August 1, 2021
Into the Wild: “A Place Apart”
Rev. Zackrie Vinczen of Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church on Bainbridge Island, Washington
Our woundedness can cause us to take solace in isolation and create a place apart. In the movie (and book) Into the Wild this sort of separation is exactly what the protagonist Chris McCandless sets out to find – a world removed from pain and people. Join us as we consider the implications that flow from creating such a place apart and the deeper pain such isolation can cause.
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Our service video will be available at 10:00 am Sunday morning at eliotchapel.org and will remain there all week. You can also find it directly on our YouTube channel.
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Sharing the Offering
In August, we're sharing our offering with Kirkwood Area Every Child Promise (KAEChP).
The Promise: Every child and family are prepared for success as they enter kindergarten. What does that mean? Families must be connected to the basic resources necessary to have stability and hope. Children must have access to the life and learning experiences that give context and meaning to new knowledge. To facilitate that, KAEChP offers:
- Preschool scholarships and connection to quality early childhood experiences
- Information and assistance navigating resources in order to meet the basic needs of the children and families we serve
- Access to Promise Place, a clothing and supply closet where families get assistance with items to support the basic needs of their children ages 0-6
- Coordination with resources such as Kirk Care, Parents as Teachers, Kirkwood Public Library, and Kirkwood School District in order to provide holistic support for families.
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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 “KAEChP” 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
Online Religious Education (RE) and youth group gatherings have concluded for 2020-21. Information about the 2021-22 program will be shared over the upcoming months as plans are made and details fall into place.
UU Resources for at-home exploration: Families are encouraged to explore the online Religious Education Resources on the church website, found here, for at-home UU exploration. Resources include a Social Justice Summer Reading List for children, UU coloring pages, YouTube videos, parent resources, and more.
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Zoom Coffee Hour
At 11:30 am 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
Online Church Service – 10:00 am on Eliot Chapel website
Coffee Hour – 11:30 am via Zoom
Young Adult Group – 12:30 pm on Discord
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Tuesday, August 3
Women's Alliance – 9:30 am via Zoom
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 6:00 pm in front of Eliot
Thursday, August 5
Grief Group – 6:30 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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Celebration of Life
Dear Eliot Friends,
Please join us for a memorial and celebration of life for Bruce Williams who passed away last December.
10:00 am – Thursday, August 12, 2021
Chapel Hill Mortuary
10301 Big Bend Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122
We hope you can be with us in celebration of Bruce.
Trish Williams and Family
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The Path to Reopening
A few months ago many of us hoped that we were leaving this pandemic behind. We've been getting vaccinated, traveling to see family and friends, going to restaurants, theaters, feeling freer and freer. Unfortunately our hospitals are once again filled and infection rates are rising, all due to low vaccination rates and the highly infectious Delta variant.
The path out of this pandemic is to vaccinate as many people as possible. This is why part of our Reopening Plan includes a commitment to the vaccination effort. I am pleased to share that 25 people have registered with the County and/or City to volunteer in Department of Health vaccination clinics. This is incredible.
We are also co-hosting a vaccination clinic at Meacham Park's Back to School Rally. We are working in partnership with BJC's community clinic program, the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, and the Church of God, which is next to the park and has offered to open its doors for the clinic. Our target is middle and high schoolers and their families, although anyone can walk up and be vaccinated.
We are looking for volunteers to help canvass Meacham Park before the rally and hand out flyers at the rally. If you can help, please email UUVVI@eliotchapel.org
or call and leave a message with the Front Office at 314-821-0911.
Yours in faith and service,
Rev. Krista
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Tribute to a Founding Family
of Eliot Chapel
As part of their STL History Live series, the Missouri Historical Society will present “The Tanaka Brothers in the Army” on Tuesday, August 17 at 11:00 am.
Edward, Joseph, and Chester Tanaka were St. Louisans who served in the decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit composed almost entirely of Japanese Americans. Joe Tanaka was a founding member of Eliot Chapel. Listen to Joe and Chet’s experiences in their own words through recorded oral histories.
This is a free, virtual program presented through Zoom webinar. Find all the information on the program here. The program complements a Smithsonian traveling exhibit, “Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II,” on display at the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in St. Louis until October 3, 2021.
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Eliot Chapel's Ride Team
Eliot's Ride Team is there for those unable to drive who may need a ride to Sunday services, a medical appointment, or another service. This is a simple way to care for each other. All drivers will need to provide a copy of their drivers license and insurance card for a driving check. Drivers can request that those you provide rides for are vaccinated. We ask that both driver and passenger are masked. Your safety and security are important. If this might be the volunteer opportunity for you, email ktaves@eliotchapel.org.
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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS:
“It’s a Happening Place at Eliot in July!!!” – In Three Acts, Now Playing at a Chapel Near You!
Following month after month of rather depressing events, so many positive things have occurred at Eliot this July, the staff thought you would be as excited as we are to read about them and see these uplifting changes.
July 2021 is different. July 2021 is when the light at the end of the tunnel broke through in many, many ways. Watch for a recap of the exciting, new, revised, updated Eliot Chapel as told through a three-act play, coming soon to an inbox near you!
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Eliot Supports the Meacham Park Back to School Rally
Every August the Meacham Park Neighborhood Association holds a Back to School Rally for their children. Let’s help this year’s event be a resounding success! There are two ways to support the Rally:
1. Donate School Supplies. These are the supplies needed:
- new spiral notebooks
- glue sticks
- crayons
- scissors
- rulers
- erasers
- watercolor markers (both fat and thin)
- pens
- pencils
- backpacks
Donations can be placed in the large box located at the outside entrance to Adams Hall by Monday, August 9. Parents, this is a great opportunity to help your children experience service. Ask them to choose items to donate while shopping for their own school supplies.
2. Volunteer at Eliot Chapel’s Carnival-Style Booth at the Rally on August 14. There will be a cornhole toss, bead-stringing, play dough, balloon fun, and more. Masking and social distancing will be observed at our booth, in addition to the COVID protocol set out by the Meacham Park Neighborhood Association. To volunteer, email socialjustice@eliotchapel.org and Janet Solecki, our representative on the Meacham Park Neighborhood Association, will be in touch with you.
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Eliot Celebrates Staff Anniversaries
Please join us in celebrating Anna Beck's second anniversary as an RE staff member on August 2. Thank you, Anna! We appreciate all you do to enrich our Eliot community!
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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. No changes 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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Women's Alliance
Women’s Alliance will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, August 3, at 9:30 am, starting with conversation. After a brief business meeting, we’ll switch to sharing about whatever books we are currently reading or have especially enjoyed reading on our own. No book has been selected for all to read this month as August is free to read that book that’s been beckoning to each of us or that we’ve always wanted to read. All are welcome to join us whether or not you have a book to share. For further information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.
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Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, August 3
6:00 – 7:00 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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Grief Group
Eliot Chapel's grief group meets every other Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm via Zoom. This support group is open to all members and friends. The next meeting is Thursday, August 5. If you wish to join the group, please email Rev. Krista Taves for connection information.
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August 8, 2021
Bruce Almighty: "Give Me A Sign"
Rev. Lara Campbell, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Kennebunk, Maine
Throughout the ages, we humans have been flinging our arms to the heavens, crying out “give me a sign!” Join our guest Rev. Lara Campbell as we explore the idea of signs.
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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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Connect with Eliot Chapel
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