The worship theme for June is Compassion.

Sunday, June 21 – 10:00 am " Tonglen: Widening the Circles of Compassion " – Ted Lau  Member Ted Lau leads the service which focuses on the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Tonglen meditation. This is the last Sunday for Jan Chamberlin to lead worship as our Music Director. The service video will be available at 10:00 am at eliotchapel.org and will remain there all week. It will also be on the Eliot Chapel Facebook page which allows you to comment and interact. We welcome your participation there.

Sharing the Offering In June, we're sharing our offering with the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America (IFCLA). Through education and advocacy, IFCLA convenes an inter-faith community to accompany the people of Latin America in their work for human rights and social justice. Together with their partners they create and sustain programming to put a human face on the issues in Latin America. They work to end racial profiling of immigrants both in the Saint Louis region and the United States as a whole, to promote just immigration policies, to close the School of the Americas / Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation , to end militarization of Latin America, to promote just trade, and to promote justice in all Latin American countries. Text ELIOT SHAREDPLATE $3 [or higher] to 73256 to give to the shared plate recipient using your text messaging. Please indicate "IFCLA" in the memo to ensure appropriate allocation. Checking the box next to "Contribute an extra $X.XX to help offset processing fees" helps pay for the fees Eliot pays to offer this text service. Standard text message rates do apply. You can also donate from the Giving page on Eliot's website or send a check to the front office. Religious Education We are hosting Zoom meetings for Religious Education but t he virtual meetups for children and youth will not meet on June 21 (Father's Day). Children's Summer Meetup and Summer Youth Group resume on Sunday, June 28. If you have any questions, please email Scott at eliotchapelre@gmail.com. Zoom Coffee Hour At 11:30 am, you are invited to “walk down the hall” so to speak and come to our Zoom Coffee Hour! We’ll take about 10 minutes or so to gather and let people settle in. Rev. Barbara will 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. Remember: this is an experiment! We promise at least some technical glitches and awkward moments, but also laughter and maybe a few tears. Just like church. Please watch your email for a link to join the Zoom coffee hour. If you're not on our mailing list, sign up here. Sunday at a Glance Virtual Church Service – 10:00 am on Eliot Chapel website Coffee Hour – 11:30 am via Zoom LeLaurin Covenant Group – 1:00 pm via Zoom

Please Remember Please remember Gary Gray who is now receiving therapy services at Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital.

Monday, June 22 Eliot Connects: Compassion – 7:00 pm via Zoom Tuesday, June 23 Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm outside Eliot Avant Covenant Group – 7:00 pm via Zoom Wednesday, June 24 Eliot Connects: Healing – 3:30 pm via Zoom Thursday, June 25 Grief Group – 3:00 pm via Zoom Contact your group leader if you need login information for your meeting.

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.

Church News

Guidelines for Eliot Unitarian Chapel Gatherings FAQ If you are considering starting a new event, or meeting in person for an ongoing event, please check below.  Q: How do small groups meet now?  A: Much as they have been meeting – on Zoom or by telephone. We have learned a lot in the few months, and can help you make this platform accessible to you and your members.  Q: Can my small group use the building to meet?  A: It will be some time before groups of any size can meet in our buildings – either the church in Kirkwood or the cottage and bunkhouses at Bergfried. One issue is cleaning: we would want any room to be cleaned per CDC standards after being used, and that will be a challenge. Another is protecting each other from contact with group members who may be carrying the virus without symptoms. And a third is fairness. We have lots of groups who want to use our space, and only a few rooms that would be large enough to facilitate social distancing.   Q: Can we meet outside on the church grounds?  A: For the most part, no. While we are learning that people are safer outdoors, there are still problems of liability for the church. Also, we would be unable to let people inside to use bathrooms, get water, or escape the heat or rain. (See cleaning issues.) Individuals, families, and housemates may visit Bergfried if they do not use the cottage or bunkhouses and if they notify the office in advance. We decided to allow the Tuesday night vigil to restart because we cannot do this ministry by Zoom, and it is of particular relevance to fulfilling our mission at this moment. Participants understand that they are required to wear masks and may not enter the building.    Q: How about meeting elsewhere – in homes or parks?  A: We still discourage this for official Eliot events. If you wish to advertise your group or activity in our publications, it’s an official event, regardless of where it takes place. We have added these guidelines to our How We Do Church Now document if you need to refer to it in the future.

Women’s Alliance Women’s Alliance is welcoming new members. We'll be meeting via Zoom twice a month – the first and third Tuesday mornings of each month for a book discussion and a program/speaker – until it’s safe to meet again in person. Member sign-up is due by June 30 in order to be listed in our member program. For further information, email Sue Blandford at  wa@eliotchapel.org.

