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Inside This Issue

Some Thoughts on a New Year
-- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

And it's another new church year.
My! There is so much to do.

We must come to know the triumphs of another,
Someone whose face we have not yet seen.
We'll celebrate the joys of life.

We must sit in a circle of care for an old friend
Whom we will know in a new way.
We'll share the truth of loss.

We must seek another as witness as we plunge into our depths
And dredge an inner secret into the light.
We'll know the renewal of love and forgiveness.

We will know joy, loss, love, and forgiveness.

And each will be richer for those who stand with us.

Welcome! We have much to do.

Preservation Fund - Proposed Expenditure

This notice is being published in the newsletter and posted on the church bulletin board, in accordance with the by-laws of Eliot Chapel, because of the recommendation and proposal to use monies from the Preservation Fund (current balance $176,000) as described below.

The Building & Grounds Committee has presented a proposal, which the Board of Trustees has approved, to enter into a contract for up to $18,000 to replace the breezeway (the entrance to the building between the Sanctuary and the Old RE wing.) The metal framing, glass walls, and doors will be replaced on both sides (exterior and interior courtyard.) The metal framing and doors have rusted; the doors to the interior courtyard are non-functional; and the doors to the outside soon will not be working either. The doors no longer can be repaired.

Members of the congregation are invited to submit questions or comments to the Board of Trustees within the next 30 days. The Board next meets on Tue., Sep. 21, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

Stewardship
-- Larry Ross, Stewardship Committee Chair

There was a Baptist minister, who after receiving the daily offering, notified his members of their insufficient giving and sent the deacons back into the church until there was enough for him to begin his preaching that Sunday morning. A kind of pray as you go plan.

When you arrive at Eliot the lights are always on, the heat is turned up in the winter and the air-conditioning is on in the summer. The church is clean, hymnals in place, and, at the appointed time, the minister is there to preach. Isn't that comforting? To remain vibrant, we need your help.

Canvass Sunday is Mar. 6, 2005. (Yes, we are planning 6 months in advance.) We need volunteers and the generosity of your time and ideas. Answer this question: "How can we do it differently this year?" Your suggestions are essential for a successful campaign. Your time is extremely valuable.

Please volunteer. Contact the Stewardship Committee at or to me directly.

We welcome to membership in Eliot Chapel: Laura Griesedieck who signed the membership book on May 4; David Horning, Tim and Kelly Storck, Tracy Herold, and Michael Getty and Brian Vetruba on Jun. 6; Rick Walters on Jun. 16; Kathy Kingsley on Jun. 22; and Gail Rock on July 4. We're so glad to have you with us!

Welcome!
-- Laura Williams - May 2, 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.

I found Eliot Chapel in the Yellow Pages. We hadn't lived in this area very long and I needed something totally different than any other church I had attended in the past. Boy, did I find it. It was March, near St. Patrick's Day, several years ago, and in the course of an hour I heard a reading from Malcolm X, another from an autobiography of Abe Lincoln, and to top it off, the choir, joined by some musicians, sang Irish songs, and some of the congregation broke into an Irish Jig in the aisles. All that before I heard Minister John Robinson speak. I have been coming back ever since.

Eliot Chapel has given me the ability to see outside myself, outside my family, outside my comfort zone. I can believe in the seven principles of UU's. I have learned the power of this Unitarian religion and other world religions. Eliot has shown me the power of religious education, enrichment, and community outreach. Eliot has taught me the power of listening and learning from others.

Our Sympathy

To Cori and Joe Kline on the deaths of their newborn twin daughters, Natasha and Naomi.

Fair Trade Coffee
-- Larry Ross, Stewardship Committee Chair

The Stewardship Committee is seeking volunteers to investigate a fund-raising program which benefits Eliot and independent family-run coffee growers in Latin America and Asia. It seeks to bring together the grower and the consumer more directly, thereby creating larger profits for the small grower and avoiding the middleman. The coffee is produced in Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. The program organizes growers into cooperatives, guarantees a fair minimum price (Fair Trade price), and raises U.S. awareness of the plight of coffee growers worldwide. The Fair Trade Coffee is reasonably priced and is offered in multiple blends and flavors, both caffeinated and decaffeinated. This program is an ongoing fundraiser and is being successfully implemented at First Church and All Souls in Kansas City. A recent article appeared in the UUA World. Please contact me if you are interested.

