Emerson UU Church

What Emerson UU Church does

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (Emerson UU Church) is a single-congregation religious nonprofit located at 7304 Jordan Avenue, Canoga Park, in the West San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Organized as a California nonprofit corporation and affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), Pacific Southwest District, and Pacific Western Region, the church serves liberal religious seekers — including Christians, Humanists, Buddhists, Jews, Pagans, and others — who want a welcoming, non-doctrinal spiritual community. Programming includes Sunday worship services (10:30am, delivered both in-person and via Zoom and phone), religious education for children and youth, Small Community Circles, Book Group, Choir, Hiking/Amblers, Environmental Justice Ministry, Pastoral Care, Sacred Cinema, and an OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality education class. The church holds LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation and Green Sanctuary designations from the UUA and endorsed the 8th Principle in June 2021.

The organization's underlying technology stack is intentionally lightweight and commodity-based: Zoom for live worship streaming and group meetings, Breeze Church Management System (ChMS) for online pledge/donation processing and member records, and a WordPress-based website CMS. There is no proprietary technology, mobile application, or AI capability. The platform is operated by a small staff led by Minister Rev. Chloë Briedé (appointed September 2024), Music Director Antonius Nazareth, Choir Director Eloise Porter, a Tech Associate, and an elected five-member Board of Trustees headed by President Aimee Noel.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through voluntary annual member pledges paid via Breeze, supplemented by an annual auction fundraiser, facility rental for rites of passage and external events, and a one-time OWL class fee ($75 members / $125 guests). Half of Sunday offerings flow outward via the Share the Plate program to rotating local beneficiaries (West Valley Food Pantry, Haven Hills, CLUE, SFV Refugee Children Center, Sky Valley Volunteers, Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa, Camp de Benneville Pines). No revenue is publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is community-led — relying on word-of-mouth, social media (Facebook, Instagram), a weekly eBlast newsletter, denominational affiliation, and community events rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Emerson UU Church

Legal name

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church

Website

https://emersonuuc.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church is a single-congregation liberal religious nonprofit in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, serving diverse UU seekers with in-person and Zoom worship, religious education, social justice programming, and pastoral care, funded by member pledges and fundraisers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Congregation Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Religious congregation services
• Unitarian universalist worship
• Religious education programs
• Pastoral care ministry
• Community outreach services

Headquarters

HQ city

Canoga Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Pledges and Donations: The primary revenue stream comes from annual pledges made by congregation members. Members commit to specific donation amounts for the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) and can pay monthly, quarterly, or as a lump sum. Donations are processed through Breeze ChMS online platform, bank bill pay, or check payments.
2. Fundraiser Events: Annual auction fundraiser events where members bid on experiential activities (brunches, hikes, dining, games). Events include a simple meal, drinks, music, and socializing. Additional fundraisers include pool parties and card games.
3. Share the Plate: Half of Sunday offering is shared with local community organizations including West Valley Food Pantry, Camp de Benneville Pines, Haven Hills, CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund, SFV Refugee Children Center, Sky Valley Volunteers, and Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa.
4. Facility Rental: Church facilities are available for rental for rites of passage (weddings, memorial services) at no fee for members; rental policy exists for external events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Emerson UU Church is a Unitarian Universalist congregation offering weekly Sunday worship services held in-person and streamed via Zoom, complemented by religious education for children and youth, pastoral care, the OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality education class, community groups (Small Community Circles, Book Group, Choir, Hiking, Amblers, Pagan Study Group), and an Environmental Justice Ministry. Membership is open to diverse theological perspectives with no statement of dogma required, and the church funds operations through voluntary annual pledges, fundraisers, and facility rentals.

Product overview

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church is a religious organization that offers Sunday worship services, religious education programs, and community activities. The church provides both in-person and virtual worship experiences via Zoom, along with various community groups including religious education for children and youth, small community circles, book discussion groups, music and choir programs, environmental justice initiatives, and pastoral care services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Sunday worship services held in-person at the Canoga Park sanctuary and streamed live via Zoom; open to all visitors, members, and friends; led by the called minister with music by the Music Director and Choir.
• OWL (Our Whole Lives) Sexuality Education Class Comprehensive sexuality education program for grades 7-9 offered to members and non-members; $75 fee for Emerson members, $125 for non-members, with scholarships available; covers teacher training, books, and materials.
• Pastoral Care Services Spiritual and emotional support provided by a volunteer Pastoral Care Team to congregation members during life events, illness, grief, and other transitions; contactable via [email protected].
• Annual Auction Fundraiser Annual fundraising auction featuring experiential activities (brunches, hikes, dining, games) bid on by congregation members; includes a meal, drinks, music, and socializing.
• Environmental Justice Ministry Environmental justice ministry engaging congregation members in climate advocacy, fossil fuel divestment campaigns, home energy savings, and partnerships with 350.org, Climate Reality Project, Sunrise Movement, UU Ministry for Earth, and Stop the Money Pipeline.
• Music and Choir Program Music and choir program providing musical leadership for Sunday worship services and special performances, led by Music Director Antonius Nazareth and Choir Director Eloise Porter.
• Facility Rental for Rites of Passage Rental of church facilities for rites of passage (weddings, memorial services) at no fee for members, with a separate rental policy applicable for external events.
• Small Community Circles (Small Group Ministry) Small group ministry program where congregation members meet regularly in intimate circles for spiritual reflection, shared discussion, and mutual support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supporting West Valley Food Pantry serves approximately 3,200 clients monthly

