Sunday, November 20 – 10:00 am
“Bread Sunday”
The Rev. Douglas Wadkins & Rev. Krista Taves
Our month’s theme is Change, and in this service we will recognize the annual bread communion which Eliot Chapel has celebrated for at least 50 years, when Minister Emeritus Rev. John Robinson created it for this congregation. You are warmly welcome to bring bread or a baked item that is significant to you and/or your family. It could be from a family recipe, from your cultural background, or from your favorite bakery. There will be a time to share briefly about what we have brought to the Thanksgiving Table.
Featured musicians: Home Remedy – Cindy Minnis and Melinda Monroe; David Nalesnik, piano; Eliot Chapel Choir.
We are collecting laundry detergent for Kirk Care this Sunday. There will be containers at the entrances for your donations. Small bottles or pods of quality laundry detergent are the most useful. Thank you!
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A Video Invitation from Your Ministers for the Bread Service
This Sunday at 10 am!
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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Thanksgiving Collection
The Thanksgiving collection is your opportunity to contribute to Eliot’s partner church, St. Martin, in Romania’s Transylvania region. The money collected at the Bread Sunday services will be used to provide a weekly loaf of bread to impoverished and elderly parishioners of St. Martin Unitarian Church. The Romanian version of Social Security gives a very minimal amount to farmers that haven’t earned wages.
We know firsthand how grateful the older members are to receive a weekly loaf of bread. On our trip to Nyaradszentmarton in September of 2021, we were there as the loaves were distributed to those living near the church and met some of the recipients who expressed gratitude for this addition to the meager meals they could afford.
We hope that connecting our annual Bread Service with the needs of fellow Unitarians will provide deeper meaning to our Thanksgiving service.
Bill and Becky Coalson
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Online: Click here. Make sure “Partner Church” is your chosen fund.
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By Mail: Please write “Bread Sunday” in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 by December 4, 2022.
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By Text: Text "Eliot $(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 indicate "Partner Church" in the memo portion.
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Religious Education & Youth Group
There are no Religious Education (RE) classes or youth group activities on November 20. Children aged four (4) and older are encouraged to attend the Bread Service with their family.
The nursery is open for childcare during the 10:00 service for our youngest UUs who need more freedom of movement.
Religious Education classes, Our Whole Lives (5th/6th grade), and youth activities will resume on Sunday, December 4. To learn more about this fall’s RE program, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.
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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
Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary
In-Person Coffee Hour – 11:00 am in Adams Hall
Children's Choir Rehearsal – 11:15 am in the Music Room
Covenant Group Leader Training – 11:15 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
Madrigal Rehearsal – 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary
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Monday, November 21
Madrigal Rehearsal: Recorders – 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Tuesday, November 22
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
Immigration Justice – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Greenleaf Madrigal Rehearsal – 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Thursday, November 24
Church offices are closed today for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Friday, November 25
Church offices are closed today for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001
Contact your group leader if you need login information for your meeting.
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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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Deadlines for Next Week
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week, we will have early deadlines for communications at Eliot Chapel. Plan to send any submissions for This Week at Eliot to news@eliotchapel.com by noon on Monday, November 21.
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From the Board
The Eliot Chapel Board of Trustees met for the November 15 board meeting in Adams Hall. Some highlights include the positive news that September financial reports were more favorable than anticipated, with expenses at less than expected and income higher than expected.
Rev. Doug spoke to the dual reality of there both being an increase in people visiting and also being generous, and the truth that unless things change, the church is anticipating spending down a lot of reserves this fiscal year.
The board and church will send out a letter in the next few weeks asking you to make an additional contribution to help achieve the budget goals we set in May.
The board will be sending an email survey to the congregation in December with an opportunity to identify the people you would trust to be on the search committee. Our goal is to have the search committee identified by the end of March.
The board discussed the first two chapters of the book “Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership” by Dan Hotchkiss. The board is reading and discussing the book this year. Plan to read chapters 1-4 and join us at the December 20 board meeting.
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Madrigal Volunteers Needed!
Help Eliot Chapel with its biggest fundraiser of the year – and it only takes one, two, or three hours of your time! Madrigal performances on December 1, 2 and 3 are almost sold out, and help is still needed as hostesses, servers, coffee makers and dishwashers. Volunteer positions are now easier than ever! Please email Karen at madrigal@eliotchapel.org or see her in Adams Hall after the service. Eliot Chapel thanks you in advance!
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Quilts for Bread Sunday
If you shared quilts for Bread Sunday, please plan to pick them up after the service on Sunday or next week from the Front Office.
