Special Collections
At UUCLB we have evolved a habit of pooling our resources to support organizations that do valuable work in our other communities. It’s a leap of faith that generosity begets generosity; we hold to an ethos of mutual support, expressing our belief in something larger than ourselves. We have found that our Special Collections efforts have focused our attention outward and made us more aware of other justice work going on in our communities.
To put it in metaphorical terms, we feel it isn’t enough simply to light our own chalice. We must see and support the flames of others who are also doing the work of building a better world.
How it works
We look for local, community-based groups that do justice work in alignment with our values. A different organization or cause is chosen each month.
The receipts from the collection plate on the first Sunday of each month are passed on to an organization or cause in our larger community. Contributions toward the month’s Special Collection can also be made at any time during the month by marking your donation for that purpose.
Some past recipients of Special Collection funds:
- East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice was formed by residents of Commerce/East Los Angeles concerned about health impacts of industrial pollution
- UUCLB Dreamers’ Scholarship assists undocumented people from Long Beach with expenses for attending college or graduate school
- Women Shelter of Long Beach provides safe shelter for abused women and children and encompasses a resource center offering counseling services for adults and children (including group therapy sessions) and many other supportive services
Contact the Social Justice Council here if you would like to suggest an organization to receive our support. The recipient of the December special collection is chosen by our minister.
When you give online (with the button below or elsewhere on this site) or with the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet, where prompted “Give to:”, choose “Special Collections” to give to the current month’s collection.