Easter may be a challenge for Unitarian Universalists, but there are so many themes that we may draw from to expand our lives. Jesus may also be a challenge for some Unitarian Universalists, but Jesus remains another source of great inspiration and courage. Together we will explore a more expansive and liberating connection with Jesus and Easter.

Large-print orders of service and hearing assistance devices are available from the greeters on Sunday. We livestream our service; 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. Also, check out This Week's Music from our music director Adam Kosberg. You'll get insight into the music selections for this week's service and find the lyrics to the anthem.

At Eliot Chapel, we follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. When St. Louis County is at a Yellow or Medium Level, we will:

Read the letter that went out about the review of our policy and the change in measures in response to a change in levels. You may access the policy document on Eliot Chapel's website for more of the details. 

Our offerings on Easter go to the Minister's Discretionary Fund to assist our ministers in responding to requests for emergency aid throughout the year. 

If you would like to donate to the fund, you may do so online by clicking to access our online giving form and choosing "Minister's Discretionary Fund" from the drop-down menu. You may also mail a check to the office (Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122); please indicate "Minister's Discretionary Fund" in memo line of your check. Or text "Eliot $(amount)" to 73256 and you will receive a link to our secure database webpage where you can complete your transaction.

Specific plans for each age group are shared with registered families via email each week. To learn more about the 2022-23 RE program, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.

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 Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Religious Education – 10:15 am (after Time for All Ages) in RE wing

Budget Dialogue – 11:30 am in the Sanctuary

Saunders/McVoy Covenant Group – 11:30 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

Environmental Justice Team – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm on the front lawn

Wellspring – 6:30 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Creative Spirituality Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

UU Crash Course – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Humanist Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am 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 Eliot Board of Trustees will host a one-hour budget conversation prior to the end of canvass and the finalizing of the 2023-24 budget. It will be held at 11:30 on Sunday, April 9 in the Sanctuary. We will share the status of the budget and the canvass thus far and listen for your priorities for the congregation should we need to make choices for the coming year. This will be the same content presented on April 2.

Are you considering joining Eliot Chapel as a member? The membership book will be available to sign after the service on Sunday, April 16. Please contact Rev. Krista no later than April 9 if you would like to learn more. She can be reached at ktaves@eliotchapel.org or by leaving a message at 314-821-0911 ext. 104. In the meantime, check out these resources on our website to support you in your consideration.

As of April 5, there are 146 pledges turned in amounting to $424,196. There were 250 total pledging units that pledged in 2022-2023 (short 104). The proposed budget for next year will be voted on in May, 2023; currently that is $900,000 (short $476,000).

Please get your pledge turned in before April 16!

If you want to join the group that makes follow-up phone calls to remind people to pledge, contact canvass@eliotchapel.org.

Plan on attending the UU Palooza II on Sunday, April 16 at Kirkwood Park, The Lions Pavilion, next to the tennis courts at the corner of Adams and Geyer Roads.

We will gather from 11:30-2:00, following the Sunday worship service at Eliot Chapel. We'll have great music from Mississippi Crossing, a bluegrass/Celtic band!

Bring a picnic lunch, your beverage of choice, and a dessert to share, and cash to tip the band! We will have popcorn, a firepit to warm yourself, outdoor games, and crafts – make an Eliot UU bracelet or necklace.

Look for the answer in next week's This Week At Eliot!

There are just a few weeks left to buy tickets to the 2023 Eliot Chapel Trivia Night! The event is Friday, April 28 at Crestwood Community Center. Doors open at 6:30 pm; trivia begins at 7:00 pm. Buy just 1 or 2 tickets, or buy an entire table! Tables of 8 are $240. Prizes for best dressed table and best decorated table! Popcorn, soda and water provided.

The trivia team could use a few more people to help out the night of the event. Email at trivia@eliotchapel.org if you can lend a hand. Thanks to everyone who donated items for auction or a basket; please drop them off in Adams Hall after service on April 9, 16, and 23. 

Eliot Chapel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Javier Zamora's Solito

Join the Immigration Justice Team to discuss Javier Zamora's memoir Solito which describes his two-month journey as a nine-year-old boy from El Salvador to reunite with his parents in California. For Javier himself, the takeaway of Solito is obvious: “That immigrants are human. And that hopefully you could see us outside of the headlines, outside of our suffering, that even in the suffering there are joyful moments.” What is your takeaway? Come share your thoughts, feelings, and questions in one – or more – of these three sessions:

Sign up today! A sign-up sheet is also posted in the corridor to Adams Hall.

Don't delay! Registration is open for the 2023 Women's Weekend Retreat, May 19-21 at Toddhall Retreat Center in Columbia, Illinois. Please join us to retreat, relax, and find community among other women. Come for the day on Saturday, or stay Friday evening through Sunday morning (and still attend the 10:00 am service at Eliot). This retreat is open to all UU women and friends. Registration continues through Sunday, April 16. Get all the details of programming and register on the Women's Weekend website.

The Men’s Advance from April 21 to 23 welcomes all Eliot members and friends 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 new rustic bunkhouses. To sign up for the weekend, to reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any information contact mensadvance@eliotchapel.org. A sign-up sheet is also posted in the corridor to Adams Hall.

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.

This 4-part series offers those considering Unitarian Universalism as a spiritual path the opportunity to experience UUism through a small group experience. 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

A Crash Course on Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist Statements of Identity and Principles through the years

In a world that would dehumanize us and define us, self-love becomes a powerful tool of resistance.