CURRENT NEWS
Emerson UU Board Meetings
(Open to All):
2nd Monday of each Month at 7:30 pm (Zoom 1)
Next Meeting: May 13th, 2024
February 2024 Congregational Meeting Minutes (draft)
March 2024 Board Minutes (final)
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LINK TO EMERSON FACEBOOK PAGE.
LINK TO EMERSON INSTAGRAM.
If you would like to join the Emersonians, a private Facebook page for members and friends of the church, please ask a church member to invite you to join.
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Outreach Team Meeting
Saturday, May 18th at 12pm on Zoom 2
Join the EUUC Outreach Team! The newly forming Outreach Team is planning a first project – representing EUUC at the 2024 San Fernando Valley Pride March & Block Party! Join the meeting on May 18 to learn about and help develop the Outreach Team as we plan to represent EUUC at SFV Pride (June 29th). Contact Tess Lotta at outreach@emersonuuc.com for any questions.
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FUNDRAISER EVENTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
Contact the Event Host to sign up! All proceeds go to Emerson.
Onze in the Afternoon: Join us for the addictive game of ONZE for fun and rewards.
Saturday, May 25, 3:00 PM $25 donation
Contact Linda Fitzgerald
Electrifying Dinner: Enjoy a yummy flexitarian meal (with vegan options) cooked in Rhonda and Glen’s newly electrified kitchen on an induction range.
Saturday, June 8, 6:30 PM $25 donation
Contact Rhonda Plank-Richard
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Link to one of Roy Zimmerman’s latest videos: “Grifters of Putin“.
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For the latest news about Rev. Matthew, please read our most recent eBlast.
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Find out about upcoming Events at Camp de Benneville Pines! Visit the De Benneville Pines website.
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Touchstone Theme for May: Equity
For more information about Touchstones and Small Group Ministry, see the SGM webpage: LINK HERE (in this website’s Community Activities and Groups menu).
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UPCOMING EVENTS
(Pacific Standard Time):
THIS WEEK: (More details in Ongoing Events, below)
Sunday, May 5th, Following Service: Potluck (Pavilion)
Sunday, May 5th, Following Service: Environmental Justice Ministry Letter Writing (Sanctuary)
Tuesday, May 7th, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm: Gardening with Rev. Matthew. (Church Grounds, weather permitting)
Tuesday, May 7th, 7:00 pm: Improv for Your Soul (Sanctuary)
Tuesday, May 7th, 7:00 pm: Exploratory Pagan Group (Zoom 2)
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Saturday, May 18, 12 pm: Outreach Team Meeting – (Zoom 2) – Newly forming: Contact Tess Lotta
Friday, June 21, 7:30 pm: Roy Zimmerman performance: Sing. Laugh. Defend Democracy. (Emerson Sanctuary). $25 or pay what you can.
Check out what is happening this coming week with our neighbors at Sepulveda UU Society!
Tuesdays at 3:00 pm (Weekly): Pottery Studio – Sunland
For more events and information, visit https://sepulvedauu.org
ONGOING EVENTS – Open to All:
First Sunday of the month, after the service (Pavilion)
Friends, please join us after our Sunday Service to share food, drink, and companionship at our Potluck Lunch. You’re welcome to bring a dish to go around. Drinks will be provided. Be ready to fill out a card describing your dish. If you forgot to bring something, don’t worry – we will share. And be sure to stick around afterwards to help clean up; we could always use a few hands to make light work. It’s a great way to get to know people at church.
Second Sunday of the month, after the service (Sanctuary – Online by Request.)
Emerson’s Environmental Justice Ministry team meets once a month to take action for climate justice. Whether it’s local clean energy initiatives, national or global campaign projects with environmental movement partners, or writing letters to encourage voters to support environmental justice – there’s something we can each do to build a better future. Whether a new or longtime member – you are welcome and your action is needed! For more information, see the Environmental Justice Ministry page in this website and contact co-chairs Rhonda (rhondaplankrichard@gmail.com) and Anna (annalourawagner@gmail.com) for more information. Thanks! – Anna & Rhonda
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WIDENING THE CIRCLE (formerly the RACIAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE)
First Monday of the month at 7:00 pm (Zoom 2)
We are currently focusing on “widening Emerson’s circle” through diversity, equity, inclusion and racial and social justice. See this website’s Racial Justice page in the Community menu for more information. Please contact LindaBeth if you would like to learn more and perhaps join us.
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EMERSON BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm (Zoom 2)
Password: chalice
Or call: (669) 900-9128 and
enter ID: 343 977 3791
For more information go to this website’s Book Group page in the Community Activities and Groups menu: Http://www.emersonuuc.org//community/Book-Group.
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GARDENING TIME WITH REV. MATTHEW
Tuesdays, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm –> Winter Hours! (Church Grounds, weather permitting)
Join Rev. Matthew in the garden at Emerson: planting, weeding, digging, tending, mulching, and doing whatever could use doing that week. For a couple of hours each week, Rev. Matthew would love to have your help and company in the garden. Rev. Matthew would love to pass on the wisdom he’s learned from his 15 years of experience growing fruits, vegetables and California natives, and learn what wisdom you have to teach him. Wear some comfortable clothes and we’ll see what grows!
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IMPROV FOR YOUR SOUL
Tuesdays, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Sanctuary)
Join us for community, laughter and growth.
