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Inside This Issue

Our Mission
-- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

The above statement is a draft of Eliot Chapel's mission statement. On Feb. 29 after the service, the Strategic Planning Committee will host a Town Hall Meeting to hear your thoughts on this statement might be. We have already asked most church committees and groups to comment.

This statement covers a lot in a very brief space. It says we are a community: so what aspects of our congregational life support the feeling of community? It says we foster free religious thought: how do we do that? We nurture spiritual growth: in what ways has this happened for you? We act for social justice: do you know all the ways we do this? And we are somehow connected to the larger ideas that are Unitarian Universalism: how is this important?

As the planning process continues, we will be putting an action plan under all these areas. We want to develop community, free religious thought, spiritual growth, and social action. We want to list the specific ways we achieve these goals, and what else we might do to further our mission. A singles' group? More music opportunities? Resources for families? A social action speaker series? Having these areas to concentrate on will help us focus our programming to reflect who Eliot Chapel is at its best.

I like this mission statement mostly because it's so straightforward. I was looking around for a copy when preparing to write this article, and didn't find one right away. So I wrote down what I remembered. When I did find the statement, I was impressed how close I had come to getting it right. And yet, so much more can come out of it.

Please come to the Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 29 to hear what others have to say and to add your voice. We won't be doing word-smithing, but we will be looking over the spirit of the statement and talking about if it reflects us. We all need to gather to be "us," Eliot Chapel.

2004-05 Pledge Campaign
-- Gary Gray, Pledge Campaign Chair

The Board of Trustees, ministers, and staff have been busy working on the chapel operating budget for 2004-05. The pledge campaign goal for this year is $445,000. This represents a 10% increase. This is a big increase, but one I believe is possible. It will, of course, mean a stretch for many of us.

I think the tentative operating budget is a reasonable one. The staff has worked hard the last two years to control costs but have still seen small deficits. This will only be corrected with additional revenue. While special fundraisers like the auction help, it is still true that approximately 90% of our operating revenues will come from our pledges. There are also new things planned, important improvements to our chapel, which will only go forward if they can be funded. In the last newsletter Rev. O'Connell gave us a look at the "wish list" and explained the benefits of having a Membership Coordinator. We will hear more about the other items in future newsletters.

How are we going to achieve a 10% increase in our total pledges for 2004-05? We will not achieve it by expecting each pledge to increase 10%. Some of us just do not have the capability to increase our pledges that much. However, many of us have the ability to make this kind of increase, and some of us are able to do even more. I am asking everyone who is currently pledging less than the Supporting Level of $1,200 per year to seriously consider increasing his or her pledge to that level; and everyone who is currently pledging at $1,200 per year or more to seriously consider increasing their pledge by 10% and, where possible, even more. I know that everyone does not have the ability to do what I'm asking and that's all right. We must all pledge at the level that is right for us. In the end this pledge campaign will be successful if each of us makes a pledge based on our capability and how much we value Eliot Chapel.

2004 Heart & Hand Auction

The Heart & Hand Auction, which took place on Valentine's Day at the Richmond Heights Community Center was a great success! Just over 100 Eliot members and friends convened together. While bidding on items donated by both members and local businesses, guests also enjoyed listening to music performed by Jon Whiting and his jazz trio. In addition to enjoying the fellowship of the evening, many of the items available for bidding allow for future gatherings of members and guests. Some of the items included: dinners, parties, a ride on a Coast Guard boat, microbrewery beer tasting and exploring a cave. The event raised approximately $7,500, which will go towards the overall mission of Eliot Chapel, including music program, religious education, social action programs and more. Thank you to all who participated!

A heartfelt thanks goes out to each of the committee members of the 2004 Heart & Hand Auction who gave so generously of both their talents and their time: Tracy Drissell, Adrienne Linden, Lorraine Langdon-Hull, Laurie Macdonald, Marcia McIntyre, Gretchen Rednour, Nancy Rubin, and Lori Whiting.

In addition, thanks to our many volunteers who helped make the Auction such a success! They include: Patrice and Steven Bain, Jordan Berger, Susie Bradley and Jeff and Zoe Matthews, Bryan Burke, Joan Casey, Scott Christeson and Marlene Mestres, Ellen and Fred Ciesla, Kent Coffel, Dave Day & Jane Larson, Leslie Freeman, Margaret Gender, Joy Gorden, Margaret Hasse, Jerry Higginbotham, Judy Highfill, Carol Klass, Dave Macdonald, Ann Petlin, Linda Polcyn, Debbie and Larry Ross, Grace Rossow, Nick Rubin, JoAnn Stephan, Mark Unangst, Rich Vaughn, Connor Waldman, Rick Walters, Elizabeth and Lisa Ward, Jon Whiting and his Jazz Trio, Lisa Wilhelms, Faith Williams, and Mike Williams.

