The worship theme for December is Mystery .

Sunday, December 16 - 9:30 and 11:00 am 
“Holy Places” – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
The little town of Bethlehem is revered by many as the birthplace of Jesus. Today, it is desperately poor and feared by tourists because of its location on the West Bank. Like Tijuana, Mexico and other places, it is one of many 'border towns', thought to be dangerous and out of bounds. What makes Bethlehem, Tijuana and other border towns holy places?  Featured musicians: Amy Camie, harp; Women’s Chorale

Sharing the Offering
In December we will be sharing our Sunday collections with Room at the Inn.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, Room at the Inn provides emergency shelter and a stabilizing support system to women and families in need in St. Louis County, using a collaborative, interfaith effort of congregations and organizations throughout the St. Louis region. The program, which involves more than 60 churches in the St. Louis area, provides shelter for up to 20 persons per week. Most of the guests are single women and women with children.

During the day, the shelter in Bridgeton, Missouri, helps adults find work and housing and provides daycare for young children, transportation to school for older children, and personal counseling. Each evening, the guests are divided between two of the churches, which provide an evening meal and sleeping quarters.

Eliot has been participating in this program since 1992. Every Thursday, except
the fourth Thursday of the month, Eliot drivers pick up our guests at the shelter
and bring them to Eliot where our cooks serve a delicious home-cooked meal. Two
Eliot hosts spend the night and provide a light breakfast Friday morning. Our drivers then return the guests to the shelters. Eliot launderers pick up the sheets and towels and wash them. Please give generously to support RATI.
 

Religious Education
At 9:30, children in kindergarten and older should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service. Preschool children (ages 3-5) and nursery children (2 and younger) go directly to their class. Following the Time for All Ages, children will gather in Room 001 for Holiday Activities, led by Christie Lee.

At 11:00, children who are age 4 through 6th grade attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service. Nursery children (3 and younger) go directly to the nursery. Following the Time for All Ages, children ages 4 to 6th grade will gather in Room 001 for Holiday Activities, led by Christie Lee.

Note: Youth in 7th-12th grade may attend the Holiday Activities as volunteers OR attend the worship service with their family.


Sunday at a Glance
Women's Chorale – 8:30 am in the Music Room
Eliot Choir – 9:00 am in the Music Room
Christmas Bazaar – until 12:30 pm in Adams Hall
Saunders/McVoy Covenant Group – 12:15 pm in the Bergfried Room
Deep Listening Workshop with Billie Mayo – 1:00 pm in Rooms 001/002
Lemon Covenant Group – 1:00 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room
Church News
A Call to Leadership
Service to others is a fundamental aspect of our faith. Service to the congregation in the form of leadership, stewardship, board member, committee work, and other services support all things Eliot. Annually the Nominating committee asks the congregation to volunteer or lovingly nominate candidates to join a pool of Eliot members who would like to be considered and trained as prospects for future leadership positions in the Eliot community.

Management expert Warren Bennis once stated, "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." Are you the person or do you know the person, who would be willing to develop and use their skills and knowledge at Eliot to help shape our future? We welcome your interest. To volunteer, nominate a candidate, or to ask for more information, email Cindy Lau. As members of the congregation we thank all of the former, present, and future leaders of our church and faith. 

The Nominating Committee
Church Life App
When the Church Life app goes live, you’ll have up-to-date access to the church directory. If you have a photo on file, it will appear in the app’s directory. If you don’t want your photo in the directory, please let us know. Do note, this is not a public directory and is only available to Eliot members who use Access ACS. If you do use the app, you’ll be able to customize your image in the app.

If you don't want your photo in the directory, contact the Front Office via email or call 314-821-0911.

January Newsletter Deadline
Just a reminder, the deadline for the January issue of Greenleaves, Eliot's monthly newsletter, is Saturday, December 15. Send any items to news@eliotchapel.org.
Montgomery Trip
Plans have been finalized for the March 22-24 bus trip to Montgomery, Alabama to visit:
  • The National Memorial for Peace and Justice,
  • The Legacy Museum,
  • Rosa Parks Museum, and
  • Freedom Riders Museum.

