As we come full circle and prepare to end our exploration of the theme of love, we look at how love can be liberating of the individual and communities.

Large-print orders of service and hearing assistance devices are available from the greeters on Sunday. We livestream our service; find it at eliotchapel.org. After the stream, a recording will be available there all week. You can also find it directly on our YouTube channel.

If you're worshipping with us on livestream, you can always find a digital order of service, including lyrics to the hymns, on our website. Also, check out This Week's Music at Eliot Chapel, a new feature from our music director Adam Kosberg. You'll get insight into the music selections for this week's service and find the lyrics to the anthem.

At Eliot Chapel, we follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. When St. Louis County is at a Red Level or High Level, we will: 

You may access the policy document on Eliot Chapel's website to read more of the details. 

Every Sunday, Eliot Chapel shares half of the offertory with an organization in the community whose work reflects our shared values. This is one way that we care for our community and our neighbors. We are very pleased that February’s recipient is Metropolitan Congregations United.

Let us be good neighbors. Let us be a generous people. You can give in one of three ways:

Specific plans for each age group are shared with registered families via email each week. To learn more about the 2022-23 RE program, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.

Zoom Coffee Hour takes place at 12:30 pm on Sunday. You are invited to "walk down the hall" and come to our Zoom Coffee Hour! We'll take a few minutes to say hello and let people settle in, then we'll say a few words of welcome and briefly review the service that day. We typically really enjoy the wisdom story and discuss how that story reflects on the theme of the sermon. Then we'll create breakout rooms of 5-6 people for conversation and sharing. We love making new friends and the small groups are great for that! In approximately 45 minutes, everyone will return to the big group and we'll say our goodbyes for the week. We usually end shortly after 1:30 pm, but those who wish to can stay a few minutes longer. Please watch your email for "Eliot on Zoom" on Sunday morning which will include a link to join the Zoom Coffee Hour. If you're not on our mailing list, sign up here. We look forward to seeing you!

OWL Program – 10:00 am in Room 006

Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Religious Education – 10:15 am (after Time for All Ages) in RE wing

In-Person Social Hour – 11:00 am in Adams Hall

Board Retreat –11:00 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Ministerial Search – 11:15 am in the Senior High Room

SJA Forum – 11:30 am in the Sanctuary

Women's Weekend Planning – 11:30 am in Room 001

Young Adult Group – 11:45 am in the Triplett Room

Online Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom

Attitudinal Healing – 10:00 am in Room 006

Easter Music Rehearsal – 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Women’s Alliance Field Trip – offsite

Wellspring – 6:30 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Immigration Justice – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Vision Quest – 8:00 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Wellspring – 9:30 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Transitions Support Group – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

SJA Steering Committee – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001

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.

Please keep Joanne, Jordi and Emma Prats in your thoughts. Joanne’s mother Lena Allen passed away on February 15 in Saint Lambert, Quebec. 

An informal gathering to celebrate the life of our dear friend, June Crowther, has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 14 at 2:00 pm in Adams Hall at Eliot Chapel. We hope that you will be available to gather with us and share your memories and reflections of our multi-faceted, intelligent, witty, caring and politically passionate dear June. Rev. Krista Taves will officiate.

We are saddened to share that Jim Reed, member of Eliot Chapel, passed away on January 18 after a battle with cancer. His memorial will take place at Eliot Chapel in the spring. Please remember his family and Chris Hickey, his girlfriend. His obituary is online here.

What is a Giving Gathering? It is a fun event hosted by an Eliot member during the stewardship canvass campaign, March 5 – April 15. Please only sign up for ONE event – we want to have room for every member and friend to attend an event.

Why? It's an opportunity to get together with Eliot folks outside of Sunday worship service. You may see familiar faces and are encouraged to meet new people when you attend the event of your choice.

Where? These 26 events are scheduled at various places, dates, and times, depending on the experience the host has created. Some are at Eliot, some at members' homes, and some at parks and trails! While you are at the event, you will take a few moments to sign your pledge card for the 23-24 canvass, seal it, and turn it in to the host.

How do I sign up? You get to "choose your own adventure."

After you sign up for a Giving Gathering, you can expect to receive an invitation in the mail by the end of February from your host. It will have all the details you need about the event and you can RSVP to your host to confirm your attendance.

Due to staff vacation, the deadline for This Week at Eliot on March 10 will be Thursday, March 2. If you anticipate any other communication needs for the weeks of March 6 through March 17, please contact Debby at news@eliotchapel.org as soon as possible.

This event will take place Saturday, March 4 in Adams Hall and is hosted by the Nominating Committee. Join us from 9:00-10:00 for refreshments and socializing and stay for the program from 10:00-noon.

Celebrate Bergfried and the end of winter a bit closer to home! The Bergfried Team sponsors our annual Winter Warmup Potluck Dinner on Saturday, March 4 in Adams Hall. COVID transmission levels prevented us from gathering in January, but we are hoping conditions ease so we can gather and connect. Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy some camaraderie. We’ll offer a fire circle featuring Eliot musicians (bring your instruments!) and a slide show of recent Bergfried events. Nature crafts for all ages will be offered. Signup sheets are on the Eliot bulletin board or contact bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org. Please let us know if you are bringing a main dish, side or dessert. Doors open at 5:30, dinner at 6:00.

