Me and We – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon

Masks are required at the service for anyone over two years of age. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. We will announce any cancellations for inclement weather on our website and social media. In that event, worship will be recorded in the sanctuary and a video will be available by 11:00 am.

We have reservations available this week. Reservations for the week's services open after 3:00 pm on Monday. A separate email with reservation links goes out through our email list. Reservations will be made through Sign-Up Genius:

If all pods are reserved, you may call (314.821.0911) or email the front office to be put on a waiting list. OR you may come to Eliot and sit elsewhere on the lot (social distancing, of course). You may not have great visibility but you will be able to hear the service and be present in the experience. If you do this, you still need to check in with a greeter for contact tracing purposes.

We will be recording one of our services on Sunday. When it is available, you will find it at eliotchapel.org where it will remain all week. You can also find it directly on our YouTube channel.

In October, we're sharing our offering with Missouri Faith Voices.

Missouri Faith Voices is a multi-faith, multi-racial movement committed to dismantling white supremacy and making racial equity a reality.

Here’s how you can give:

Worship Services: Children in 7th grade and younger are invited and encouraged to attend the outdoor worship service at Eliot Chapel with their family and participate in Social Hour in the meadow following the service. Children should remain with their parents or caregivers during the service. Note: We don’t have playground supervision during the service for preschool-age children this Sunday, October 10.

Religious Education (RE): Children in 7th grade and younger, AND their families, are encouraged to participate in the Fall Family Field Trip this Sunday, October 10 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.    

We’ll gather at Suson Park in the Fritz Shelter for “Religious Education on the Farm” where we’ll explore interconnection and animal care and meet a variety of farm animals, including goats, horses, pigs, cows, chickens, and more. Join us for fellowship, connection, and this exploration of Unitarian Universalist principles and values “on the farm.” Families are welcome and encouraged to bring their own picnic to enjoy in the shelter following the activities at 12:00 (this is at each family's own discretion).

How to Sign Up: Families can sign up for this outing on Realm, or by sending an email to Christie Lee at christie@eliotchapel.org. Advance RSVPs are helpful but not required.

The Religious Education for Children FAQs have more information about the fall program for children in 7th grade and younger. Please contact Christie Lee at christie@eliotchapel.org if you have additional questions.

The Youth Group FAQs have more information about the fall program for youth in grades 8-12. Please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org if you have any questions about youth activities.

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.

Children's Religious Education – 10:30 am at Suson Park

Youth Group – 10: 30 am off-site

What Moves Us: Engaging Our UU Theology – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 6:00 pm in front of Eliot

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.

I look forward to seeing and hearing all of you on Sunday.

— Rev. Barbara

The New York Times hails Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste as an ‘instant American classic’ about our abiding sin. The American Prospect says, “Wilkerson’s work is the missing puzzle piece of our country’s history.” NPR calls it a masterwork of writing, a profound achievement of scholarship and research that stands also as a triumph of both visceral storytelling and cogent analysis.

On Sunday, November 7, vaccinated adults are invited to meet at the fire pit in Kirkwood Park from 1:00 to 3:00 pm for a discussion of the seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. Bring a chair and any food or drink you’d like. Face masks must be worn. Register on Sign Up Genius. Directions to the fire pit will be e-mailed to those who sign up.

A special thank you to Carolyn Burke who has been providing flowers for worship and sending get well and sympathy cards for Eliot members and friends for years! Many of us have received her thoughtful cards and appreciated her flowers. Thank you, Carolyn, for your steadfast service to our community.

We are building a new team of card writers to take Carolyn's place as she moves to other priorities. Please email pastoralcare@eliotchapel.org if this ministry would give you joy and meaning. 

As the holiday season approaches, now is the perfect time to join iGive in support of Eliot Chapel. Did you know your online purchases can equal donations to Eliot? And now is the perfect time to join because each person who signs up before Nov. 15 and makes a purchase by Dec. 1 earns a bonus $5 donation in addition to anything your purchase earns.

And it's easy to join! Just scan the QR code here with your smart phone or click through to the iGive website.

Shop at 2300+ stores you already know and benefit Eliot Chapel!

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.

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.

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. 

Loving Through a Broken Heart – Rev. Krista Taves