Sunday, January 21 – 9:45 & 11:15 am

“Loving Through Brokenness” – Rev. Krista Taves 

In Unitarian Universalism we often say that love is at the center of our faith. But what does that really mean? 

• Large-print orders of service and hearing assistance devices are available from the greeters on Sunday.
• Should you or your child need more freedom of movement, you can view the service on monitors in Adams Hall. 
• We livestream services; find the video at eliotchapel.org. After the stream, a recording will be available there all week. You can also find it directly on our YouTube channel.
• If you're worshipping with us on livestream, you can always find a digital order of service, including lyrics to the hymns, on our website. 

Religious Education & Youth Group

The 2023-2024 Religious Education and Youth Program continues this Sunday, January 21.

Religious Education (RE) for children and youth in 7th grade and younger is held during the 9:45 service. Children and youth aged four and older should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service with their family. RE classes will begin at 10:00.

The nursery opens at 9:30 for children aged three and younger and those who need freedom of movement. The nursery will remain open during the 11:15 service for children aged five and younger who need freedom of movement.

Youth Group activities for youth in grades 8-12 will be held during the 11:15 service from January 7-March 10. Youth should attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service before gathering as a group at 11:30.

Specific plans for each age group are shared with registered families via email each week. To learn more about this year’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!

As we transition from one to two services, we really need to increase the number of coffee volunteers. We need at least one (two makes the chore easier) for each service. This is a simple task (instructions are available in a binder in the kitchen) and a great way to serve and connect. You can complete the set-up portion of coffee hour and still attend church. You can leave a little early from the service to be in the kitchen when the service is over. The service is broadcast on the large TV in Adams Hall, so you can even see the end of the service. There are many open slots in the new year. Perhaps a covenant group might consider volunteering for a Sunday – this would be a great service project for you. 

Check the SignUpGenius for coffee hour volunteers and 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.

Coffee, Conversation, and Connections

Find Coffee, Conversation, and Connections on Zoom at 1:00 pm every Sunday! (Note the new time due to our move to two services.) 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

Worship Service – 9:45 am in the Sanctuary

Coffee Hour – 10:45 am in Adams Hall

Cottage Meeting – 11:00 am in Room 001

Worship Service – 11:15 am in the Sanctuary

Pastoral Care Associates – 11:30 am in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Coffee Hour – 12:15 pm in Adams Hall

Cottage Meeting – 12:30 am in Room 001

Women’s Weekend Planning – 12:45 pm in Room 006

Coffee, Conversation, and Connections – 1:00 pm via Zoom

In This Week at Eliot

This Week's Events & Meetings

Church News

Helping Each Other

The Week Ahead

Down the Road

Next Week's Service

Shared Plate

ourEliot

Monday, January 22 

Wine, Cheese, and Governance – 6:30 pm in Adams Hall

Tuesday, January 23 

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 4:00 pm on the front lawn

Immigration Justice – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall

Wednesday, January 24 

Welcome Team – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Thursday, January 25 

Covenant Group Facilitators – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall

Friday, January 26

Friday Freethinkers – 10:00 am in Room 001

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 new Meeting Space Reservation 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.

Special Ministerial Vote March 3! Check Your Membership

Stop by Adams Hall after service this week to check for your name on the membership rolls. Only registered members are able to vote on whether to call Rev. Krista Taves as our settled minister. The vote will be held at 12:45 pm on Sunday, March 3 in Eliot's Sanctuary. You can participate in the vote in person, by proxy, or by registering in advance to attend via Zoom. Details will be forthcoming about how to vote by proxy or online. 

If you would like to become a member, please reach out to Rev. Krista or the Welcome Team at welcome@eliotchapel.org before February 5 to begin the joining process. 

Child Dedication Ceremony: Sunday, May 5 at 9:45 am

A much-loved ritual in Unitarian Universalist congregations is the welcoming and dedication of infants and young children as part of a Sunday worship service. We are currently planning to celebrate this ritual on Sunday, May 5 during the 9:45 am service.

Families where one or both parents or caregivers are actively participating as members of Eliot Chapel are invited to consider participation and to talk with Rev. Krista Taves about the meaning of the ceremony. Membership at Eliot is strongly encouraged prior to participation.

For more information about the ceremony, Eliot membership, or to set up a meeting with Rev. Krista, please send an email to Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org no later than April 1.

Kirkwood’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

A group of from Eliot Chapel attended the Kirkwood Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. In the photo, you see Rev. Krista Taves, Michael Hennon, Sue Myer, Yvonne Serbell, and Janet Solecki. Dottie Matthews sang in the Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis. Not in the picture are Richard and Charlotte Parsons.