Children's Summer Reading List for Social Justice Kids and families who are looking for summer reading materials are encouraged to check out the Social Justice Summer Reading List which contains books and resources on racial justice, African-centered books for young children, LBGTQ+ inclusive literature, and links to additional UU recommended resources. This list was compiled in 2016 based on recommended material from UUA religious professionals.

Celebrating Jan Come one, come all to celebrate the retirement of Jan Chamberlin, our beloved music director for the past 23 years! We will hold a car parade through Eliot's parking lot on Saturday, June 27 at 7:00 pm (rain date Sun., June 28th at 7 pm). This will be similar to the birthday and graduation parades that have become popular over the past few months. Car decoration is optional, but certainly encouraged! Please plan to stay inside your vehicle the entire time in order to maintain appropriate physical distancing. Recorded music will be provided – just bring yourself and your family, ready to honor Jan's dedicated service!

UU the Vote The SJA Steering Committee is encouraging people to get involved in upcoming election phone banking and other communications to “Get Out the Vote”! More details will be coming; however, you can sign up now to do phone banking during GA next week and learn more about Missouri’s Amendment 2.   UU the Vote is undertaking a massive phone banking effort during GA on June 25 – June 28. Use this link to the registration page on the UUA’s website to get involved. Eliot’s team on Medicaid Expansion with MCU is looking for people at Eliot to spread the word to get Amendment 2 passed on August 4th. Many of you signed the petition and helped get this on the ballot. The next step is to promote the details to Missouri voters you know how Amendment 2 benefits Missouri’s health and bottom line. Watch for details on this communication blitz from your SJA Steering Committee. You will be provided with a fact sheet and guidance on how to talk to people to get this passed on August 4th. For details go to Healthcare for Missouri Amendment 2 and watch for emails from Eliot’s SJA. Eliot Chapel R.A.V.E. s about Voting  Upcoming elections:  August 4, primary election November 3, general election R egister – Check your registration status here . Change of address or name or previously not voting may affect your registration status. Register to vote here .  Last days to register:  July 8 for the August 4 election  October 7 for the November 3 general election.  A bsentee Ballot – Be Safe. Vote by absentee ballot. Read about absentee balloting here .   Download an absentee ballot request here .  Mail to your local election authority, which can be found here .  NOTE: There are still current issues and litigation regarding the unreasonable required notarization of mail-in ballots. Keep watching for updates!! V ote!  Think ahead! Absentee ballots must be received by 5 pm on the second Wednesday prior to any election.   E lect! – Elect candidates who align with the UUA seven principles and UU values.

Nominations Due for 2020-2021 Shared Plate Recipients  Congregants may submit nominations for potential shared plate recipients for the upcoming church year but the deadline of June 30 is fast approaching. Ongoing commitments mean that only limited slots are available. Submit through the online form here.

Summer All Reads Eliot Chapel has two books on deck for discussion this summer. Eliot member Ed Shew has written an historical fiction book.  Chinese Brothers, American Sons: An Historical Novel tells the story of the "t ens of thousands of men from southern China who changed the course of American history with their tireless work in the California gold fields in the 1850s and their crucial contribution in the building of the first Transcontinental Railroad in the following decade. The tale unfolds through the eyes of two brothers, Li Chang and Li Yu, who arrive in San Francisco in 1854 in search of the Gold Mountain.… Despite their efforts, Asian Americans were the target of racism for a century beyond the opening of the railroad in 1869, and the poison has yet to fully disappear. The author's own story, of trying to fit into his hometown birthplace of St Louis, is one of the many rich strands to this broad narrative. But the story in the end is one of hope and triumph – the Chinese brothers are no longer invisible, they are now American sons.” SJA is sponsoring a Zoom conversation with author Ed Shew on Monday, July 13 from 7:00-8:30 pm. Sign up here. The e-book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and the print edition is available on Amazon or at local bookstores. Contact the author (see the directory or email allread@eliotchapel.org ) to purchase a copy with an added insert on how the book came to be plus an update that touches on the “Chinese Virus.”   Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy by David Daley “This is exactly the book that those of us who fear for the future of our country need right now, and it’s written with the storytelling flair of a novel. The everyday citizens profiled here will make you want to stand up and cheer...” And, we hope, motivate you to engage in the urgent work of "reforming democracy to save it.”  Order your copy from a favorite local bookstore or online, then join in a book discussion wth Eliot friends in late July and August. Peter Wilson and Barbara Harris will start the first Zoom discussion on Thursday, July 16 from 1:00-3:00 pm.  Sign up here .

