Sunday, December 3 – 10:00 am

“Mystery for Rationalists” – Rev. Krista Taves 

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 December, we're sharing our offering with Room at the Inn.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, Room at the Inn provides emergency shelter and a stabilizing support system to women and families in need in St. Louis County, using a collaborative, interfaith effort of congregations and organizations throughout the St. Louis region. Eliot Chapel has supported Room at the Inn for more than 30 years. Learn more at roomstl.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 “RATI” 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 resumes this Sunday, December 3 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 is on a field trip this Sunday to visit The Gathering on McCausland. Gathering time is 9:30 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 (RE) 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. 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 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 Field Trip – 9:30 am off-site

Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Coffee Hour – 11:00 am in Adams Hall

Geek Squad Coaching – 11:00 am in the Garden Room area of Adams Hall

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

Trivia Night Committee – 11:15 am in Room 001

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

Church News

Helping Each Other

The Week Ahead

Next Week's Service

ourEliot

Monday, December 4 

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

A Course in Miracles – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Tuesday, December 5 

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

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

SJA Stewardship Team – 7:00 pm in Adams Hall 

Wednesday, December 6 

Wellspring – 7:00 pm via Zoom

Thursday, December 7 

Wellspring – 9:30 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, December 8  

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 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.

RSVP for Christmas Eve Services

Please pre-register for our Christmas Eve services. We have scheduled a 10:00 am service and a 5:00 pm service on Sunday, December 24. We'll monitor the signups to decide if we need a third service that day. Both services will include candlelight! Thank you!

Pageant Service Announcement 

We are excited to share that the Christmas Pageant Service is coming on Friday evening, December 22 at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary. We anticipate this service will run approximately 30 minutes. Following the service there will be a potluck dessert reception in Adams Hall.

The service is based on a no-rehearsal worship script used by other UU professionals and congregations. Children and youth wishing to wear a costume should arrive beginning at 5:30 and select their outfit in Adams Hall (costumes are definitely not required). There will be an opportunity for children and families to gather, in costume, on the chancel at the conclusion of the service for a photo opportunity.

No advance preparation is needed or required, though it’s helpful to have an idea of who plans to attend. Those planning to attend may RSVP here and are encouraged to bring a potluck dessert item to share (store-bought is fine).

Questions? Contact Scott Stewart by email at scott@eliotchapel.org.

Gift Giving Tree – December 2023

Youth In Action STL is once again sponsoring gift outreach to local children and youth in need of gifts this holiday season. There are several ways to participate in this holiday outreach.    

Here’s how the Gift Giving Tree works in 2023:

For individuals wishing to donate gift items:  

• Thanks to Eliot youth group members, the tree will be set up in Founders Hall on Sunday, December 3. Eliot members and friends can select ornaments following the worship service.

• Select a ginger person ornament(s) from the tree, which will indicate the age and gender of a local child.

• Purchase a gift for the child and return the gift, wrapped or unwrapped, along with the ornament and place the gift under the tree OR in the gift box outside the building. Youth In Action will pick up the gifts for distribution. We recommend gifts in the $5-$10 range. Below are some examples of possible gifts:

• NEW stuffed animals
• NEW Children’s puzzles
• Children’s books (NEW is best)
• NEW crayons or other art supplies and coloring books

Gifts can be dropped off through Sunday, December 17.  

If you wish to make a monetary donation, you have two options, both available through Sunday, December 10. 

1. You can make an online payment via Realm: select “Gift Giving Tree" in the drop-down menu; OR
2. You may mail or drop off a check in the black dropbox, made payable to Eliot Chapel, with “Gift Giving Tree” written in the memo. Mail to: 100 S. Taylor Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122. 

All monetary donations must be received by December 10.

Board President Sara Fleming talks about our Chalice Keepers campaign.

Chalice Keepers at the End of the Year

In early November, we kicked off an end-of-year special ask for those who can be generous to Eliot at this time of year. As of Tuesday, we have collected $12,825.  

If you are at a place where you currently have the resources to be generous, we ask you to consider making a year-end gift to Eliot Chapel. If you are in a place in which your resources are scarce, please feel great about your place at Eliot and know that you are a valuable member and friend.

As a token of our appreciation, the first 100 people who make a year-end gift of $100 or more will receive a handmade Chalice Keepers ornament designed by Eliot member and artist Ahmed Eldarrat.  

