Sunday, January 7, 2024 – 9:45 & 11:15 am

Fire Communion – Rev. Krista Taves

What do you need to be liberated from? Today’s your chance to symbolically let it go. Featured musicians: Eliot Chapel Choir; David Nalesnik, piano. 

• Large-print orders of service and hearing assistance devices are available from the greeters on Sunday.
• Should you or your child need more freedom of movement, you can view the service on monitors in Adams Hall. 
• 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. 

Sharing the Offering

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. In January, we're sharing our offering with Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association and Horizons St. Louis.

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 and 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. Learn more about MNIA at meachamparknia.org.

Horizons St. Louis in Kirkwood is a transformational, community-centered program proven to close the opportunity and achievement gaps for under-resourced students in the Kirkwood school district. Horizons offers high-quality learning experiences outside the traditional school year to support academic achievement and healthy youth development. Learn more at horizonsstlouis.org.

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

• Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
• By Mail: Please write “shared plate” in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122. 
• 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.

Religious Education & Youth Group

The 2023-2024 Religious Education and Youth Program resumes this Sunday, January 7.

Religious Education (RE) for children and youth in 7th grade and younger is held during the 9:45 service. Children and youth aged four and older should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service with their family. The nursery opens at 9:30 for children aged three and younger and those who need freedom of movement. RE classes will begin at 10:00.

The nursery will remain open during the 11:15 service for children aged five and younger who need freedom of movement.

Youth Group activities for youth in grades 8-12 will be held during the 11:15 service from January 7-March 10. Youth should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service before gathering as a group at 11:30.

Specific plans for each age group are shared with registered families via email each week. To learn more about this year’s Religious Education program, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is an important tradition of fellowship at Eliot Chapel, taking place in Adams Hall immediately after the worship service on Sunday. It's a time to catch up with fellow members and friends and to greet newcomers. Please join us!

As we transition from one to two services, we really need to increase the number of coffee volunteers. We need at least one (two makes the chore easier) for each service. This is a simple task (instructions are available in a binder in the kitchen) and a great way to serve and connect. You can complete the set-up portion of coffee hour and still attend church. You can leave a little early from the service to be in the kitchen when the service is over. The service is broadcast on the large TV in Adams Hall, so you can even see the end of the service. There are many open slots in the new year. Perhaps a covenant group might consider volunteering for a Sunday – this would be a great service project for you. 

Check the SignUpGenius for coffee hour volunteers and sign up to host Coffee Hour on a Sunday morning after the service! If you need help using SignUpGenius, please contact Rebecca Schuder at hospitality@eliotchapel.org and she will help you get signed up.

Coffee, Conversation, and Connections

Find Coffee, Conversation, and Connections on Zoom at 1:00 pm every Sunday! (Note the new time due to our move to two services.) You are invited to join us online for conversation after the service! We'll take a few minutes to say hello and let people settle in, then we'll go around the room to check in and welcome newcomers. Look for "Eliot on Zoom" in your email on Sunday morning; it will include a link to join us for Coffee, Conversation, and Connections. If you're not on our mailing list, sign up here. We look forward to seeing you!

Sunday at a Glance

Worship Service – 9:45 am in the Sanctuary

Coffee Hour – 10:45 am in Adams Hall

Geek Squad Coaching – 10:45 am in the Garden Room area of Adams Hall

Covenant Group Development Team – 11:00 am in the DuBois Library

Worship Service – 11:15 am in the Sanctuary

Coffee Hour – 12:15 am in Adams Hall

Coffee, Conversation, and Connections – 1:00 pm via Zoom

In This Week at Eliot

This Week's Events & Meetings

Please Remember

Church News

Helping Each Other

The Week Ahead

Down the Road

Next Week's Service

ourEliot

Monday, January 8 

Environmental Justice Team – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall

A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Tuesday, January 9 

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 4:00 pm on the front lawn

Wednesday, January 10 

Creative Spirituality Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Solecki/Boettcher Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall

Thursday, January 11 

Humanist Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Friday, January 12

Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001

As we have new staff in the front office scheduling your events and meetings, it is more important than ever to make contact to get on the calendar and then to check your entry for accuracy!

Planning a meeting or event? Start with our Room & Event Request Form! 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 Debby Lovell to set up your group.

Please Remember

Please keep Nicole Martineau and her family in your heart and mind. Her husband, Charles Fremont, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital after a journey through cancer. He was 84 years old.  

Two Services!

