The worship theme for February is Persistence.

Sunday, February 18 - 9:30 and 11:00 am 
"The Beauty of Scars" - Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
Every scar has a story, right? What story would you tell about yours? Which ones show and which don't? Scars remind us of what we have been through, what we have learned and how we have healed. They also remind us of how we have persisted in spite of injury, illness, and pain.  Featured musicians: 
Pamela Triplett, soprano; Dr. Leon Burke III, organ; Lynn Murphy & Jan Chamberlin, djembe drum; Gail Hintz, piano.


Sharing the Offering
In February, we will be sharing our offering with Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU). When protests and civil unrest erupted after the August 2014 fatal shooting of a young black man by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, the people of MCU responded by first organizing Sacred Conversations on Race (+Action). The innovative parish-based program challenged participants to examine the uncomfortable topic of racism. After participating actively in the work of the Ferguson Commission, MCU identified the specific needs of children of color as its organizational priority. Find out more: mcustl.com

Religious Education
At 9:30 , children in kindergarten and older attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service. Preschool children (ages 3-5) and nursery children (2 and younger) go directly to their class.

At 11:00 , children who are age 4 (by Aug. 1, 2017) through 6th grade attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service. Children age three and younger go directly to their class.

Note: The Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12) and the Junior High group (grades 7-8) are not in session today. Youth should attend the worship service with their family.

Sunday at a Glance:
Eliot Choir meets at 8:30 am in the Music Room.
Membership Book Signing is at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm in the Triplett Room.
Saunders/McVoy Covenant Group meets at 12:15 pm in the Bergfried Room.
Living the Pledge Accountability meets at 12:30 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room.
Trivia/Auction Planning Team meets at 12:30 pm in Room 001.
Women's Weekend Committee Meeting meets at 12:30 pm in Room 004.
Eliot Meditation Group meets at 7:00 pm in Adams Hall.
Murphy Covenant Group meets at 7:00 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room.
Please Remember

Please remember Jamie and Jake Hahne and their children Kenadei, Raigen & Audyn as they mourn the recent loss of Jamie's sister, Valerie Campen.
 
Church News

Please be aware that we will be designating additional accessible parking spots on Sundays only. There will be a total of 8 spaces outside Adams Hall. Please respect these spots and reserve them for those who need them. 
Monday, February 19
Church offices closed for Presidents Day
A Course in Miracles - 7:00 pm in Adams Hall
UU Christian Group - 7:00 pm in the Triplett Room

Tuesday, February 20
Women's Alliance Speaker Series - 9:30 am in Adams Hall
Attitudinal Healing - 10:00 am in the Frederick-Gray Room
PCA Team - 1:30 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room
Vigil for Hope & Healing - 6:00 pm outside Eliot
Avant Covenant Group - 7:00 pm in Room 006
Earth-Based Covenant Group - 7:00 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room

Wednesday, February 21
Meneely Covenant Group - 7:00 pm in the Bergfried Room
Larson Covenant Group - 7:15 pm in Room 006
Women's Chorale - 7:30 pm in the Music Room

Thursday, February 22
Comfort All Read - 1:00 pm in the Triplett Room
Grief Support Group - 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Room at the Inn - 5:30 pm in Adams Hall and Rooms 001-006
ICE Accompaniment Training - 6:00 pm in Adams Hall

Friday, February 23
Friday Freethinkers - 10:00 am 7:00 pm in Adams Hall

Saturday, February 24
Leta Vogel Memorial - 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Support WE CAN's Monthly Vigil in Kirkwood
WE CAN (West County Community Action Network) stands in vigil in front of Kirkwood City Hall on the third Saturday of each month from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and then gathers in community at Eliot at 1:00 pm. This vigil and monthly meeting are open to all. The next vigil is Saturday, February 17. Bring a brown bag lunch and join the group!


Bergfried Day Trip
Join us for some late winter nature communion on Saturday, February 17. All members and friends are welcome, particularly those who have not been to the property before. Come for a hike and get to know Eliot's 670-acre retreat near Hermann, Missouri. An optional guided hike or two will be offered, but feel free to come out and do your own thing or do nothing! Bring sturdy shoes and provisions for the day. Meet at the Eliot Chapel parking lot at 9:00 am to caravan or carpool (or come out separately if you prefer). Email [email protected] to let us know you're coming. See you there!


Sign-up Deadline for Communication Workshop
Saturday, February 17 is the sign-up deadline for the Couple Communication Skills Workshop offered by Better Marriages St. Louis. Learn the basics of healthy and loving communication for committed couples. The participatory workshop takes place at Eliot Chapel on Saturday, March 3. See the flyer for more information or download the registration form to start your sign-up.  


Are You Ready for Eliot Membership?
We invite you to come to the Triplett Room immediately after either service on Sunday, February 18. You will hear more about membership and get your questions answered about Unitarian Universalism in general and Eliot Chapel in particular. There will also be an opportunity to sign the membership book. If you need help finding the Triplett Room, stop by the Guest Center off Adams Hall and they will point you in the right direction.


Petition Drive on Sunday
No one who works full-time should have to live in poverty yet 350,000 Missourians do. Today, before and after church services in Adams Hall and outside the church, Eliot's Social Justice in Action team will be collecting signatures so that the voters of Missouri will decide this important issue in the November 2018 election. Please sign and join the movement to Raise Up Missouri's economy and working families.


