In the News
Author to Speak on "The Assault on Civil Liberties in the War on Terror"
Church Marks 50 Years
Emerson Funds Canoga Park Elementary Safety Program
Congregation Votes to Support Civil Marriage
Author to Speak on "The Assault on Civil Liberties in the War on Terror"
May 11, 2007 - Canoga Park. Author, commentator, and attorney Stephen F. Rohde will speak at Emerson on Sunday, June 24th, 2007 at the 10:30am service. A past president of the ACLU of Southern California, Mr. Rohde’s will talk about how, for the last six years, the Bush Administration has engaged in a series of actions which undermine the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Read the full press release here.
Church marks 50 years
Congregation proud of record of service, acceptanceBy Holly J. Andres, Staff Writer
Los Angeles Daily News
February 11, 2005 -- Canoga Park. This Sunday, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church will celebrate its founding on Valentine's Day 1955 -- 50 years in which social justice has been a cornerstone of the church's practice. "At Emerson, we have a really strong commitment to making the world a better place," said the Rev. Anne Felton Hines of Emerson.
"As a denomination, the Unitarian Universalist Church is concerned about social justice and being out there for the issues of peace and saving the environment."
Since its founding, the congregation has been active in farm workers' rights, the Fair Housing Council, anti-nuclear testing protests and helping shelter refugees from El Salvador.
On Sundays, food is collected for the West Valley Food Pantry and support is organized for a safety program at Canoga Park Elementary School. The church also helps support the music program at Canoga Park High School.
This year, the congregation will also take part in a campaign promoting the rights of all people to marry, said Felton Hines.
The Unitarian Universalist church appeals to those who believe that many paths lead to religious truth. At EUUC, said Felton Hines, the congregation is made up of people who love having discussions of religious principles.
"There's an inclusivity of all kinds of people here at Emerson," she said. "Our essence is that we have a 'down-to-earth-ness.'
"Our goals for the next 50 years are to be more accessible to the immediate neighborhood, let the larger community know more about us and to be a stronger voice for liberal religion in the West Valley."
Ann Teitelbaum and her partner have been attending the church ever since they chose EUUC from a list of regional Unitarian Universalist churches that emphasized open-door attitudes.
"Everyone was so nice and happy to see us," remembered Teitelbaum, now the board president at the church. "I think that being a member has spurred me out of my complacency. It's easy to sit back and not become involved or think about larger world issues."
The big attraction to Unitarian Universalism for Dave Margerum was the freedom to develop his own religious values. Margerum, a research scientist in physical chemistry, has been a member at EUUC for 45 years.
"This church is for someone exploring their values, who can keep an open mind and question what you believe," Margerum said. "It's for someone who can get involved in the problems of others. I've stayed with this church because we've always encouraged social justice activities. It has supported my love of nature, and we've had a hiking group for about 20 years."
Emerson Funds Safety Valet Program at Canoga Park Elementary
February 10th -- Canoga Park. Reverend Anne Felton Hines, Dave Margerum, Helene Fernandez, Councilman Dennis Zine, and Barry Stone of the Neighborhood Network 4 Kids gathered to witness the successful operation of the Safety Valet Program at Canoga Park Elementary. Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church donated $440. to Canoga Park Elementary School to purchase the equipment for the Safety Valet Program. This program provides parent volunteers with safety vests, signs, and other equipment to use to improve traffice safety around the school. The trained parent volunteers work to ensure the safety of children during drop-off and pick-up times. The funds were collected over a period of months from a portion the weekly collection. Emerson donates a portion of the weekly offering to local charities. Past charities have included Children of the Night and a tatoo removal program.
The congregation of Emerson votes to support civil marriage.