Madrigal 2004

The Not Ready for Reformation Players are preparing for the 2004 Madrigal, scheduled for Dec. 2, 3 and 4. This year's play will take place in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, will feature speaking roles for 6 men and 4 women, and will require crew members to help with stage management, lighting, sound, and other non-performance duties. If you are interested in a performing role, you are invited to a script reading tryout to be held Sep. 26 at 12:00 noon in the chapel. Interested in any of the above and have questions? Please contact Denise Maue Dreyfus.

Work Party

The Fall Work Party is Sat., Sep. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There will be projects for all skill levels - such as major and minor repairs, painting, and gardening - and doughnuts. This is a great way to meet other Eliot Members and Friends.

Red Cross Blood Drive
-- Social Action Committee

Volunteers are needed to help with setting up and running the blood drive at Eliot Chapel on Nov. 7. Please contact Linda Polcyn if you would like to help. For all you blood donors, please put the date on your calendar and help with this worthy cause.

Membership Committee - New Name, New Opportunities
-- Claire Roberston, Membership Committee Chair

The People Committee is changing its name. It will henceforth be called (again) - not GEMMS, not People (as in the past) - but for the sake of clarity, the Membership Committee. We're still the same folks who work to welcome and inform newcomers about Eliot and our UU denomination, and to integrate those, so desiring, into our congregational life. Some of the areas we cover are: Greeters, Visitors' Corner, New "U", and joining Eliot Chapel.

We're especially excited about additional possibilities such as offering docent-led tours of Eliot; expanding our efforts to connect (or re-connect) people with Eliot activities, both short-term and ongoing; and providing more social opportunities for newcomers to get acquainted. Sound interesting in whole or in part? We usually meet once a month and will attempt to tailor meeting days/times to fit your schedule. If you're new, you bring a fresh viewpoint. If you're an "old-timer" at Eliot, you bring your knowledge and experience. And we run on pizza! The more person-power, the more we can accomplish. To discuss joining our committee, contact Claire Robertson, Chair.

Meacham Park Housing Ministry

This fall, there will be a continuation of the Saturday morning workdays in Meacham Park. The schedule is the first and third Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to noon. No skills are necessary, just a willingness to work. You can sign up by contacting Lee Streett.

Wanted: Welcomes and Readers

Last year we heard many stories about how folks came to Eliot. Now, tell us why you've stayed! Sign up to give a Welcome or be a Reader or both. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board outside Adams Hall or contact Jane Larson.

Room at the Inn Summer News
-- Bill Clarke

A big thanks to everyone who has helped us make it through the summer for Room At The Inn. Through the dedication of the Eliot family we have provided assistance to over 76 guests in their quest to get back on their feet.

We are still in need of volunteer hosts, cooks, launderers, and drivers for the upcoming months. Please check the bulletin boards in the hallway to Adams Hall and volunteer your time. September hosts and cooks are needed.

The First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson is hosting a Trivia Night on Oct. 16, 2004 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. as a fundraiser for RATI. The entrance fee for a team of 8 people is $80.00. Snacks and soft drinks will be provided. Contact Bill or Joan Clarke if you wish to be part of an Eliot table or put you own table together and call us.

Also, it is time, once again, to thank one of the founding members of RATI at Eliot Chapel, Mary Lu Durbin. For over 12 years Mary Lu has coordinated the launderers and has seen that our guests have had clean linens every week. She has been a steadfast supporter of RATI and has spent hours sitting at the volunteer tables in Adams Hall asking for your participation. We will miss her and all she has brought to the program. At the same time we want to welcome Kathy Price to the Laundry Coordinator position and thank her for taking Mary Lu's spot. Kathy has also been a long time supporter and laundered many sheets over the years for RATI. We know Kathy will bring the same reliability to the coordinator job.

Finally, we are in search of a co-coordinator for the driving duties. Erv Steinberg has worked exceptionally hard over the years in this effort and recently has shared the job with Jim Robinson. Erv has asked us to find someone to step forward and take over his portion of the Driver Coordinator job. It entails arranging for two drivers each Thursday evening and Friday morning (every other month) to transport our guests and coordinating with the rest of the team on Thursday afternoon as we make preparations for the guests (usually 6 to 10, no more than 10) that will spend Thursday evening. Remember we do not provide RATI on the 4th Thursday.

Please contact me if you are interested.

Singletarians Get-Together

The Singletarians group will head over to PJ's Martini Bar, 127 W. Jefferson, in Kirkwood, for 8:00 p.m. dinner and a 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 am performance by "Musyc" on Fri., Sep. 3. "Musyc" is the fantastic trio we heard at the Kirkwood Farmers' Market in August.

