Author Toni Morrison once said, “Make up a story. Narrative is radical.” Join us for a reflection on women writers and the radical ways they have shaped our world.

Masks are required at the services for anyone over two years of age. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. We strongly recommend an N95 or KN95 mask. We will have masks available if you have forgotten yours.

We have reservations available this week. Reservations for the week's services open after 3:00 pm on Monday. A separate email with reservation links goes out through our email list. Reservations will be made through SignUpGenius:

If all pods are reserved, you may call (314.821.0911) or email the front office to be put on a waiting list.

We will livestream our 9:15 service on Sunday. You will find it at eliotchapel.org. After the stream, a recording will be available all week. You can also find it directly on our YouTube channel.

Some of you have asked us how we can support the people struggling for their freedom and their lives in Ukraine. Your Partner Church Council reached out to our partner church in Romania, asking if we could help refugees entering their country. Unitarians in Transylvania are already volunteering their help through the Hungarian Unitarian Church. Read below how this crisis is impacting our partner church, and the work that Rev. Sandor Kiss and his wife, Rev. Zsuzsanna, are doing. Please give generously. We are honored to support this important ministry.

In Faith,

In these difficult times, we are praying for peace and we are also searching for the best way to help. The Hungarian Unitarian Church's aid association (Providence Aid Association) is working hard now. I am one of the volunteers. So we organize fundraising to help those people who come to Romania and those people who stay in Ukraine. (food, transport, etc.) The nursing homes in Ukraine are in a very hard situation, because the employees leave the old people, so this is another way to help those old people, we collect diapers and food for them.

The refugees are coming, and we are trying to organize the places where they can stay. We call the congregations to accept this challenge, and let us know how many community houses, or family houses can be filled with refugees. Some congregations already have refugees with them. It seems that more and more people want to stay for a longer period, than in the first wave of refugees.

Zsuzsa and I are trying everything possible to help the poor people who are forced to leave their homes. We are also trying to encourage the people here. Many of them are asking us about what is going to happen. Especially the older members need our encouragement, because a few of them experienced the misery of war as children during the Second World War. So we are trying to comfort them, and we just hope they won’t have to live through such an experience again.

Pray for peace and wisdom.

God bless you,

Make sure "Ukrainian Assistance" is the chosen fund for your online transactions. All donations will be wired directly to the aid association mentioned by Rev. Kiss. Thank you!

The updated Children’s Religious Education FAQs contain more details and information about children’s programs this month.

In-person youth group continues this Sunday, March 27. Youth are encouraged to arrive at 10:45 for informal fellowship in the youth room. Activities begin at 11:00 am and should conclude around 12:00.

The updated Youth Group FAQs have more details about the youth program this month.

Zoom Coffee Hour takes place from 12:00 pm to 1:00 on Sunday. You are invited to “walk down the hall” and come to our Zoom Coffee Hour! We’ll take about 10 minutes or so to gather and let people settle in. We'll say a few words of welcome and then create break-out rooms – random groupings of 5 or 6 people. Everyone will likely make a new friend at Eliot from this exercise! You’ll have the chance to introduce yourself and then share your answers to a few questions, like “How has this week been for you?” and “What feelings has it brought up for you?” Each person has about 5 minutes to speak; you are welcome to pass if you like. In half an hour, everyone will return to the big group and we’ll say our goodbyes for the week. Please watch your email for "Eliot on Zoom" which will include a link to join the Zoom Coffee Hour. If you're not on our mailing list, sign up here.

Sunday Worship – 9:15 am in the Sanctuary

Children's Religious Education – 9:15 am in Adams Hall (after first portion of service)

Youth Group – 10:45 am in the Youth Room

Sunday Worship – 11:00 am in the Sanctuary

Coffee Hour – 12:00 pm via Zoom

Young Adult Group – 12:45 pm on Discord

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm in front of Eliot

Group leaders, have you set up an area for your group in Realm? You have a secure place to chat and share documents and photos. Contact Christie Lee to set up your group.

Rev. Barbara Gadon will retire at the end of June 2022. What happens from here? How does this work? What are we going to do? Don't worry – there is a plan in place! Eliot Chapel Board Member Steve Harvey covers the basics of ministerial transition in this video.

Saturday, April 9

Noon to 3:00 pm

A fun family-centered church picnic! Come celebrate the stewardship campaign and enjoy your Eliot family and friends! Bring your own picnic and beverages and enjoy Kona Shaved Ice on us – make your own “mosaic” snow cones! And the new popcorn machine will be popping piping hot popcorn!

There will be outdoor games, a playground and fishing lake nearby, walking trails, a group art project, fire pit (if needed), and two large covered pavilions.

We're excited to offer amazing entertainment: Music by The Red & Black Brass Band and a special skit from the Madrigal Players!

Kirkwood Park – 111 S. Geyer Road

Lions and Sugar Creek Ridge Pavilions: Next to tennis courts off of W. Adams Ave.

