Sunday, May 30
Memorial Day for Pacifists – Rev. Krista Taves
For some Unitarian Universalists, what to do with Memorial Day is a struggle. Many of us question the purposes for which our military is used and we struggle with the kind of patriotism that demands unquestioning loyalty and a belief in American exceptionalism. Many of us consider ourselves pacifists although Unitarian Universalism is not a peace faith. How do we honor the fallen while holding tight to our values of peace and reconciliation?
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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 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 May’s recipient is Metropolitan Congregations United.
The mission of MCU is to harness the moral authority of St. Louis congregations to work for justice. MCU puts faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good.
Eliot Chapel has been a member congregation for many years. Many of our leaders see their leaders as good friends and partners with whom to share the important work of social justice. MCU helps us to fulfill our commitment to justice, equity, and compassion for all. Key issues for MCU are breaking the school to prison pipeline, police reform, justice reform, prison reform, access to health care, and voting rights, among many others. These are also issues that we are passionate about.
Unitarian Universalists are deeply respected in MCU circles. David Gerth, their Executive Director, at one of the many marches we’ve attended together, said, “Ah, there’s the Unitarian Universalists, the people of the yellow shirts! You always show up!”
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Rev. Krista Taves introduces Metropolitan Congregations United.
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Our goal for May is to raise a total of $1300, with half going to MCU and half to Eliot Chapel’s many life-sustaining ministries. Let us be good neighbors. Let us be a generous people.
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 “MCU” 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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Nominations for Shared Plate recipients for the coming church year are now being accepted. See full details in Church News below.
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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, 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, June 1
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 6:00 pm in front of Eliot
Thursday, June 3
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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Please Remember
Brian Mills, a longtime member of Eliot Chapel, passed away on Thursday, May 20 at the age of 85 years. He and his wife Karen, who died in 2015, were very involved at Eliot in their younger years and remained committed to Eliot throughout their lives.
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Eliot Chapel Offices Closed
Eliot Chapel Offices will be closed from Friday, May 28 at 3:00 pm to Monday, June 7 at 10:00 am. Staff will not be working during that time. We are closing the offices to give our staff a much needed time to rest physically and mentally from a very unusual year.
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"Great Scott!" It's time for
UU Summer at the Movies!
This summer, we are joining forces with nine other UU congregations from around the country, each offering a worship service on the themes and messages of some of our favorite movies. Rev. Barbara will kick things off on Sunday, June 6 with "The Purpose of Time Travel" based on – you guessed it – Back to the Future.
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Write Here! Write Now!
The UUSJ June 2021 focus is on immigration. Join in this letter writing campaign to ask the Senate to pass legislation – in whatever way is strategically possible – that provides for expedited pathways to citizenship for DACA and TPS holders, farm workers, and all other essential workers as well as their families who have helped Americans survive this pandemic. This handout gives you all the background information. Find the online letter writing platform here.
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A Thank You Video from the UU Interns
The Eden UU Seminarians recorded thank you messages for the four churches that served as teaching congregations for them this year. You may view it by clicking above.
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Shared Plate Nominations Sought
The Eliot Social Justice in Action Steering Committee welcomes nominations before June 30 for Shared Plate for the 2021-2022 church year. Shared Plate is Eliot’s program to divide the Sunday offering and designated online gifts with community organizations that align with our mission. Additional criteria for nominees and the nomination form can be found here.
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Summer Media Recommendations from SJA
Eliot All Reads and video series are suspended for the summer. For covenant groups and other groups looking for summer discussion opportunities, the Eliot Social Justice Steering Committee recommends:
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Breathe: A Letter to My Sons by Imani Perry (this year’s UUA Common Read)
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Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson (an Oprah Book Club selection)
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The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
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Seeking Delegates for General Assembly: June 23 - 27
Once a year, the Unitarian Universalist Association, our national body, holds its General Assembly. Usually we meet in a convention center in a major city. This year it will be held online. GA is like a big family reunion with so much celebration. There is amazing worship, more workshops than you can imagine, and our annual business meeting. As a democratic denomination, every congregation sends delegates to represent us at the business meeting. If you would like to be a delegate for General Assembly, let us know! Email Rev. Krista at ktaves@eliotchapel.org by May 31. Because General Assembly is virtual, the registration fee is much less and there are generous scholarships if the fee is prohibitive. You just have to ask.
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Registration Open for GA!
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend. The UUA Board of Trustees has passed a resolution making the 2021 UUA General Assembly – held June 23-27– a 100% virtual event. And this year, the Ware Lecture will feature Stacey Abrams & Desmond Meade! Find details here.
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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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Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, June 1
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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Lunch with the Minister
Lunch with the Minister will be on hiatus through the summer. Watch This Week at Eliot for other ways to connect!
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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, June 3. If you wish to join the group, please email Rev. Krista Taves for connection information.
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Sunday, June 6
Back to the Future: The Purposes of Time Travel – Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
Join us as we kick off our UU Summer at the Movies! Find the service video on our website at 10:00 am Sunday morning.
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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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