Pride! in the Pandemic Tower Grove is holding a car parade to celebrate Pride on Sunday, June 28. Do you want to be a part of Pride this year? Do you have a fun car we could enter on behalf of Eliot? If so, please email frontoffice@eliotchapel.org to the attention of Lynn Murphy.

Checking In We’re planning some outreach calls to you, our members and friends, to check in, hear how you’re doing, and see how Eliot might support you during this time. Volunteers will be making contacts via email and phone. If you don’t hear from us by the end of June and would like to receive a call, please contact Christie in the front office at 314-821-0911 or  frontoffice@eliotchapel.org.

Participate in Worship You are invited to be part of the worship service! We are seeking Eliot folks who would like to take part in worship by lighting the chalice. This is a wonderful way to connect with your church community! You would record yourself (on your own or with members of your household) from home then send in the video to be included in Sunday's worship. Be aware that the service is viewable by the public. If you're interested, contact Christie Lee. We have chalice lighting words and video recording tips to guide you. Thank you!

Don't Miss GA! Here’s your chance to attend the very first all virtual UUA General Assembly without the cost of travel or lodging! Eliot Chapel needs to be represented! GA is only days away, June 24 through 28. Please consider signing up! Registration is only $150. Please visit uua.org/ga for the schedule. GA is where the governance of the association happens during general sessions. Eliot Chapel qualifies for 11 delegates to vote on the issues. Any voting member of Eliot Chapel is welcome to volunteer to be a delegate by contacting Jan Chamberlin at music@eliotchapel.org. GA registrants receive access to all workshops, performances, worship services, lectures, and events listed in the GA Program. Registrants will have exclusive access to a chatroom, recordings of previous streams, and dedicated support. Some programs will be open to the public. Registration is not required to view or participate in the Service of the Living Tradition, Synergy Bridging Worship, or Sunday Morning Worship. Please check in with Jan Chamberlin if you plan to attend, even if you're not a delegate, so you can be included in discussions.

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. The changes this week were updates on RE Zoom meetings and the addition of the guidelines for gatherings as mentioned above. Read all about it in the linked document. As a reminder, all staff are working from home. The building is closed. A staff person will check 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.

Eliot Connects Series Information The Adult Education: Spirit in Practice Team has developed a new series that offers time to engage with others and connect with our church community through spiritual development. Eliot Connects Compassion Session with Ted Lau  Monday, June 22 7 to 8 pm Imagining compassion leads to acting compassionately. In this time of social distancing and sheltering in place we may feel thwarted in our ability to act compassionately or for causes we champion. But this is an opportunity to start or renew compassion practices. We’ll practice Tonglen or other meditation to relieve suffering in ourselves and others, and share how compassion has appeared in our lives recently. Ted Lau will facilitate with participation from Social Justice in Action leaders.  Sign up to receive the group log-in information. Eliot Connects Healing Session with Peter Wilson Wednesday, June 24    3:30 to 4:45 pm  The Eliot Connects: Healing sessions will continue through September on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. They will use Rev. Richard Rohr’s  The Universal Christ  as a text. You are asked to bring your whole self to these sessions and actively participate. This will enable us to go deep in learning with and from each other. Space is available for a few more participants.  Register here.

Vigil for Hope & Healing Tuesday, June 23 5:00 pm outside Eliot Thanks to the 32 people who showed up for the vigil on June 16. We still have more grass to spread out more people and maintain our social distancing. 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 bathrooms. Black Lives Matter signs will be for sale. Your minimum contribution is $10, $15, or $20. All money goes to MCU’s BLM sign project. ( Photo courtesy of Ava Smith, Eliot Youth Group member )

Grief Group Thursday, June 25 3:00 pm The Grief Education and Support Program is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one or is dealing with anticipatory grief. If you are in need of grief support, please contact griefgroup@eliotchapel.org.

Sunday, June 28 "Beyond the Water's Edge" – Sunday Morning Worship from General Assembly  Next Sunday, Eliot Chapel will take part in the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. This powerful, communal worship experience will be online and is open to the public. Rev. Joan Javier-Duval will deliver the sermon at the 2020 General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship. She serves as Minister of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, VT. She is the daughter of immigrants from the Philippines, mother of a kindergartener, and spouse of a proud Vermonter. Beauty, gratitude, and love are at the heart of her faithful striving for collective liberation and a thriving planet. Eliot Chapel will share this service from the UUA GA. Please watch for details on our Facebook page and in next week's This Week at Eliot.

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