New Ways to Plan and Communicate

Meeting and event planners at Eliot Chapel have access to a new, streamlined Meeting Space Reservation Form. You'll always find a link to it under "This Week's Events & Meetings" (above) and with member resources on the Eliot website. You'll be able to request meetings in the building, on Zoom, or hybrid meetings.

If your group meets on Zoom, you'll find that we have a new process for leaders to connect to their meetings. We will start using the host key system for Zoom meetings in February. It should make your meeting more secure as the login information will not be shared. It will prevent overlapping meetings and also eliminate the “unusual sign-in from unknown device” emails that everyone gets when one Zoom meeting starts. Group leaders will need to schedule your Zoom meetings through the front office, using the reservation form above or by contacting the office directly. If you already have meetings scheduled, we'll be in touch about the changes. There should be no difference for participants and very little adjustment for those leading meetings.

If you have questions after using either of these resources, please contact the front office.

Good Work at Bergfried

On Saturday, January 5, Jeremy Paterson, Bob Becker, Dave Maguire, and Rick Ragsdale worked with Boy Scouts to clear parts of a meadow and construct several brush piles for small critters in the south meadow.

Then after lunch, they took a tour of the north side to tour our timber management efforts there.

This is the fun part: cool weather and good work, guys!

Conversations with Rev. Krista

When the Search Committee announced the recommendation of Rev. Krista Taves as our new settled Lead Minister, we told you what the next step would be: many opportunities for you to meet with Rev. Krista for questions and conversation before the vote to extend a call at the congregational meeting on March 3. 

You can now find the full schedule of meetings and events on our website. Please plan to attend at least one! We're offering some targeted meetings for groups within the church who might have common questions as well as general meetings for all. Some events require an RSVP. You can sign up on SignUpGenius. Contact the Search Committee at searchteam@eliotchapel.org if you have questions or trouble signing up.

If you're interested in Bergfried or music or potlucks, you might sign up for the Winter Warmup on Saturday night! Rev. Krista will be at this annual event, a casual setting to chat and have fun together. Sign-up sheets are on the Eliot bulletin board or contact bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org.

We will also have our first Cottage Meetings on Sunday. Sign up and bring your questions to this small group setting.

We look forward to seeing you at one of these events!

Eliot Needs You!

Were you one of the lucky Eliot members who attended a Giving Gathering last year during the 2023-2024 canvass campaign? If you were, you know how much fun it was to spend time with other Eliot members in different, casual settings.

The Stewardship Team is reviving and revamping these social gatherings to focus on building “Community Connections.” We are looking for 25 people to host an event for ten or more people during the spring canvass, March 3 to April 12. The event can be anything you can dream up: a family movie night in Adams Hall, a hike, a potluck, a coffee date, a knitting circle, wine at five, game night or . . . how will you connect? We’d like to offer events for many different groups: families with children, teens, working folks, and retirees.  

If you are willing to be a host, contact Sue Blandford or Mary Quinn at communityconnections@eliotchapel.org, or sign up in Adams Hall after both services any Sunday in January.  

Weather Policy Reminder

While Eliot Chapel strives to be open and available, there are times when it is unsafe to do so. In inclement or extreme weather, the decision may be made to close the church and cancel activities. A decision about Sunday services will be made by Saturday evening. Check the Chapel’s voicemail and/or website for news of closings. Information will also be shared on Facebook and with the local media. All members, friends, and staff are urged to use discretion when making choices about traveling in times of hazardous weather conditions.

We Care for Each Other

The Pastoral Care Team is comprised of supportive, caring individuals who will actively listen and spend time with you as you share issues that are causing you concern, pain, or anxiety. The people on the team have been UUA trained and are under the supervision of Rev. Krista. If you have a pastoral care need, please email pastoralcare@eliotchapel.org. 

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.

At Eliot Chapel, we care for our earth and our building! One way you can express this is by joining the Eliot Recycling Team! This committee is responsible for taking the recycling from Eliot to the Kirkwood Recycling Depository at 350 S. Taylor Avenue each week. Sign up for a week that works for you and plan to grab the recycling after service to drop it off. Thanks for being part of the team!

Providing receptions after a Celebration of Life is another way we care for each other at Eliot Chapel. The Reception Team sets up, serves, and cleans up after these receptions. If you can be available once in a while to help, please email receptions@eliotchapel.org. Your efforts will be appreciated!

Welcome to the Eliot Chapel Volunteer Village!

What village? The village it takes to raise a church! We all want our beloved church 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 and there are so many ways to participate. Sign up here to be part of it; then grab a gold volunteer sticker for your name tag if you already volunteer or if you sign up now!

