Website: http://www.orindachurch.org/

Re: Liberal Church in Lamorinda or Walnut Creek
Dear searching,
I recommend that you check out my church, the Orinda Community Church in Orinda. It is an open-minded, grounded, friendly community that is welcoming to all kinds of people. A number of years ago the congregation adopted an official ''open and affirming'' statement, making it clear that they welcome all regardless of sexual orientation, race, age, ability, etc. When my family moved here from Berkeley, we found a great community at OCC.

As they say on their web site: Orinda Community Church is a warm, intelligent Christian community where you are encouraged to think for yourself. At OCC you can connect with people, explore spiritual issues, serve the community, and make a difference in a changing world. OCC has a place for you.

Sunday services are 10 am. I'd be happy to tell you more if you'd like, just contact me. anne

They specifically say they are ''open and affirming'' and I believe they have the tolerant and non-judgmental attitude you seek -- my husband calls it a ''liberal intellectual'' church. They are into political action, good works, and environmentalism -- he's on the ''Green'' church committee. However, there's not a lot of diversity within the church population itself -- mostly white folks, honestly. There's spiritual diversity, though -- I'm an atheist, and I've always felt comfortable there.

However, the associate pastor, who we loved, just left for the East Coast, and they're in the process of hiring to replace her. My husband says that some of the temporary pastors giving sermons are not quite up to par, so don't judge the church by the temps! anon

Re:Raised Catholic, looking at other churches, help us choose

I recently discovered the United Church of Christ, through our local congregation at the Orinda Community Church. I had never heard of this protestant group, but it has deep progressive roots.

This church is wonderful, providing warm and accepting community, and the kind of ''Berkeley'' values we wondered if we had left behind when we moved through the tunnel. In fact, our church right now is housing homeless families in a county-wide church run effort that was a response to Orinda's public refusal of a shelter last winter.

The UCC has been in the news lately, because they made a TV ad aimed at those who feel unwelcome in the religions they grew up in. Its message is ''whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.'' The reason this was in the news was that two networks -- CBS and NBC -- refused to air the ads because they include same sex couples in the people pictured! You can read all about the UCC, and see the ads, which are very moving, at http://www.ucc.org/

A last note; the church has a sense of humor. When I went to the site just now to get the address right, I saw this on the home page: ''SpongeBob recieves unequivocal welcomes from the UCC.'' anne