To enter Eliot Unitarian Chapel's building at any time, any day of the week, everyone is expected to be vaccinated and to wear a mask. 

Reminder: Our policy is to provide additional protection for those on our staff and in our preschool and our congregation who are immune- and/or age-compromised. This policy shows our concern and care for each other. Please keep wearing your mask to church and any time you are in our building. Masks are available in Founders Hall and in the Sanctuary vestibule if you have forgotten yours.

After two years’ deprivation, we are finally getting to bless our youngest ones as they take their places among us, and bless our youth as they leave for their first adventures after childhood. Reflections by Eliot youth and our Director of Religious Education, Scott Stewart, on the wisdom found in these moments.

Masks are required at the services for anyone over two years of age. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. We strongly recommend an N95 or KN95 mask. We will have masks available if you have forgotten yours.

We will livestream our 9:15 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.

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. We are very pleased that May’s recipient is Metropolitan Congregations United.

The mission of MCU is to harness the moral authority of St. Louis congregations to work for justice. MCU puts faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good.

Eliot Chapel has been a member congregation for many years. Many of our leaders see their leaders as good friends and partners with whom to share the important work of social justice. MCU helps us to fulfill our commitment to justice, equity, and compassion for all. Key issues for MCU are breaking the school to prison pipeline, police reform, justice reform, prison reform, access to health care, and voting rights, among many others. These are also issues that we are passionate about.

Let us be good neighbors. Let us be a generous people. Here's how you can give:

During the 9:15 service only: Children in grades K-7 should attend the first portion of the worship service with their family before departing for Religious Education (RE). RE is hosted by Christie Lee, Lara Snyder, and Jennifer Hindes. Sunday’s session is titled “Wonder & Beauty – Part 1: Being Present.”

We are excited to share that the playground is now open for fellowship for young children and their families during social hour following the 9:15 worship service (weather permitting). Parents & caregivers should accompany their children at all times while on the playground and familiarize themselves with the Family Playground Guidelines. NOTE: Masks are now OPTIONAL during outdoor play and activities.

Youth in grades 8-12 should gather at 10:30 in the youth room and will attend the 11:00 Bridging Service as a group.

Zoom Coffee Hour takes place at a new time: 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!

Sunday Worship – 9:15 am in the Sanctuary

Children's Religious Education – 9:15 am in Adams Hall (after first portion of service)

UU Wellspring Session – after first service in Adams Hall

Sunday Worship – 11:00 am in the Sanctuary

UU Wellspring Session – after second service in Adams Hall

Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom (note new time)

Women's Alliance – 9:30 am in Adams Hall and via Zoom

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm in front of Eliot

Avant Covenant Group – 6:45 pm in Room 001

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.

The 2022 Eliot Unitarian Chapel Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 12:30 pm.

The Nominating Committee is pleased to share that Carole Glauser is our nominee to join the Board and Steve Mennerick is our nominee to serve on the Nominating Committee. 

Last week, members from this year’s UU Wellspring class shared their experience in worship. After each service this Sunday, May 1, you will have a chance to learn more about UU Wellspring for next year. Course coordinators Peter Wilson and Toni Saunders, as well as members of this year’s class, will offer information and answer your questions. If you cannot attend, write to UUwellspring@eliotchapel.org to receive the latest information about fall classes.

UU Wellspring is a 10-month spiritual deepening course for Unitarian Universalists. Group members experience deep listening and spiritual reflection in small groups of about ten, inspiring personal and community transformation. Participants read, view, and respond to pre-session assignments that are focused on spiritual topics and UU Theology.

A sense of personal purpose and meaning arises from UU Wellspring’s unique combination of spiritual practices, spiritual companionship, readings, and heart-opening sessions. A sustaining joy emerges while deepening commitment to making change in ourselves and our world.

Participants in Sources are challenged, comforted, and inspired by each one of the six Sources by learning about Unitarian Universalism and reflecting on how to integrate their faith more fully into their daily lives. Find the Sources overview here. See the brochure on our website.