Parking is near the tennis courts off of W. Adams Ave. and off of Geyer Road, near the ice rink. Both have access to the pavilions; W. Adams Ave. is closest.

Rain or Shine...We have you covered!

The Men’s Advance brings together Eliot members and friends who identify as male at the Bergfried property in Gasconade, Missouri (search Google maps for "Bergfried South Property"). At this event, we welcome all humans who identify at the male end of the gender spectrum. Newcomers are especially encouraged to come out to enjoy hiking, camping, camaraderie, a Saturday night feast, and lots of super-secret men's stuff (which looks suspiciously like doing nothing). Ten dollars buys your ticket to the feast (kids 12 and under, $5). All other meals are on your own. Most choose to camp in tents or trailers; spaces in the cottage (with running water and electricity) are available by reservation with priority given to those with medical needs or physical limitations. Eight beds are also available in the rustic bunkhouses. Local Gasconade County Health Department and CDC guidelines will be adhered to at the time of the event. Food service will be conducted by vaccinated, masked and gloved volunteers. To register for the weekend, go to the event in Realm or email mensadvance@eliotchapel.org. To reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any other questions, contact mensadvance@eliotchapel.org. A sign-up sheet is also posted in the corridor to Adams Hall. Please commit early as this aids in planning of food logistics.

For the upcoming local election on April 5 and absentee voting, the Eliot UU the Vote team has identified several people who will be willing to give rides to polling places for those unable to drive themselves. If you or someone you know would like a ride, please email us at UUtheVote@eliotchapel.org and we will connect you with a driver to establish a pickup time.

For the municipal election, Eliot UU the Vote partnered with the League of Women Voters to send 750 postcards to residents in neighborhoods most affected by voter suppression, encouraging them to vote. Thank you to everyone who completed postcards. We have received a thank you letter from LWV:

Susan Bell (Susan/Sue) has been attending Eliot for about 3-4 years and was a former member of Emerson Chapel in west St. Louis County for approximately 25 years. She is married to Dave, and they have one daughter Sarah who is a freshman at Mizzou and an Australian Shepherd rescue named Zoey. Susan has worked in banking for 35 years and is currently a Senior Compliance Analyst at Citi. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, walking the dog, participating in Toastmasters, and getting together with friends. The next time you see Susan greeting at the 11:00 service, feel free to introduce yourself!

Do you have items at home that you’d like to give away or sell for a reasonable price? Are there things you need that someone might be willing to sell or give you? Would you like recommendations from people you trust when hiring a professional? Look to the new Eliot Exchange for help.

The Eliot Exchange is a community-based forum for sharing items, services, and suggestions among Eliot Chapel members and friends. Similar to Kirkwood Swap and Sell, Facebook Marketplace, and Buy Nothing St. Louis, the Eliot Exchange provides a place to list items for sale and services offered. It is also a place where you can post something you need or request help from fellow church folks. Designed to be a safe place to buy, sell, swap, barter or discuss among friends, the Exchange is open to Eliot members and Eliot friends only. It is a way for church neighbors to help one another.

How do you join this group? Contact eliotexchange@eliotchapel.org and you will receive group guidelines and an invitation to join.

Covenant groups are designed for church members who want to build strong relationships with others and with the larger organization of which the small group is a part.

Covenant groups encourage people to talk, learn, work and play together over time. Members may tell their life stories, offer support, and engage in work to serve the larger community. Covenant groups offer expanding opportunities for growth, caring and connection within a congregation. They offer caring affiliative networks, mutual responsibility, leadership opportunities, and a way for people to build and strengthen their communities.

Currently, there are openings in six different Covenant Groups. You will find additional information about Covenant Groups on the Eliot website. For more information about joining a group, email covenantgroups@eliotchapel.org. The following groups have openings at this time:

Our COVID team is here for you. If you are quarantining and need support having groceries and prescriptions picked up, please email pastoralcare@eliotchapel.org with your contact information. 

In an email letter to members and friends, Rev. Barbara outlined "How We Do Church Now" as Eliot Chapel suspended face-to-face meetings. As a guiding document, it was always open to changes as we found out what worked and what didn't in our response to this extraordinary situation. You can find this document on our website now. We will keep it updated as things change. We'll also try to let you know here of any changes.

All staff are working from home. The building and grounds are closed for general use. A staff person is checking on the building and grounds periodically throughout the week for any facilities or maintenance issues. If you need assistance or have any questions, please email the appropriate staff person.

All are welcome; wearing a mask is required as is maintaining the 6-foot social distancing guideline. Please remember that the building is not open so there are no available restrooms. 

This 4-part series offers those considering Unitarian Universalism and Eliot Chapel the opportunity to experience UUism in action. You will learn about our faith tradition, explore your own spiritual journey, and connect with others who are also seeking a spiritual home or faith. Longtime members and friends seeking a small group experience are also welcome.  

People have moments in their lives when they discover courage in themselves they didn't realize they had. Whole communities have these moments too. What unexpected courage have you discovered in your life? What courage has Eliot Chapel discovered together on our shared journey? What do they have to teach us now?