Mask and Vax Policy
To enter Eliot Unitarian Chapel's building at any time, any day of the week, everyone is expected to be vaccinated and to wear a mask.
Reminder: Our policy is to provide additional protection for those on our staff and in our preschool and our congregation who are immune- and/or age-compromised. This policy shows our concern and care for each other. Please keep wearing your mask to church and any time you are in our building. Masks are available in Founders Hall and in the Sanctuary vestibule if you have forgotten yours.
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Sunday, May 29 – 10:00 am ONLY
Invisible Casualties of War – George Grimm-Howell
Recent seminary graduate George Grimm-Howell will explore themes of moral injury that are often just beneath the surface for survivors who return from military conflict. Acknowledging this can help us provide trauma-informed care in our spiritual communities.
Please note this service will discuss death and trauma caused by war. Please care for tender hearts.
George Grimm-Howell earned a master of divinity degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in May 2022. He is on track to become a Candidate for UU parish ministry, focusing on themes of social justice and liberation, particularly for members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color, and incorporating socially transformative art forms into the worship experience. He will begin an intern ministry in Columbia, MO starting in August 2022.
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Masks are required at the service for anyone over two years of age. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. We strongly recommend an N95 or KN95 mask. We will have masks available if you have forgotten yours.
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.
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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.
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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Religious Education & Youth Group
Children in kindergarten and older should attend the 10:00 worship service with their family. Activity bags with crayons and UU coloring pages are available at each sanctuary entrance.
The nursery & preschool activity space is open during the 10:00 am service for our youngest UUs who need freedom of movement (nursery & preschool-aged children aged 5 and younger). The nursery and preschool room will remain open during summer services through Sunday, June 26. Tim Bubb and Anna Beck are the staff members on duty.
Eliot Summer Adventure #1 – Family Picnic in Tilles Park
Sunday, June 12, 11:30-1:30
Eliot children and families are invited to gather on Sunday, June 12 from 11:30 am –1:30 pm at Picnic Site #2 in Tilles Park for a picnic, socializing, and getting wet in the spray fountain. Hosted by Susan van Alstyne. Sign-ups are open and can be completed on SignUpGenius.
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Zoom Coffee Hour
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!
Sunday at a Glance
Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary
Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom
Memorial Day Campout – all day at Bergfried
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Monday, May 30
Church offices are closed for Memorial Day. The offices will be closed through the week until Monday, June 6.
Memorial Day Campout – all day at Bergfried
Tuesday, May 31
Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm in front of Eliot
Friday, June 3
Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001
Contact your group leader if you need login information for your meeting.
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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
Please remember Flo Reaves and Jim Lyon as they mourn the passing
of her brother-in-law, John Head.
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Front Office Closed for Memorial Day through June 6
Eliot Chapel’s administrative offices, including the front office and communications, will be closed the week of Memorial Day. We will reopen Monday, June 6.
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Parenting Covenant Groups Organizing
Two Parenting Covenant Groups will be launched late this summer. Covenant Groups are groups of about eight people who meet once or twice a month to explore a spiritual theme. There is a focus on deep listening and sharing. The time and date of each group will be determined by the group when it is formed. These groups will meet by Zoom. There are four spots available at this time. If you are interested in joining one of these groups, please email ktaves@eliotchapel.org to reserve your spot.
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Eliot Chapel is Joining March For Our Lives
These past weeks have been very sad and upsetting in regards to gun violence. Many have struggled for a way to respond. March For Our Lives was started by the kids of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida after the school shooting there. It is now a national movement with the goal of passing common sense gun laws in our states and in our country.
March For Our Lives is holding marches across the country on June 11, including one in St. Louis. We will be there. Let's show up as one Eliot!
Join us on Saturday, June 11 at 11:00 am in Kiener Plaza. A carpool will leave Eliot's parking lot at 10:00. Please wear your Eliot Chapel T-shirt, Siding with Love gear, or yellow so that we can find each other. Please let us know you're coming at socialjustice@eliotchapel.org.
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Cancellation
The June 5 potluck has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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Building Reminders
If you see lights on anywhere in the building, will you please turn them off?
If you see any classroom or meeting room with an open door, please close the door.
If you see any of the five sets of wooden doors still open while leaving Eliot after your meetings, please close them. These wooden doors include the 2 sets entering the ECNS wing and Adams Hall from Founders Hall, the 2 sets in the elevator hall, and the 1 set exiting Adams Hall into Sanctuary Hall. These 5 sets and the room doors are fire retardant doors. They will contain a fire within that area up to three hours.
The Kirkwood Fire Department code requires us to keep the room doors closed when no one is in the room. The KFD code also requires that the 5 sets of wooden doors be closed at all times because they are not doors that automatically close when the fire alarm goes off.
Please help us reduce our energy costs by turning off lights and by practicing safe fire codes by closing any open doors.
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A New Eliot Website
Eliot’s website allows us to connect to members, friends, and newcomers. It lets people know who we are and what we represent. Our church management software provider has released a new web platform that offers modern features, better integration and security, and savings to the church. We would like to migrate the Eliot website to this new platform over the summer. Communications specialist Debby Lovell is looking for a team of members and friends who are interested in representing the congregation on this project. The first step will be an evaluation of our existing website and identification of goals for the new site. No technical expertise is required. This first stage should go through early July. We will meet via Zoom, communicate primarily through email, and share files on Eliot’s Google Drive. If you are interested in participating, please contact Debby at news@eliotchapel.org.
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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 2022-2023 church year. Shared Plate is Eliot’s program to divide Sunday offering and designated online gifts with community organizations that align with our mission. Additional criteria for nominees can be found on the nomination form here.
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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.
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We Care for Each Other
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.
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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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Family Campout at Bergfried
Our family campout is held annually on Memorial Day Weekend (this year May 27 – 30) and brings together all Eliot members and friends. You are welcome to come out for any part of the weekend whether you plan to camp or not. There is plenty of hiking, relaxing, and connection to enjoy! The weekend includes these main events (all optional):
- Lewis and Clark Commemorative Bonfire – dusk, Saturday night
- Annual Field Races! Sack race and more – Saturday at 2:00 pm
- Worship Service – 11:00 am on Sunday: Dick Haynes leads the service with featured musician Steve Jarrett. If you don’t choose to camp, this is a great time to come out and connect afterwards.
- Sunday Potluck – directly after the service, enjoy food and connection with the Eliot camping community. The Bergfried Stewardship Team will provide hot dogs. Campers and day-trippers are encouraged to bring a dish to share. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board outside the chapel sanctuary. Please let us know if you plan to attend by signing up or emailing memorialweekend@eliotchapel.org and let us know how many will be joining you so we may plan the potluck accordingly.
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 new rustic bunkhouses. To sign up for the weekend, to reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any information contact bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org.
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Join us for
Vigil for Hope & Healing
Tuesday, May 31
at 5:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel
Note that masks are optional
for outdoor activities.
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Sunday, June 5 – 10:00 am ONLY
“Woven from a Single Garment of Destiny”
Hear from Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and a talented crew of worship leaders from around the country in this inspiring service from the UUA during a watch party hosted by Trina Priese in Adams Hall.
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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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