Bread Service 2021
Most Unitarian Universalist congregations in North America hold a special Bread Service on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We honor the harvest with gratitude and generosity. At Eliot we invite everyone to bring bread that has a special meaning to you and/or your family. Especially meaningful are loaves reflecting ethnic background and loaves you associate with Thanksgiving, harvest, and extended family. During the service you will be invited to bring your bread to the front, briefly share its significance, and leave it to be enjoyed by all.
This year our service will be hybrid – both in person and online. If you attend worship online and would like to include a brief sharing of your bread’s significance, please email it to Rev. Krista Taves at ktaves@eliotchapel.org by noon on Saturday and it will be read during the service.
Eliot will have three traditional bread services the weekend before Thanksgiving at 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 20 and at 9:00 and 11:00 am on Sunday, November 21. Because of COVID precautions, all wishing to attend will be expected to follow these protocols:
- The Saturday 5:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am services are open to vaccinated people 12+, partially vaccinated children, and unvaccinated children. The Sunday 11:00 am service is for vaccinated people 12+ only.
- You must register to attend. Spaces are limited for social distancing purposes. See registration links below. If you are unable to sign up using our electronic system, please call the front office at 314-821-0911 to register.
- Masks must be worn properly at all times for everyone 2+ years of age on Eliot property, whether indoors or outdoors. We have masks available for adults and children if you need them.
- There will be no eating or drinking in the building. Socializing outdoors is encouraged!
- If you bring bread, please bring it already sliced. Keep your bread with you during the service. You will leave it on the cart provided after you briefly share your bread’s significance. Volunteers will take it to Adams Hall to prepare it for serving.
- After the service, please exit the sanctuary using the Adams Hall exit. All the breads will have been divided into bags and you are welcome to take a bag home to enjoy.
Sign up for Bread Service:
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We will be recording one of our services. 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. |
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Bread Service Offering
Once again, Eliot’s Bread Service offering will provide support for the needy and elderly in our partner village of Nyárádszentmárton, a Unitarian village located in the Transylvanian area of Romania. This collection is a long tradition at Eliot Chapel and is of tremendous assistance to those who receive it. Please give generously.
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Here’s how you can give:
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Online: Click here. Make sure “Partner Church” is your chosen fund.
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By Mail: Please write “Bread Sunday” in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 by December 7, 2021.
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By Text: Text "Eliot $(enter the amount)" to 73256. A link in the reply text will take you to our secure database webpage where you can complete your transaction. Please indicate "Partner Church" in the memo portion.
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Religious Education
Religious Education & Youth Group
There are no Religious Education classes or youth activities on November 20-21. Children and youth should attend the annual Bread Services with their family.
For our youngest UUs who need freedom of movement, the new nursery and preschool room will be open during the 9:00 am service on Sunday, November 20. The new space is in Room 002-003 downstairs.
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Zoom Coffee Hour
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.
Sunday at a Glance
Sunday Worship – 9:00 am in the Sanctuary
Sunday Worship – 11:00 am in the Sanctuary
Coffee Hour – 12:00 pm via Zoom
Young Adult Group – 12:30 pm on Discord
Starting Point – 2:00 pm via Zoom
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Tuesday, November 23
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm in front of Eliot
Thursday, November 25
Happy Thanksgiving!
Eliot Chapel offices are closed today for the holiday.
Friday, November 26
Eliot Chapel offices are closed today.
Contact your group leader if you need login information for your meeting.
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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. |
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Please Remember
Please keep Cheryl and Todd Stein in your thoughts. Cheryl is in the hospital recovering from surgery, and they look forward to her coming home soon.
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Left, 9:00 am service; right, 11:00 am service, November 14, 2021. |
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A Thank You
We celebrated our last outdoor services last week. We still can't believe there was (mostly) sunny and (mostly) hospitable weather each week. We went from sweating and looking for shade in the beginning, to bundling up in blankets and coats toward the end. We loved worshiping with all ages, together again after so many months of separation. Special thanks to everyone who created our sanctuary each week, organizing volunteers, setting up the flags, chalking the driveway pods and painting the orange grid on our grass, setting out tables and chairs, and more. Thanks to our covenant groups who helped us tear down and put away. Thanks to our greeters who guided folks through this "strange new world" of pods and signing in for worship. Many, many thanks to Ken Denson, our sound guru who just made it all happen every week.
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Thanks to our staff who worked extra hard to create this brand-new experience. And thank all of you who came to worship. We look forward to worshiping indoors. But we will not forget the sudden showers of golden leaves, trains blasting their way through the prayers, and this relaxed and easy way of coming together as a worshiping community. |
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Join the Flower Team!
The Flower Team delivers and displays one floral arrangement (cut, live, or artificial) for each Sunday worship service. The flowers help beautify the Sanctuary, and the team members get to offer their talents in floral design. Flower arrangements can also be a way to celebrate a life, milestone, anniversary, or remembrance of a person or event. If you are interested in joining the team or have a Sunday you would like to provide flowers, please contact Carolyn Burke at flowers@eliotchapel.org.
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Safety at Bergfried
For your safety, we ask that you refrain from visiting Bergfried during the upcoming deer hunting seasons. The main hunting windows are Friday, November 12 through Tuesday, November 23 and Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 12. We do expect hunters on the property during those intervals. Outside those dates, we recommend wearing bright color (blaze orange recommended) from now to the end of December as an extra precaution.
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COVID Support Team
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.
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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.
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.
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ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING
Starting Point
with Rev. Krista Taves and Amy Stark
Sundays: November 21, December 12, & December 19
2-3:30 pm on Zoom
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 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
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Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, November 23
5:00 – 6:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
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.
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WHAT MOVES US:
Engaging Our Unitarian Universalist Theology
with Rev. Krista Taves
The second Monday of the month
7:00 - 8:30 pm on Zoom
When we say
- "I always love that song,"
- "I cry whenever we..."
- "I feel safe here,"
- "My heart is stronger," or
- "I'm ready for what comes next,"
we know what moves us as Unitarian Universalists: personal experience. These comments and so many others demonstrate that our religious and spiritual feelings and practices are changing and transforming us through direct personal experience as a major source of our Unitarian Universalist faith. In fact, it is our first source: "Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to an openness to the forces that create and sustain life." Yet, we often stumble when trying to explain our Unitarian Universalist theology of personal experience to ourselves and to others. We falter when we try to explain how our Unitarian Universalist faith heals, saves, liberates, holds, and moves us to ethical action and compassion.
"What Moves Us" peels back the theological language we use to affirm our faith experiences with one another and in the wider world. We will focus on a different UU theologian in every session, and through their story and the meaning they made of it, reflect on our direct experiences as the source of our faith. What Moves Us creates an adult faith journey for those who are new to this faith tradition and those who have long been Unitarian Universalists. Eight sessions, one each month, will take place on Zoom. You are welcome to register for the class after the first session as each session stands on its own.
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Upcoming Session Dates – 2nd Monday of the month, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
December 13, January 10,
February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9.
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Sunday, November 28 – 9:00 & 11:00 am
“Hanukkah: History, Identity, Celebration, and Survival ”
– Rev. Krista Taves
It is the first night of Hanukkah, when the first candle of eight is lit to honor and celebrate the Jewish spirit of survival and celebration. We will recognize this sacred and special time.
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ourEliot 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, please email ourEliot@eliotchapel.org. |
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Connect with Eliot Chapel |
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