Sunday, December 18 – 10:00 am
“Wonder as a Path to Liberation” – Rev. Krista Taves
We are in the season of wonder, surrounded by the lights of the holidays as the earth appears to go dormant. And yet, life continues to pour from the earth, into us, and back, an unending circle of mutual renewal. It is, indeed, wondrous, and it can and does free us.
Featured musicians: Eliot Chapel Youth Choir; Eliot Chapel Choir; David Nalesnik, piano.
|
|
We livestream our service on Sunday; 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.
At Eliot Chapel, we follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. Currently, we are at the yellow or medium level in St. Louis County, so we will:
- Encourage each person to make their own decisions about masking, and if you are at high risk for severe illness, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.
- Stay home from church events and get tested if you have symptoms.
- Resume coffee hour.
|
|
Sharing the Offering
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 December we will be sharing our Sunday collections with Room at the Inn.
Sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, Room at the Inn provides emergency shelter and a stabilizing support system to women and families in need in St. Louis County, using a collaborative, interfaith effort of congregations and organizations throughout the St. Louis region. Eliot Chapel has supported Room at the Inn for more than 30 years. Learn more at roomstl.org.
Let us be good neighbors. Let us be a generous people. You can give in one of three ways:
|
|
-
Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
-
By Mail: Please write “RATI” in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122.
-
By Text: Text "Eliot SharedPlate $(enter the amount)" to 73256. A link in the reply text will take you to our secure database webpage where you can complete your transaction. Please note, "SharedPlate" must be entered as one word to reach that preferred option.
|
|
Religious Education & Youth Group
The 2022-23 Religious Education and Youth Program continues this Sunday, December 18 during the 10:00 service.
- Children in kindergarten through 4th grade should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service with their family.
- Preschool-aged children and younger may go directly to their group.
- Youth Group (grades 7-12) is on winter break for high school finals and the upcoming holidays. Youth should attend the worship service with their family.
Specific plans for each age group are shared with registered families via email each week. To learn more about this fall’s RE program, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.
Pageant Service on December 23: RSVPs Are Open
We are excited to share that the Christmas Pageant Service is scheduled for Friday evening, December 23 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary. We anticipate this service will run approximately 30 minutes. Led by Rev. Krista, this “no rehearsal-no mistakes” service is a great opportunity to celebrate the season with children, families and other Eliot friends of all ages, and to explore the meanings of this story which connect with Unitarian Universalism.
Individuals and families who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP in advance so we know who to expect for the festivities.
|
|
Zoom Coffee Hour
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!
Sunday at a Glance
Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary
Religious Education – 10:15 am (after Time for All Ages) in RE wing
In-Person Coffee Hour – 11:00 am in Adams Hall
Young Adult Group – 11:45 am in the Triplett Room
Online Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom
|
|
Please Remember
June Crowther, beloved member of Eliot Chapel, passed away peacefully while in hospice care at The Quarters at Des Peres on December 9, 2022, at the age of 101. She will be missed by many. Special thanks to all who made time for visits to her. She was deeply grateful for them. Condolences may be sent to June’s daughter, Laurie McDade. Contact the Front Office for her address.
Please keep Mary Meihaus and her family in your thoughts upon the sudden death of her brother, Patrick Brennan. He was a man of great faith and had a beautiful and kind heart. He will be deeply missed. You may find his obituary online here.
|
|
Monday, December 19
A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Tuesday, December 20
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
EUC Board Meeting – 6:30 pm in Adams Hall
Earth-Based Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in Room 006 and via Zoom
Kirk Care – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room
Wednesday, December 21
Solecki/Boettcher Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall
Friday, December 23
Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001
Family Christmas Pageant – 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
|
|
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. |
|
Saturday, December 24 – 4:30 and 8:00 pm
Christmas Eve: Starlight and Candles – The Rev. Doug Wadkins
A perennial favorite of the season, we will offer two services on Christmas Eve this year. The first service will focus more on a family-friendly gathering, and the second will be more contemplative. Both services end with candlelight and singing. Because we have yet to determine how many people will attend this year, please sign up for the service you prefer; if needed, we can add a third service.
|
|
Sunday, December 25 – 10:00 am
Christmas Day Brunch and Contemplation – The Rev. Doug Wadkins
Join us on Christmas Day at the usual 10:00 am time for a time of connection, community, and then quiet. We invite you to bring a favorite brunch dish to share and, if you are able, a place-setting to keep the time together simple for set up and clean-up and earth-friendly. We will end our time with a simple worship time that focuses on a bit of time to quiet our minds and connect as a community in contemplation.
