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?

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 will livestream our 9:15 service on Sunday. 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.

In April, we share our collection with Immigrant Home English Learning Program. IHELP empowers foreign-born adults by providing individualized, in-home, English language education and tools for effective navigation in our community. Formerly Immigrant & Refugee Women's Program, IHELP has served over 1,300 students in the last 25 years with the goal of creating a diverse and inclusive community where all immigrants are empowered through language. Please give generously.

Here’s how you can give:

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, April 3. 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 in the Triplett Room

Starting Point – 2:00 pm via Zoom

Women's Alliance – 9:30 am via Zoom

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.

Please keep Charlie and Marie Fogleman in your thoughts and prayers. Charlie is in home hospice. They welcome calls, visits, and cards. You may find their address in the Realm directory or send cards to Eliot Chapel and we will forward them. 

As we build the budget for the upcoming church year, we invite you to come talk with the Board of Trustees regarding Eliot Chapel’s financial future. We will hold two sessions during which the Board will present a preliminary budget and discuss any points of concern, along with areas for potential growth. Please join us this Sunday, April 3 after both services.

Do you usually pay your pledge, contribute to Shared Plate, or make any kind of donation to Eliot by having your investment company mail a check to Eliot?

 

Did you know that 98% of checks that Eliot Chapel receives from investment companies do not include your name on the check nor an accompanying letter informing the church who donated the money? This requires the front office staff to contact the investment company attempting to have the check traced so we can properly process the check. Unfortunately, 50% do not return the initial call, meaning the staff have to re-visit and continue to call until the matter is resolved.  

 

 

If you usually have your investment company send a donation check to Eliot Chapel, would you contact Camille Novak, DFO at dfo@eliotchapel.org and give her a heads-up about your donation? That way, when a check from your investment company arrives for the same amount, we will assume it is your check and can promptly deposit and acknowledge your continuing support for Eliot Chapel. Thank you!

Keep abreast of what's happening with ministerial transition at Eliot Chapel. In early January, Rev. Barbara announced that she would retire at the end of this church year. Find the latest news here in This Week at Eliot but if you need to catch up, check out the Ministerial Transition page on our website. We will host all major announcements and current news there.

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.

Remember when the Red & Black Brass Band joined us for our Sunday service in February as we kicked off our stewardship campaign? They’re returning for UU Palooza! The Red & Black Brass Band will play LIVE on Saturday, April 9. Don’t miss it!

Not only that – we'll have 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!

Eliot Chapel is pleased to welcome Irish folk musicians Eimear Arkins and Eileen Gannon to perform at services on Sunday, April 3!

Eimear is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and dancer from western Ireland with 11 World Irish Music Championship titles. She appears worldwide as a performer and educator and was recently recognized as Newcomer of the Year by LiveIreland and granted an Artist Fellowship by the Missouri Arts Council. 

A St. Louis native, Eileen is one of the top Irish harp players in the world with numerous accolades including a World Irish Music Championship title for Senior Harp. She holds a performance degree from St. Louis University and a master's degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick, and appears as a regular tutor at international arts festivals.

Don’t forget to vote in the municipal elections on Tuesday, April 5. Every vote matters – YOUR vote matters!

Remember if you need a ride to the polls there are Eliot members ready to help out. Please email the UU the Vote Team to make this happen!

Join Environmental Justice team members as we celebrate Earth Day at Bergfried April 22-23. We will camp overnight on Friday and celebrate the Earth on Saturday. Mark your calendars and watch for more details here!

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.

This 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.  

The series will continue on April 10 & 24 with the following sessions:

Women’s Alliance will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, April 5, at 9:30 am. We’ll have conversation and a brief business meeting, then will discuss the book, A Town Like Alice, by Nevil Shute. Barb Jones will lead the book discussion. Please feel free to join us, whether you’ve read the book or not. For more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.

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. 

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.

We are entering the most holy times of Judaism and Christianity.