Our Sympathy

To Flo Reaves and Jim Lyon on the death of Flo's mother.

To Joan and Bill Clarke on the death of Joan's mother.

Thank You
-- Pat Habben and family

Thank you to all who braved the ice storm on Jan. 25 to attend the memorial service for my husband, Joe Habben, and to all who were there in spirit. I am especially grateful to everyone who helped create a beautiful service. Your capable hands, generous hearts, and loving compassion put my mind at ease and were a tremendous comfort to my whole family. All of the flowers, prayers, phone calls, visits, and food we've received have been unbelievable and are very much appreciated. Thank you all for being such a loving community.

Dear Friends
-- Mark Salkin and Vicki Siska

This letter is to inform you that Louise Salkin, our mother and mother-in law, passed peacefully away on the evening of Jan. 27, 2004. Louise was a resident of Green Park Nursing facility in St. Louis at the time of her death, and been on the verge of going into a private room in the assisted living area when her health dramatically declined. On Jan. 5 she had turned 92. Up until the last month of her life, Louise, with the support of her good friend Patti, was able to remain in the comfort and security of her own home, a fact that we celebrate.

We were able to spend the preceding Saturday and Monday with Louise, during which time we were able to talk, share memories, sing together, administer drink and ice cream (always one of Louise's favorites), and say our farewells. Almost up to the very end, when Vicki would ask if we could bring her anything, Louise would consider what she might need, if anything, and then ask, "Is there anything you need or would like?"

We were able to secure the services of a local hospice, whose chaplain visited her on the morning of her death and whose private nurse was also able to provide kind and loving service to Louise on the last day of her life. She passed away without pain, having talked about being reunited with her parents and other loved ones.

During her long life Louise made many friends, and we know she appreciated all of you very much. Louise told us many times that she did not want a memorial service, and we are honoring that wish, though we will find ways to celebrate and commemorate her life. We encourage you to honor Louise in the manner that seems most fitting to you. A few of her favorite causes were PBS Channel 9, the Kirkwood Public Library, and Eliot Unitarian Chapel. If you desire to make a contribution in Louise's memory to any of these organizations, we are sure it would please her. We'll treasure the memory of this remarkable woman all of our lives.

CMwD DISTRICT ASSEMBLY 2004
(note new name of conference)

Date: April 23-25, 2004
Location: Hyatt Hotel - Lisle, IL (western suburb of Chicago - convenient access from all parts of the district)
Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Michael Schuler - Sr. Minister of the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI Keynote Address: Walking Our Talk: A Proud Heritage And A Present Challenge

Brochures and registration forms will be available at Eliot after Mar. 14.

Where Our Money Goes

This is the first in an occasional series of articles intended to provide some insight into how your hard-earned pledge money is put to use at Eliot Chapel.

Eliot has always presented a line item budget - listing expenses by categories such as salaries and benefits, utilities, insurance, etc. Another way to look at expenses, called Mission-Based Budgeting, takes the expenses from the line item budget and allocates them to the purposes they serve.

For example, rather than reporting simply "salaries," a program minister's salary would be allocated proportionally, based upon time spent, to programs, worship services, and other activities. Other items are allocated proportionally.

Some line item expenses have only one purpose: the Outreach giving budget is 100% in the Outreach category. Categories such as utilities, building repairs, maintenance, property and liability insurance, and supplies are allocated based upon floor space used, time spent, and other factors. This is not an exact science.

Categories are:

Worship & Music provides our Sunday morning worship services and the great music program that enhances our worship experience. The projected funding to support the level of programming that we have enjoyed so much this year is $120,150.
Religious Education includes activities and programs for our children, youth, and adults. Programs are offered that challenge your mind - from "Articulating Your Faith" to UU Parenting. It accounts for $106,800 of our proposed budget. [See Religious Education.]
Community Within programs and activities keep us connected and informed about our congregations life through our newsletter and provide help and support in time of personal need through our Covenant Groups, Eliot Visits, and Caring Committee. The budget proposal is $155,750.
Community Outreach programs provide personal effort and some funds to help our congregation reach out to the people who live in our community through Room at the Inn, the Partner Church and Social Action. The proposed budget amount is $22,250.
Denominational Connections help us stay in touch with other Unitarian Universalists around our region and around the continent. They provide us with information and ideas that keep us from reinventing the wheel. The proposed budget for this area is $40,050. [See Unitarian Universalist Association and Central Midwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association.]