2018 Spring Season All-Read Groups Are Forming 
Sign up in Adams Hall starting February 18th!

There will be two choices for Spring '18 All-Read groups:
For those beginning their journey, the book Waking Up White by Debbie Irving is suggested. For those who have participated in other All-Read sessions, the SJA committee has selected Daring Democracy
by Frances Moore Lappe and Adam Eichen. This is UUA's 2018 All-Read choice as well.

The authors write about their purpose in writing this important book:
"May it further the conversation, connection, and actions that are now needed, more than ever." They call readers to develop a "canopy of hope" - a Democracy Movement. In this timely and necessary book, Lappe and Eichen offer proof that courage is contagious in the daring fight for democracy. 

All-Read groups are designed for people to explore and discuss social justice issues by reading the same book and discussing it in small groups of Eliot Chapel members.  Groups will meet between March 15 and May 1.  Waking Up White groups will meet four times for 90 minutes each.  Daring Democracy groups will meet for three 90-minute sessions OR one 2-hour session.




On  Tuesday, February 20, Rev. Barbara invites you to join her and Missouri Faith Voices for Capitol Witness Day. You will  join faith leaders from across the state who share a commitment to racial equity and economic dignity for an important day of conversations with state legislators in Jefferson City and relationship building and strategizing across faith communities. You may find more information and register here. 


In addition, Tuesday is PROMO's Equality Day, a chance to rally and speak to Missouri's representatives about laws the impact LGBT Missourians. You can find more information, including registration information, here. 

There is an opportunity to carpool to Jefferson City with vehicles leaving Eliot at 7:00 am Tuesday morning. For more details, please contact the Front Office at [email protected] or 314-821-0911.

Women's Alliance Speaker Series
This  Tuesday, February 20 , Eliot's  Women's Alliance will gather in Adams hall at 9:30 am to hear from Cyndi Miller, executive director of Circle Of Concern, a food pantry operating in west St. Louis County. Barbara Jones is coordinating the discussion. All women are welcome to attend.



Join us for
Vigil for Hope and Healing #170, 
Tuesday February 20 at 6:00 pm
outside Eliot.






The Grief Group will meet in the Sanctuary on Thursday, February 22 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  We will be reviewing chapter 3 of Bob Deits' Life After Loss. 


Plan to attend the Immigration Team meeting  at 5:00 pm in Adams Hall on Thursday, February 22 then stay for Accompaniment Training  from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The class will provide a look at the deportation process and how to comfort those in its grip.  RSVP for these events to [email protected] g. Check out additional immigration resources here .


Tour the Missouri History Museum with members of the Eliot community to see #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis on  Friday, February 23 at 3:00 pm. Tim Gardner, one of the leaders of our "Living the Pledge" program, will guide the tour of this powerful multimedia exhibit. Afterwards, participants may choose to have dinner together and come back to Eliot Chapel to view the film "Whose Streets?" (see below). Please sign up here. You must sign up for each event separately.


Activist Brittany Ferrell and crowd of protesters in WHOSE STREETS? , a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Whose Streets?, an award-winning documentary concerning the aftermath of Michael Brown's killing, will be shown on Friday, February 23 at 7:00 pm at Eliot, followed by a discussion. Reserve your spot for this FREE presentation at tinyurl.com/ycfumffq - space is limited and Sunday, February 18 is the deadline! 


Click on the links below to learn more about the events listed and sign-up information, or check the newsletter for more details.


Survey Says... 
Sunday, February 25 
Eliot's most recent congregational survey got 196 responses-let's talk about it! Following the second service on Sunday, February 25, we will gather for small- and large-group conversation. Lunch will be provided for a suggested donation of $5. Please RSVP here.


Environmental Justice Team Meeting
Monday, February 26 
7:00 pm in Room 005 
New members are welcome. For more information, contact [email protected].


Making a Graceful Exit 
an Eliot Adult Religious Education Program 
Tuesdays, February 27 and March 6 
7:00 pm in Adams Hall 
This two-evening educational event is aimed at older members or their children.  Sign up on the hallway bulletin board. See  more info here .


Four-Part Immigration Workshop 
Thursdays in March 
In March we will hold a four-part workshop on immigration history/philosophy/solutions and a 
webinar with people here and across the country who have been affected by increased 
immigration enforcement. Tentative dates are March 1, 8, 15 and 22. Plan to attend all four or 
any combination! RSVP to  [email protected]. 


Sunday, February 25 - 9:30 and 11:00 am
"Survey Says" - Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
Surveys are not generally considered sacred texts, but they have a lot to say about spiritual community life. Eliot's most recent congregational survey got 196 responses, a remarkable fact all by itself. Rev. Barbara will pull out some of the patterns from our responses, and what we have collectively revealed about our community and our life together .  Featured musicians: 
Jan Marra, guitar and voice; Women's Chorale .

The ourEliot team promotes and enables healthy communications as promised to one another through the Congregational Covenant. If you have a compliment, suggestion or concern that is important to communicate to a responsible party, look for an on-duty member of the team in Adams Hall wearing an ourEliot badge or contact them via email at  [email protected] .

Eliot Unitarian Chapel | Kirkwood, MO | 314.821.0911
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