Gather your friends on National Superhero Day, April 28, for a night of fun at Crestwood Community Center for the 2023 Eliot Chapel Trivia Night: Celebrating Heroes! Doors open at 6:15 pm, trivia begins at 7:00 pm.

Early bird pricing is $200 per table of 8 ($25/per person) until March 31. After that, tables of 8 are $240 ($30 each). Trivia questions will cover a broad range of subjects. You'll have a chance to purchase mulligans, win gift baskets, bid on auction items, and play games between rounds. Cash prizes go to the top three trivia tables.

Come dressed as your favorite HERO, super or otherwise! Prizes for Best Dressed Table and Best Decorated Table! Bring your own food and drink. Popcorn, soda, and water provided. Register online now!

Can you help out on the night of the event or beforehand? Can you make a gift basket for the raffle? Do you have a service or a gift card or tickets you could offer for the auction? Send an email to trivia@eliotchapel.org or sign up in Adams Hall after the service on Sunday.

Are you someone who can provide caring support to families in times of bereavement and joy? Are you looking for a way to make extra money? Eliot Chapel needs someone(s) to volunteer to handle memorials and weddings by coordinating the event at Eliot with the family or bridal party. This would be a paid-per-event non-employee opportunity. Please contact the frontoffice@eliotchapel.org if you are interested.

Join with thousands of UUs from all over the country at General Assembly this summer. This will be an historic time for change and possibility in our faith. Susan Frederick-Gray, a daughter of our congregation, will complete her term as UUA president and we will elect a new president. Most importantly we will consider proposed revisions to our Principles, centered and anchored in Love.

If you have been before, you know GA is a wonderful celebration of being a UU. There are interesting and engaging workshops, great music and singing together, inspiring worship services, the Ware Lecture, a public witness event, and sessions to handle the business of our UUA.

Registration is now open and there is a significant discount if you register by February 28.

If you contributed less than $250 last year and would like a Contribution Statement, you may email Camille Novak at admin@eliotchapel.org and request a statement, or print your own statement in your Realm profile.

The Eliot Ride Team provides rides to church and to medical appointments for Eliot members and friends who cannot drive themselves. If you need a ride, email ineedaride@eliotchapel.org with your name, your address, where you need to go, and the date and time needed. We will be in touch to make arrangements. 

The Eliot Meal Train provides meals to Eliot members and friends who need some love and care. For example, we will provide meals for those who have recently lost a loved one or are recovering from medical care. If you would like to request meals or offer to provide meals, please email mealtrain@eliotchapel.org with your contact information and someone will be in touch with you.

A Crash Course on Unitarian Universalism since 1945

A Crash Course on Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist Statements of Identity and Principles through the years

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

Please stop by Adams Hall after the service on Sunday, February 26 to learn more about our thriving covenant group community. Covenant groups are intentional lay-led groups that deepen and expand the ministry at Eliot. They are a great source of finding connection and commonality. There are several new groups seeking members. They include a parenting group, a Humanist Group and a group which will focus on the seven UU principles. Covenant group leaders will be available to answer your questions and discuss groups with openings. 

"Welcome the stranger" is a Biblical mandate that American law and policy clearly ignores. What does our UU faith teach us about how to treat the stranger in our midst? Come to the Social Justice Forum on Sunday, February 26 at 11:30 am in the Eliot Sanctuary to learn about the UUA Action of Immediate Witness on The RIghts of Immigrants and Asylum Seekers (previously known as a "Statement of Conscience"). We will review the process by which the UUA adopted this Action, explore what we think about this call, and what steps we may want to take individually and as a congregation to implement it.

Women’s Alliance members and friends will tour the Miniature Museum of St. Louis on Tuesday, February 28. Carolyn Burke will be our guide. For more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.

Curious about life in Guatemala? Concerned about the way our country treats asylum seekers from Guatemala? Want to “do something” about it? Then Zoom into the Immigration Justice meeting at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 28! 

Last Sunday we learned that the UUA strongly supports the right to asylum for all who seek it in good faith. The UUA Statement of Conscience leaves no doubt that we are called to "welcome the stranger." How are you answering that call? This is a way to start, re-engage, find encouragement or educate yourself about this urgent issue. We keep our meetings efficient but cover many issues and activities, such as the recent Advocacy Day in Jefferson City devoted to tuition equity, conditions in Guatemala observed by an Eliot member last month, status of and our work with asylum seekers here in St. Louis, and methods to make our voices heard in Washington DC on the asylum ban proposed by the Biden administration this week. Remember: you don't have to do EVERYTHING, but please do SOMETHING! We welcome you to come to our meeting to learn more. Zoom details will be in the Eliot on Zoom email Sunday.

The interim time is a space for essential explorations. One of the most crucial explorations focuses on Eliot Unitarian Chapel’s essential understanding of why it exists. What does the congregation wish to do in the next few years to improve the world? Whom do we seek to serve in our vital work? The shared understanding of the answers to these questions is essential to shaping who you will become as a congregation, what you will do when you gather, and who should lead you. Join Krista and Doug for some time of reflection.