Sunday, January 10, 2021
Staying True to our Visions in a Changing World
– Rev. Krista Taves
Our faith exists because we have imagined a vision of how life could be if we truly lived in peace with one another and the earth.
Our service video will be available at 10:00 am at eliotchapel.org and will remain there all week. You can also find it directly on Eliot Chapel's YouTube channel.
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Sharing the Offering
We have a longstanding tradition at Eliot Chapel of sharing our Sunday offering with an organization in our community. In January, we are sharing our plate with the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. Meacham Park is a predominantly African American community in Kirkwood. Even before Meacham Park was annexed to Kirkwood, an intentionally diverse group of Meacham Park and Kirkwood residents formed to advocate for Meacham Park. Eliot Chapel has long ensured that we have one of our members at the table so that we are always ready to lend a hand and to be part of the solution. Our representative for the last seven years has been Janet Solecki. When asked what it has meant for our church to make this longstanding commitment, President Harriet Patton shared that it was simply a blessing, that we are the only church in Kirkwood to have made such a commitment to the Association.
The Neighborhood Improvement Association offers college scholarships and many programs for students, including a STEM workshop in the spring, Pride in the Park in the summer, school supplies in the fall, and they sponsor 20 families at Christmas.
But this has been a difficult year for Meacham Park. COVID-19 has hit the Black community harder than anyone else, and so has the resulting economic hardship. Their well-loved Martin Luther King Jr. Day Musical Celebration usually pays for most of their programs, and it has been cancelled due the pandemic. So we’ve decided to step up our game. Our goal is to raise $3000 through our Shared Plate this month for the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. This will help them continue to serve Meacham Park families as it always has.
We will let you know each week how close we are to meeting our goal. You can give in one of three ways:
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Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
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By Mail: Please write “Meacham Park” in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122.
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By Text: Text "Eliot $(enter the amount) SharedPlate" to 73256. A link in the reply text will take you to our secure database webpage where you can complete your transaction. Please note, "SharedPlate" must be entered as one word to reach that preferred option.
The motto of the Association is Come Together. Work Together. Stay Together. Let’s show up strong for our beloved neighbors.
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Shared Plate Update: $885.15 out of the $3000 goal, as of 1/7/21.
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Religious Education
Religious Education for Children (1st-6th grade): Sunday, January 10 @ 9:15 via Zoom
Eliot children and families are invited to gather at 9:15 am via Zoom for connection and community. This week’s session is co-hosted by Christie Lee, Noel Burke, Heather Flick and adult lay leaders. This week’s theme is “Re-connecting in the New Year” and includes the story “The Everything Seed.” Zoom links will be distributed to registered families by email on Friday, January 8.
Junior High Group (7th & 8th grade): Sunday, January 10 @ 11:00 via Zoom
Youth in 7th & 8th grade (or the homeschool equivalent) are invited to gather for community, connection, and FUN, hosted by Ann Lemon and members of the Junior High Leadership Team. A Zoom link will be sent to registered Eliot youth on Friday, January 8.
Senior High Youth Group: Sunday, January 10 @ 11:00 via Zoom
Eliot youth in 9th-12th grade (or the homeschool equivalent) are invited to gather for community, connection, and FUN. The room will open at 10:45 am and activities begin at 11:00, hosted by Scott Stewart and youth group lay leaders. A Zoom link will be sent to registered Eliot youth on Friday, January 8.
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Zoom Coffee Hour
At 11:30 am, 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
RE for Children – 9:15 am via Zoom
Online Church Service – 10:00 am on Eliot Chapel website
Junior High Group – 11:00 am via Zoom
Senior High Youth Group – 11:00 am via Zoom
Coffee Hour – 11:30 am via Zoom
Young Adult Group – 12:30 pm on Discord
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Monday, January 11
Inquirer Series – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Tuesday, January 12
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm online
EUC Board Meeting – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Wednesday, January 13
Nature: Reverence & Reason – 7:00 pm via Zoom
Thursday, January 14
Lunch with the Minister – 12:30 pm via Zoom
Setting Ourselves Up to Flourish – 7:00 pm via Zoom
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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Your response to the Chalice Keepers call in December was — are you ready? $22,124! This is more than double what we were hoping for. Thank you, Eliot Chapel, for your amazing generosity! You are shining the light of our UU values and mission in the world.