Please let us know you are coming by signing up; it will help us set up the space for our brunch. This will be an excellent way to have a meaningful start for Christmas Day.
|
|
Gift Giving Tree
Youth in Action is once again sponsoring gift outreach to local children and youth in need of gifts this holiday season. Huge thanks to all of the Eliot members and friends who have already contributed to this outreach project. Over $300 was collected in financial donations for Youth In Action’s efforts. Your generosity is so greatly appreciated!
Gift items can be dropped off through this Sunday, December 18.
Still wish to donate gifts and don’t have an ornament? NO PROBLEM. Here’s what to do:
|
|
Purchase a generic $5-$10 gift for a child and return the gift, unwrapped, and place the gift under the tree. Youth In Action will pick up the gifts for distribution. Below are some examples of possible gifts:
- NEW Stuffed animals
- NEW Children’s puzzles
- Children’s books (NEW is best)
- NEW Crayons or other art supplies and coloring books
Thank you for your generous support for area children and youth in need of holiday cheer! You are such a generous congregation!
|
|
A Warm Thank You
A Warm Thank You to Everyone Who Helped Bring
Holiday Spirit, Laughter & Beautiful Music to Over 300 Guests
at the Forty-Fifth Annual Eliot Chapel Madrigal!
|
|
To the Eliot Chapel Staff, especially Christie Lee, Debby Lovell & Camille Novak; and
To Those Who Gave Extra-Generously of Their Time & Talents: Carolyn Burke, Cindi Gille-Rowley & Sharon McCarron MacKenzie; Playwrights Jim Gottschalk & Mark Rowley; Not Ready-for-Reformation Players Julia Berger, Becky Coalson, Elitta DeArmond, Marsha Fleming, Jeremy Patterson, Kathryn Rouse & Todd Stark; Trumpeter Carl Serbell; the St. Louis Recorder Society & the Greenleaf Singers; and
To the Wonderful Castle Workers & Volunteers, Without Whom There Would Not Be a Madrigal: Susan Bell, Sue Blandford, Bill Coalson, Carol Hechenberger, Terry Jones, Jim Lyon, Kate Magrath, Mary Meihaus, Lindsay Mitchell, Lynn Murphy, Jessica Patterson, Ann Petlin, Claudia Jean Potts, Pat Reed, Sarah & Larry Reutter, Annie Russell, Lou Salvin, Rebecca Schuder, Yvonne Serbell, Alana, Elliott & Julie Smith, Nancy Spargo, Laura Tyrey, Klara Weis & Doris Yohe; and
To All who attended as Guests, who invited Guests, and anyone whose name has been inadvertently left off this list due to circumstances beyond our control!
Thank You All!
Karen Gottschalk, Sara Fleming & Ken Denson, for the 2022 Madrigal
|
|
Be Royally Entertained!
Noble Lords & Ladies, Queen Elizabeth I requests the Honor of your Presence at the 45th Annual Eliot Chapel Renaissance Madrigal and Christmas Rout!
|
|
For the first time in its long history, Eliot Chapel is extending an additional opportunity to take part in the merriment of our Madrigal! A specially prepared video of this year's Madrigal will be available on Eliot's YouTube channel from December 18 to January 1. With a suggested donation of $25* that will support Eliot Unitarian Chapel's General Operating Funds, you will receive a link to the video for unlimited viewing for you and your family. Enjoy it on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and any day in between!
Watch for an email from Eliot Chapel coming to your inbox to access the donation form and receive your link!
We wish that Ye May Merrie Merrie Be in this Goode Season of Christmas and that Ye Prithee Journey with us in Spirit and Fancy to "Renaissance England in the Grete Hall of Eliot Castle."
