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Inside This Issue

Unexpected Publicity
-- Susan Maginn, Intern Minister

Many of you may have been surprised to find Eliot Chapel at the center of the St. Louis media buzz. At certain points, we were very surprised too. Here is how it all developed.

After hearing about the UU ministers that were charged in New Paltz, NY, I met with Bonnie and Daniel to consider how ministers in Missouri could show our support of gay marriage. Daniel heard that other ministers planned similar ceremonies for Mar. 27, and asked me to see if there was a couple that might be interested in having such a ceremony. So I sent an email to some church members and some personal friends.

This is where the trouble began. The email that I wrote sounded more like an announcement of the event than an exploration of possibilities. It was basic bad communication. The email spread like wildfire through an inspired St. Louis gay community and we soon heard from Jerry Berger of the Post-Dispatch saying that he was going to run this in his column, even though he could not confirm the information with the ministerial staff.

We were then faced with very mixed blessings. On the one hand, we had this momentum of publicity. On the other hand, we knew ideally we ought to communicate an event of this magnitude to the congregation before it happens.

We went with the momentum, to act in solidarity with all who have taken great risks in support of civil rights for gay people. However, in the future we intend to do much more communication with the congregation before taking such public stands.

I deeply apologize for any hurt feelings this unexpected publicity may have caused. If you would like to speak with me about this, please contact me at (314) 821-0911 or .

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

As you read this, our Pledge Campaign will be well on the way to completion. Pledges were made at the two Pledge Sundays (Mar. 21 and 28), and contacts with individuals have been ongoing since Mar. 29. The intent is to wrap-up the campaign by Apr. 15. Results as this newsletter goes to press are encouraging. 167 pledges have been received from members and friends for a total of $231,000. This is an average of approximately $1,385 per pledging unit.

Canvassers are working diligently to contact everyone who has not yet made a pledge. If you have not been contacted yet and are worried we might miss you, or if you just want to make the process easier, please contact JoAnn Stephan, in the church office, to make your pledge.

With approximately 260 pledges to go, it appears our goal of $445,000 will be achieved if everyone continues to make a pledge based on their financial capability and how much they value Eliot Chapel.

Congratulations

To Wendy and Stacey Cutshaw, on the birth of their son, Gabriel Foster Cutshaw, on Mar. 16.

Welcome!
-- Elisa Voss - March 28, 2004

Each Sunday, a member of the Eliot community delivers the Sunday Morning Welcome. They share a personal story about how they came to be at Eliot Chapel, or what is meaningful here for them, or how they are living their faith. Here is a portion of one of their stories.

Eleven years ago, Steve and I joined Eliot Chapel viewing it as an enrichment opportunity for our family, and especially for our son. My personal commitment to Eliot Chapel and to Unitarian Universalism deepened as I saw how greatly our child benefited from his experiences in the Religious Education and Youth Programs. After a couple of years, I realized that a shift had occurred. I was no longer attending for our son's benefit, but for my own.

What I love about Unitarian Universalism is that not only am I encouraged to explore ideas for myself, I am free to create my own religious dogma within the context of our values and principles. Being here has helped me to pursue my quest to answer my origins, my life, my death, and my legacy. Exploring the big mysteries has enabled me to be comfortable with myself and not be afraid. Keep in mind: truly exciting things are always a bit scary. Seeking a higher understanding of ourselves in relation to all else provides us with a journey that may take us somewhere we can't get to any other way.

Thanks to Spring Work Party Volunteers

Thanks to all the volunteers, who spent Sat. morning, Mar. 27, cleaning, and fixing up Eliot: Bob Clark, Angela Cook, Dave Day, Tom Gayer, Jerry Higginbotham, Kathy Kingsley, Curt Kristofitz, Scott Marshall, Hal Matthews, Jeff Matthews, Todd Michael, Gary Miller, Carolyn Cowen Nissen, Mark Nissen, Larry Reutter, Erv Steinberg, Brent Vaughn, Rich Vaughn, and Rick Walters. A special thank you to Joy Gorden, the donut lady.

Thanks to Rati Volunteers
-- Bill Clarke

We wish to thank all those who have given of their time in February and March to help with Room At The Inn. Without your help, we could not maintain the "Eliot Inn."

Hosts - Carolyn Burke, Lori Kesler, Helen McIntosh, Marcia and Ben McIntyre, Tim Nicholson, Nancy Pawol, David Roundy, and Doris Yohe.
Cooks - Debbie Maguire, Nancy Pawol, Sue and Nolan Stivers, Lee Streett, and Sean and Jan Willcox.
Launderers - Stephanie Ackerman, Carolyn Burke, Linda Cummings, Ronnie Henderson, Carol Hoff, Ann Lemon, Betty Marlowe, and Kathie Price.
Drivers - Jerry Higginbotham, Sheila Leander, Jim Robinson, Jeff Sadler, Erv Steinberg, Lew Trescott, and Bruce Williams.

Please excuse me if your name is inadvertently left off this list. Be assured, we do appreciate all the help.

Our Sympathy

To Joan Park on the death of her father.

Eliot Youth Need Your Help
-- Scott Elliott, Youth Programs Director, ,

Eliot youth need your help from April 30 to May 2. We are hosting a multi-state youth conference at Eliot. In particular, we need help with the following: meal making, meal serving, food/ice runs, clean up, workshop leaders, home hospitality, transportation to/from homes, chaperones (especially at night so out-of-town drivers can get rest.) We also need donations of all sorts including neckties, and the loan of coolers and trash cans. To help our youth with these important tasks, contact May Hoehne or Michael Pelot-Hobbs. You can also sign up in Adams Hall each Sunday after services.