We will be taking a 55-passenger bus and staying downtown at the DoubleTree by Hilton which is within easy walking distance of all the major museums. There is a restaurant at the hotel and Friday night’s dinner is included in the price as well as two breakfasts.

Reservations should be made by emailing March22@eliotchapel.org and are not complete until we have your check for $350 per person double room or $500 for a single. When you sign up, please indicate if you want a veg/vegan dinner on Friday night.

Checks should be make payable to "Eliot Chapel" with "Montgomery" on the memo line. They can be sent to Jim Lyon or turned in to the church office. Scholarships may be available from the Minister’s Discretionary Fund as we want as many Eliot people as possible to participate.

If the bus is not filled by January 1, we will open it to others to join us.
Gift Giving Tree in Adams Hall
Share some holiday spirit! Select an ornament from the tree and buy a small gift for the child or youth whose information is noted on the ornament. Return the gift and ornament to Eliot by Friday, December 21.

St. Louis Coalition for Sanctuary 
The Coalition is building committees for 2019, which are listed here. Please consider volunteering for one or more of them. Many hands make light work. This work is too heavy for one person – or church. Questions? Email immigration@eliotchapel.org with “Sanctuary Coalition” in the subject line.
ICE Accompaniment Project Training
Accompanying immigrant neighbors to scheduled check-ins with ICE offers a space of community and comfort during traumatic times. Participants find this simple act of witness both moving and remarkably effective at building bridges. The need is great, the rewards substantial. If interested, contact immigration@eliotchapel.org with “Accompaniment” in the subject line. A training will be scheduled for January.
Inquirers Series
There will be no Inquirers Series meeting this week. Watch for our spring series!
Monday, December 17
A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm in Room 001 
Environmental Justice Meeting – 7:00 pm in Room 005
UU Christian Group – 7:00 pm in the Triplett Room


Tuesday, December 18
Women's Alliance Christmas Luncheon – 11:00 am in Adams Hall
PCA Team – 1:30 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm outside Eliot
Avant Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in Room 006
Earth Based Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room
SJA Steering Committee – 7:15 pm in Adams Hall
Handbells – 7:30 pm in the Music Room


Wednesday, December 19
Larson Covenant Group – 7:15 pm in Room 006
Women's Chorale – 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary


Thursday, December 20
Room at the Inn – 5:30 pm in Adams Hall and Rooms 001-006
Justice on Earth All Read – 7:00 pm in the Bergfried Room
Peace and Tolerance Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Frederick-Gray Room


Friday, December 21
Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Adams Hall
Caroling at Plowsharing Crafts
Carol with Eliot tonight, December 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. All are welcome to sing, and all are encouraged to shop! A percentage of the profits throughout the day will go toward the Eliot choir’s March trip to Oak Park, Illinois – be sure to mention Eliot Chapel whenever you make your purchase!
Another Chance to Carol!
Yo u know about Plowsharing Crafts on Friday – the second chance is this Saturday, December 15, at the de Greef Hospice House on the campus of Mercy South (formerly St. Anthony's Hospital), 10024 Kennerly Dr., St. Louis 63128. Either meet at their office at 1:00 pm to sing, or carpool from Eliot at 12:30 pm. Please notify Jan so we'll know to look for you! Children welcome!
A Soul’s Journey
Amy and John Camie co-create a sacred journey through healing harp melodies and inspired spoken word that awaken an inner sanctum of tranquility and peace. Join them Saturday, December 15 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Donations are accepted at the door. See AmyCamie.com.
Shop at Eliot’s Holiday Bazaar
Start your holiday shopping – or finish it – at Eliot! Visit Eliot Chapel’s annual Holiday Bazaar in Adams Hall on Sunday, December 16. You will be dealing with each vendor directly, so bring checks or cash.
Deep Listening: the Spirit of Ubuntu
If you were intrigued by Billie Mayo’s December 2 service, here is an opportunity to build more skills in deep listening. If you missed the service, you can still come on Sunday, December 16 at 1:00 pm ! In this workshop, we will enhance our capacity to be empathic by connecting to one another and listening deeply to their story. Billie Mayo is a longtime Bahá'í and a recognized leader in racial justice. She has taught deep listening in school districts and other settings all over the United States and in South Africa.  Sign up today.
 
