Sunday, November 28 – 9:00 and 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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Masks are required at the service for anyone over two years of age. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. We will announce any cancellations for inclement weather on our website and social media. In that event, worship will be recorded in the sanctuary and a video will be available by 11:00 am.
We have reservations available this week. Reservations for the week's services open after 3:00 pm on Monday. A separate email with reservation links goes out through our email list. Reservations will be made through SignUpGenius:
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We will be recording one of our services on Sunday. 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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Sharing the Offering
In 1886, 15 courageous Unitarian women took a stand for the most impoverished children in St. Louis. These women founded a "day nursery" with a mission "to prevent pauperism by assisting breadwinners with young children on their hands, to earn an honest living." South Side Day Nursery, as it was known then, welcomed children of every race, ethnicity, and income level.
Over the decades SouthSide has grown, and its mission has expanded. Today the mission is to nurture, educate and inspire children and families in a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting healthy development and a strong foundation for success. Their vision is that children develop a lifelong love of learning, flourish within a supportive family environment and contribute positively to their communities. Children can enter as early as 6 months old and graduate when they begin regular school kindergarten.
SouthSide can serve up to 140 children each day. We all know the value of early childhood education. SouthSide is doing an outstanding job of providing it for children who really need it. Their work gives children coming from difficult situations a great chance for success. Learn more at www.southside-ecc.org.
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Here’s how you can give:
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Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
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By Mail: Please write “SouthSide ECC” 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 SharedPlate $(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 note, "SharedPlate" must be entered as one word to reach that preferred option.
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Religious Education & Youth Group
There are no regular Religious Education classes on November 28 (Thanksgiving Weekend). The winter program will begin December 5. Note the following activities for November 28 are available at the 9:00 service only:
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The nursery & preschool activity space will be OPEN during the 9:00 am service for our youngest UUs who need freedom of movement.
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We will also have a Movie Room open for elementary-age children during the 9:00 service. The movie is Winnie-the-Pooh: Seasons of Giving. Children should begin the morning in the sanctuary with their family before departing after the wisdom story.
Youth activities for youth in grades 8-12 will resume on Sunday, December 5.
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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 30
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm in front of Eliot
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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Congratulations and Best Wishes
Congratulations and best wishes to longtime Eliot staff member and RE leader Heather Flick. Heather has accepted a new specialist position at a School for the Deaf in Indianapolis which begins on December 1.
Since 2013 (with the exception of one year out-of-state for her Master’s program), Heather has been an exemplary colleague and a dedicated member of the Eliot staff team, working primarily in the Religious Education program as well as staffing the front office for several years. Over the years she has taught Religious Education elementary classes, staffed the nursery and preschool rooms, co-led field trips for families this fall, shared stories in worship for children, created visual displays for Time for All Ages in 2020-21, provided a welcoming presence in the office on Sunday, assisted with live streaming, and many more “behind the scenes” roles too numerous to name.
Heather’s final Sunday at Eliot will be November 28. Thank you, Heather, for your years of dedicated service and ministry with the Eliot community. On behalf of the staff team and congregation, we wish you the very best on this exciting new chapter in your life.
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Thanks and Deep Appreciation
Many thanks and deep appreciation to longtime Eliot Religious Education and Youth staff member Noel Burke. Noel’s final day of employment with Eliot Chapel is December 3.
Since 2011, Noel has been a dedicated member of Eliot’s Religious Education & Youth staff team in various capacities, working primarily in the Religious Education (RE) program for children and, more recently, the youth program. Over the years she has taught Religious Education elementary classes, staffed the nursery and preschool rooms, served as an Our Whole Lives (OWL) leader for children, shared stories in worship for children (both in person and online), assisted with live streaming, and many more staff roles too numerous to name.
Thank you, Noel, for your years of dedicated service and ministry with children, youth and the wider Eliot community. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
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Renewing Our Traditions
Many thanks to those who brought in quilts to share at our Bread Services: Jan Chamberlin, Beth Curtiss, Jan Erdman, Cathy Fueglein, Sue Jarrett, Christie Lee, Pat Lee, Flo Reaves, and Rebecca Schuder. We appreciate being able to renew our tradition! Special thanks to the quilt hanging team of Sue Jarrett, Jim Lyon, Flo Reaves, and Rebecca Schuder.
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Covenant Groups
"Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging." —Deepak Chopra
In Covenant Groups, we give of ourselves and in doing so we receive so much back – friendship, connection, and a sense of affirmation. Covenant groups have been an important part of Eliot Chapel for such a long time because they benefit the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of its participants.
- Lynn Murphy: meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. Theme: Peace & Tolerance
- Janet Solecki & Flint Boettcher: meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:15 pm.
- Bonnie Kwentus: meets the 1st Monday of the month at 10:00 am.
- Lynn Murphy: meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm. Theme: Earth-Based Spirituality
- Joanne Prats: meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm. Theme: Soul Matters curriculum
- Mary Ann Mace: meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm.
- Roz Marx: meets the 1st Sunday of the month at 12:50 pm. Theme: Positive Psychology
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Safety at Bergfried
For your safety, we ask that you refrain from visiting Bergfried during the upcoming deer hunting season. The main hunting window is Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 12. We do expect hunters on the property during this interval. 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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Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, November 30
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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ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING
Starting Point
with Rev. Krista Taves and Amy Stark
Sundays:
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 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
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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, December 5 – 9:00 & 11:00 am
“Practices of Joy” – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
How do you cultivate more joy in your life? There are practices that help us find and spread joy, even in the most 'serious' times. Special music by Klezhundheit!
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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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