AUBURN – First Universalist Church of Auburn announced a total of $3,000 collected for six local charities during the year. Making connections to community needs are at the heart of the UU’s spirit of abundance. The church’s multi-faceted mission includes an opportunity to give financial resources, as well as the gift of time and expertise.

Funds were raised by holding a second collection once a month. The groups were nominated and voted on by church members last year.

The second collection originated when a tsunami struck Southeast Asia in December of 2004. The congregation donated money to the Unitarian-Universalist Service Committee to help victims of the disaster.

Since then, members have decided to act locally, to help helping organizations in the L/A community. The idea has developed into an annual tradition, where members choose local organizations by an election process and take a second collection on the first Sunday of each month.

The church’s Social Justice Committee oversees the process to fulfill its mission as stated, “Guided by our UU principles, we teach and empower our congregation to work in our community, promote causes in which we believe, and make public our liberal religious voice.”

Next year’s recipients will be Trinity Jubilee, Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, Lots to Gardens and Outright L/A. For more information about Auburn UU, call 783-0461 or visit www.uuauburn.org.