Sunday, March 28
The Joy of Commitment – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
There’s a difference between wanting and committing, and the path is filled with obstacles. What are the rewards? Where do we find joy in commitment?
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Our service video will be available at 10:00 am at eliotchapel.org and will remain there all week. You can also find it directly on Eliot Chapel's YouTube channel.
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Sharing the Offering
Every month, we share our Sunday collection with an organization in the community that shares our core values. This is one of the ways we live into our commitment of beloved community.
We have a longstanding history of turning to nature as an expression of the sacred. Most of our core rituals, like the flower and fire communions and the chalice lighting, are rich with symbols of the natural world. We also have a legacy of activism for environmental sustainability and restoration that arises out of our theology of interdependence.
This is why our Shared Plate Partner in March is the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, which provides free and reduced-fee legal services to individuals, organizations, and citizen groups who are working to protect the environment and public health. Great Rivers works through the courts and administrative agencies to safeguard the environment by enforcing environmental laws, especially air and water pollution laws, and laws intended to protect wetlands, floodplains, open space, and endangered species. The issues which they address often have national significance.
We have a long relationship with the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center. One of Eliot Chapel’s founding members, Louis Green, cofounded Great Rivers. We are proud to continue supporting his legacy.
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Rev. Krista Taves recently spoke with the staff at Great Rivers. |
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Our Shared Plate goal for March is to raise a total of $1300, with half supporting Great Rivers Environmental Law Center and half supporting the many life-giving ministries of Eliot Chapel. Let us be a generous people.
We will let you know each week how close we are to meeting our goal. You can give in one of three ways:
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Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
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By Mail: Please write “Great Rivers” 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 $(enter the amount) SharedPlate" 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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We have received thus far $1,242 towards our March shared plate goal of $1,300 with 50% given to Great Rivers Environmental Law Center and 50% dedicated to supporting Eliot Chapel's many life-giving ministries. |
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Religious Education
Religious Education for Children (Kindergarten-6th Grade): Sunday, March 28 @ 9:15 via Zoom
Eliot children and families are invited to gather at 9:15 am via Zoom for connection and community. This week’s session is co-hosted by Christie Lee, Heather Flick, Noel Burke, and adult lay leaders; it includes the Pixar short film Mike's New Car and explores "what makes us happy." Zoom links will be distributed to registered families by email on Friday, March 26.
Junior High & Senior High Youth Groups: March 28 @ 11:00 via Zoom
Youth in 7th-12th grade are invited to gather for community, connection, and FUN this Sunday, hosted by Scott Stewart, Tim Bubb, and youth group lay leaders. A Zoom link and more details about this Sunday’s youth gatherings will be sent to registered Eliot youth and families no later than Friday, March 26.
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Zoom Coffee Hour
At 11:30 am, 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
RE for Children – 9:15 am via Zoom
Online Church Service – 10:00 am on Eliot Chapel website
Junior High & Senior High Youth Groups – 11:00 am via Zoom
Coffee Hour – 11:30 am via Zoom
Young Adult Group – 12:30 pm on Discord
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Tuesday, March 30
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm online
Thursday, April 1
Lunch with the Minister – 12:30 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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Project Renew Listening Sessions Are Coming Soon
What could it mean to be a church of joyous and radical belonging? This powerful question will be at the heart of a series of listening sessions to kick off Project Renew. Every five+ years, the Eliot Board of Trustees embarks on a process of listening deeply to the congregation and reimagining the mission of the Chapel. Our aim is to rewrite the Ends (goals) which prioritize Eliot’s efforts. Sessions will be held from April 11 to May 2 – signups are coming soon. We hope to hear your voice!
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Stewardship On Our Minds
The Artful Abundance Contest is now closed to submissions. We felt confident that Eliot folks were filling their time in creative ways during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and you did not disappoint! The submissions have been very inspiring. Seeing the world through a connection to lasting abundance puts a positive spin on how we spend our time and how we view the world. Take a look at all the submissions here. The three winners will be announced at the CARnival on Saturday, April 10. We hope you are planning to attend and are encouraging other Eliot friends to join us for this celebration of the 2021-2022 Stewardship Campaign.
While you are on the Open Doors web page, take the opportunity to read the four testimonials written by Eliot members. It is always uplifting to hear people’s stories about what brought them to Eliot’s doors. Kathy Becker, Howard & Barbara Gilby, Louise Bradshaw, and David Rowan have different paths to the same end; lasting abundance at Eliot Chapel! You read a shortened version of their testimonials in the Open Doors booklet mailed to your home. You can read their full testimonials by clicking “member testimonials in full” on the Open Doors web page.
Coming to CARnival? Bring a donation for our Kirk Care Drive! Kirk Care, our local food pantry, is in need of:
- Cleaning supplies: laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, dryer sheets, Lysol-type cleaners.