This Sunday, January 7, Eliot Chapel will celebrate two worship services, returning to a decades-old practice for our community. If you’ve been coming to service lately, you know that the sanctuary has become fuller and fuller on a consistent basis. As Rev. Krista wrote in a recent message to the congregation, we are a religious tradition grounded in generosity. It is our moral and ethical calling to ensure that everyone who comes literally has a place here. Please join us either at 9:45 or 11:15 am in our Sanctuary or online – catch the 9:45 service on livestream. And consider joining the Welcome Team, Greeter Team, and Coffee Team. We will need more volunteers to cover both services plus it's a wonderful way to meet new people and visit with old friends!

An Evening of Heart-Centered Listening and Reflection Regarding the Conflict in Israel/Palestine

with Rev. Krista Taves and Facilitators

Wednesday, January 17 at 6:30 pm in Adams Hall 

Many of us are experiencing struggle, pain, and sorrow over the escalation of tensions in Israel/Palestine. Some of us have family members in the region. Others are connected through faith and culture. Many of us do not have roots in this region but are having strong feelings and emotions.

We recognize that given the intensity of this moment, not all of us are in a space for deepening our learning, taking action, or consuming more perspectives, coverage, or information; many among us simply need spaces in which to grieve, rage, and be held. 

You are invited to an evening of heart-centered listening and reflection using small-group conversation circles. The evening will begin with a shared opening ritual led by Rev. Taves and then we will break out into small groups, each with a trained facilitator. If possible and desired, we will dedicate one group for those who identify as Jewish and a second group for those who identify as Arabic/Palestinian.  

At this time there is room for 32 participants. Please identify if you would like a caucus group or an open group. If we reach capacity, please join the waiting list. We will work to secure facilitators for as many groups as is needed.  

If you would like to be considered as a facilitator, please email ktaves@eliotchapel.org. 

We are keenly aware that the current catastrophe is far from over and the ripples will continue to touch the whole world for the foreseeable future. As Unitarian Universalists, we are committed to continuing to learn and heal together, struggling for justice and liberation for all, and working toward a global community in which all people are safe and free from violence in all its forms. 

Women's Weekend Planning

Eliot Chapel Women's Weekend team is meeting Sunday, January 14, in Room 001 from 12:45 to 1:45 pm. We will be discussing workshops and other items for the weekend. If you are interested to know more about Women's Weekend, please join us!

Exciting News!! New version of

Kirkwood’s Martin Luther King Celebration

Please join the Social Justice Steering Team on Monday, January 15, at 1:00 pm in the Keating Center of Kirkwood High School for Kirkwood’s Martin Luther King celebration.

Missouri Supreme Court Justice Robin Ransom, the first African American woman appointed to the State Supreme Court, is the keynote speaker. The Community Gospel Choir of St Louis will perform. This wonderful free program was formed by a team from the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, Kirkwood Human Rights Commission, the Kirkwood Social Justice Coalition, and the Kirkwood School District to share with you. We hope to see you at Kirkwood High School on January 15!

Weather Policy Reminder

While Eliot Chapel strives to be open and available, there are times when it is unsafe to do so. In inclement or extreme weather, the decision may be made to close the church and cancel activities. Check the Chapel’s voicemail and/or website for news of closings. Information will also be shared on Facebook and with the local media. All members, friends, and staff are urged to use discretion when making choices about traveling in times of hazardous weather conditions.

New Member Signing: January 14 After the Service

Are you considering joining Eliot Chapel as a member? The membership book will be available to sign after the service on the second Sunday of the month. Please contact welcome@eliotchapel.org at least a week in advance if you are interested in becoming a member.

We Care for Each Other

The Pastoral Care Team is comprised of supportive, caring individuals who will actively listen and spend time with you as you share issues that are causing you concern, pain, or anxiety. The people on the team have been UUA trained and are under the supervision of Rev. Krista. If you have a pastoral care need, please email pastoralcare@eliotchapel.org. 

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.

At Eliot Chapel, we care for our earth and our building! One way you can express this is by joining the Eliot Recycling Team! This committee is responsible for taking the recycling from Eliot to the Kirkwood Recycling Depository at 350 S. Taylor Avenue each week. Sign up for a week that works for you and plan to grab the recycling after service to drop it off. Thanks for being part of the team!

Providing receptions after a Celebration of Life is another way we care for each other at Eliot Chapel. The Reception Team sets up, serves, and cleans up after these receptions. If you can be available once in a while to help, please email receptions@eliotchapel.org. Your efforts will be appreciated!