We'll meet on the parking lot at Argonne and Taylor across from Eliot Chapel at 7:45 p.m., Sept. 3.

Come and join the newly revived Singletarians group! It's open to all single Eliot members and friends (and friends of friends). Email Linda Senn to make your reservations.

Eliot Hiking Group

The Eliot Hikers will have its one and only meeting this year after the late service on the first Sunday we go back to the regular service schedule, Sep. 12 at 12:00 noon in Room 004. Bring your ideas for hikes this year. We schedule one hike each month, usually on a Saturday, no further than a 2 hour drive from St. Louis. Each month we have a different Hike Leader who supplies directions and information about the hike. That information is e-mailed to people on Sue Blandford's email Hiking List a week before each hike. We need leaders and ideas for places to hike.

If you are interested, please attend.

Join the Fun

The FUN Committee has scheduled two fall events:

• Sun., Sep. 12 - Road Rally leaves from Eliot at 12:00 noon [1:00pm] and ends at the Boathouse in Forest Park. It's free.
• Fri., Oct. 15 - Hayride in Forest Park at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $6.00 per person. There will be a bonfire after the hayride. Don't miss out on this FUN!

Welcoming Congregation -- Come Explore With Us

As part of our on-going process of becoming a welcoming church, the Welcoming Congregation Forum is pleased to announce three free workshops for this fall. The workshops will be held in Adams Hall from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Childcare will be available with prior reservation. The topics and dates are as follows:

• Sep. 12 - Introduction and Expectations
• Oct. 10 - What We Know and How We Learned It
• Nov. 14 - The Common Elements of Oppression

The purpose of these workshops is to provide a format for open dialog, exploration, and learning in a safe environment. So come explore with us. For further information, or to request childcare, please contact Lynn Murphy.

Sacred Texts Discussion Group

Come and join in on discussions that will explore the content of the primary texts of the world's great religions. We will meet on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. Please note that this is not an overview of the religions. Everyone is welcome; call Joy at (314) 821-0911 to register.

• Sep. 27 - Christian Scripture, Rev. Bonnie Vegiard
• Oct. 4 - The Torah and the Talmud, Rabbi Amy Bigman
• Oct. 18 - The Koran, Gulten Ilham
• Oct. 25 - The Bahadva Gita, Dr. Vijaya Kumar

New "U" - Your Questions Answered

Your questions about Unitarian Universalism and the meaning of Eliot Chapel for you will be answered in this introductory class. Ministers, lay members, and you will share thoughts and information. Your questions are an important part of the experience. New "U" is particularly interesting and helpful to those who may seek more involvement and membership in Eliot Chapel.

The first New "U" class is offered on Sat., Oct., 2 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please register in Visitors' Corner or through the office at (314) 821-0911. Childcare will be available if requested by Sep. 25.

This class will also be offered on Nov. 6, Jan. 22, and Mar. 5.

Get Involved at Eliot

There will be a Committee Fair on Oct. 3, after each service. Eliot committees and groups will have representatives in Adams Hall after both services to acquaint you with what they do. Want to work on your journaling, devote time to social justice, meet others in the Eliot community, or just have FUN? Stop by Adams Hall on the 3rd; bring your questions, and Get Involved at Eliot.

Town Hall Meeting

Mark your calendars for Sun., Oct. 17, at 12:15 p.m. Plan to attend a Town Hall Meeting in the sanctuary.

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. in Adams Hall, unless otherwise noted.

Tues., Sep. 21 - - Weinman Center and St. Martha's Hall, Shelters for Abused Women - Michelle Schiller Baker. Jinny Gender, coordinator.

Tue., Sep. 28 - Historical tour of the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet. Marilyn Fallert, coordinator.

Art 4 U
-- Maryann Mace, Chair

"Art 4 U", a new committee, has recently been formed to hang a different artist's works in Adams Hall each month through June 2005. Members are Maryann Mace, Pat Habben, Marilyn Barker, and Annie Marshall. It is the committee's mission to add color and a cultural aspect to Eliot Chapel. In September, Marilyn Barker's etchings and other works will be displayed.

Grant Proposals Sought

The Fund Committee of First Unitarian Church will make its 17th annual awards this year. These will be moderate grants; the total amount available is approximately $3,000.

Applications should state the organization's name, address, telephone number, and contact person as well as a brief description of what the group does and whom it serves. They should include the size of staff, paid and volunteer, how long the organization has been in existence, the amount requested, and the purpose for which the money is desired.

