Who We Are
Celebrating over fifty years of work for peace and justice:
Since 1955
We are a small, growing community of about 140 members. We range in age
from infants to octogenarians. Our youth are an integral part of our church
community; we have a learning and social environment for the children in
our religious
education program.
We are a welcoming congregation. We are active in several community service programs such as West San Fernando Valley
Food Pantry, and we give a portion of our weekly cash collection to
a local charity. Through our Emerson Social
Action Alliance, we participate in activities such as the monthly Interfaith peace
vigils and work with organizations such as CLUE (Clergy and Laity United
for Economic Justice), and through our worship, we often address the issues of peace and justice that confront our wold today.. We have a fascinating history and
a dynamic future. Come join us!
Voices of a Liberal Faith - Unitarian Universalists
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church is our "home" for sharing interests, joys and celebrations; for support and counsel in time of need; and for realizing our hope to make this a better world. We are united by serious concern for building meaningful lives for ourselves and for our children, for being responsible citizens, and for searching for deeper truth and understanding.
We are located in Old Town Canoga Park, but most of our members live one to five miles away in all directions. Thus, our facility is in the geographic center of the West San Fernando Valley, a block from the post office, from the library, from the Chamber of Commerce, one block N. of Sherman Way and 2 blocks E. of Topanga Canyon. The January 1994 earthquake severely damaged our building and necessitated its demolition. However, in December of 1996 we completed the construction of all new buildings, including Child Care facilities, all of which are fully handicapped accessible.
Heritage
Ours is one of more than a thousand congregations that make up the Unitarian Universalist Association, a religious body that combines the merger of two traditions: The Universalists, who organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. Both groups trace their roots in North America to early New England settlers and the founders of the Republic. Overseas, their heritages reach back centuries in England, Poland and Transylvania.
Organization
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church is incorporated as a nonprofit religious organization. Each of the UU congregations in the United States and Canada is democratic in operation and policy and is self-governing. All unite in the UUA to develop and provide services that individual congregations could not produce themselves and to affirm our religious convictions in the national and international arenas.