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Gift Giving Tree: Thank You!
A HUGE thank you to Eliot members and friends of all ages for your overwhelming support of the 2020 Gift Giving Tree. 100+ gift items were collected from the gift boxes and another $850 was collected in financial contributions, which was used by Youth In Action to purchase an additional 200+ gifts and gift cards for area children and youth in need.
Youth In Action collected, wrapped, and distributed over 1,000 gifts this December with Eliot’s contributions being a HUGE part of their outreach efforts since so many organizations were unable to contribute gifts this year due to the pandemic.
Thank you for your generosity, caring hearts, and support for gift outreach to area children and youth.
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2020 Survey
The Board thanks everyone who participated in the 2020 congregational survey. The survey helps us to set goals and to keep in tune with the concerns of the congregation.
Eliot's responses to the survey included some subtle but important differences compared to previous years and also some new insights. And in many ways the results were very similar to those of our other surveys in recent years. Survey responders were generally satisfied with Eliot's primary goals and satisfied with its progress toward those goals.
The survey revealed that we're grateful that the church was able to pivot so quickly to an online format, but also that we wish it were possible to meet in person. It also revealed that we are generally stressed and lonely in the pandemic and eager to return to some form of normalcy.
For the full report of the results, see the link on the Board page of Eliot's website, or click here. This report includes a lot of great information and is recommended reading for whoever is interested.
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Eliot Chapel Community of Hope Video Series
This month, Eliot Chapel’s Social Justice in Action Committee will be launching a Community of Hope video series exploring social justice issues central to our core mission and values. The series will kick off on Tuesday, January 19 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. During this time we will watch and then discuss “Revolutionary Love,” a Ted Talk led by Valarie Kaur, activist, filmmaker, faith leader, and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Four additional video “get-togethers” via Zoom will be held the third Tuesday of each month through May (details forthcoming). Each will center on an issue related to social justice, including racial equity and inclusion, voting rights, environmental justice, and immigration reform. Please mark your calendars to attend the January 19 session Zoom session! We hope to see you there!
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Help Wanted
The Bergfried fire crew could use your help next week. If you are in reasonable physical shape and want to join us for some unusual activity, email bergfriedfire@eliotchapel.org with the days (Monday, January 11 through Saturday, January 16) that you are free.
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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.
Donations to the Minister's Discretionary Fund are also welcome should we face an increased need because of the shutdown in our region. Please indicate “Minister's Discretionary Fund” in the memo line of your gift. You may also text ELIOT MDF to 73256 to give using your mobile device.
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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. Changes to RE information were made this week.
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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A Word from Rev. Krista
One of the losses that many of us speak of during this pandemic is the ability to be in community. Our circles have become smaller. We aren’t visiting each other, eating together, worshiping together, or meeting for casual conversation like we used to. This takes a spiritual toll. Some of us are finding our closest relationships more stressed because we are relying on each other to meet most of the emotional needs that used to be met through a wider circle of relationships. Now as more in our circles are contracting COVID-19, we can’t be there for each other as we want to. So not surprisingly, some of us are experiencing more anxiety, irritability and impatience, difficulties sleeping, managing our diets, maintaining routines, and exercising.
The ministers, staff, and leadership at Eliot Chapel have taken this to heart. Last spring we created a series of Eliot Connects groups that continue to meet and are always ready to accept newcomers. Last summer many of you received a call or email asking how you and yours are doing. As the pandemic drags on, we have decided to make these calls every month. Rev. Barbara or I host Lunch with the Minister every Thursday at 12:30 pm. The worship and RE teams are constantly asking how we create programs that offer support and connection and we’re making adjustments as we go. The Pastoral Care Associates are also always ready to make a call and provide a listening ear. All you have to do is email pastoralcare@eliotchapel.org. I will give you a call to check in with you and to help connect you with the right PCA.