Welcome to the Eliot Chapel Volunteer Village!

What village? The village it takes to raise a church! We all want our beloved church to thrive and grow. To do so, we need many villagers who will share the work. Maybe you prefer the geese analogy suggested at the worship service on Ingathering Sunday: “Sharing leadership, taking care of the fallen, and honking from behind.” Regardless, it is imperative that everyone steps up to bring Eliot Chapel forward and there are so many ways to participate. Sign up here to be part of it; then grab a gold volunteer sticker for your name tag if you already volunteer or if you sign up now!

Starting Point

An Introduction to

the Unitarian Universalist Journey

This four-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. Amy Stark will facilitate the series which will take place during second service in Room 001 on Sundays in February from 11:15 am to 12:45 pm. Childcare will be available. 

Sunday, February 4 

Session 1: Your Journey – Sharing Our Stories and Spiritual Roadmaps

Sunday, February 11 

Session 2: The Unitarian Universalist Journey and the Journey of our Congregation

Sunday, February 18 

Session 3: Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism, Part 1

Sunday, February 25 

Session 4: The Three Paths, Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group

Healing, Holding, and Letting Go

This year, the ministers from First Unitarian St. Louis, the Metro East Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and Eliot Chapel are offering classes that are available to members of all the St. Louis UU Congregations. You are welcome to register for this Zoom class offered by Rev. Claudia Hall, minister of Metro East UU.  

Healing, Holding, and Letting Go: Dealing with Your Religious Past

Mondays, January 15, 22, and 29 

6:00-7:30 pm on Zoom

In this class we will look at your religious past and offer tools for you to sort through the following:

1. what things you were taught by prior religions that you value and that still have meaning for you;
2. what things have harmed you that you need to heal from;
3. what things have held you back from your spiritual potential that you can let go.

We will address the binary (good/bad) thinking that causes so much harm and look at ways we can safely salvage what is good from our religious past without succumbing to any theology that is harmful or hateful in the process.

Contact Pastor Claudia of Metro East Unitarian Universalist Congregation at dr.claudia.hall@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

The Eliot Geek Squad Are Here for You  

The Eliot Geek Squad is a group of Eliot friends who will help you figure out how to navigate Eliot’s website, edit your profile on EliotConnects (Realm), assist you in getting your photo onto the Eliot Directory, help you figure out how to sign up for events and classes, use QR Codes, and find solutions to your technology questions. We are setting up Geek Squad Coaches in the Garden Room area after the first service on the first Sunday of each month and after the second service on the second Sunday of each month. We'll see you this Sunday, January 7 at 10:45 am. It is helpful to have the devices you use (your phone, iPad, laptop computer) with you so you can practice with a Geek Squad coach.  

Join us for

Vigil for Hope & Healing

Tuesday, January 9

at 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel.

SAVE THE DATE

Bergfried Winter Warmup

Celebrate Bergfried and winter a bit closer to home this month! The Bergfried Team sponsors our annual Winter Warm-Up Potluck Dinner on Saturday, January 20 in Adams Hall. Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy some camaraderie. We’ll offer a fire circle featuring Eliot musicians (bring your instruments!) and a slideshow of recent Bergfried events. Nature crafts for all ages will be offered. Sign-up 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 pm, dinner at 6:00.

SAVE THE DATE

The Men's Advance

The Men’s Advance, May 2-5, 2024, welcomes all Eliot members and friends who identify at the male end of the gender spectrum. Newcomers are especially encouraged to come out to enjoy hiking, camping, camaraderie, a Saturday night feast, and lots of super-secret men's stuff (which looks suspiciously like doing nothing). Ten dollars buys your ticket to the feast (kids 12 and under $5). All other meals are on your own. Most choose to camp in tents or trailers; spaces in the cottage (with running water and electricity) are available by reservation with priority given to those with medical needs or physical limitations. Eight beds are also available in the rustic bunkhouses. To sign up for the weekend, to reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any information contact mensadvance@eliotchapel.org.

Spring also promises great weather for individuals and families to visit and enjoy nature on their own. The Bergfried cottage, with air conditioning, electricity, full kitchen and bath, and running water, is available for rental ($35/night). Contact bergfriedreservations@eliotchapel.org whenever you are planning a trip on your own or to reserve the cottage.

Sunday, January 14 – 9:45 & 11:15 am

“Martin Luther King – How Leaders Love Us Into Liberation”

Rev. Krista Taves 

MLK embodied a unique style of leadership that worked in his time. What kind of leaders do we yearn for today?