In March, many were asking how we could support the people struggling for their freedom and their lives in Ukraine. The Partner Church Council reached out to our partner church in Romania, asking if we could help refugees entering their country. Unitarians in Transylvania were already volunteering their help through the Hungarian Unitarian Church. You can read Rev. Sandor Kiss’s message in a recent This Week at Eliot. Eliot Chapel decided to dedicate the collection for the two following Sundays to aid Ukraine through this effort, and in early April, we wired $7,500 to the Hungarian Unitarian Church's Providence Aid Association for Ukrainian Assistance. We have recently learned of the impact of this gift. Watch the video above to hear directly from the aid workers, and see photos and read reports on our website to learn more (scroll down on the front page). Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Wondering what's scheduled for May? Check out plans below:

This Mother's Day we will recognize all who parent, exploring the creation of life through the lens of an unquenchable beauty.

Eliot has changed in the past 9 years, but so much endures. As she prepares to retire, Rev. Barbara shares her insights, blessings and wishes for Eliot Chapel.

In the UU tradition, we celebrate our belonging in community by bringing a few flowers to share. Join us for this beloved intergenerational ritual.

Join us for worship.

At the UU Palooza we started a mosaic of photographs of Eliot members and friends. The mosaic is in the shape of Eliot Chapel. It is coming together into a very nice art project, but we want to make sure YOU have an opportunity to have your photo included. We will be in Adams Hall and the Sanctuary between services on Sunday, May 1, with our snazzy Polaroid cameras to get your picture. We do not want to leave anyone out of this “beautiful whole” that comes together to build Eliot Chapel!

Keep abreast of what's happening with ministerial transition at Eliot Chapel. In early January, Rev. Barbara announced that she would retire at the end of this church year. Find the latest news here in This Week at Eliot, but if you need to catch up, check out the Ministerial Transition page on our website. We will host all major announcements and current news there.

In spring, a Unitarian Universalist's fancy turns to thoughts of love – and COFFEE. We are getting ready to serve food and drink in the chapel. We have plans for some after-church receptions starting April 24, but what about every week? What about coffee hour? That's when we realized: We need a coffee hour team to pull this off. The church staff will order supplies, but we need a team of folks to make it happen – setting up, making sure things are stocked, and cleaning up at the end. We need six volunteers every week (three per service) through May and then three a week during the summer. We also need someone to keep tabs on the whole operation. Could this be you? How much do you love coffee? Contact volunteer@eliotchapel.org.

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.

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.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please email the appropriate staff person.

The Men’s Advance brings together Eliot members and friends who identify as male at the Bergfried property in Gasconade, Missouri (search Google maps for "Bergfried South Property"). At this event, we welcome all humans who identify at the male end of the gender spectrum. Newcomers are especially encouraged to come out to enjoy hiking, camping, camaraderie, a Saturday night feast, and lots of super-secret men's stuff (which looks suspiciously like doing nothing). Ten dollars buys your ticket to the feast (kids 12 and under, $5). All other meals are on your own. Most choose to camp in tents or trailers; spaces in the cottage (with running water and electricity) are available by reservation with priority given to those with medical needs or physical limitations. Eight beds are also available in the rustic bunkhouses. Local Gasconade County Health Department and CDC guidelines will be adhered to at the time of the event. Food service will be conducted by vaccinated, masked, and gloved volunteers.

To register for the weekend, go to the event in Realm or email mensadvance@eliotchapel.org. To reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any other questions, contact mensadvance@eliotchapel.org.

Women’s Alliance will meet on Tuesday, May 3, at 9:30 am in Adams Hall and on Zoom. We’ll discuss the book, Ida B. the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells by Michelle Duster. Ann Petlin will lead the book discussion. Please feel free to join us, whether you’ve read the book or not. For more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.

Note that masks are optional

for outdoor activities.

Our Annual New Member Recognition Ceremony will be held Sunday, May 15 in both services. If you are considering membership, please connect with Rev. Krista by email ktaves@eliotchapel.org or leave a voicemail at 314-821-0911 ex. 104.  

Please join us at a brunch in honor of Rev. Barbara H. Gadon on the occasion of her retirement. All are welcome on Sunday, May 22, following the 10:00 service for a light brunch in Adams Hall.

This Mother's Day we will recognize all who parent, exploring the creation of life through the lens of an unquenchable beauty.