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Inside This Issue

Sunday Services at Eliot
-- Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell, Lead Minister

This year we have plenty of interesting service themes coming up. Anger, Envy, Pride, Greed, Lust, Sloth, and Gluttony will each take up a service during the year, forming the sermon series: The Seven Deadly Sins. For example, Valentine's Day will highlight "Just Lust".

This fall's line-up includes two guest preachers; service themes on the fall presidential election; the difference between social action and politics in church; covenant groups; the usual Eliot favorites: bread service, the children's Christmas pageant; and much, much more.

If you have ideas or a theme for a Sunday service, please tell one of the ministers at coffee hour or drop us a line.

Let us know also if you'd like to participate in the service in some way: lighting the chalice, doing a "Welcome," musical performance, acting as a greeter or usher, or in some other capacity.

New Covenant Groups!

-- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

With the start of a new church year comes the renewal of our Covenant Group program. If you've been considering joining a group, now is the time! We are opening three brand new groups, and some of the existing groups have spaces open as well. There will be sign-up sheets available after services on Sun., Sept. 19. We hope there's a time to fit your schedule.

What are Covenant Groups? I'm glad you asked. Covenant Groups are small groups of Eliot Members and Friends (about 10 per group) who meet once a month with a trained facilitator for the purposes of spiritual conversation and support. The groups make a "covenant" to one another, a commitment to meet regularly and be open with one another. The focus of the groups is listening and sharing of our personal experiences around certain topics. We try not to discuss the topics intellectually, but rather to hear and be heard. The groups form bonds of intimacy, and consider questions of ultimacy. They can be very powerful parts of our spiritual journeys.

Our Covenant Group program has been going for a year and a half. We have eleven groups that have been running very successfully. Feel free to ask around for people who are involved in a group, and get their perspective. Or come to the service on Sep. 19 to hear all about the groups. We invite you into this powerful process of intimacy and ultimacy.

Eliot's Covenant Group facilitators:
Bob Boyd, Ted Lau, Carol Jo Mack, Bill Erdman, Suzanne LeLaurin, Mary Meihaus, Michael Hennon, Marianne Mace, Bob Tiemann, Larry Kehler, and Rick Mace.

And welcome to new facilitators: Teresa Reeves, Sue Videen, and Doris Yohe!

Town Hall Meeting - What's Happening?

Recent Town Hall meetings have focused on specific topics, but on Sun., Oct. 17 at 12:15 p.m., we will hold an "open mike" Town Hall meeting at which we invite Members and Friends to share their thoughts and concerns on any topics of interest to the congregation. One topic that we expect to be discussed however, that was tabled at the annual meeting, is a Member's proposed resolution to prohibit the solicitation and/or performance of gay marriages at Eliot until such time as a marriage license can be presented, and to limit ministers to performing solemnization ceremonies only for Members and Friends. (Note that a resolution cannot be voted on at a Town Hall meeting.)

Please plan to attend, share your views, and learn what's on the minds of others at Eliot.

The Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Board Minutes and Quarterly Financial Statements are available on the Member/Friends area of the Eliot Chapel website. [This area is for Members and Friends Only - for the password, contact ]

In addition to financial and Board committee reports, key issues included the following:

The Board heard from the Bergfried Green House Task Force that was created to make a recommendation to raze or maintain the house situated on the property adjacent to Bergfried that was recently purchased by Eliot. The Board accepted the Task Force recommendation to maintain the house and implement short-term recommendations detailed in the report.

The Building and Grounds Committee presented their preliminary 3-year plan. Discussion included the need to create a process to approve the general plan without the Board needing to approve individual expenditures. Approval was given to begin the process of gaining congregational approval for replacement of the breezeway between the Sanctuary and the old RE wing. Expenditure of up to $18,000 was authorized.

The Board agreed that a town hall meeting, to be held Oct. 17, would provide the congregation an opportunity to discuss a few key topics including gay marriage.

Welcome!
-- Gary Gray - March 25, 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.

My wife, Patricia, and I first came to Eliot Chapel something over twenty-five years ago. We were not attending any church regularly, but wanted our children to have a religious education that emphasized not a particular doctrine, but the religious messages of love, justice and reverence. The Eliot RE program did that. We also found that Sunday services were thought-provoking, the music was wonderful, there were programs for social action and community service where we could choose to participate, we were accepted as we were and as we believed, and we were free to grow spiritually in the way that was right for us.

