ELIOT CHAPEL LIVE!
Sunday, February 27 – 10:00 am online
"A More Beautiful Whole" – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
More than ever now, our congregation is coming to know that we're not our building, and we're not our ministers. We are that beautiful mosaic that happens when we bring the best of ourselves into community. How are we greater than the sum of our parts? What is your gift to that whole? Featuring special music and guest appearances for this service to start our stewardship renewal at Eliot Chapel.
Featured musicians: Adam Kosberg, trombone; Gail Hintz, piano; Eliot Chapel Choir; Dr. David Nalesnik, piano; Red and Black Brass Band.
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We're going LIVE! on Zoom. Here’s how it works:
- Members and friends will receive the “Eliot on Zoom” email so you’ll have the Zoom link for the service on Sunday morning. At 10:00 am, just call us up. Like all Zoom calls, you may do so with your computer or phone.
- If you would rather connect to us through our website or YouTube channel, you can join us there. You won’t be a little square on the screen, but you will see and hear everything in real time! The only things that will be different are that you can’t start at the beginning if you’re late, and you can’t skip ahead to your favorite parts.
- After the service has ended, it will be available as a recording.
See you there!
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Sharing the Offering
In February, we will share the offering with Home Sweet Home, an organization that provides donated furniture and household items to clients transitioning out of homelessness. Home Sweet Home believes that establishing a first home stocked with the necessities for everyday life provides a sense of ownership and a source of stability at this crucial time.
Home Sweet Home serves clients who are referred by partner non-profits throughout the St. Louis region, including the Veterans Administration, St. Patrick Center, Women’s Safe House, Criminal Justice Ministry, and St. Louis Crisis Nursery among others. These people come with desperate needs for different reasons and from a variety of backgrounds. Their services are needed most by children, survivors of domestic abuse, veterans, people who are homeless, and ex-offenders looking for a new start. Working with partners, Home Sweet Home picks up donations of new and gently used furniture and household items and delivers them to clients’ apartments or homes.
To learn more about what donations they accept and how to get involved, visit their website at www.homesweethomestl.org.
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Here’s how you can give:
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Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
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By Mail: Please write “Home Sweet Home” 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
Religious Education (Grades K-7)
Eliot children and families are invited to gather from 9:15-9:45 am via Zoom for connection and community. This week’s session is hosted by Christie Lee and Kalen Ponche and titled Renewing Our Faith – Part 3: Faith in Each Other. Activities include an exploration of sharing our time, talents, and treasures with individuals and groups we find meaningful.
The Children’s Religious Education FAQs have been updated as of February 15 with more background and up-to-date information about upcoming programming as Eliot transitions to in-person gatherings beginning March 6.
Youth Group (Grades 8-12)
Youth in 8th-12th grades are invited to gather on Zoom for community, connection, and FUN this Sunday, February 27. The room opens at 10:45 am and activities begin at 11:00. This gathering is hosted by Scott Stewart, Curtis Twombly, Dave Day, and Mary Hoehne. A Zoom link and more details about this Sunday’s youth gathering will be sent to registered Eliot youth and families no later than Friday, February 25.
The Youth Group FAQs have been updated as of February 16 with more background and up-to-date information about upcoming programming as Eliot transitions to in-person gatherings beginning March 6.
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Zoom Coffee Hour
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 at a Glance
Sunday Worship – 10:00 am via Zoom
Coffee Hour – 12:00 pm via Zoom
Young Adult Group – 12:30 pm on Discord
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Tuesday, March 1
Women's Alliance – 9:30 am via Zoom
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm in front of Eliot
Contact your group leader if you need login information for your meeting.
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Reminder: Getting Involved with Groups
Many groups at Eliot are meeting despite the distance between us all. Check with your group leader or get involved with a new group! Find contact information in our Getting Involved booklet.
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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Save the Date! Eliot Listening Sessions
Join Board members and staff on Sunday, March 6 after the 9:15 and 11:00 am worship services to share your thoughts on what you’d like to see and help create going forward. Group topics include religious education, music and worship, and community building. We will gather in three spaces throughout Eliot to brainstorm and share ideas for the future for about 30 minutes. Look for more information next week.
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To Err Is Human
Despite what some staff believed, we have learned Camille is human. Some of you have noticed the wrong pledge amount for the current pledge year printed on the pledge card you received in your 2022-2023 Canvass packet. It's actually the pledge amount for 2020-2021, last year's pledge.