Eliot Youth Orchestra -- Judy Lindquist

We're going on the road! Emerson Chapel has invited the Eliot Youth Orchestra to play at their service on May 30. All musicians through high school age are encouraged to participate, whether you were in the group for the Youth Service or not. This is a great opportunity to reach out to another UU church in our community.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you would be interested in joining us. We will have 2-3 rehearsals immediately preceding that Sunday. All ability levels are welcome.

Help Us Welcome the Homeless
-- Bill Clarke

Please continue to volunteer and sign up on the Room at the Inn calendars in the hallway. April, May and June still have a great many needs. And we still need another highchair donation. Feel free to contact me if you can help.

Raising a UU Child

The Apr. 18 meeting is postponed. The new date will be announced shortly. At the next meeting we will be discussing how to incorporate UU rituals at home: finding table graces, bedtime prayers, and chalice images for your family. Please contact Tracey Howe-Koch if you have any questions. We apologize for the inconvenience!

Sacred Choices Discussion Group

"The Wisdom of Islam" is the next topic for the Sacred Choices discussion group. The discussion will be on Sun., Apr. 18 at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. Khalid and Gul Shah will be our guest resource people from the Islamic community. One need not have participated in previous discussions to participate in this one. For more information, contact Jennifer Gaither-Ganim or Helen McIntosh.

CMwD District Assembly

Now is the time to register for the Central Midwest District 2004 Assembly to be held at the Hyatt Hotel in Lisle, IL on Apr. 23 - 25.

As Unitarian Universalists we have a great opportunity to gather for the weekend to engage in ways we can "Walk our Talk." The Rev. Dr. Michael Schuler, the keynote speaker for the weekend, is senior minister of First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI. Dr. Schuler will call us to consider how our liberal religious history calls us into the future.

We urge each of you to come for the weekend and celebrate being UU's. A copy of the brochure is available on the District Website at cmwd-uua.org.

Men's Advance
Secret Guy/Family Guy

The Apr. 30, May 1, and May 2 event will feature oven baked pork and beans on the Saturday night menu. We are discontinuing all of the strenuous activities that recognize the Feast of Beltane. We are getting in touch with our kinder and gentler side this year. Hats that recognize our 15 years in the woods will be available to new participants and others who missed last year's event. We will recommit to our "Sensitive New Age Guys" origins and reduce the "Secret Guy" stuff.

SLAUUC To Sponsor Teach-In/Service Project On Lead

Reminder: On Sat., 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, 2930 Iowa, 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."

Sign up (lunch provided by SLAUUC), and indicate if you wish to carpool from Eliot, at the table in Adams Hall on Sundays through Apr.11, or contact Claire Robertson. [More information.]

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., Apr. 20 - Overview of the ecology of Glacier National Park and how plants fit into it - Dottie Brenner.

Outreach 2004
-- Lori Whiting, Outreach Committee Chair

Reminder: Each year, Eliot Chapel donates money from its general operating fund to various charitable organizations. The members and friends of Eliot Chapel submit applications to the Outreach Committee on behalf of charitable organizations that you believe would benefit from such a donation.

The Outreach Committee generally favors charitable organizations with which Eliot members are involved. We tend to donate to smaller organizations for which our contributions will be significant - previous grants have ranged from $100 to $400.

Obtain an application in Visitors' Corner, or print a copy from the Outreach page on the Eliot website. Please put your completed application in the Outreach Committee mailbox in the copy room; due date is Apr. 18. For more information, contact me Lori.

Religious Education News
-- Joan Casey, RE Director, , and the RE Committee

Dear Eliot Friends, Families, Members:

I have a wonderful opportunity for you to grow spiritually & personally, to give of yourself to our vibrant religious community, and to make some delightful new friends. Help us give our Eliot children the gift of a Unitarian Universalist religious education by signing up to teach next year.

REcruitment officially begins on Easter, Apr.11, but I'll be happy to help you choose a class just right for you before the rush starts.

We will again have teaching teams of 3 for classes grades Intermediate through 6th. We will have two semesters again. (Fall Semester runs from September 12 to January 6 and Spring Semester runs from February 6 to June 12.) We will be using a pillars approach to religious education next year for children K - 5, with Fall Semester teachers focusing on UU Identity and Jewish/Christian Heritage, and Spring Semester teachers focusing on World Religions and Social Justice. We believe this model will make it easier for family discussions and locating resources. Weekly lessons will be culled from many of the curricula we already use, so the class structure will remain basically the same. For more information about pillars, please see Rev. Bonnie Vegiard's article in the April issue of REjuvenation! Nursery volunteers will still provide childcare all year, but with a larger team of 5-6 caregivers.

I am really looking forward to another year of working with teachers and families. I hope that you will be part of it!

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Coming up:

Apr. 11	(Easter 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15) - prelude will be trumpet duet played by Jeremy Whittington and Jeff Chamberlin. Choirs will sing Easter Carol by John Leavitt.
Apr. 18	Leon Burke will sing songs from Kindertotenlieder by Gustave Mahler.

What Year Is It?

We are now at the time of year when some people are paying this year's pledge and others are starting to pay next year's pledge. Eliot's current fiscal year (2003-2004) runs from July to June. On July 1, 2004 we begin the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

In order that we may apply pledge payments correctly, please indicate in the memo line of your check whether your payment should be applied to the (current) 03-04 year or the (next) 04-05 year - or to the remaining year of the three-year capital campaign. Thanks.

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