Eliot has always been there for our family. During their teenage years, both our daughters found support here from their peers and from many caring adults, which they didn't necessarily find at home. Eliot has been there in times of crisis. When our son was in intensive care, on life support with meningitis, and we did not know if he would live or die, our ministers were with us every day, as were many of you, bringing comfort and support, as well as food, to all our extended family. Who could ask for anything more than all of that?

Eliot is our church home. We love Eliot Chapel.

Art 4 U

The Art 4 U committee presents Marilyn Barker as its featured artist for the month of September. Displayed in Adams Hall will be etchings by the artist. October's artist for the month will be Mary Mohl with quilts and sewn art. Her work will hang from Oct 1 to the end of the month. November will be Karen Mills with paper weavings and other art. A poster with information on each artist will be displayed in Adams Hall during the exhibit.

Volunteers Needed
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

It's not too late to join a choir! In fact the Chamber Choir (formerly known at the Early Bird Choir) and Chorale (commonly known as the "Late Choir") need singers of all voices. Teenagers are welcome! Please encourage your children to sing in the Chalice Choir (the Youth Choir). And if you really can't carry a tune but you can count, join the hand bell choir!

Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the hallway.

Earth to Techies ...

We could still use some more techies for the sound system. We now have a training video and a handbook. Please contact Mary Taylor if you're interested in helping during services and other events.

Large Lung Capacity Sought
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Who will sound the shofar if Jeff Chamberlin goes away to college? When Daniel and Debbie Dill-Bergman donated a beautiful ram's horn (shofar) to Eliot many years ago, Jeff was the only one who could get a good sound out of it. It's time to pass the horn. The technique involved is more like oboe than trumpet. No music notes involved, but it does take a lot of air.

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.

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.

Cooking for Room At The Inn?
-- Joan Clarke

Cooks for Room At The Inn prepare an evening meal for up to 10 guests (usually including several small children), 2 hosts, and the cooks themselves. There are two cooks for each Thursday. Jane Larson, our cook coordinator, will call one of the cooks to explain the process and give menu suggestions, if desired. Whoever is contacted will then work out the details of how to share the shopping and preparation with the other cook. Food is usually donated and prepared at home. Expect to arrive at Eliot at 5:30 p.m. and have dinner ready between 6:00 and 6:15 p.m. If cleanup goes well, you should be finished by 7:15 p.m. Providing dinner and eating with our guests is a good family activity and a way to meet other Eliot volunteers. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board. We provide shelter to our guests every Thursday except the fourth Thursday of the month. For more information about cooking, contact Jane Larson at .

Library Committee Meeting

The Library Committee will be meeting Sept. 19 after the late service, in the DuBois Library. All present and prospective members are urged to attend. Preparations are being made for the October calendar sale. Contact JoAnne Rima if you have any questions.

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.

Birding B & B Weekend

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts is pleased to announce its 4th annual Birding B and B Columbus Day weekend. Fri. Oct. 8 to Sun. Oct. 10. An all-inclusive weekend is planned. They will be kicking off the weekend with dinner and discussion by a noted island naturalist and a geologist. There are many other activities, too numerous to list, planned for the weekend. The fee for this vacation weekend is $250 per person. Come see the Vineyard at this most beautiful time of year. For more information and a reservation see their church website http://www.uusmv.info/.

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 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:

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

Hayride

Mix a chill in the air with a starry sky. Add fresh hay, a wagon, good friends, and you have the ingredients for a fun evening. The FUN Committee invites all to attend our 2nd annual hayride in Forest Park on Fri., Oct. 15. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. Our wagons (we've reserved 2 this year!) will depart promptly at 7:00 p.m. Afterward, hang around for the bonfire. We'll roast hot dogs and marshmallows and drink hot cider. Guitarists are encouraged to bring their guitars for a sing along. Cost is $5.00 per person. Please sign up in the hallway outside Adams Hall. Make checks payable to Eliot Chapel - Hayride. For further information, contact Jerry Messer or Lydia Hopkins.

Were You Planning to Attend???
-- Steven and Patrice Bain

The bonfire at the Bains' house in the Illinois woods is Oct. 16, 8:00 p.m. - until ???. The list of those who bid for an invitation at the Chapel auction has been lost! Please RSVP to letting us know how many will attend, and we'll send directions. If you know of anyone else who bid, please alert him or her that they must let us know who they are. If you didn't bid, please come anyhow--RSVP to us and commit to a $10/person donation to the auction fund. Ages 12 and up are welcome. Good snacks, beverages, sounds, smells, and fellowship. Bring guitars!