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Valley Food PantrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Valley Food Pantry is Emerson's primary Share the Plate recipient. Emerson is a Sponsoring Member Church and the second largest donor church to the Pantry. The Pantry serves approximately 3,200 clients monthly in the West San Fernando Valley, including homeless individuals, families, and seniors on fixed incomes. Emerson collects food donations and has church members on the Pantry's Board.
• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmerson is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Pacific Southwest District, and Pacific Western Region. The UUA provides theological resources, governance guidance, and connects member congregations.
• Camp de Benneville PinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear-round mountain retreat camp in the San Bernardino mountains owned by UU churches in the Pacific Southwest region. Emerson supports Cluster Camp Weekend events and encourages congregation participation. The camp charges less than cost to ensure accessibility.
• Haven HillsminorOthersLocal organization receiving Share the Plate donations from Emerson. Haven Hills provides services to survivors of domestic violence.
• CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond FundminorOthersFaith-based coalition providing bond fund support for detained immigrants. Receives Share the Plate donations from Emerson.
• Tongva Taraxat PaxaavxaminorOthersIndigenous land stewardship organization recognized in Share the Plate voting. Named in Tongva language.
• SFV Refugee Children CenterminorOthersSan Fernando Valley organization serving refugee children, included in Share the Plate rotation.
• Sky Valley VolunteersminorOthersLocal volunteer organization Emerson members work with to plant oak tree seedlings in the West Valley.
• 350.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partnered with Emerson's Environmental Justice Ministry for climate advocacy and action campaigns including fossil fuel divestment.
• Climate Reality ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for climate education and advocacy efforts through Emerson's Environmental Justice Ministry.
• Sunrise MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth climate organization collaborating with Emerson's Environmental Justice Ministry.
• UU Ministry for EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUMFE provides Climate Justice Movement Chaplains including Chelsea McCoy who offers spiritual care and chaplaincy services. Also provides Climate Grief Support Group via Zoom.
• Stop the Money PipelineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition Emerson's EJM participates in to pressure financial institutions to stop funding fossil fuels.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Glendale Universalist Unitarian Church: Another UU congregation in the greater LA region, also affiliated with the UUA Pacific Southwest District. Operates a similar liberal, welcoming model with worship, RE programs, and small group ministry serving liberal religious seekers in a defined geographic catchment.
• Pacific Unitarian Church: A UU congregation in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA where Rev. Chloë Briedé previously served as interim minister. Operates as a liberal UU congregation serving the South Bay LA area with similar worship, education, and community programs.
• Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles: A progressive, LGBTQ-affirming Christian congregation in Los Angeles. Comparable as an inclusive, socially progressive faith community in the LA area that serves seekers prioritizing values alignment over traditional doctrine, overlapping with Emerson's LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation positioning.
• Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation: A UU congregation in the Pasadena/LA area, also part of the UUA Pacific Southwest District. Comparable as a mid-sized liberal UU congregation with religious education, social justice focus, and a similar lay-leadership and pledge-based revenue model.
• Congregation Kol Ami: A progressive, LGBTQ-inclusive Jewish synagogue in the LA area. Comparable as a values-aligned liberal religious community serving seekers prioritizing inclusivity, social justice, and non-dogmatic worship in the same LA market.
• First Unitarian Universalist Church of Los Angeles: The flagship UU congregation in the greater Los Angeles area, affiliated with the same UUA Pacific Southwest District as Emerson. Directly comparable as a liberal, welcoming UU congregation offering Sunday worship, religious education, and social justice programming to a similar liberal-religious-seeker segment.

Broad incumbents

• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): The national denominational body of which Emerson is a member congregation. Provides theological resources, governance frameworks, ministerial credentialing, and connects member congregations through the Pacific Southwest District and Pacific Western Region. A broad incumbent in the UU religious ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• All Saints Church Pasadena: A large, progressive, socially active Episcopal church in Pasadena that, like Emerson, emphasizes social justice, inclusivity, and progressive theology. A regional comparable in the broader LA progressive-faith ecosystem rather than a direct UU competitor.

Others

• Camp de Benneville Pines: A UU-owned mountain retreat camp in the San Bernardino mountains affiliated with Pacific Southwest District UU congregations. An ecosystem partner providing Emerson members with retreat and community-building opportunities; thematically tied to UU congregational life.
• West Valley Food Pantry: Emerson's primary Share the Plate recipient and community partner, where Emerson is the second-largest donor church and a Sponsoring Member. An ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but materially relevant as a top community outcome.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EmersonUUC
• Instagraminstagram.com/emerson.uu.canogapark/?igsh=cm9teDV1NXFwbHd2&utm_source=qr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emerson-uu-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Emerson UU Church