conference includes all of Texas and Louisiana and parts of Mississippi!

Here is the main UCC church in Austin:
Friendly,Liberal Church,Volunteer Oportunities,Missions,Sermons,Photos,Congregationa l Church of Austin,UCC,United Church of Christ

There is a UCC church in Pf-ville:
http://www.stjohnrichland.eccwireless.com/

Here's one in northwest Austin that is also D of C affliated:
United Christian Church - Austin, Texas

[Trainwreck20]

I went to one a couple of years ago in S. Austin with my wife (who had been attending irregularly for several years). I can't remember the name of the chuch, but it had way too much of a political overtone for what I wanted from a church. Actually, there was a guest speaker and he was very political (specific names, etc) even though I think the minister had asked him to keep the topic apolitcal. The minister ended up basically apologizing and offering a little bit of counter-point, and I think I could have enjoyed his style based on my limited experience. The congregation obviously got into the politically charged presentation, however, and although the topic was not a big issue with me, I would have been very uncomfortable taking an opposing stance. The crowd had a 'political correct' smugness that was a turnoff, even though I tended to agree with the views.

Anyway, just my limited experience. They did have an awesome choir .

[traceyr13]

I attend Live Oak and love it. I'm involved in the religious education program, and have nothing but good things to say about the congregation and church.

To the pp who posted about political overtones - that's not unusual for Unitarian Universalist services/congregations. An important part of the UU philosophy is social justice, so it's fairly common to have sermons, announcements, etc about initiatives and hot button topics.

[Trainwreck20]

To the pp who posted about political overtones - that's not unusual for Unitarian Universalist services/congregations. An important part of the UU philosophy is social justice, so it's fairly common to have sermons, announcements, etc about initiatives and hot button topics.

Yeah, I can of figured that out, but it was not what I was looking for in a church....I don't have a problem with that in general and am sure it would be a very interesting group, but I was more interested in the spirtual aspect, so it was not a good fit for me.