Classes are free but donations are appreciated. No need to sign up, just show up!
Led by Katie Kirkpatrick
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EXPLORATORY PAGAN GROUP
First Tuesday of the month, 7:00 pm (Zoom 2: live2.emersonuuc.org )
A chat and discussion group looking at Paganism from a UU perspective with the potential to grow into a local chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS). For more information, see the Pagan Chat & Study Group page in our Community menu.
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MOSTLY VEGGIE LUNCH CLUB!
1st Wednesday of the month, 11:45 am – 2 pm
Next Gathering: June 5th, 11:45 am
Location: Lotus Vegan – 4715 Lankershim Blvd, North Hills (818)760-8088
Join with friends, old and new, to explore the advantages of a vegetarian lifestyle with the Mostly Veggie Lunch Club. All are welcome. Contact Tracy Watson: tracyj.watson@yahoo.com or 818-620-9451 (text or call)
June 5: Lotus Vegan, 4715 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-760-8088
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EMERSON CHOIR
A place where you can connect, listen, and sing. All are invited to participate, even those who are not currently members of Emerson’s Choir. See the Music & Choir page in the Community menu for more information.
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SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
One of the best ways to get connected in this congregation is by joining one of our Small Group Ministries, which meet once or twice a month. Learn more on our Small Group Ministry page under our Community menu, or by selecting THIS LINK: https://www.emersonuuc.org/community/small-group-ministry/
(if link doesn’t work, enter live.emersonuuc.org into your search engine (Google, Safari, etc.)
Zoom ID # 858 109 2800
Password: chalice
enter ID # 858 109 2800 and
Password: chalice
(if link doesn’t work, enter live2.emersonuuc.org into your search engine (Google, Safari, etc.)
Zoom ID: 343 977 3791
Password: chalice
OR call (669) 900-9128 and
enter ID # 343 977 3791 and
Password: chalice
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SUPPORT EMERSON UU COMMUNITY
It’s that exciting time of year when Emerson’s Finance Team and Board create next year’s budget, as required by the Bylaws. To make sure we can present a realistic proposal at the June congregational meeting, we will also conduct the fiscal 2024-2025 pledge drive, “Legacy of Love: celebrating our past, shaping our future.”
Your individual donations of time, talent and treasure make it possible for Emerson to continue to thrive. Here are the links to make your tax deductible ANNUAL PLEDGE or DONATION online. Go to our “PLEDGE” page to learn about Pledging and to make a Pledge and to our DONATE” page to find out different ways you can donate.
If you missed April 14th’s service kicking off the stewardship campaign, check out Tracy’s reflection, Rev. Matthew’s sermon, or watch the whole service. You may also read Tracy’s moving testimonial HERE. And please make your pledge at pledge.emersonuuc.org
Share the Plate Sunday Collection: As part of our commitment to serve our community, we share half our offering with local organizations whose work furthers our mission. May Share the Plate Recipient: San Fernando Valley Refugee Children Center
The Mission of the Refugee Children Center is to provide a healing embrace and a dignified welcome to children and their families who have made the perilous journey from the South of the U.S.-Mexico border and identify as Indigenous from Meso and South America, historically, culturally, and through their Indigenous language or who speak Spanish. We aim to offer our Center as a hopeful refuge that provides support through a holistic approach with basic needs, opportunities for personal development, enrichment activities, and access to legal and social services, thus easing our children and their families’ transition to a new life in the United States. https://www.refugeechildrencenter.org/
Emerson also partners in other ways with the West Valley Food Pantry. The West Valley Food Pantry is serving more people who are food insecure, including people who are homeless, families and elderly people living on a fixed income; providing them not with just food, but basic necessities as well as infant supplies, school supplies, hygiene items and toys. They also have a mobile shower for those who don’t have access to water. They also host vaccination clinics, mobile pet clinics and family holiday parties. Most needed: cash donations and single serve, ready to eat, UNEXPIRED food items. You may bring your donations to Emerson or to the Food Pantry (it is a few miles to the southwest of Emerson and typically open weekday mornings – check their website for updated times). Home page of West Valley Food Pantry’s website: https://www.westvalleyfoodpantry.org/
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TECH ASSOCIATES NEEDED!
If you’ve attended Emerson Sunday Worship on Zoom, you have no doubt noticed the many different elements – both live and recorded – that come together to make up the service. The Tech Associate is key to presenting a professional and worshipful online service. Emerson’s Tech Associates are volunteers who step up when guest speakers take to the virtual pulpit to produce the service, coordinating the sequence of elements, including live video and PowerPoint slideshow. If you are familiar with PowerPoint, or live online meeting platforms, and would like to help with presenting Sunday services, contact our office at office@emersonuuc.org
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Bear Hugs From Camp de Benneville Pines
to Donate Please Click Here
We believe in the power of love, community, and the transformative impact of nature. Camp de Benneville Pines has been a sanctuary for campers of all ages, providing a space where friendships are forged, spirits are renewed, and lasting memories are created. Even before the fires, pandemic and inflation, the Camp was not able to balance its budget on camper fee revenues alone, since we charge less than the cost so that everyone can participate. We ask you to join us in this heartfelt appeal to ensure that Bear Hugs From Camp continue to be shared for generations to come.
For More Information on How You Can Help or to Donate Please Click Here
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