Large-print orders of service and hearing assistance devices are available from the greeters on Sunday. We livestream our service; find it at eliotchapel.org. After the stream, a recording will be available there all week. You can also find it directly on our YouTube channel.

If you're worshipping with us on livestream, you can always find a digital order of service, including lyrics to the hymns, on our website. Also, check out This Week's Music from our music director Adam Kosberg. You'll get insight into the music selections for this week's service and find the lyrics to the anthem.

At Eliot Chapel, we follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. When St. Louis County is at a Yellow or Medium Level, we will:

Read the letter that went out about the review of our policy and the change in measures in response to a change in levels. You may access the policy document on Eliot Chapel's website for more of the details. 

Every Sunday, Eliot Chapel shares half of the offertory with an organization in the community whose work reflects our shared values. This is one way that we care for our community and our neighbors. In April, we will share our offering with the Teen Pregnancy and Prevention Partnership which unites communities across Missouri to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health. They educate parents, professionals and the community at large; they collaborate with stakeholders, including school districts, legislators, faith leaders, youth-serving and health care professionals; they advocate for and protect teens rights to accurate, high quality sexual health information and reproductive and sexual health services; and they support teens self-determined ability to live healthy and fulfilling lives. See teenpregnancy-mo.org to learn more.

Let us be good neighbors. Let us be a generous people. You can give in one of three ways:

Specific plans for each age group are shared with registered families via email each week. To learn more about the 2022-23 RE program, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.

Coffee Hour is an important tradition of fellowship at Eliot Chapel taking place in Adams Hall immediately after the worship service on Sunday. It's a time to catch up with fellow members and friends and to greet newcomers.

We keep this tradition of hospitality alive by taking turns hosting. This is a simple task (instructions are available in a binder in the kitchen) and a great way to serve and connect. Please check the SignUpGenius for Coffee Hour Volunteers to sign up to host Coffee Hour on a Sunday morning after the service. If there is no host by 3:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, there will be no coffee served on Sunday though we will still gather for social time. Please be respectful of Sunday staff as they have other responsibilities.

Zoom Coffee Hour takes place at 12:30 pm on Sunday. You are invited to "walk down the hall" and come to our Zoom Coffee Hour! We'll take a few minutes to say hello and let people settle in, then we'll say a few words of welcome and briefly review the service that day. We typically really enjoy the wisdom story and discuss how that story reflects on the theme of the sermon. Then we'll create breakout rooms of 5-6 people for conversation and sharing. We love making new friends and the small groups are great for that! In approximately 45 minutes, everyone will return to the big group and we'll say our goodbyes for the week. We usually end shortly after 1:30 pm, but those who wish to can stay a few minutes longer. Please watch your email for "Eliot on Zoom" on Sunday morning which will include a link to join the Zoom Coffee Hour. If you're not on our mailing list, sign up here. We look forward to seeing you!

Attitudinal Healing – 10:00 am in Room 006

Starting Point: An Introduction to UU – 6:00 pm via Zoom

A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Women's Alliance Speaker Series – 9:30 am in Adams Hall & the Sanctuary

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm on the front lawn

Wellspring – 6:30 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Immigration Justice – 7:00 pm in Room 006 and via Zoom

Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001

2023 Eliot Chapel Trivia Night – 7:00 pm at the Crestwood Community Center

Planning a meeting or event? Start with our Room & Event Request Form! 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.

Eliot Chapel's annual meeting of members will be held at noon on Sunday, May 21. Join the Board of Trustees at 11:30 for sandwiches, chips, and drinks in Adams Hall before the start of the meeting. Childcare will be available until 2:00 pm.

The agenda for the annual meeting will include a budget discussion and approval of new members to the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee.

The board will offer the ability to watch the meeting via Zoom, but there will be no ability to vote unless in attendance at Eliot or by proxy.

Get all the details here.

The Eliot Board of Trustees announced the five members of our Search Team who will represent a broad spectrum of this congregation to lead the path to our next Settled Minister: Bob Boyd, Janis Cox, Tanya Fagaly Hull, Carl Serbell, and Rob van Alstyne. The Search Team members were nominated by the Eliot Chapel congregation and reviewed and seated by the Search Team Task Force of the Board: Carole Glauser, Sara Fleming, and Steve Swift. We extend deep gratitude to all involved in this process: our new team, those who were willing to consider the position, and those who shepherded the process.

Learn more and meet our search team here.

This classic Greek dish is typically served on a pita and is made with stacked meat that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie: Gyro

Just one week left to get your tickets for the 2023 Eliot Chapel Trivia Night! The event is Friday, April 28 at Crestwood Community Center. Doors open at 6:30 pm; trivia begins at 7:00 pm. Buy just 1 or 2 tickets, or buy an entire table! Tables of 8 are $240. Prizes for best dressed table and best decorated table! Popcorn, soda, and water are provided.

Not a trivia fan? Could you contribute to the event by donating a service we could auction? Ideas include baking homemade bread, preparing brunch for four, a private yoga class, music lessons, house painting, garden work, legal advice, lawn mowing, or your specialty! Send an email to trivia@eliotchapel.org and let us know how you can help. Thanks to everyone who donated items for auction or a basket; please drop them off in Adams Hall after service on Sunday.

