Sunday, October 1 – 10:00 am

“Heritage: The Gifts of Our Roots” – Rev. Krista Taves

October’s spiritual theme is heritage. We will explore what heritage means for us through the image of deep roots. How can we draw comfort, courage, wisdom and love up from our roots and out into the branches of our lives?

Featured musicians: Eliot Chapel Choir; David Nalesnik, piano.

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 October's recipient is the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA Project). MICA is a community organization committed to working with low-income immigrants to overcome barriers to justice. Learn more at www.mica-project.org.

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

• Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
• By Mail: Please write “MICA” in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122. 
• 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.

Religious Education & Youth Group

The 2023-24 Religious Education and Youth Program continues this Sunday, October 1 during the 10:00 service. Children and youth aged four and older should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service with their family. The nursery opens at 9:30 for children aged three and younger and those who need freedom of movement. Religious Education (RE) classes and youth gatherings will begin at 10:15.

Reminder: The 6th & 7th grade group and 8th-12th grade group are on field trips this Sunday to other local UU congregations. Gathering time for both groups is 9:00 am in Adams Hall.

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

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is an important tradition of fellowship at Eliot Chapel, taking place in Adams Hall immediately after the worship service on Sunday. It's a time to catch up with fellow members and friends and to greet newcomers. Please join us!

We keep this tradition of hospitality alive by taking turns hosting. This is a simple task (instructions are available in a binder in the kitchen) and a great way to serve and connect. Please check the SignUpGenius for coffee hour volunteers to sign up to host Coffee Hour on a Sunday morning after the service. If you need help using SignUpGenius, please contact Rebecca Schuder at hospitality@eliotchapel.org and she will help you get signed up. We have some dates in October that need help!

Coffee, Conversation, and Connections

Find Coffee, Conversation, and Connections on Zoom at 12:30 pm every Sunday! You are invited to join us online for conversation after the service! We'll take a few minutes to say hello and let people settle in, then we'll go around the room to check in and welcome newcomers. Look for "Eliot on Zoom" in your email on Sunday morning; it will include a link to join us for Coffee, Conversation, and Connections. If you're not on our mailing list, sign up here. We look forward to seeing you!

Sunday at a Glance

6th & 7th Grade & Youth Group Field Trips – 9:00 am in Adams Hall

Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Coffee Hour – 11:00 am in Adams Hall

Lemon Covenant Group – 11:15 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Young Adult Group – 11:45 am in the Triplett Room

Coffee, Conversation, and Connections – 12:30 pm via Zoom

In This Week at Eliot

This Week's Events & Meetings

Please Remember

Church News

Classes at Eliot Chapel

Helping Each Other

The Week Ahead

Next Week's Service

Down the Road

ourEliot

Monday, October 2 

Kwentus Covenant Group – 10:00 am in the DuBois Library

A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Tuesday, October 3 

Women’s Alliance – 9:45 am in Adams Hall

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm on the front lawn

SJA Steering Committee – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall

Wednesday, October 4 

MCU Training – 10:00 am & 7:00 pm in Adams Hall

Wellspring – 7:00 pm on Zoom

Thursday, October 5 

Wellspring – 9:00 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Shifting from Role to Soul – 10:30 am in Room 001

Transitions Support Group – 7:00 pm in the DuBois Library

Friday, October 6 

Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001

Bergfried Congregational Campout – all day at Bergfried

As we have new staff in the front office scheduling your events and meetings, it is more important than ever to make contact to get on the calendar and then to check your entry for accuracy!

Planning a meeting or event? Start with our Room & Event Request Form! 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 Debby Lovell to set up your group.

Please Remember

Baby boy Miles Robert Barrett was born to Brittany Barrett on September 16. Congratulations!

Room For Each Other, Eliot Style! A Letter from Rev. Krista

Have you noticed how full our sanctuary has been this fall? For decades, Eliot Chapel had two services on Sunday. However, the decision was made to go back to one service in May 2022. Attendance had been lower since the COVID lockdown and the sanctuary often felt very empty. When we went back to one service, the sanctuary felt full. It felt energized. There was happiness and a sense of connection that we were able to restore with each other. And, the congregational singing was awesome! 

The sanctuary has now become very full and some of you are asking, is it time to go back to two services? I’ve been wondering the same thing. I’ve also been thinking about how much change is happening here at Eliot right now.  

READ MORE . . .

Men Hiding in Dugout,

Women Swarm the Field

The stats are in: 75% of the congregational survey responses so far are from women. Guys, it’s the bottom of the fifth – time to respond to the survey here! You've got this!

Thank you from your faithful Search Team coaching staff,

Bob Boyd, Janis Cox, Tanya Hull, Carl Serbell, and Rob van Alstyne

Bergfried Fall Campout

October 6 to 8

Mark your calendars now for our annual fall campout, open to all members and friends. You are welcome to come out for any part of the weekend whether you plan to camp or not. The days will be wide open for hiking, camping, relaxation, and connection. The weekend includes these optional events:

• Traditional bonfire and campfire, Saturday evening.
• Worship Service, Sunday at 11:00 am: If you don’t choose to camp, this is a great time to come out and connect afterwards, Adams Hall-style.
• Sunday Potluck: Directly after the service, enjoy food and connection with the Eliot camping community. The Bergfried Team will provide hot dogs and chips. Campers and day trippers are encouraged to bring a dessert or side dish to share. Please let us know if you plan to attend by emailing bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org and let us know how many will be joining you so we may plan the potluck accordingly.

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.

EliotConnects Is Realm!

Have you been looking for an easy link to Realm on the website? Did you know that EliotConnects is Realm?

