At Eliot Chapel, we follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. Currently, we are at the yellow or medium level in St. Louis County, so beginning at Ingathering on September 11, we will:

We will livestream our 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.

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 under the worship & music tab. 

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 September, we will be sharing our Sunday collections with SouthSide Early Childhood Center, an organization that Eliot Chapel has long supported.

In 1886, 15 courageous Unitarian women took a stand for the most impoverished children in St. Louis. These women founded a "day nursery" with a mission "to prevent pauperism by assisting breadwinners with young children on their hands, to earn an honest living." South Side Day Nursery, as it was known then, welcomed children of every race, ethnicity, and income level.

Over the decades SouthSide has grown, and its mission has expanded. Today the mission is to nurture, educate and inspire children and families in a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting healthy development and a strong foundation for success. Their vision is that children develop a lifelong love of learning, flourish within a supportive family environment and contribute positively to their communities. We all know the value of early childhood education. SouthSide is doing an outstanding job of providing it for children who really need it. Their work gives children coming from difficult situations a great chance for success. Learn more at www.southside-ecc.org.

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

The 2022-23 Religious Education and Youth Program begins this Sunday, September 11 during the 10:00 service. Children in kindergarten through 6th 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.  

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.

Register children ages birth-6th grade here.

Register youth in 7th-12th grade here.

If you have any questions about registration, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.

Children’s Choir is returning this fall! Rehearsals begin in the sanctuary on September 18 following the 10:00 am worship service, with the choir initially participating in the worship service on October 16. Children’s Choir is designed primarily for children and youth in 2nd grade and older. 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.

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 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!

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.

(Click on the image above to view the video on YouTube.)

You may access the policy document on Eliot Chapel's website to read more of the details. 

Email Rev. Krista: ktaves@eliotchapel.org

Email Rev. Doug: dwadkins@eliotchapel.org

Contact Board members Claire Wyneken and Steven Swift: board@eliotchapel.org

Check the Realm directory for other contact information. 

We have not had Sunday Coffee Hour since before the pandemic! Our new COVID policy opens the door to resume coffee hour provided St. Louis County is ranked medium or low risk by the CDC. We are currently at medium risk and the Board is hosting Coffee Hour this Sunday, September 11. Coffee Hour will resume regularly when we have two coordinators and volunteers. Hosting coffee hour is a simple task and a great way to serve and connect. Please help your community resurrect this time honored tradition! Email hospitality@eliotchapel.org or sign up online now!

Our annual festival of theater, music, and merriment is back on this year! As always, there will be an original play, written and staged by members and friends of Eliot Chapel, interwoven with music from the Greenleaf Singers and our local recorder society. Auditions for parts in the play, open to anyone high school age and up, will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday, September 25 at 12:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact madrigal@eliotchapel.org.

Stop by our “selfie” station in Adams Hall after church on Sunday to take a photo! The Board is compiling a We Are Eliot! photo wall displaying the members of our church and we’d like to have as many photos as possible! Another option is to email a recent photo of yourself to Board@eliotchapel.org. 

You may order online by emailing Kalen Ponche-Ciszewski at recycling@eliotchapel.org with your size and the number of shirts you would like. Sizes XXS to 4XL available for adults. Sizes XS-XL in kids sizes available. Please plan to pay for your shirts at the time of ordering. You may pay by cash or check in person or through Eliot's giving portal in person or with your email order.

Come one, come all! Beginning on Sunday, September 18 at 11:30 am, you are invited to save democracy! Our Fifth Principle, “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large,” compels us to act. Join us to learn what UU the Vote is doing and to decide what we here at Eliot can do, and what you can do as an individual.  

Want to learn more but can’t attend that day? Please contact Eliot’s UU the Vote team at socialjustice@eliotchapel.org.

Fall is a perfect time to visit Bergfried and we encourage you to consider coming out for one of the events listed below. You are also welcome to visit Bergfried on your own, whether for a day or for overnight visits. The cottage is available by reservation for a modest fee and tent-camping on the property is encouraged. To ensure your visit is compatible with other activities planned on the property, always let the Front Office know you are planning a visit by emailing bergfriedreservations@eliotchapel.org. This email address is also used for reserving the cottage.

Saturday, September 24 – Guided Day Trip: Come out on your own or meet at Eliot’s parking lot at 9:00 am to carpool/caravan. Your Bergfried guide will offer a guided hike or two but feel free to come out and do your own thing, or do nothing at all. Bring sturdy shoes and your provisions for the day. Please RSVP to bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org so we know to expect you.  

October 7-9 – Bergfried Fall Campout: Mark your calendars now for our annual fall campout, open to all members and friends. 

Firebug Volunteers Needed: Our forest and meadow stewardship work involves the occasional prescribed burn, and we anticipate a meadow restoration burn in September. These activities require a team of volunteers who can help out on relatively short notice as weather conditions largely dictate ideal burn conditions. If you would like your name added to the volunteer contact pool, contact Shawn Cummings via bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org.

Nicholas Rousseau, Eliot Chapel’s Sunday AV tech, has been nominated for his first Emmy in the Mid-America Region! Nicholas is part of a team nominated for HEC Media’s Spotlight episode, “Firehouses, Cartoons & Concerts.” Awards will be announced at a gala on October 29. 

For further information about this position and a complete job description, email your resume or interest in the position to: churchsextonposition@gmail.com.

If you haven't addressed your pledge for the new fiscal year yet or if you have questions, check out the complete instructions that we've shared recently.

To see a visual showing how to set up a pledge payment online, check out our Giving Made Easy brochure on the Eliot Chapel website. Thank you for your support of Eliot Chapel!

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.

This 4-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. We will have winter and spring sessions as well.

Session 1, Sunday, September 11, 2:00 - 3:45 pm on Zoom: Your Journey – Sharing Our Stories and Spiritual Roadmaps

Session 2, Monday, September 19, 6:00 - 7:45 pm on Zoom: The Unitarian Universalist Journey and the Journey of Our Congregation

Session 3, Monday, October 17, 6:00 - 7:45 pm on Zoom: Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism Part 1

Session 4, Sunday, November 6, noon - 1:45 in person: The Three Paths, Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group

Register for Starting Point now!

The Transitions Support Group is for anyone who is experiencing a significant life transition, such as death of a loved one, transitioning relationships, children leaving home, having children, getting married, transitioning gender, changes in career/employment to name a few. This is a place to share your story and give and receive support for the journey we are on. The meetings are facilitated by Rev. Krista Taves and Pastoral Care Associate Bill Anderson. We rely primarily on William Bridges' Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes. We are using the 40th anniversary edition, although older versions suffice just as well.  

We next meet on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Register now. 

Eager to delight another Eliot community member by sharing a favorite read and simultaneously discover a new page-turning treasure for yourself? Participate in the upcoming book swap!

For many of us our church building is a sanctuary, our safe place. But we live in an insecure time and we are called to be ready if the sanctity of our religious home were ever violated. It saves lives. All are invited to attend the Intruder Alert Training class being offered by Officer Gary Baldridge from the Kirkwood Police Department. Register ahead to let us know you'll be there!