Book Fair Accepting Donations Through Feb. 29

Thank you to everyone who has donated items for the Book Fair. If you want or need a receipt for taxes, please leave your name along with the books or stop by at the DuBois Library on Sundays.

Women's Alliance and the Library Committee will accept donations through Sun. Feb. 29. LP records will be accepted Mar. 10 and 11 only. Donated items should be in saleable condition (no mildew or paperbacks with missing covers.) Please, no magazines, periodicals, or outdated textbooks. Items may be left in the DuBois Library any time the building is open. Thank you.

Room At The Inn Volunteers
-- Bill Clarke

So are you tired of reading this headline in every newsletter? Well as Judy Evans has told Joan and me, one of the most difficult parts of continuing this program is recruiting volunteer help. We are in constant need of Hosts, Cooks, Launderers and Drivers.

As I read our last newsletter, Daniel's front-page article on difficulty in volunteer recruitment hit the mark - how do Joan and I get to know all the newcomers to ask for their help? I was a member of the Board when Judy Evans brought this program to the Eliot community and I can remember how we wondered if we could make it work. Twelve years later, we have shown that Eliot can make it work and we believe in the good that it does. Joan and I have volunteered to be Program Coordinators because we want to do something meaningful for the community. I guess we are some of the old-timers that got "burned out", wandered away, have come back, and don't know all the newcomers. We would like to get to know the newcomers and ask that they support Room At The Inn by signing up on the bulletin boards outside Adams Hall. We still need all the past supporters, too! We need your assistance helping the families in transition that need programs such as Room At The Inn.

Work Party

Please save Sat. morning, Mar. 27, for Eliot's spring work party. Skilled and unskilled labor is needed for indoor and outdoor projects. It's a fun time and a good chance to get to know others whom you might not meet during your usual activities.

Town Hall Meeting Feb. 29 at 12:30 p.m.
-- Boyd Jones, Eliot Board Member

The Town Hall Meeting originally planned for Feb. 22 will now be held Feb 29. Childcare will be provided.

WHY another Town Hall Meeting? You may have already seen the proposed new Mission Statement for Eliot Chapel:

Eliot Chapel, a Unitarian Universalist community, gathers to foster free religious thought, nurture spiritual growth, and act for social justice.

This meeting affords the opportunity for our members to discuss how we will use the Mission Statement as an introduction to the detailed strategic planning process to follow. The statement is the precursor to the strategic plan that will in turn become the road map we will follow as we pursue the strategies, goals, and tasks ultimately identified to direct Eliot Chapel's human and financial resources in the days ahead. Before we can drill down to the day-to-day activities that directly affect your church environment, we need to learn your priorities and share your ideas and visions for the Eliot community as we move ahead.

Please join us as we discuss how we can use the Mission Statement as a springboard to the concrete activities that put your money, time, and talents to work strengthening our Eliot community. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Sacred Choices Discussion

The next chapter in our Sacred Choices discussion will be on Feb. 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Eliot Chapel. Rabbi Amy Bigman of Congregation Temple Israel will meet with us and help in our understanding of Jewish views on Judaism and family planning. Interested people who have not participated in previous discussions are welcome to come. Books are available. For more information, contact Jennifer Gaither Ganim or Helen McIntosh. The Sacred Choices discussion on The Wisdom of Islam has been postponed until April 18.

Adult Education & Enrichment

Sun., Feb. 29 - "While We Were Pouring Out Wine, They Were Praying for Peace." Join us as historian and Eliot friend Edith Lubeck gives us an intimate look from the perspective of the French person-on-the-street during the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Recently returned from a six month stay at her new summer home in the French countryside, Ms. Lubeck brings alive the ambiance of the region through personal experiences and an engaging slide presentation. At 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Sun., Mar. 7 - "Personal Discovery Through Journaling." Eliot author Linda Senn will illustrate how journal writing can help us acknowledge and manage our anger and frustrations, deal with both joy and loss, and find perspective in our lives. Bring a notebook so you can sample some of the techniques that will be explained. Dialogue will be encouraged. Ms. Senn has published six books, including several on journaling. At 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Annual Book Fair

Fri., Mar. 12 - 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
-- Admission Friday only: $3.00/person or $5.00/family
Sat., Mar. 13 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 14 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Loads of books of all kinds; CDs, records, audio & video tapes!

Proceeds benefit the Eliot Chapel Library and Women's Alliance.

Women's Alliance

The Women's Alliance meets on the first, third, and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 9:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Tues., Mar. 2 - Book discussion of "Blessings" by Anna Quindlin, Janie Fowler leader.

Tues., Mar. 16 - Melanie Fathman presents "Middle Eastern Art Slide Show," Janie Fowler, Coordinator.