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ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING
Starting Point
with Rev. Krista Taves and Amy Stark
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. You do not need to attend every session of the series. We will have a spring session as well.
Session 1, Sunday, December 4, 2:00 – 3:45 pm on Zoom :
Your Journey – Sharing Our Stories and Spiritual Roadmaps
Session 2, Monday, December 12, 6:00 – 7:45 pm on Zoom:
The Unitarian Universalist Journey and the Journey of our Congregation
Session 3, Sunday, January 15, 2:00 – 3:45 pm on Zoom:
Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism Part 1
Session 4, Sunday, January 22, noon – 1:45 pm in person at Eliot:
The Three Paths Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group
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Want Something to Be Grateful For?
Zoom to the Immigration Justice Team Combined November/December Meeting on Tuesday, November 29 at 7:00 pm (Note the date change!) You can come in PJs if you like! Come for the camaraderie, and stay for the spirited discussion of immigration news and events, upcoming opportunities to be an ally, and education about the issues of the day. Watch for a Zoom link in the November 27 Eliot on Zoom email. Y'all come!
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Add Your Pronouns!
On Sunday, November 20, take the chance to add pronoun stickers to your nametag if you wish to do so! When we were on Zoom, many of us added our pronouns to our Zoom names every week as a matter of course. So let’s do the same with our in-person nametags!
This practice benefits many people – most notably trans or nonbinary folks who may be tired of often being the only ones to start the conversation about pronouns, but also English language learners and people with gender-neutral names. We all want to be referred to in an accurate and respectful manner, and gender isn’t necessarily something we can tell about a person just by looking at them or at their name. (Not clear on how gender identity and gender expression can be – but aren’t always –different from each other? Come see Beth Curtiss (she/her) at the sticker table and she’ll fill you in on the basics!) Putting a pronoun sticker on your nametag is only a first step toward gender identity justice in our community, of course – so let’s make that first step happen!
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Handbell Ensemble
Among the holiday musical traditions at Eliot Chapel is the Handbell Ensemble which traditionally performed for Christmas Eve services – please consider joining us as we hope to resume this ensemble this holiday season. Those with handbell and/or musical experience as well as enthusiastic beginners also are welcome! Rehearsals will be scheduled to fit members' schedules and will begin in late November. Please contact music director Adam Kosberg at music2@eliotchapel.org for more information.
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An Invitation from the Stewardship/Canvass Team
When Reverend Doug spoke about “Belonging” in September, he talked about an African phrase, “Ubuntu.” One of the translations of this phrase is “I am because we are.” We are adopting this sense of belonging in our work forward for the 2023-2024 Canvass.
We are taking a slightly different approach for next year’s canvass. We want to involve as many congregants as possible in the planning and preparation of the pledge drive. We know many folks are energized and want to be active in the work of Eliot Chapel once again, but may not want to take on a huge yearlong responsibility. That is why we have broken some jobs down into smaller tasks. Read through these brief descriptions and let us know where your talents and interests are a good fit. We need you on the team!
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Stewardship Sunday, March 5: Coordinate with the ministers and music director to plan a meaningful service for the start of the stewardship campaign. Planning starts in January 2023.
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Promotional Materials: Help design and write contents of the promotional materials for the campaign. Planning begins in December 2022. The team will help stuff and label contents for the mailing to go out by mid-February 2023.
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Coordinate Social Gatherings: This team will organize 20 volunteer hosts who will invite 10-15 Eliot folks to join them for a fun social event! The host will decide what type of event they want to have (potluck, happy hour, hike, coffee/dessert, craft party, cookie exchange, wine/beer tasting, movie night, fire pit…). These gatherings will be an opportunity to get together with familiar friends and meet new ones! The purpose is twofold: to have fun and sign your pledge card before you leave. Planning starts in November. Events will be hosted from March until mid April.
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Testimonials: Organizing people to give oral testimonials on Sundays during the campaign.
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Final Celebratory Event: Plan a fun event for the congregation to attend! Planning begins in December; the event will probably take place April 15.
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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: St. Louis Art Museum
On Tuesday, November 22, Women's Alliance will tour the St. Louis Art Museum. After the docent-led tour, lunch is planned at Panorama restaurant in the museum. Sue Blandford is coordinator. Contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org for more information.
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Join us for
Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, November 22
at 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
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Sunday, November 27 – 10:00 am
“Awaiting” – Amy Stark
This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent for Christians, a time of waiting for the birth of Jesus, hope on earth. It is also a time, at the edge of winter, when we anxiously anticipate dark months. Awaiting any change brings out a mix of emotions. Join us as we ponder this mix and learn how, generation after generation, we await…
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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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