At Eliot Chapel, we follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. Currently, we are at the yellow or medium level in St. Louis County, so we will:

You may access the policy document on Eliot Chapel's website to read more of the details. Watch a video introduction of the policy with Rev. Doug and Rev. Krista.

We will livestream our service on Sunday. Find it at eliotchapel.org. After the stream, a recording will be available 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 under the worship & music tab. 

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 September, we will be sharing our Sunday collections with SouthSide Early Childhood Center, an organization that Eliot Chapel has long supported.

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. 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.

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

*5th & 6th grade children who are participating in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program should go directly to Room 006 at 9:45.

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

Children’s Choir rehearsals will resume on Sunday, October 2 at 11:15 in the music room. Children’s Choir is designed primarily for children and youth in 2nd grade and older, though children slightly younger and older youth may enjoy participating as well, depending on their experience, interest, and temperament. 

If your child(ren) or youth are interested in this opportunity, OR you wish to be added to the choir communication list for more information and updates as plans develop, 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 break-out 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!

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.

All of these future conversations will be open to everyone in the congregation. However before I end the initial chats, I would like to offer some open times in the next two weeks. The interviews will be an hour and 15 minutes, and in that time I will invite you to share some of your thoughts about what works, what is a challenge and what is essential about Eliot Unitarian Chapel with other congregants. Your responses will benefit the congregation and my work tremendously. We will offer both in-person gatherings at Eliot and Zoom gatherings. Remember that we will have many more opportunities for essential conversation, but if you'd like to get in on the initial one, I hope you will click on the SignupGenius link below and sign up for one of the times.

Fall offers some of the most beautiful days of the year for camping and hiking at Bergfried. As always, we encourage you to go out on your own to spend the day or to camp overnight. The cottage remains available by reservation for “comfort” camping January through early November. Contact us at bergfriedreservations@eliotchapel.org anytime you are planning to visit the property.

Most attendees 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 more rustic bunkhouses. To sign up for the weekend, to reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for other information contact bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org.

The Eliot Recycling Team is looking for some help! 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 and drop it off. Thanks for being part of the team!

Our new COVID policy opens the door to resume coffee hour provided St. Louis County is ranked medium or low risk by the CDC. Coffee Hour will resume regularly when we have two coordinators and volunteers. Hosting coffee hour is a simple task and a great way to serve and connect. Please help your community resurrect this time honored tradition! Email hospitality@eliotchapel.org or sign up online now!

You may order online by emailing Kalen Ponche-Ciszewski at recycling@eliotchapel.org with your size and the number of shirts you would like. Sizes XXS to 4XL available for adults. Sizes XS-XL in kids sizes available. Please plan to pay for your shirts at the time of ordering. You may pay by cash or check in person or through Eliot's giving portal in person or with your email order.

For further information about this position and a complete job description, email your resume or interest in the position to: churchsextonposition@gmail.com.

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.

Come out on your own or meet at Eliot’s parking lot at 9:00 am to carpool/caravan. Your Bergfried guide will offer a guided hike or two but feel free to come out and do your own thing, or do nothing at all. Bring sturdy shoes and your provisions for the day. Please RSVP to bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org so we know to expect you.

Eager to delight another Eliot community member by sharing a favorite read and simultaneously discover a new page-turning treasure for yourself? Participate in the upcoming book swap!

Please stop by Adams Hall on September 25 after the Sunday service to learn more about Covenant Groups. We'll have signup sheets of groups with openings. Several covenant group facilitators will be on hand to answer your questions.

Our annual festival of theater, music, and merriment is back on this year! As always, there will be an original play, written and staged by members and friends of Eliot Chapel, interwoven with music from the Greenleaf Singers and our local recorder society. Auditions for parts in the play, open to anyone high school age and up, will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday, September 25 at 12:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact madrigal@eliotchapel.org.

We feel it. Newcomers, most speaking little or no English, being dumped in the middle of a big city with no resources and no information about where to find some. Government seems incapable of solving the problems. But the Eliot Chapel Immigration Team is pursuing the starfish approach. We can't help every immigrant sent to DC, but we can and are helping four individuals (and until recently, five) with support items that make a difference. And we are forging real relationships along the way. We can't change the morass of federal immigration laws and rules, but we can and are advocating for change in Missouri to give young immigrants a chance to attend college and reap the financial benefits of a degree. What can YOU do? Find out: come to the next Zoom meeting of the Immigration Justice Team on Tuesday, September 27 at 7:00 pm. See the "Eliot on Zoom" email on Sunday for access information. We want YOU to come!

This 4-part series offers those considering Unitarian Universalism and Eliot Chapel the opportunity to experience UUism in action. 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. We will meet on Zoom for the first three sessions; the fourth session will be in person at Eliot Chapel. Longtime members and friends seeking a small group experience are also welcome. You do not need to attend every session of the series this fall. We will have winter and spring sessions as well.

Session 3, Monday, October 17, 6:00 - 7:45 pm on Zoom: Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism Part 1

Session 4, Sunday, November 6, noon - 1:45 in person: The Three Paths, Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group

For many of us our church building is a sanctuary, our safe place. But we live in an insecure time and we are called to be ready if the sanctity of our religious home were ever violated. It saves lives. All are invited to attend the Intruder Alert Training class being offered by Officer Gary Baldridge from the Kirkwood Police Department. Register ahead to let us know you'll be there!