This was our error and we apologize. Please look for your correct current pledge amount for 2021-2022 in your Realm profile or contact Christie at frontoffice@eliotchapel.org or Camille at admin@eliotchapel.org. They will gladly respond with your current pledge amount.
Thank you for your support of Eliot Chapel.
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MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022
MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022 is now open for registration! Join us on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CT. Our keynote speaker is social justice educator, storyteller and speaker, CB Beal! There will be worship, the annual business meeting, a keynote address and conversation as well as community breakout rooms for discussion. There is a sliding scale fee from $25.00 to $50.00 and scholarships are available. Learn more and register today!
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iGive Benefits Eliot Chapel
Do you shop online? Sign up for iGive.com to donate to Eliot Unitarian Chapel with your regular purchases!
- iGive members generate donations by shopping online at 2,100+ Stores.
- There are no added costs, obligations, nor any hidden fees.
- You don't need to enter any codes, notify the store, or iGive. It's all automatic!
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Reminder: 2021 Contribution Statements
2021 Contribution Statements were emailed via Realm the week of February 7 to those who have given contributions of $250 or more to Eliot Chapel between January 1 and December 31, 2021. You will receive an email with a link taking you directly to your 2021 Contribution Statement.
If you contributed less than $250 last year and would like a Contribution Statement, you may email Camille Novak at admin@eliotchapel.org and request a statement, or print your own statement in your Realm profile.
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Print your own statement: access your Realm profile.
Find your Contribution Statement on the right side of your profile. Click the blue 2021 Contribution Statement button, type a title or comment of your choosing in the next window, click "Print" and a statement will appear. You may then download the statement and print according to your computer's normal printing directions.
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COVID Support Team
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.
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Reminder: Staying Up to Date
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.
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Women’s Alliance
Women’s Alliance will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, March 1, at 9:30 am. We’ll have conversation and a brief business meeting, then will discuss the book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Doris Yohe will lead the discussion. Please feel free to join us, whether you’ve read the book or not. For more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.
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Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, March 1
5:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
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.
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WHAT MOVES US:
Engaging Our Unitarian Universalist Theology
with Rev. Krista Taves
Second Monday of the Month
7:00 - 8:30 pm on Zoom
When we say
- "I always love that song,"
- "I cry whenever we..."
- "I feel safe here,"
- "My heart is stronger," or
- "I'm ready for what comes next,"
we know what moves us as Unitarian Universalists: personal experience. These comments and so many others demonstrate that our religious and spiritual feelings and practices are changing and transforming us through direct personal experience as a major source of our Unitarian Universalist faith. In fact, it is our first source: "Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to an openness to the forces that create and sustain life." Yet, we often stumble when trying to explain our Unitarian Universalist theology of personal experience to ourselves and to others. We falter when we try to explain how our Unitarian Universalist faith heals, saves, liberates, holds, and moves us to ethical action and compassion.
"What Moves Us" peels back the theological language we use to affirm our faith experiences with one another and in the wider world. We will focus on a different UU theologian in every session, and through their story and the meaning they made of it, reflect on our direct experiences as the source of our faith. What Moves Us creates an adult faith journey for those who are new to this faith tradition and those who have long been Unitarian Universalists. One session each month will take place on Zoom. You are welcome to register for the class after the first session as each session stands on its own.
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Upcoming Session Dates – 2nd Monday of the month, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
March 14, April 11 & May 9
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ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING
Starting Point
with Rev. Krista Taves and Amy Stark
4 Sundays:
March 20, April 3, 10, & 24
2-3:30 pm on Zoom
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. Longtime members and friends seeking a small group experience are also welcome.
Session 1: Your Journey – Sharing Our Stories and Spiritual Roadmaps
Session 2: The Unitarian Universalist Journey and the Journey of Our Congregation
Session 3: Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism Part 1
Session 4: The Three Paths Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group
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Sunday, March 6 – 9:15 & 11:00 am in the Sanctuary
"Renewing Faith In One Another" – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
As some of us come back together in person, we are going to relearn what it means to be a community. What have we learned about ourselves as a church during this pandemic? How do we continue to include those not ready to meet in person? What does it mean to have faith in each other? And what will you do now to renew that faith?
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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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Connect with Eliot Chapel
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