Episcopal Church of the Resurrection

My wife and I attended St. David’s downtown for several years and have great affection for that church and all the good work it does. However, when its director of youth ministries, Fr. Billy Tweedie, left St. David’s to become the new vicar at ECR, we decided to give our neighborhood church a chance. We have been overwhelmed by the kindness from the community. The people of ECR are warm, humble, and extremely welcoming. The congregation is slightly older, but still vibrant and relatable. And we’ve noticed younger families like ourselves dropping in.
Fr. Billy lives in the neighborhood and has done a fantastic job of integrating into ERC. He is funny, down to earth, gracious and realistic about the work required to build the church. He’s also great with kids. Each Sunday, he invites the children to the front of the church and gives a short children’s sermon in terms that are insightful and understandable to the kiddos without being didactic or patronizing.
Other reviewers have already stated more eloquently the value of the Episcopal church in general. I can only reiterate that there is room for discussion, dissent, and thoughtful debate. While the service is fairly structured, the teachings themselves are not based on a strict dogma or rigid viewpoint. My wife was raised Roman Catholic and has found that the Episcopal church strikes a nice balance between the traditions she grew up with and the progressive views that she holds close today.
We feel very fortunate to have found ECR and perhaps we’ll see you there some day soon.

Just started going here in April, with my kids. There is so much love in this place. I became Episcopalian years ago because I like the liturgy and the ritual. There are no super-​sized tv screens up front, no cult-​of-​personality sermons where the minister is more of an entertainer (and if that’s the sort of service that resonates for you, I get that, I personally just find it distracting), just prayer and worship. Everyone is welcome here, and everyone is completely accepting of my atheist husband who doesn’t attend (but shows up at some functions that we do as a family) and the fact that I haven’t baptized the kids yet (I’m allowing them to choose when they get older). You are welcome to bring your intellect and your questions here, and you will find compassionate, grounded, rational guidance if sought. Also, as a central Austin church, this church has decades-​long history and there are people here who have been coming for 20, 30 and 40 years. It makes a difference in how it feels to go to a church that has been around for so long and sit and sing and pray among these folks. I find myself so moved every time I’m there. And my kids instantly got 40 new grand parents. We just welcomed a new minister, who is from the neighborhood and also raising a family. I feel so blessed to have found this church, and to have the opportunity to contribute to its future.

If you are looking for a more open-​minded church experience — a place for thinking Christians where there’s room for nuanced interpretation of the Bible rather than spoon-​fed and rigid Biblical «inerrancy,» then try the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is where women and gays can be priests, so right off the bat that’s going to entice you or turn you off.
The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (ECR) is a lovely little church in North Austin with a very smart, compassionate reverend, and when he’s on vacation, you might be able to attend a service led by a woman or hear a great sermon by the female seminarian!
Let me also explain that the Episcopal church is a liturgical church. That means it has a traditional service that is similar to the Catholic service. Each week you will receive Holy Communion. There’s a set structure to the services. Music is mostly traditional. The choir is decent but not professional or slick. If you are looking for a contemporary service and a «rock band» atmosphere with a professional band, you won’t find it here (yet…there has been some talk about offering a contemporary service in the future). However, there’s something to be said about the peaceful, contemplative quality of the more traditional service.
Even if the old-​style services aren’t your bag, you might want to try the many free classes and events happening at ECR. You can also receive «unction,» free hands-​on healing (anointing of oil) with the Holy Spirit, after each service.
The people at ECR are extremely friendly, nice people. I will say that the crowd tends to be a little older, but don’t let that put you off if you are younger. Some of these older folk are not only nice but pretty darn funny, cool people.
Because ECR is a little church that needs to grow, there’s a lot of room for you to get involved, start your own thing, and create something new here. This is a place to plant your garden. The people here are very open to that and will be excited to have your fresh energy and ideas. Would you be interested in starting a program for the homeless? Getting some groups together for a book club or Christian meditation? Creating a ministry for gays and lesbians in the church? This is a place where you can help create something new and great. So stop on by!

What an amazing place full of love and grace. I call this Church my home, and its members my family.