- Personal care items: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, adult depends, children's diapers--(especially larger sizes and pull-ups).
While these are the greatest needs, non-perishable food items are also welcome!
We've received pledges from 117 households that total $297,061. Thank you for returning your pledge cards!
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New Member Recognition Coming Sunday, April 11
To become a member of Eliot Chapel is more than joining an organization; you are joining the people of this congregation. This kind of membership is covenantal, that is, you are making a sacred promise to walk together with others who have chosen this as their spiritual community.
As a member of the congregation, you will have the privilege and responsibility of:
- voting at annual and special congregational meetings;
- electing the members of the Board of Trustees;
- serving on the teams and task forces that do the ministry of Eliot.
While our spiritual paths are unique, to build a healthy community of faith requires a level of commitment. Eliot members are encouraged to:
- Worship regularly with the congregation
- Join in the work and play of the congregation
- Participate in an Eliot covenant group for deeper spiritual growth
- Make a financial commitment
- Care for and support others in our community
- Perform service to the wider community
- Connect with our larger faith movement
If you are ready to make this commitment, please email membership@eliotchapel.org and we will connect with you about next steps. If you wish to be recognized on April 11, please be in touch by April 5.
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Earth Month Ecochallenge
What can you do to help heal the Earth? Join the Earth Month Ecochallenge! Ecochallenges are based on the book Drawdown by Paul Hawken. The Environmental Justice team has created an Ecochallenge team for April to “draw down” the CO2 in the atmosphere. Our challenge focuses on food, agriculture, and land use. Once you join our Ecochallenge team, you choose what actions you want to take – eat less meat, reduce food waste, grow your own vegetables, or buy from local farmers, etc. Sign up here to join the Eliot Chapel Ecochallenge Team. Questions? Contact the Environmental Justice team at environmentjustice@eliotchapel.org. Not into joining teams or negotiating webpages? Challenge yourself! Eat less meat, measure your food waste and try to reduce it, join a CSA, etc.
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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. Changes to RE information 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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The Power of Music
Hello, Eliot family,
During a week in which we've had two mass shootings, I've been contemplating the power of music to soothe and comfort in times of grief and loss. I cannot fathom what the victims' families are going through right now, and I do not begin to have the words to express my own despair and sadness with our utterly broken systems that allow these atrocities to occur over and over again. The words of Mark Miller and Adam Tice's song Lament* come to mind:
"My heart is breaking, my fury shaking,
my soul is tired, my breath is gone.
I cry, "how long, Lord, this evil season?"
unending pain and tears."
(*This song was originally written in response to the brutal murder of George Floyd.)
Somehow music transcends the ineptitude of our words and allows us to fully express the keening of our spirits. In the midst of loss and intense frustration, music offers us a way to cry out, to release some of that built up emotion that threatens to overtake us into despair.
Miller and Tice's song does not end with lamentation, however; it spurs us to action, even as we grieve:
"Use our anger to melt the swords of hate.
Use our tears to water thirsty ground.
Give us courage to love all you create.
Come to us and turn your world around."
In the midst of what seems like hopelessness, some of the best music reminds us that we are called to respond. The music acknowledges that there is room for both lament and action in these times. We stand in solidarity as UUs against hate and violence, embracing the ever-widening circle of inclusivity.
Wishing you peace,
Sarah
Eliot Chapel Music Director
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Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, March 30
5:00 pm via Zoom
The Black Lives Matter vigil has gone digital! Our Black Lives Matter in-person vigil has been suspended for the duration of the stay-at-home order in St. Louis County. This doesn’t mean that we are going to stop witnessing for Black lives!
Join us for our weekly online vigil Tuesdays at 5:00 pm. We will meet on Zoom and livestream our vigil onto Facebook.
How to prepare for our online vigil:
- Write “Black Lives Matter” in dark lettering on a small piece of paper, no bigger than a standard letter envelope.
- Check your background to be sure nothing is visible that you don’t want broadcast in public!
- Connect to the vigil using the Zoom link provided in the weekly Eliot On Zoom email that comes Sunday morning. Make sure you are muted.
- Sit silently with your BLM sign for the duration of the vigil.
- Help expand our witness! During the vigil, go to the Eliot Unitarian Chapel facebook page and share the vigil to your facebook page, twitter feed, or any social media platform you use so that it can be shared further!
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Lunch with the Minister
Revs. Barbara and Krista invite you to a weekly Lunch with the Minister every Thursday at 12:30 pm. Bring your lunch or just bring yourself! Depending on the size of the group, we will hang out together in the main room or go into breakout groups. The link to join this Zoom meeting will be in the weekly Eliot on Zoom email. Check it out and get together!
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Sunday, April 4 – 10:00 am
Easter – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
Join us for a live celebration! This service takes place on Zoom; it will be streamed to YouTube and shared on our website.
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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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