Giving options include: 

• Online: Go to www.eliotchapel.org/giving and use the online giving form to make a gift. Choose Chalice Keepers as your fund.
• By Mail: Please write "Chalice Keepers" in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood MO, 63122
• On Sunday: Drop a check in the offering basket with "Chalice Keepers" in the memo line.

Eliot Chapel Returns to Two Services in January!

Rev. Krista has shared that we'll return to two services on Sunday on January 7, 2024! Watch the video from her below, or read the letter here. Plan to join the congregational conversation this Sunday, December 3, at 11:15 am in the sanctuary. Come with your questions and thoughts.

Bread Sunday's Beautiful Quilts

The following ladies loaned us their beautiful quilts for our Bread Service Sunday: Sue Bell, Becky Coalson, Marie Fogleman, Cathy Fueglein, Pat Gray, Sue Jarrett, Claudia Jean Potts, Bonnie Kwentus, Flo Reaves, and Donna Springer. Four of the quilts were cut, pieced, and quilted by hand. Two quilts were given as baby gifts. Two quilts were created by Eliot quilters as raffle prizes. Two quilts were gifts from sisters. Two quilts are going to new homes this year. One quilt has an unintentional 3D effect. One quilt was displayed in a juried American Quilters Society quilt show at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. Thank you for sharing your beautiful quilts!

Eliot's Chalice Choir Is Recruiting!

All children and youth are welcome!

Dates for the first performance:

Rehearsals: January 14, 21, 28 – 9:15-9:45 am

Performance: February 4, 2024 – Prelude for Worship

Dates for the second performance:

Rehearsals: February 25, March 3 – 9:15-9:45am

Performance: March 10, 2024 – Prelude for Worship

Other Details

• Children need to be able to read the lyrics OR have the commitment of someone who can help them memorize the words to the songs.
• Indicate interest to Nancy Spargo & Melinda Monroe at chalicechoir@eliotchapel.org by February 11, 2024.

Still Time to Support the Elderly in Our Partner Church

If you were unable to attend the Bread Service on Sunday or forgot your checkbook, you can still donate to our Partner Church Bread Program which provides a loaf of bread each week to about 100 elderly or infirm parishioners. We hope to raise $3,500 which is the amount we have sent the last several years. Send checks to Eliot Chapel with "Partner Church" on the memo line, or use the online form and choose "Partner Church" as your fund. Make your donation or make sure your check arrives by December 8. 

Thanks so much, 

Partner Church Team

Safety at Bergfried

For your safety, we ask that you refrain from visiting Bergfried during the upcoming deer hunting seasons. The main hunting window is Saturday, December 2 through Sunday, December 10. We do expect hunters on the property during those intervals. Outside those dates, we recommend wearing a bright color (blaze orange recommended) from now to the beginning of January as an extra precaution.

New Member Signing: December 10 After the Service

Are you considering joining Eliot Chapel as a member? The membership book will be available to sign after the service on the second Sunday of the month. Please contact welcome@eliotchapel.org at least a week in advance if you are interested in becoming a member.

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!

Looking for Unique Holiday Cards? 

Stop by Adams Hall after the service this Sunday, December 3 if you want to purchase some cards created by artist Marceline Saphian. Two pieces of Marcy's artwork are now hanging at Eliot, one in Founders Hall and the other over the stairs going down to the RE wing. Marcy was an Eliot member and a prolific artist. She won many awards in St. Louis art galleries, as well as galleries around the Midwest. Proceeds of the card sales benefit Eliot Chapel.  

Women's Alliance 

Please join Women's Alliance on Tuesday, December 5, at 9:45 am in Adams Hall. After coffee, refreshments, and a brief business meeting, Barb Jones will lead our discussion of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. For more information about this meeting, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.

Join us for

Vigil for Hope & Healing

Tuesday, December 5

at 4:00 pm in front of Eliot Chapel.

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, December 7. 

December 10 – 10:00 am

Joyful Is the Dark – Sabrina Trupia

As the shortest days of the year are upon us, we take a look at what gifts (if any), darkness can bring.

About our guest speaker: Sabrina (who uses they/them pronouns) was born and lived in Italy until they were 20. Their previous career was in science, specifically in research and development, largely in the field of biotechnology. In 2020-21, as you may remember, they were one of four the contextual interns who helped out with worship and adult RE during COVID. Sabrina received a Master of Divinity from Eden Seminary in 2022 and last April Sabrina received Preliminary Fellowship from the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee. This means they are ‘officially’ considered a minister by the Association. Sabrina lives in Edwardsville, IL with a spouse (Ed), a daughter (Isabella), and two adopted cats (Bo and Cap’n).