This month we are introducing an evening Joys and Sorrows worship service on the third Wednesday of every month. All ages are welcome. There will be music, prayer and meditation, centering readings, and a time for the sharing of joys and sorrows. The service will be held on Zoom and will not be livestreamed in order to offer a safer space for personal sharing. The zoom connection information will be in the Eliot on Zoom email that arrives weekly.
We are always open to hearing your ideas of how we can be there for each other as a community. Know that you are not alone, that we are here for you and your family, and that together, we will persevere, find new life and hope despite the challenges, and come through this time stronger.
Love to you all,
Rev. Krista
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Inquirer Series
Monday, January 11
7:00 – 8:00 pm via Zoom
If you are new to Eliot Chapel, new to Unitarian Universalism, or wanting to deepen your understanding of Unitarian Universalism, this is the class for you. This multi-part series has begun but you are welcome to join in for sessions on Unitarian Universalist history and theology, UU religious education and spiritual development, how we worship, take care of each other and serve our community, and what it means to be a member of this congregation. Sessions are held on Zoom. Sign up here or on Realm now!
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Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, January 12
5:00 pm via Zoom
The Black Lives Matter vigil has gone digital! Our Black Lives Matter in-person vigil has been suspended for the duration of the stay-at-home order in St. Louis County. This doesn’t mean that we are going to stop witnessing for black lives!
Join us for our weekly online vigil Tuesdays at 5:00 pm. We will meet on Zoom and livestream our vigil onto Facebook.
How to prepare for our online vigil:
- Write “Black Lives Matter” in dark lettering on a small piece of paper, no bigger than a standard letter envelope.
- Check your background to be sure nothing is visible that you don’t want broadcast in public!
- Connect to the vigil using the Zoom link provided in the weekly Eliot On Zoom email that comes Sunday morning. Make sure you are muted.
- Sit silently with your BLM sign for the duration of the vigil.
- Help expand our witness! During the vigil, go to the Eliot Unitarian Chapel facebook page and share the vigil to your facebook page, twitter feed, or any social media platform you use so that it can be shared further!
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Lunch with the Minister
Revs. Barbara and Krista invite you to a weekly Lunch with the Minister every Thursday at 12:30 pm. Bring your lunch or just bring yourself! Depending on the size of the group, we will hang out together in the main room or go into breakout groups. The link to join this Zoom meeting will be in the weekly "Eliot on Zoom" email. Check it out and get together!
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NEW OFFERING FROM ELIOT CONNECTS
Setting Ourselves Up to Flourish
Using the practice of mindfulness to capitalize on our individual character strengths
Thursdays, January 14 – February 25, 7:00-8:30 pm
In this seven-week class, we will grow our understanding of the synergy between
mindfulness and character strengths by focusing on ways to cultivate our personal
signature strengths, and ways to promote connection with and use of a strength-based perspective to assist ourselves to flourish as we open the new year. Class size is limited; please check your schedule assuring your ability to attend prior to registering.
Prior to the first class, please take the free online character strength survey at VIA
Eliot Chapel member Jeanne Kloeckner is an Occupational Therapist, mindfulness
instructor, and yoga teacher in private practice (jeannekloeckner.com).
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Joys and Sorrows Evening Service
Beginning January 20, 7:00 pm
As the pandemic drags on, our spiritual need to stay connected and present to each other grows. Beginning on January 20 and continuing the 3rd Wednesday of the month, Rev. Barbara Gadon and Rev. Krista Taves will be hosting a monthly evening service focused on sharing and connection. There will be centering readings, prayer, silence, and a time for deep sharing of our joys and sorrows. The service will be live on Zoom. It will not be recorded or livestreamed because of the invitation for personal sharing. Families are welcome. The zoom connection information will be shared via the weekly Eliot on Zoom email that is sent out the weekend prior.
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Sunday, January 17
Winning with a Tough Mind and Tender Heart – Amy Hunter
In a time when we are asked to reimagine our lives, examine the work of a servant leader, explore what faithful activism looks like we will need both a tough mind and a tender heart.
Amy Hunter is a native St. Louisan and a compelling and hopeful voice for racial justice. As director of racial justice for the YWCA, she created Witnessing Whiteness, a program bringing hundreds of people together to learn and grow. She currently serves as director of diversity and inclusion for Caleres.
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