Eliot Chapel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Eliot Chapel was recently in the spotlight for our efforts at livestreaming Sunday services. Sound & Video Contractor, a magazine focused on technical resources for those in the sound and video industry, showcased Eliot’s use of the Church Pix system and our AV team. They noted Eliot’s long history of sermon podcasting prior to the COVID pandemic and then documented the creation of our livestreaming capabilities through the efforts of AV volunteer Ken Denson, AV Tech Nicholas Rousseau, and DFO Camille Novak. They highlighted our commitment to creating an experience as close as possible to being in the Sanctuary on Sunday morning. If you would like a behind-the-scenes look at the work that brings you our online services, read the article from March.

During the service on Sunday, Rev. Doug presented a plaque from Sound & Video to Ken Denson (Nicholas Rousseau was out for an injury) in recognition of his vital role in maintaining Eliot’s online presence. Rev. Doug noted how important it is to honor the folks who do the work that is essential to our worship experience. He lauded the consistency of Ken and Nicholas in showing up week after week with good spirits, an open mind, and a helpful heart. You can watch the presentation during the service on our YouTube channel where you can also see many past services.

Once a year, the Unitarian Universalist Association, our national body, holds its General Assembly. This year, GA is in Pittsburgh, PA. GA is like a big family reunion with so much celebration! There is amazing worship, more workshops than you can imagine, and our annual business meeting. As a democratic denomination, every congregation sends delegates to represent us at the business meeting. If you would like to be a delegate for General Assembly, let us know! Contact Camille at DFO@eliotchapel.org.

The Eliot Ride Team provides rides to church and to medical appointments for Eliot members and friends who cannot drive themselves. If you need a ride, email ineedaride@eliotchapel.org with your name, your address, where you need to go, and the date and time needed. We will be in touch to make arrangements. 

The Eliot Meal Train provides meals to Eliot members and friends who need some love and care. For example, we will provide meals for those who have recently lost a loved one or are recovering from medical care. If you would like to request meals or offer to provide meals, please email mealtrain@eliotchapel.org with your contact information and someone will be in touch with you.

At Eliot Chapel, we care for our earth and our building! One way you can express this is by joining the Eliot Recycling Team! This committee is responsible for taking the recycling from Eliot to the Kirkwood Recycling Depository at 350 S. Taylor Avenue each week. Sign up for a week that works for you and plan to grab the recycling after service to drop it off. Thanks for being part of the team!

The Men’s Advance from April 21 to 23 welcomes all Eliot members and friends 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. To sign up for the weekend, to reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any information contact mensadvance@eliotchapel.org.

Book Discussion on Sunday: Javier Zamora's Solito

Javier Zamora's memoir Solito is a gripping and moving description of his two-month journey as a nine-year-old boy from El Salvador to reunite with his parents in California. But even in the midst of the perilous and near-impossible journey there are joyful moments and deep connections, and as a poet, his descriptions of all touch your heart.

What is your takeaway? Come and join the Immigration Justice Team to share your thoughts, feelings and questions in one of these three sessions:

Sign up online today! A sign-up sheet is also posted in the corridor to Adams Hall.

This 4-part series offers those considering Unitarian Universalism as a spiritual path the opportunity to experience UUism through a small group experience. 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.

Session 2: The Unitarian Universalist Journey and the Journey of our Congregation

Session 3: Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism Part 1

Session 4: The Three Paths Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group

The Women's Alliance will gather for social time at 9:30 am on Tuesday, April 25, in Adams Hall. At 10:00, they will move to the Sanctuary for a talk by St. Louis author Carol Porter about The Sheldon and its architect Louis Spiering. A brown bag lunch in Adams Hall follows the talk. Contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org for more information.

The tulips and daffodils are in full bloom now – a welcome sign of spring and an end to cold weather (mostly). But the needs of the St Louis community of immigrants have not decreased, nor has the satisfaction you will feel when you pitch in. We can’t help every starfish stranded on the beach, but we can help THIS ONE. So come to the April Immigration Justice Team meeting at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 25 in Room 006 to hear about the good work your church friends are doing; all the ways you can get involved; developments in immigration law; and much more. Many activities are one-time efforts, or require you once or twice a month. Whatever you choose, you can make St Louis a welcoming place – just like that one starfish you tossed back into its ocean home. We are meeting in person but welcome your Zoom participation as well. Look for connection information in Sunday's Eliot on Zoom email.

The Welcome Team warmly invites all our new members and friends to dinner on Saturday May 6 at 5:30 pm. Spouses, partners, plus ones, and children are welcome. This is a potluck so please bring something to share and let us know what you’re bringing by emailing welcome@eliotchapel.org so we can plan accordingly. There will be a table with crafts and activities for children in the Garden Room. RSVP here. We look forward to seeing you!

Warmly,

The Social Justice Forum for April has been switched to May 7 at 11:30 am in the Sanctuary. The topic will be reparations. Mark your calendars now!