Calendar Sale

Once again, the Library Committee will be offering calendars for sale Oct. 17 and 24 after each service. The calendars for sale are a selection of 2005 calendars from a well-known bookstore. The difference is that you pay no sales tax and 25% goes to your (DuBois and Barbara Nutt) EUC Libraries. Popular favorites are offered and special requests taken. Calendars make great gifts! If you'd like to make requests early, contact Mary Lu Durbin.

Marriage Enrichment

On Sat., Oct. 23, 2004, Marriage Enrichment is offering a one-day "Basic Communications Workshop" at Eliot Chapel, facilitated by Bruce and Trish Williams. To learn more about the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment (ACME) you are invited to an information meeting on Thu., Sep. 30, at 7:00 p.m. at Eliot. You may also email Bruce or Trish at for more information.

Women's Spirit Retreat
Maiden, Mother, Crone - a woman's spiritual journey

Central Midwest District, Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation Retreat Nov. 12 - 14, 2004 Lake Geneva Wisconsin

Join the UU women in our district for this fall retreat exploring the cycles of a woman's journey. The theme presentation is Exploring and Knowing Desire in a woman's life cycle. The presenter, Wendy Selene, is a Jungian Analyst from Chicago. Workshops include Tarot, croning ceremonies, creating rituals for life's stages, UU prayer beads, and Cymbal, a beautiful group of UU women making and sharing music. Save the dates; registration materials will be available in early September. To request registration packets email . Women of all ages welcome!

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.

Tue., Oct. 5 - An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood by Jimmy Carter. Leader, Mary Lu Durbin.

Religious Education News
-- Joan Casey, RE Director,

It's time for favorite fall activities:

Fillmore Park Fun Day - families: bring a picnic lunch to Fillmore Park on Sat., Sep. 25 at noon. We'll eat lunch and visit with each other first. Afterwards, we'll clean up the park. This activity is a simple family service project that takes very little time out of our busy schedules. Fillmore Park is located about ¼ mile south of Eliot Chapel on Fillmore Ave. There's a playground for the kids to play on after we've finished cleaning up. We hope to see you there!

Secret Pals - on Sun., Sep. 26, adults who would like to be Secret Pals should come to our table in Adams Hall to choose their pals. The Secret Pals program is a month-long exchange of cards and small gifts between children (Kindergarten through 5th grade) and adults. It is not necessary to be a parent of a child in the program to participate; in fact, we'd love to have non-parents participate. By being a Secret Pal, you commit to attend the Halloween Party at Eliot Chapel on Fri., Oct. 29, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. This is when you will meet your Secret Pal and all will be revealed!

On Sundays from Oct. 3 to Oct. 24, a table will be set up in Adams Hall for adult and child Pals to leave surprises, notes, postcards, small gifts, etc., along with information about themselves. We are asking everyone to limit spending to $10 for the entire month.

For more information about being an adult Secret Pal, please pick up an information sheet located on my office door. To be a child Secret Pal, fill out a form and return it to me no later than Fri., Sep. 24. Forms are being passed out in class Sep. 12 and Sep. 19. If you need one mailed to you, please contact me.

Family Potluck - You're all invited to attend the Family Potluck on Fri., Sep. 24, beginning at 5:45 p.m. We'll eat dinner and then the children will have their own activities while parents meet with Reverend Bonnie Vegiard and members of the Curriculum committee to discuss the two Pillars of the Fall Semester: UU Identity and Jewish/Christian Heritage. We hope to see many of you there! Here's what to bring: if your family name begins with A-G, bring salads/veggies; H-M, bring entrees; N-S, bring desserts; T-Z bring milk/juice.

As always, if you have any questions about these or any other RE programs and activities, please contact me.

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Coming up:

Sep. 19	(at 9:15 a.m. the Chamber Choir sings Go Gently Into the Morning by Wagner. At 10:45 a.m. the Chorale sings Welcome, Welcome.
Sep. 26	Bob Herman will return as our guest to play the Kol Nidre on English horn for Yom Kippur. At the 9:15 a.m. service, the Chamber Choir sings Bashana Haba 'Ah and at the 10:45 a.m. service, the Eliot Chorale sings Adonai Roi. Jeff Chamberlin will sound the Shofar at each service.

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