Starting Point

An Introduction to

the Unitarian Universalist Journey

This four-part series offers those considering Unitarian Universalism as a spiritual path the opportunity to experience UUism through a small group experience. You will learn about our faith tradition, explore your own spiritual journey, and connect with others who are also seeking a spiritual home or faith. Longtime members and friends seeking a small group experience are also welcome. Amy Stark will facilitate the series which will take place during second service in Room 001 on Sundays in February from 11:15 am to 12:45 pm. Childcare will be available. 

Sunday, February 4 

Session 1: Your Journey – Sharing Our Stories and Spiritual Roadmaps

Sunday, February 11 

Session 2: The Unitarian Universalist Journey and the Journey of our Congregation

Sunday, February 18 

Session 3: Our Journey Together – The Three Paths of Unitarian Universalism, Part 1

Sunday, February 25 

Session 4: The Three Paths, Part 2 and Finding Your Journey Group

Bergfried Winter Warmup

Celebrate Bergfried and winter a bit closer to home this month! The Bergfried Team sponsors our annual Winter Warm-Up Potluck Dinner on Saturday, January 20 in Adams Hall. Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy some camaraderie. We’ll offer a fire circle featuring Eliot musicians (bring your instruments!) and a slideshow of recent Bergfried events. Nature crafts for all ages will be offered.

As an added bonus, meet Rev. Krista there for informal conversations.

Sign-up sheets are on the Eliot bulletin board or contact bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org. Please let us know if you are bringing a main dish, side or dessert. Doors open at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00.

Women's Weekend Planning Meeting

Eliot Chapel Women's Weekend planning will take place Sunday, January 21, in Room 006 from 12:45 to 1:45 pm. We will be discussing workshops and other items for the weekend. If you are interested to know more about Women's Weekend, please join us!

Join us for

Vigil for Hope & Healing

Tuesday, January 23

at 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel.

Immigration Justice Team Meeting

Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 pm in Adams Hall and on Zoom

After a short pause for the holidays, the Immigration Justice Team is ready to continue our work with renewed energy. We have several events already planned for this semester, so we will finalize the details for them at next week's meeting. Zoom connection details will be found in Sunday's "Eliot on Zoom" email. The main focus, however, will be in reviewing our current direction and considering if the two workstreams, advocacy and non-citizen support, should be modified. This new beginning is a great opportunity for everyone interested in immigration issues to get involved with new ideas, new questions, and new energy! Come join us! 

SAVE THE DATE

The Men's Advance

The Men’s Advance, May 2-5, 2024, welcomes all Eliot members and friends who identify at the male end of the gender spectrum. Newcomers are especially encouraged to come out to enjoy hiking, camping, camaraderie, a Saturday night feast, and lots of super-secret men's stuff (which looks suspiciously like doing nothing). Ten dollars buys your ticket to the feast (kids 12 and under $5). All other meals are on your own. 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 rustic bunkhouses. To sign up for the weekend, to reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any information contact mensadvance@eliotchapel.org.

Spring also promises great weather for individuals and families to visit and enjoy nature on their own. The Bergfried cottage, with air conditioning, electricity, full kitchen and bath, and running water, is available for rental ($35/night). Contact bergfriedreservations@eliotchapel.org whenever you are planning a trip on your own or to reserve the cottage.

Sunday, January 28 – 9:45 & 11:15 am

“Immigration Justice, Eliot Style” –

Eliot Chapel's Immigration Justice Team 

Come learn how the immigrant experience shapes and informs our work while hearing directly from an immigrant herself and a community-based partner. This is your opportunity to learn about one of the social justice teams and what we are about!

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. In January, we're sharing our offering with Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association and Horizons St. Louis.

Meacham Park is a predominantly African American community in Kirkwood. Even before Meacham Park was annexed to Kirkwood, an intentionally diverse group of Meacham Park and Kirkwood residents formed to advocate for Meacham Park and Eliot Chapel has long ensured that we have one of our members at the table so that we are always ready to lend a hand. Learn more about MNIA at meachamparknia.org.

Horizons St. Louis in Kirkwood is a transformational, community-centered program proven to close the opportunity and achievement gaps for under-resourced students in the Kirkwood school district. Horizons offers high-quality learning experiences outside the traditional school year to support academic achievement and healthy youth development. Learn more at horizonsstlouis.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 “shared plate” 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.

Eliot Chapel collected $4,153 for the Minister's Discretionary Fund through the Christmas Eve collection and additional giving. This will assist our minister in responding to requests for emergency aid over the coming year. Thank you so much for your generosity!