First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin

It has been around five years since I have gone to FUUCA. Lately I have gone there because I like the Forum programs mainly. I have heard the minister when I have been in their fellowship hall. She is a good guitar player and very funny. But, I missed in all honesty the scholarly sermons that Davidson Loehr preached. I think it is unfortunate what happened with him. He should have retired while he was ahead. I think also maybe the church has moved on to a better place. But, I am not sure that I will be very active except for visiting the forum from time to time. I think that churches may be one of the few voices holding society accountable. As for sermons I think I have pretty much heard than all. And so it goes or doesn’t.
I visited with them on 11÷01÷15. I thought her talk on end of life decisions was thoughtful. However, for now I think I will probably just go to the forum.

Every single time I leave this church after Rev. Meg Barnhouse speaks I feel like this was the best hour I’ve spent all week. I love the all inclusiveness of the sermons, the multitude of programs and activities the church offers, the free breakfast, the phenomenal music program, the children’s religious education programs and story for all ages during service, the social action and the words the community has chosen as their reason for being. If you are looking for a spiritual home, and a community to be a part of that will remind you that we are here to support one another on a journey and not just work and watch tv, this is a great place to start… no matter what your religious back ground.

One of the things that I really enjoy about this church is that I’ve never been around so many interesting, wonderful people in my life. I really treasure the thought-​provoking sermons, the personal growth, and the great friendships I have here.
If you want to be part of a spiritual community but really could do without hellfire and brimstone, this might be the right place for you.
If you know that people don’t have to believe alike to love alike, this might be the right place for you.
If you enjoy conversations where the questions are more profound than answers, this might be the right place for you.

I have searched for a religious home for my entire life. I remember looking through the occult section in the local witchcraft store as a teen, then venturing into buddhism and telling my mother I wasn’t planning to attend confirmation at our Catholic church because I just wasn’t sure about what they wanted me to confirm. I tried mega churches and temples and never found the right fit, until I came here.
The sermons by Meg Barnhouse are reason enough to sit in a pew once a week. She has made me a better person by calling attention to things like anger and grudges, the buddhist 8 fold path, the beauty of nature, and mostly, all the hidden sides of ourselves. Marisol Caballero, the newest reverend, also lifts up the congregation with her sermons and advice.
UUs don’t care if you believe in the apostles creed. They don’t sentence anyone to anything, let alone hell, and they will accept you and love you for who you are. The religious education activities for children are engaging, challenging and thought provoking and the feel walking down the halls is comforting but not smothering.
I am just thankful I’ve found a place to call home.

Great church for those who think that people should be ethical, just, fair, moral, compassionate and spiritual, but who don’t feel like you have to believe any particular religious creed, or in any particular god, to be a good person. (Some portion of UUs believe in a god, some do not — it’s just not a big deal.) Minster Meg Barnhouse is funny and though-​provoking, the music at services is of high quality, they have weekly public forums on community issues with high caliber speakers, and there are great religious education classes for the kids (which focus on teachings from various religions and beliefs, rather than push any one particular kind). Plus there are lots of activities you can join, like a welcoming, fun choir that does a wide range of music, book clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Great place for those looking for civic-​minded community without the overlay of any specific religious belief.

The current minister does give good sermons. And the politics appear to mesh with my own as well as denomination principles. Plus, we have free breakfast tacos at the first service.
But she’s a little too attached to formal membership procedure. This is funny considering both the lack of a formal dress code and creed.
It frequently comes across as this woman just trying to ‘prove’ something to herself and her girlfriend. Even when other members and the current membership director allow for flexibility in many other circumstances and situations, they’re both less accommodating this free institution.
I’m probably missing something but I don’t see how somebody excited about Buddhist mediation can then regularly hound the congregation for money vs encouraging volunteer hours and good community deeds. It doesn’t seem to mesh together that well.
I like this place and my fellow members. But I really hope they review the minister position ASAP.

Give your children a comprehensive education covering all the world’s religions, the positives and negatives, the tenants and the holidays :-) Participate as much as you want in the thriving community, there are age groups all the way up to those in their 90’s :-). Adult RE is fun as well, with classes about religion, yoga, UU history, to Adult Sexuality! Your children can also participate in option human sexuality classes designed for their grade level. The sermons and public forums every Sunday provide food for thought and sometimes compel you to action in your community, at the least the free coffee afterwards provides fascinating conversations with those in attendance each Sunday. Check out the website to see what kind of classes and events are occurring throughout the week.

If you’re not familiar with Unitarian Universalism, this is a great place to start. If you are familiar with UUism, it’s a good place to call home.
It’s an established church, strong in the UU tradition of liberal religion — deeds are more important than creeds here, as the saying goes.
But this isn’t a review of the Unitarian Universalist Association or its guiding principles (which I recommend looking up if you’ve never read them). It’s a review of this unique church. Some major points:
–Social Action–
There are a number of liberal-​oriented action groups based out of FUUCA — anti-​capital punishment activists, a UN-​affiliated group, environmentalists, and others.
–Community–
Groups exist for pagans (Covenant of UU Pagans), women, GLBT and friends, men, singers (a choir too), seniors, artists, young adults, teens, and people with other interests such as certain kinds of books. Coffee and snacks for everyone following services.
–Education–
Sunday school (called Religious Education) exists for all ages. Young Religious UUs for high schoolers is a delightful program. Cute playground (that I helped build!) for the kids.
–Outreach–
A public affairs forum each Sunday is often highly secular. Movie screenings, plays etc. are also held here.
–Services–
At 9:45 and 11:30 each Sunday, for about an hour. Follow a fairly traditional pattern of readings, songs, meditations, sermon and offertory. The Rev. Davidson Loehr is an amazing theologian, and frequent guest speakers make it more interesting! The sanctuary is one of the prettiest modern UU churches I’ve seen. Dress ranges from dresses or dress shirts and slacks to relaxed jeans and Ts. No one really sticks out.
If I had any complaints it would be that I’ve found it extremely difficult to feel like a member of the community, seeing as most members are coupled up or far older than me. Additionally, there seems to be a focus on the offering (though never any actual pressure) that doesn’t always make me feel comfortable. But not to an extreme degree in the case of either complaint.
Try it. If you like UUism, you’ll like it.