Canoga Park
California
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Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
Our Statement of Ministry
Believing that our ministries will flourish more abundantly within the beloved community, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church offers a sanctuary of spiritual freedom where . . .
we celebrate and encourage the diversity of heritage, culture, beliefs, and experience shaping our individual visions of truth;
we translate our compassion into sharing, our longings for peace and justice into action;
we challenge ourselves to live our Unitarian Universalist principles by bringing healing and hope to the larger community;
we honor the transcendent mystery of creation by nurturing the planet and all who live upon it.
Although we are not bound by the formalities of conventional religion, the exercise of our freedom can be viewed by the participants in many ways. To some it will be a worship and a congregation very much in "tune" with the traditions of Christian and Jewish teachings. To others, it will be a meaningful worship freed from dogma. There are as many views and shadings as there are Unitarians---for this joint quest for truth is our essence.
We believe in the toleration of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only an intrinsic merit, but also a potential value for those who have learned the art of listening.
We believe in the freedom of religious ideas. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theology, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.
We believe in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, or a document, or an official but the personal, responsible choice and decision of the individual.
We believe in the never ending search for truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations which appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.
We believe in the unity of all experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in the same reality.
We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice --- and no idea, ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life.
We believe in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith,the evidence of inner grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.
We believe in the motive force of love. The governing principal in human relationships is the principle of love, which always seeks the welfare of others and never seeks to hurt or destroy.
We believe in the necessity of the democratic process. Records are open to scrutiny, elections are open to members, and ideas are open to criticism -- so that people might govern themselves.
We believe in the importance of a religious community. The validation of experience requires the confirmation of peers, who provide a critical platform along with a network of mutual support.
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!
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.
Believing that our ministries will flourish more abundantly within the beloved community, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church offers a sanctuary of spiritual freedom where . . .
we celebrate and encourage the diversity of heritage, culture, beliefs, and experience shaping our individual visions of truth;
we translate our compassion into sharing, our longings for peace and justice into action;
we challenge ourselves to live our Unitarian Universalist principles by bringing healing and hope to the larger community;
we honor the transcendent mystery of creation by nurturing the planet and all who live upon it.
Although we are not bound by the formalities of conventional religion, the exercise of our freedom can be viewed by the participants in many ways. To some it will be a worship and a congregation very much in "tune" with the traditions of Christian and Jewish teachings. To others, it will be a meaningful worship freed from dogma. There are as many views and shadings as there are Unitarians---for this joint quest for truth is our essence.
We believe in the toleration of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only an intrinsic merit, but also a potential value for those who have learned the art of listening.
We believe in the freedom of religious ideas. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theology, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.
We believe in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, or a document, or an official but the personal, responsible choice and decision of the individual.
We believe in the never ending search for truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations which appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.
We believe in the unity of all experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in the same reality.
We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice --- and no idea, ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life.
We believe in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith,the evidence of inner grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.
We believe in the motive force of love. The governing principal in human relationships is the principle of love, which always seeks the welfare of others and never seeks to hurt or destroy.
We believe in the necessity of the democratic process. Records are open to scrutiny, elections are open to members, and ideas are open to criticism -- so that people might govern themselves.
We believe in the importance of a religious community. The validation of experience requires the confirmation of peers, who provide a critical platform along with a network of mutual support.
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!
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.