Eliot Chapel & Sustainability
Environmental Justice/Green Sanctuary Team meets on Monday, December 17 at 7:00 pm in Room 005. We are working on the Green Sanctuary questionnaire to determine where Eliot Chapel stands currently on sustainability issues. These questions will help us decide which steps we need to take in order to improve as individuals and as a congregation. We welcome your input. If you are unable to attend our meetings, please email your suggestions to environmentjustice@eliotchapel.org.
 

Join us for
Vigil for Hope and Healing #213
Tuesday, December 18 
at 5:00 pm outside Eliot. 
Please note: There will be no vigil on Christmas or New Year's Day.
Click on the links below to learn more about the events listed and sign-up information, or  check the newsletter  for more details.  
Posada in Solidarity with Immigrants  
Friday, December 21 at 5:30 PM
Please join the Immigration Justice Team at IFCLA’s Posada in solidarity with immigrants! This is a local twist on the traditional reenactment of Mary and Joseph's pilgrimage in search of an inn where they hoped to find welcome and community. Meet at Christ Church UCC in Maplewood. One group will walk about three-quarters of a mile to the Church, to honor Central American immigrants en route to the US. (Transportation to the starting point will be provided.) The other group will wait at Christ Church to welcome them. The pilgrimage will process back to the Church for the posada ritual. Once together, we will enjoy tamales, atole and other delicious Mexican treats.


New Attitudinal Healing Group Forming
Tuesday, January 22 at 7:00 pm
Eliot Chapel has been the host facility for the teaching of the spiritual curriculum called Attitudinal Healing (AH) since 2011. AH was founded by Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Jampolsky in 1975. He is the author of the national bestseller “Love is Letting Go of Fear.” A new 10-week series is forming. The meetings will focus on learning the 12 Principles of Attitudinal Healing using the text “Teach Only Love.” This powerful guide teaches participants how to heal relationships and bring peace and harmony to every aspect of their lives. Forgiveness is the cornerstone of the curriculum. The group is open to any member or friend of Eliot Chapel. There is a $50 registration fee. For more information please contact Corinne Esneault at attitudinalhealing@eliotchapel.org and/or refer to the local website: www.ahstlouis.org.


Sanctuary Open House 
Sunday, January 13
See what our church has done to prepare for a sanctuary seeker. Volunteer opportunities will be available as well as delicious treats from around the world. The Sanctuary space will be open between services and during the coffee hour.

 
6th Annual Bergfried Winter Warm-Up
Saturday, January 26
6:00 pm in Adams Hall
The Bergfried team will host a potluck gathering featuring a Bergfried-style music circle and a slide show of recent Bergfried events. 
Sunday, December 23 – 10:00 am only
“When the Meaning of Christmas Changes” – Rev. Jim Crawford
Come and join us this Sunday for a reflection of how the meaning of Christmas can
change and evolve. Featured musicians: Eliot Flute Ensemble


Christmas Eve, December 24 – 4:00, 5:30, & 8:00 pm
“Some Children See Him” – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth invited churches from around the world to send images of Mary and Jesus to hang in the church. The result is a breathtaking array of cultures and races. What Christmas message does this bring us?
Featured musicians
4:00 and 5:30 pm: Handbells; Eliot Choir
8:00 pm: Tritones; Women’s Chorale.

4:00 and 5:30 pm are traditional Christmas Eve services for all ages. 8:00 pm is a quieter, more reflective service. 
 
The ourEliot team 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, look for an on-duty member of the team in Adams Hall wearing an ourEliot badge or contact them via email at  ourEliot@eliotchapel.org .
314.821.0911 |  frontoffice@eliotchapel.org