Applications are due Sep. 13, 2004. Send them to: Community Action Endowment Fund, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, 5007 Waterman Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Scrip: "No Excuses"

One reason often given for not buying scrip at Eliot is, "I can never remember to bring my checkbook." Another is, "I do all my shopping at Whole Foods." New this fall in the scrip program are two changes that we hope will solve those dilemmas and enable greater participation in the program.

Mail order scrip: Mail the form together with your check, and your scrip will be ready for you to pick up on Sunday. Your checkbook never has to leave the house. An order form is included in the print edition of this newsletter, and a supply of forms will be available at the scrip table for future purchases. (Complete instructions are on the reverse of the form.)

Whole Foods scrip: Now we have it! We've started out with $25 cards, but can increase that based upon preference and sales. All you healthy people, please do stop by the table, buy some scrip, and give the volunteers your preference for card amount.

You may ask, why don't we ...

• mail the mail order scrip to you? Because that would be like putting cash in the mail.
• accept credit cards? Because the credit card commission that we would pay would nullify our income.

There are about 400 families at Eliot. If 100 families bought $100 of scrip every week Eliot would earn $26,000 in a year - enough to cover the budget deficit.

Thanks to those of you who have bought, and who will buy, scrip; and special thanks to our wonderful volunteers who sell it. For more information about the program, please contact Pat Krull.

Religious Education News
-- Joan Casey, RE Director,

I hope that everyone has enjoyed one of the most temperate St. Louis summers that I've ever experienced and that you're all feeling rested and ready for a rewarding church year of learning and worship with all of us in the Religious Education Department. We've all been working hard to get ready!

Regular RE classes at 9:15 and 10:45 will start on Sep. 12. If you haven't already submitted your registration, please do so as soon as possible. It's really helpful for our teachers to know whom to expect on our first Sunday morning. While you're filling out your registration form, don't forget to sign up to help out - in order to remain the vibrant program we've been, we need plenty of help from each of you!

A couple of notes about summer before we run head long into fall:

• Summer RE - We had a wonderful program called "World Travelers" that attracted over 40 children on some Sundays. Many thanks to the following people for making it happen - Debbie Fechter, who oversaw the whole program; other RE Council members, who led the classes include Lisa Beck, Dave Day, Tracey Howe-Koch, Jeff Pack, Julie Procter, and Lisa Wilhelms. The World Travelers were Sue Blandford, Lisa Dahlgren, Lena & Michelle Maguire, Adrienne Linden, Scott Marshall, Anne Meneely, Luis Ortiz, Beth & Grace Rossow, and Sue Videen; plus substitutes - Chris Allen, Mike & Vivian Antoine, Christy Berger, Trish Champion, Ellen Cowell, Donna Fox, Karen Fuchs, Linda Korinek, Amy Kruger, Jane Pack, JoAnne Polley, and Gina Rubright.
• Summer Camp - Ask any of our Summer Campers about the 5 Pillars of Islam and you're bound to learn a lot! Once again our tireless and remarkably creative Summer Camp volunteers fashioned an amazing experience for our children aged K - 5th grade. We ate hummus, sang songs praising Allah, took our own Hajj to Mecca, and fasted during Ramadan, among many other things. The children collected $80.47 for the APA and $14.50 for Habitat for Humanity, which they earned for Zakat (the 3rd Pillar). We hope that many more of you will join us next year. Thanks to: Vivian Antoine, Lisa Beck, Christy Berger, Vicki Bolger, Donna Coble, Denise DeGhelder, Debbie Fechter, Jim & Trip Gender, Jeanne Kloeckner, Amy Kruger, Anne Meneely, Marlene Mestres, Julie Procter, Dianne Wagner and to our youth helpers - [see paper copy for youth names].

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Welcome back! It's time to come back to choir rehearsals, hymn singing, coffee houses, concerts, hand bell rehearsals, and making music on Sunday mornings. We'll be looking for some new faces with the old familiar ones. If you've thought about getting involved in singing or playing at Eliot, please let us know so we can include you in the fun. (We're looking for all kinds of instruments!) Music will continue to be a meaningful contribution to our worship services. Musicians are needed for preludes

The Music Committee is open to anyone interested in the music program at Eliot Chapel. They will be sponsoring Coffee Houses and concerts this year. They meet in the music room for lunch at 12:00 noon on the 4th Sunday of the month. The first meeting is Sept. 26. Contact Mary Taylor, Chair, if you are interested in the committee.

Adult choirs will resume rehearsals in September. No audition is required and all are welcome, especially teenagers!

