To enter Eliot Unitarian Chapel's building at any time, any day of the week, everyone is expected to be vaccinated and to wear a mask. 

Reminder: Our policy is to provide additional protection for those on our staff and in our preschool and our congregation who are immune and/or age compromised. This policy shows our concern and care for each other. Please keep wearing your mask to church and any time you are in our building. Masks are available in Founders Hall and in the Sanctuary vestibule if you have forgotten yours.

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:

Children in grades K-7 in attendance at 9:15 should join their family in the worship service. We do not have a scheduled Religious Education class for children at Eliot this Sunday. This Sunday’s Religious Education activity is a Family Field Trip to Simpson Park in the Blue Heron Shelter. Gathering time is 10:30 with activities running from 10:45-12:00 and an optional “bring your own picnic” in the shelter from 12:00-1:00.   

Families planning to participate should send Christie Lee an email at christie@eliotchapel.org or RSVP via Realm.

Note that masks are optional for outdoor activities.

In-person youth group resumes this Sunday, April 24. 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.

Zoom Coffee Hour takes place at a new time: 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 break-out 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 Worship – 9:15 am in the Sanctuary

Children's RE Field Trip – 10:30 am off site

Youth Group – 10:45 am in the Youth Room

Sunday Worship – 11:00 am in the Sanctuary

Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom (note new time)

Women's Alliance – 9:30 am via Zoom

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

Immigration Justice – 7:00 pm via Zoom

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 join us at a brunch in honor of Rev. Barbara H. Gadon on the occasion of her retirement. All are welcome on Sunday, May 22, after each service for a light brunch in Adams Hall.

We have two weeks remaining in our campaign for the pledge drive, “Together, A More Beautiful Whole.” We currently have 189 pledges in and a team is forming to do follow-up phone calls to people who pledged in the last two years who have not yet pledged for next year. We will also reach out to members and friends we miss seeing at church, both in person and virtually. Please get your pledge card in so we can add your name to the list of financial supporters of Eliot Chapel.

At the UU Palooza we started a mosaic of photographs of Eliot members and friends. The mosaic is in the shape of Eliot Chapel. It is coming together into a very nice art project, but we want to make sure YOU have an opportunity to have your photo included. We will be in Adams Hall and the Sanctuary between services the next two Sundays, April 24 and May 1, with our snazzy Polaroid cameras to get your picture. We do not want to leave anyone out of this “beautiful whole” that comes together to build Eliot Chapel!

In spring, a Unitarian Universalist's fancy turns to thoughts of love – and COFFEE. We are getting ready to serve food and drink in the chapel. We have plans for some after-church receptions starting April 24, but what about every week? What about coffee hour? That's when we realized: We need a coffee hour team to pull this off. The church staff will order supplies, but we need a team of folks to make it happen – setting up, making sure things are stocked, and cleaning up at the end. We need six volunteers every week (three per service) through May and then three a week during the summer. We also need someone to keep tabs on the whole operation. Could this be you? How much do you love coffee? Contact volunteer@eliotchapel.org.

The 2022 Eliot Unitarian Chapel Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 12:30 pm.

The Nominating Committee is pleased to share that Carole Glauser is our nominee to join the Board and Steve Mennerick is our nominee to serve on the Nominating Committee. 

Our Annual New Member Recognition Ceremony will be held Sunday, May 15 in both services. If you are considering membership, please connect with Rev. Krista, either by email ktaves@eliotchapel.org or leave a voicemail at 314-821-0911 ex. 104.  

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.

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@eliothchapel.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.

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.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please email the appropriate staff person.

Join us at Bergfried for an Earth Day Celebration! Camp overnight on Friday or come for the day on Saturday.

We strongly encourage carpooling. Carpool drivers should meet at Eliot Chapel by 9 am and plan to leave for Bergfried by 9:15. Or you can make arrangements to meet elsewhere for those who live closer to I-70.

Festivities will start by 11:00 – all activities are optional and may include music, ephemeral art, hiking, mushroom hunting, etc. Our last scheduled event will be at 4:00 so that carpoolers can return home by 6:00.

What to bring: food for lunch, water, insect repellent, dress for the weather.

We will not have access to the cabin, so do not expect indoor plumbing. The outhouses are clean and spacious.

For more information on Bergfried, see the Eliot website.

For directions, google Bergfried South Property.

When approaching the property, pull to the top of the hill in order to see oncoming traffic before turning into the driveway. Drive through the gate and on to the top of the meadow. Park on the grass.

Please let us know you're planning to join us by emailing us at environmentjustice@eliotchapel.org and we're happy to answer any questions. Please forward this notice to others!

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 concludes on April 24 with Session 4: The Three Paths Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group. You are welcome to join us for this session as each one stands on its own.

Women’s Alliance will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, April 26, at 9:30 am. After brief conversation, the group will discuss the books that have been suggested for next year’s reading list. Members who have recommended books can present them to the group at this time. Ellen Luckow will lead the discussion. Everyone is invited to join in the discussion. For more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.

Note that masks are optional

for outdoor activities.

Don't miss YOUR chance to learn how Eliot members and friends are making a real difference in the lives of immigrants in our area. Come to our April Zoom meeting at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 26, and hear about Gloria, Martha, and Newton; Welcome Neighbor STL, IFCLA, and International Institute activities and volunteer opportunities; and a briefing on current immigration issues and the legislative progress on tuition equity in Missouri. Plus you can visit with all your fellow warriors – in your PJs (optional, of course)! We'll leave the light – err, the Zoom connection – on for you! Find the Zoom connection in the Eliot on Zoom email on Sunday.

The Grief Group has become the Transitions Support Group and is open to all persons experiencing a transition in their lives and wanting a supportive community. The group meets in person in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room and online every other Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. If you would like to attend virtually, contact ktaves@eliotchapel.org to receive the Zoom information. Our next meeting is Thursday, April 28.

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.

After two years’ deprivation, we are finally getting to bless our youngest ones as they take their places among us, and bless our youth as they leave for their first adventures after childhood. Reflections by Eliot youth and our Director of Religious Education, Scott Stewart, on the wisdom found in these moments.