*We appreciate a donation of any amount to view this wonderful annual event!
|
|
RE on Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
The Religious Education (RE) program is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Children of all ages may attend the worship service with their family. The nursery is closed on December 25 and January 1 so the staff may spend the holidays with their families. Activities for children and youth will resume on Sunday, January 8.
|
|
Honoring Our Deceased
Beginning this Sunday, we are introducing a new practice into our Sunday Services. During the prayer, we will recognize when there has been the death of a member of the congregation. We are making this change for a few reasons. We have heard from members that there is a feeling of lack that we do not recognize the passing of members in our worship services. Also, there are occasions when the family of the deceased chooses not to have a memorial or holds a memorial elsewhere. This leaves some of us at a loss for how to recognize these beloveds. We sincerely hope that this addition will offer one more way for us to take care of each other.
|
|
Bergfried & Winter Warm-Up
Mark your calendar for the return of the annual Bergfried Winter Warm-Up in Adams Hall to be held Saturday, January 28 beginning at 6:00 pm. The Bergfried team will host a potluck gathering featuring a Bergfried-style music circle and a slide show of Bergfried then and now. More details to come in future weekly emails!
Even in the deep midwinter there is plenty to see and do at Bergfried. Consider going out on your own just for the day or make arrangements to stay the night by reserving the heated cottage for just $35/night. For reservations, contact bergfriedreservations@eliotchapel.org.
|
|
Ministerial Search
Have you had the opportunity to view the video of Board Chair Claire Wyneken and Interim Minister Rev. Doug Wadkins discussing the next steps in the search process for a settled minister for Eliot Chapel? You can click above to watch it. The congregation is being invited to nominate people who would be good candidates for the search team. Here is the link to the survey where you can share your submission:
|
|
Do you know someone who would fit the important role of representing Eliot Chapel in this search? In the video, Rev. Doug talks about the qualities that are important in a candidate for the committee:
- They work well with others.
- They're able to represent the congregation as a whole.
- They know, or are willing to learn, the history and culture of the congregation.
- They are, or have been, active in the congregation, and have shown a sense of responsibility in their participation.
- They can assess and communicate the health and self-awareness of the congregation to potential ministerial candidates.
- They are trusted.
Be sure to listen to Rev. Doug's full remarks on this and then take Claire's invitation to fill out the survey! Your input is vital to the search process!
|
|
Eliot Recognizes Staff Anniversary
Please join us as we recognize Scott Stewart’s 14th anniversary as Director of Religious Education on December 16. Scott’s positive impact on the Eliot community, past, present, and future, is extraordinary!
Thank you, Scott! We appreciate all you do to enrich our Eliot community!
We apologize for the incorrect spelling of Ed Liebman's name when we announced his anniversary last week.
|
|
We Care for Each Other
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.
|
|
Join us for
Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, December 20
at 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
|
|
Celebrate the Winter Solstice!
You are invited to join the Earth-Based Spirituality Covenant Group this coming Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 pm as we celebrate the Winter Solstice through readings, songs, and reflections. You are welcome to have a candle with you (please bring an LED candle if you're meeting us in the building) as we honor the beauty of the darkness of Winter and welcome the coming light of Spring.
We are hosting a hybrid gathering this year! If you plan to come, please contact Lynn Murphy via frontoffice@eliotchapel.org and indicate how you will be joining us. If you'll be with us on Zoom, she will send you the connection information and handouts. If you will be with us in Room 006, she will provide an LED candle and handouts when you arrive. We look forward to seeing you!
|
|
NEW DATES ANNOUNCED!
Starting Point
ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING
with Rev. Krista Taves and Amy Stark
This four-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. We will meet on Zoom for the first three sessions; the fourth session will be in person at Eliot Chapel. Longtime members and friends seeking a small group experience are also welcome. You do not need to attend every session of the series. We will have a spring session as well.
Session 1, Sunday, January 15, 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Zoom :
Your Journey – Sharing Our Stories and Spiritual Roadmaps
Session 2, Monday, January 23, 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Zoom:
The Unitarian Universalist Journey and the Journey of our Congregation
Session 3, Sunday, January 29, 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Zoom:
Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism Part 1
Session 4, Sunday, February 19, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in person at Eliot:
The Three Paths Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group
|
|
Sunday, December 23 – 6:00 pm
“Christmas Pageant” – Rev. Krista Taves
Saturday, December 24 – 4:30 and 8:00 pm
“Christmas Eve: Starlight and Candles” – The Rev. Doug Wadkins
Sunday, December 25 10:00 am
“Christmas Day Brunch and Contemplation” – The Rev. Doug Wadkins
|
|
|
|
ourEliot 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, please email ourEliot@eliotchapel.org. |
|
Connect with Eliot Chapel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