Chamber Choir will sing at the 9:15 a.m. services under the direction of Jan Chamberlin. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. The first rehearsal is Sept. 8th.

The Eliot Chorale will sing at the 10:45 a.m. services under the direction of Dr. Leon Burke III. Rehearsals are Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. The first rehearsal is a choir retreat on Sat., Sep. 11 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (lunch provided). We will read through music for the first part of the year.

The Inner Voices will occasionally sing for services and coffee houses. This is an auditioned, a cappella, women's group that sings in the style of Sweet Honey in the Rock and learns music by rote. Rehearsals are on Saturdays from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. beginning Sep. 18.

We are starting a new choir for children in grades 1-6 called the Chalice Choir. It will meet between the services from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. in the music room. The children will learn musical concepts with games and learn some songs by rote and some by note with "part" singing our goal. Parental helpers will be needed. Jan Chamberlin, with the assistance of Allison Hendrix, will direct this group. The first rehearsal will be Sep. 19.

Nancy Collis will continue to lead our hand bell choirs. All are welcome to join, especially trained musicians. We have a nice mixture of ages and abilities playing bells together. It's a great way to spend time with a friend or family member. (This group loves to dress up and play fun music for coffee houses!) Rehearsals are on Tuesdays. The Junior Hand Bell Choir is for 4th grade and up who are beginners; they meet from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Eliot Hand Bell Choir is for adults and experienced students 6th grade and up; they meet from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. The first rehearsal is Sept. 7th [Sept 14].

If you are interested in any of these groups or the music at Eliot, please contact me.

Parking

The Farmers' Market is still open; please do not use their parking spaces for church services or events during their business hours.

New Directories

The new 2004-2005 Eliot Members and Friends directories of will be available in Adams Hall Sep. 12. One per household, please.

To protect your privacy, as a general rule, staff members will not give out phone numbers or addresses over the phone so be sure to pick up your copy.

Web Site

Committee Chairs and Others: As the new year begins, please review your committee or group's page on the Eliot web site, and send updates to (And have a look at some of the other pages - you might find something new and interesting.)

Newsletter Articles

Newsletter articles should be less than 200 words. Notices of events, meeting, etc. generally appear in the newsletter twice - once as an introduction to the event and again as a reminder immediately preceding the event. Please submit either via email to or legibly print your article on the forms located in the red "in" tray in Visitors' corner. Completed forms should be left on the top of the tray.

Late Arrivals

In the past, children, musicians, and late arrivals have used the south transept doors (the doors at the side leading to Adams Hall) to enter and exit the chapel after the service begins. Because of the layout of the Sanctuary, the only area that is accessible to people with mobility problems is this area. The parade of people through there during the service can be distracting. In deference to people who are sitting in the south transept, if you arrive late or must leave during a service, please use the rear doors to the sanctuary. The south transept doors should only be used before and after services. Thank you.

Lost & Found

Please check the coat rack by the Visitors' Corner for lost coats, jackets, hats, and gloves. If not claimed by the end of September, they will be donated.

Office Hours

The office will be closed on Sep. 6, Labor Day. Beginning Labor Day week, we will return to normal office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Pledge Statements

A reminder, and for those new to Eliot, that Eliot does not send bills or invoices for pledge payments. We do send quarterly statements, showing pledge contributions received during the period. The first statement for the fiscal year that began Jul. 1, 2004, will be sent for the first quarter (Jul. - Sep.) early in October.

We send the statements for the second quarter (Oct. - Dec.) and the fourth quarter (Apr. - Jun) early, as many people try to maximize their payments for year-end tax purposes and/or want an early fourth quarter statement in order to complete their payments before the end of the fiscal year in June.

Annual statements of all tax-deductible contributions (pledge or other) are sent early in January for the calendar year just ended.

Newsletter Deadline

With this edition, we return to our bi-weekly newsletter schedule. The next newsletter deadline is 12:00 noon on Sep. 8 for the issue dated Sep. 18 to Oct. 1. (A schedule of newsletter deadlines and mailing dates for the 2004-5 year is in the print edition of this newsletter.)

The newsletter is the best way to publicize upcoming events. Over 500 households receive Eliot's print newsletter.

Major Events Calendar

A copy of the calendar of major events for the 2004 - 2005 year may be found in the print edition of this newsletter, or here.

Adult Education & Enrichment 2004 - 2005

A copy of the schedule and descriptions of presentations for the year is included in the print edition of this newsletter, or may be found on the Adult E & E web page.

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