At the bottom of every web page on our site, you'll find a handy list of quick links (see right) to places you may want to visit the most. Click on EliotConnects and you'll be taken to Eliot Chapel's Realm site where you can check the directory, look for classes and other upcoming events, update your giving, and more!

Your Giving

Please fill out the memo line of your check to Eliot Chapel so we know whether it’s to be applied to your pledge, goes toward our monthly shared plate, or has some other purpose. Thank you for your generosity!

Welcome to the Eliot Chapel Volunteer Village!

“What village?” you ask. The village it takes to raise a church!  

We all want our beloved church to continue to thrive and grow. To do so, we need many villagers who will share the work. Maybe you prefer the geese analogy suggested at the worship service on Ingathering Sunday: “Sharing leadership, taking care of the fallen, and honking from behind.” Regardless, it is imperative that everyone steps up to bring Eliot Chapel forward. Sign up in Adams Hall on Sunday or online here. Grab a gold volunteer sticker for your name tag if you already volunteer or if you sign up now!

Mary Meihaus & Dotty Storer, volunteer coordinators

Animal Blessings

Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry empowers individuals, chapters, and congregations to build justice and compassion for animals. This Sunday, they will host a virtual Celebration of the Animals (also known as the Blessing of the Animals) with guest speaker Christopher "Soul" Eubanks. Soul is an advocate for climate, for people, and for other animals. His own experiences of marginalization motivate him to campaign for animals, and he describes his opening to animals as a "spiritual awakening." If you would like to participate in this event on Sunday, October 1 at 3:00 pm on Zoom, you may register here.

Women's Alliance

Women's Alliance will meet for coffee on Tuesday, October 3 at a new time, 9:45 am, with a brief meeting at 10:15 am. Lanette Tanaka will be leading our book discussion of The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Wealth, and Power by Diedre Mask. This meeting also will be on Zoom. Watch for the link!

Join us for

Vigil for Hope & Healing

Tuesday, October 3

at 5:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel.

MCU Training

Join our effort with Metropolitan Congregations United to raise the minimum wage and establish paid sick leave. Latrell Stanton, MCU organizer, will train us to collect signatures on a petition for the Fall 2024 election. He will be in Adams Hall on Wednesday, October 4 at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm – choose the time that's convenient for you. Signatures will be collected at the Kirkwood Farmers Market on Saturdays in October and at other events. Please join us and help make this important change for Missouri!

Transitions Support Group

The Transitions Support Group is for anyone who is experiencing a significant life transition, such as death of a loved one, transitioning relationships, children leaving home, having children, getting married, transitioning gender, changes in career/employment to name a few. This is a place to share your story and give and receive support for the journey we are on. The meetings are facilitated by Carl Serbell and Lou Salvin. Meetings are on the first and third Thursdays of the month, 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the DuBois Library. Please email transitions@eliotchapel.org if you want to learn more or receive the reminder emails. The next meeting is Thursday, October 5. 

Sunday, October 8 – 10:00 am

“Balancing Heritage While Embracing Change”

Robyn Berkley, President, First Unitarian Church of Alton IL

We will discuss the challenges of holding onto traditions and heritage while recognizing the need for and embracing change. We'll discuss the importance of a strong culture, and the ways that the First Unitarian Church in Alton, now renamed the Metro East Unitarian Universalist Congregation, is moving forward with some radical changes ahead of us. After 187 years in Alton, the building has been sold and the church is moving to Edwardsville!  

Eliot's All Ages Game Night Potluck

Saturday, October 14, 6:00 – 9:00 pm in Adams Hall

The Fun

Come one, come all, to a night of games of all kinds sure to delight the inner and outer child! Bring a favorite game or two or three to the event, and be ready to make merry with Eliot members, old pals and soon-to-be-friends across the age spectrum. We'll have quick card games as well as in-depth strategy games, old classics and new challenges – something for everyone!

The Food

This event will be a potluck affair. Bring a dish to share, but be sure to label it with ingredients for those with food allergies. A food sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board outside of Adams Hall.

For more information, please call Kathy Becker. You can find her mobile number in the directory. 

St. Louis Area TrUUnk or Treat!

Get on your costumes, decorate your vehicle, fill the trunk with PEANUT-FREE goodies, and head over to First Unitarian Church of St. Louis for our first ever ALL Congregation TrUUnk or Treat! See you on Saturday, October 21 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at 5007 Waterman Blvd., St. Louis MO 63108.

Eliot Life Quest

Used by many cultures and given shape in many ways, Vision Quest is a time of deep reflection, transformation, healing, and a method to experience authentic and profound encounters with Spirit. There are three core elements of a Vision Quest – Solitude, Fasting, and Nature. When these core elements are coupled with preparation and integration, dormant states of creativity and connections come to the surface creating possibilities for deep change and transformation in participants.

Eliot Life Quest brings a Vision Quest into the Eliot community. This spiritual offering will lead you through the preparation phase, support your journey during your solo, and help you start your path in consolidating what you have gained during this process. People in any life stage and with any personal/spiritual growth goal can find meaning in the powerful process of a Solo Fasting Quest.

Some transformative goals that people bring to Solo Fasting Quest are: stepping away from past trauma, solidifying sobriety, developing a deeper relationship with themselves, nature, and Spirit, marking transitions such as becoming a parent, moving to elder status, and for life events that typically do not have a culturally established way of being acknowledged such as releasing a dead name, loss of an affair, committing to a life without children . . . and more.

Come to the Life Quest Informational Meeting on Sunday, October 22 at 11:30 am in Room 001 to meet facilitator Lisa Dahlgren and hear more about this unique opportunity.