Sunday, November 13 – 10:00 am
“Guiding Our Path Through Change”
The Rev. Douglas Wadkins
Our month's theme is Change, and this service will explore some specific ways to work with Change as fodder for spiritual growth. Specifically, we will explore how the coming holidays are often a time where Change is present, or perhaps should be present, and what approach would best allow us to deepen our experience of the time between Thanksgiving and New Years.
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 November, we are happy to share our offering with Kirk Care.
Kirk Care is a non-profit organization formed to help the needy living within the boundaries of the Kirkwood R-7 School District. A hometown ministry, Kirk Care collects funds and food donations from area churches, businesses, civic organizations, and individuals and distributes these resources to families in need. They provide food deliveries (maintained at their local pantry), assistance with utility bills, funding for school supplies to be given out by Kirkwood R-7 school counselors, and Christmas food and gift box distribution to client families. Learn more about Kirk Care at kirkcare.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 “Kirk Care” 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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Religious Education & Youth Group
The 2022-23 Religious Education and Youth Program continues this Sunday, November 13 during the 10:00 service.
- Preschool-aged children and younger may go directly to their respective groups.
- Children in kindergarten through fourth grade should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service with their family.
- Fifth and sixth grade children who are participating in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program should go directly to Room 006 at 9:45.
- Youth Group members (7th-12th grade) are on a field trip this morning to First Unitarian Church-St. Louis.
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.
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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
Youth Group Field Trip – 8:45 am off campus
OWL Program – 9:45 am in Room 006
Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary
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 am in the Music Room
Saunders/McVoy Covenant Group –11:30 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room
Young Adult Group – 11:45 am in the Triplett Room
Social Justice in Action Forum – 12:00 pm in Adams Hall
Online Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom
Madrigal Rehearsal – 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary
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Please Remember
Please remember the family of Dwayne Young. Dwayne attended Eliot Chapel regularly until the beginning of the pandemic. He passed away on October 23, 2022, from injuries sustained in a car accident while on vacation with his family in upstate New York. His memorial will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at Kutis Funeral Home in South County – visitation at 10:30 am; service at 12:00 pm – followed immediately by a military burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. His obituary can be found online.
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Monday, November 14
Environmental Justice Team Meeting – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room
Tuesday, November 15
Women's Alliance – 9:30 am in Adams Hall and via Zoom
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
EUC Board Meeting – 6:30 pm in Adams Hall
Earth-Based Covenant Group – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Greenleaf Madrigal Rehearsal – 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Wednesday, November 16
Solecki/Boettcher Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall
Thursday, November 17
Wellspring – 9:30 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room
Madrigal Rehearsal – 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
THANKSgiving Social – 6:30 pm in Adams Hall
Friday, November 18
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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Add Your Pronouns!
Coming November 13 and 20: 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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Madrigal Returns
After a two-year hiatus the Eliot Chapel Madrigal is back! Please join us on December 1, 2, or 3, and have a great evening that supports Eliot! Reservation forms are available at the bulletin boards, in Adams Hall, and on Eliot's website.
Want to volunteer? Please see the table in Adams Hall or email Karen at madrigal@eliotchapel.org. We look forward to seeing you at Madrigal! Thank you!
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Quilts
As part of our preparation for the annual bread service, we invite you to share quilts for decoration in the Sanctuary. Baby quilts, quilted wall hangings, throws, and table runners are welcome, too. Quilts should be clearly marked with your name and be delivered to the church office no later than noon on Wednesday, November 16. If your quilt has a story, please feel welcome to print or type it on a small card, and affix the card to the front of your quilt so the story can be shared with members and friends. Questions? Contact Rebecca Schuder at quilts@eliotchapel.org.
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Bread Sunday Donations
At our annual Bread Service on Sunday, November 20, we are collecting laundry detergent and paper towels for Kirk Care, the local food pantry. Laundry detergent cannot be purchased with SNAP funds, and it is expensive! It will be given as presents at Christmas. Please bring small bottles of quality liquid detergent or packets of pods. Thank you!
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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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UU Opportunities:
WhaleCoast Alaska – A More Authentic Travel Experience
Two unique, exciting fundraising tours organized by four Alaska UU congregations are being offered again next summer by WhaleCoast Alaska. Experience majestic scenery, wildlife, Denali National Park, Alaska Native culture, glaciers, and UU homestays. For 28 years, WhaleCoast Alaska tours have been the BEST way to visit Alaska. Register now for this amazing 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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We Do Not Consent!
Our next Social Justice in Action Forum will be on the 2022 Statement of Conscience which urges UUA congregations to take action to ensure access to abortion. Please join us on Sunday, November 13, at 12:00 noon in Adams Hall to help determine what we here at Eliot Chapel can do. Light refreshments will be served.
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Women's Alliance: Posture Plus
Please join Women’s Alliance for its hybrid meeting on Tuesday, November 15, at 9:30 am in Adams Hall and on Zoom. We’ll have an opportunity for conversation together before hearing a presentation by Dawn DuBois, Director of Community Outreach at St. Luke’s Hospital. She will talk and show slides on a health topic that should be of interest to us all. The presentation is entitled “Posture Plus.” Barb Jones is this meeting’s coordinator. Contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org for more information.
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Join us for
Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, November 15
at 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
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Eliot Chapel Board of Trustees Meeting
The Eliot Board of Trustees will meet at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 15. Visitors are welcome to attend. If you wish to attend, please contact Claire Wyneken at boardchair@eliotchapel.org.
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THANKSgiving Social
hosted by Nominating Committee
The Eliot Nominating Committee, charged with fostering Eliot leadership, is sponsoring a wine, cider, and cheese Thanksgiving social on Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 pm in Adams Hall in gratitude for those in leadership and service at Eliot. Come learn about leadership opportunities and raise a glass to program leaders, ministers, Board of Trustees, staff, and all who lead in large ways and small.
Let us know you are coming by registering here or on the bulletin board at Eliot Chapel. We look forward to seeing you!
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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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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.
You are also invited to bring a donation for Kirk Care. They are especially in need of laundry detergent – small bottles or packages of pods.
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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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