Sunday, December 4 – 10:00 am
“The Wonder of It All” – The Rev. Douglas Wadkins
As we begin our December theme of Wonder, we will explore the many ways that wonder may be a revitalizing part of our lives. It may also be a place where we struggle to recapture a sense of wonder. As we start our month of exploring and continue through the holidays, this service will invite us to find our own meaningful journeys through this important topic.
Featured musicians: David Nalesnik, piano; Eliot Chapel Choir.
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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.
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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:
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Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
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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.
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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.
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Through your generosity, Eliot Chapel donated $1,915.00 to A Red Circle from October's Shared Plate. Thank you!
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Religious Education & Youth Group
The 2022-23 Religious Education and Youth Program resumes this Sunday, December 4 during the 10:00 am 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 and youth in grades 7-12 may go directly to their respective groups.
- 5th & 6th grade children who are participating in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program should go directly to Room 006 at 9:45. Youth Group is meeting from 9:45-11:15 this Sunday.
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.
Children & Youth Choir: Rehearsals Resume on December 4 at 11:15
Children & Youth Choir rehearsals resume this Sunday, December 4 at 11:15 in the music room. Children & Youth Choir is designed primarily for children and youth in 2nd grade and older, though children slightly younger and older youth may enjoy participating as well, depending on their experience, interest, and temperament.
If your child(ren) or youth are interested in this opportunity, or you wish to be added to the choir communication list for more information and updates as plans develop, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.
SAVE THE DATE: Pageant Service on December 23
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. Look for more details soon.
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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
OWL Program – 9:45 am in Room 006
Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary
Youth Program – 10:00 am in the Youth Room
Religious Education – 10:15 am (after Time for All Ages) in RE wing
In-Person Coffee Hour – 11:00 am in Adams Hall
Children's Choir Rehearsal – 11:15 in the Music Room
Lemon Covenant Group – 11:30 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room
Young Adult Group – 11:45 am in the Triplett Room
Online Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom
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Please Remember
Please remember David Maguire, Lisa Dahlgren, and their children Lena, Laura, and Charlie Maguire. David's mother, Patricia Maguire, passed on November 19, 2022. David and Lisa brought her into their home for her last days.
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Monday, December 5
Kwentus Covenant Group – 10:00 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room
A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Tuesday, December 6
Women's Alliance – 9:30 am in Adams Hall and via Zoom
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
Avant Covenant Group – 6:45 pm in Room 001
SJA Steering Committee – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall
Friday, December 9
Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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Gift Giving Tree
Youth in Action is once again sponsoring gift outreach to local children and youth in need of gifts this holiday season. There are many ways to participate in this holiday outreach.
Here’s how the Gift Giving Tree works in 2022:
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For individuals wishing to donate gift items:
- Beginning December 4 following the 10:00 am service, the Gift Giving Tree will be set up in Founders Hall by the doors to Adams Hall at the back of the building.
- Select an ornament(s) from the tree which will indicate the age and gender of a local child.
- Purchase a gift for the child and return the gift, wrapped or unwrapped, along with the ornament and place the gift under the tree, or in the gift box outside the building. Youth In Action will pick up the gifts for distribution. We recommend gifts in the $5-$10 range. 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
- Gift Items can be dropped off through Sunday, December 18.
If you wish to provide a gift card, these can be dropped off in the locked black dropbox by the glass doors near Adams Hall through Sunday, December 11. Target and Walmart are good options for gift cards. Please place it in an envelope and note the envelope for “Gift Giving Tree.”
If you wish to make a monetary donation, you have two options, both available through Sunday, December 11:
- You can make an online payment via Realm, or
- you may mail or drop off a check in the black dropbox payable to Eliot Chapel, with “Gift Giving Tree” written in the memo to: 100 S. Taylor Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122.
Thank you for your support of the Gift Giving Tree!
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Board Chair Claire Wyneken and Interim Minister Rev. Doug Wadkins discuss the search process for a called minister which will begin in December. Do you know someone who would fit the important role of representing Eliot Chapel in this search? Watch for a survey coming from the board this month! |
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Bread Service Quilts: Thank You!
The lovely quilts that were hung for bread service were provided by Lisa Dahlgren, Jan Erdman, Marie Fogleman, Kathy Fueglein, Sue Jarrett, Christie Lee, Claudia Jean Potts, Flo Reaves, and Rebecca Schuder. Thank you for sharing your quilts with us on Bread Sunday.
(Photo from Sara Fleming)
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Starting Point Postponed
The four-part adult education offering will be postponed until after the holidays. Please watch for dates and details! This series is open to interested newcomers as well as longtime members and friends seeking a small group experience
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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.
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Women's Alliance: Book Discussion
Women’s Alliance will meet Tuesday, December 6, at 9:30 am in Adams Hall and on Zoom. We’ll have coffee and refreshments, conversation, and a brief business meeting followed by a book discussion. The book for this month is The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Discussion leader is Lori Kesler. Please feel free to join us, whether you’ve read the book or not. For more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.
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Join us for
Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, December 6
at 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
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Sunday, December 11 – 10:00 am
“The Five Shining Stars” – The Rev. Douglas Wadkins
As we prepare for a new calendar year, we will consider some of the essential strengths of the Eliot community, as you have expressed over the interim's first months. This is a meaningful time for the congregation to honor its strengths and challenges alike. In the spirit of Appreciative Inquiry, discern how your strengths and the community's strengths are crucial to building a meaningful future.
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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. |
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Connect with Eliot Chapel |
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