Mystery Dinner
-- Meet The Candidates

The Totally Open to Everyone Grand Alliance (aka the TOEGA Party) is hosting a political dinner in Adams Banquet Hall on Sat., Apr. 10. Tickets are $23.00 per person for dinner and beverages. Come hear Elizabetsy Dull, Rick Gimphardt, Rev. Shockem and others lay out their platforms. You won't be board! For more information contact Lydia Hopkins.

Attention Ladies

Women's Weekend 2004 will be held Apr. 23, 24 and 25 at the Kiwanis Camp Wyman in Eureka, MO. Women's Weekend is a great time to relax, participate in exciting workshops, meet new people, and more. We would love to have you join us; we're confident you'll have a wonderful time!

Registration begins in early March (look for a flyer in an upcoming newsletter or at Visitor's Corner in Adams Hall.) Registrations are due on April 4.

If you have any questions, please contact Tamara Johnston.

Men's Advance - Getting Ready

The annual organizational meeting of the Sensitive New Age Guys (SNAGs) will be held from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. in Adams Hall on Sat., Mar. 27. The Men's Advance Weekend Planning Pizza Workshop is an annual men only social event, basically a party or excuse to get out of the house to avoid winter cabin fever. While we are looking for workshop leaders, the sign up will not be at this time. This essentially social event will set the schedule for this year's Men's Advance. Individuals will either step forward or be selected to obtain supplies and prepare the main event. The weekend almost runs itself, but somebody has to buy the groceries for Saturday supper. Volunteers are needed for sign-up, treasurer, ordering the pig, various meal preparation tasks, keeping the fires burning, activity leaders, and, most importantly, making the grocery run which included getting about 100 pounds of charcoal. As always, the actual workshop activities and participants are kept secret since it is a guy thing.

For this planning meeting, we gather at 6:00 p.m. to determine how much and what kind of pizza to order, so you need to be there on time. The social hour will feature beverages that you have brought yourself. Be prepared to contribute and have a good time with other SNAGs as sensitive as you are. Lewis and Clark, Corps of Discovery is a natural discussion topic this year as they camped for two days in May 1804 at the mouth of the Gasconade River.

Seder Dinner
-- Larry Ross

The Seder Dinner is on April 4th. Each year a committee is formed to help with the preparation of the dinner. Please join us on Mar. 7 after the second service in the lower level of the RE wing or contact me.

Teach-In/Service Project On Lead

On Saturday, Apr. 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the St. Louis Area Unitarian-Universalist Council will sponsor a teach-in and service project at Unitarian-founded South Side Day Nursery in south St. Louis on the subject of "Getting the Lead Out - The Terrible Toll of Lead Poisoning and what Can Be Done About It."

Participants from local St. Louis churches will learn about lead in the morning via speaker and video, and in the afternoon work on painting and landscaping projects at the Nursery and nearby to address the problem. Those from more outlying SLAUUC churches are most welcome as well. Safety of the participants will be uppermost. Lunch will be provided by SLAUUC.

The area around South Side Day Nursery, at 2930 Iowa Avenue, has one of the highest concentrations of environmental lead in the city.

This event is an opportunity for meaningful service by families with teenagers (not for young children), individuals or anyone who would enjoy meeting, learning and working with fellow Unitarians from our congregations.

On Mon., Mar. 8, a planning meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Adams Hall. Please join Claire Robertson and Gail Rock in planning this event. If you are planning to attend or have questions, contact Claire Robertson.

Would You Like to Travel to Transylvania?

The UU Partner Church Council organizes trips with other UUs around the country. If you are interested in touring Romania and spending a day or two in our Partner Church village, check on the PC bulletin board for details or see Sue or Clint Blandford. There are several trips scheduled for 2004: a Bike Trip Jul. 8-20; a Youth Pilgrimage (age 15-19) Jul. 28-Aug. 11; and a Transylvanian Thanksgiving Pilgrimage Sep.21-Oct.1. You can also visit the PC website at www.uua.org/uupcc.

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Coming up:

Feb. 29	Preludes will be sung by Pam Triplett Choirs will sing You Are the New Day by John David.
Mar. 7	Preludes will be sung by Kathie Price and Rich Heuermann 9:15 choir will sing Pie Jesu by Faure 10:45 choir will sing Create in me O God by Brahms.
Mar. 14	Youth Orchestra, directed by Judy Lindquist, plays in the services as part of Youth Sunday.

Safety First

Please observe the signage and driveway directional arrows. The driveway on Argonne is an exit only. Increasingly it is being used as a "short-cut" to the parking lot.

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