HOME
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
NEWSLETTER
CALENDAR
DIRECTIONS
LEADERSHIP
PROGRAMS
OUR BELIEFS
SERMONS
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
SOCIAL ACTION
ABOUT US
CONTACT US


Previous Newsletters

Inside This Issue

Is Eliot Worth An Extra $3 A Week?
- Michael Pelot-Hobbs, Trustee 2004-2007

That's how much Eliot Chapel needs between now and June 30 from each pledging member/friend to keep from running a deficit for the second year in a row.

Cuts to programs and services such as this newsletter, youth director, office hours and fund-raising consultants have been or were proposed in order to balance this year's budget. At the congregational meeting last year, your Board of Trustees took up the challenge to restore some cuts, and reduce or implement other budget cuts.

After some new and creative fund-raising (Fair Trade Coffee and 50-50 raffle) we are still projecting a $31,000 deficit at June 30. So the question is, "Do you think Eliot Chapel and its programs are worth an extra $3 a week to each member?" Since 80% of Eliot's income comes from pledges, please consider adding a little to your pledge. However, there are also some other ways you can answer this question:

1. Purchase grocery scrip each week.
2. Participate in the next 50-50 fundraiser.
3. Increase your weekly donation, and/or
4. Buy Fair Trade Coffee after service.

Reminder

Covenant Groups are small groups of Eliot members and friends who meet monthly for sharing and spiritual exploration. We have 13 groups running. If you are interested in participating in a Covenant Group, we have some openings in some of the groups. Please contact Rev. Bonnie Vegiard if you are interested in joining a group, or (314) 821-0911.

Welcome, New Member
- Claire Robertson, Membership Chair

We extend a warm welcome to Alicia Boelhauf who signed the membership book on January 22. Glad to have you with us!

Congratulations

To Kelly and Tim Storck on the birth of twin daughters, Riley Sue and Emma Austin.

Welcome!
- Jane Larson, January 23, 2005

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 family and I have been enjoying Eliot and supporting it with both our time and money, for about seven years. And when I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nun.

No, I didn't grow up in a Catholic home. But, my liberal-thinking mother was always on the lookout for interesting people to invite to our home for dinner and holiday cerebrations. Catholic clergy were at the top of her list, right after anyone who was born in another country. The day my mom met Sister Frances, who was from Ireland, she'd hit the jackpot!

Sister Frances was a teacher at our local Catholic school, as were other nuns who frequented our home. There were also nurses from one of the hospitals in the next town, where my parents were on the staff.

And I thought, "What a life! Not a care in the world!" Everything was provided for you! You got to live in a house with all your friends. You might even get your own room! And your days could be devoted to service! What could be better!

Service was a very important concept in my family. My parents were both doctors in our small town of Mascoutah, Illinois. And everybody knew them, which meant that on their day off, you just called them at home.

When I was a kid, I became adept at giving advice if one of them couldn't come to the phone. "Keep him cool and give him chipped ice, and my dad will call you as soon as he can." -or- "When my mom gets back, I'll have her call the pharmacy. Is he allergic to penicillin? How much does he weigh now?"

Once, when I was about ten, I answered the phone, "Larson residence," and a woman began talking...and talking, and talking. It was a good three to four minutes before I could break in to tell her that I wasn't the doctor! She said, "Oh! Well, that's okay. I just needed somebody to talk to!"

By now, you might be asking yourself, "What does this have to do with Eliot Chapel?" Well, it has to do with finding opportunities to be of service.

Let me introduce you to an often over-looked publication of the Eliot Chapel Press. It's called "Information Guide." And you can get your very own free copy in Visitors' Corner! If you look under "Service to Eliot Chapel" you will find 22 opportunities listed. And if your sights are greater than that, there is "Service to the Community," which lists nine opportunities. Each committee or event has the name of a contact person, along with a phone number, and, usually, an email address.

If you've been thinking about how you can get more involved with the community, or in Eliot life, please, don't be shy! This is the time of year when committees begin to evaluate what they did this year and make plans for next year. And we're always looking for new ideas, new blood. We'll even take old blood! So, pick up a copy of the "Information Guide", find something that interests you, and make a call! You'll be glad you did!

Chili, Bunko & Bingo Night
A Great Success!
- Lydia Hopkins, FUN Committee

Kudos to the Chairs: Vicki Skow and Steve Dingus of the FUN Committee! With a little help from their friends, the chili was eaten, the desserts devoured, and the games played. Hurrah to the winners and runners-up of the contests: 1st place meat chili: Karen Fuchs for her white chicken chili; runner-up was Brent Bledsoe for his Texas Chili. 1st place vegetarian chili: Alicia Boelhauf; runner-up was Nancy Zvolanek. And now for dessert - there was a tie for runner-up between Holly Anderson (Snowman Cake) and Susie Bradley (Toll House Bars). The winning apron (award to Dick Skow for his original designs!) for best dessert went to Mary Dingus for her Kahlua Chocolate Cake. (She knows the winning ingredient - CHOCOLATE!) Heads up to those thinking about submitting entries next year.

The FUN Committee thanks you for attending! The next FUN event is the Mystery Dinner scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 5 - The Funeral of G.D. Mogul - and what does "G.D." stand for?" Watch for more on this mystery….

Thank you to the friends of Games Night: Bill Zeh, Marcia McIntyre, Mary Hoehne, Lynn Blade, Elitta DeArmond, Jerry Messer, Dave Snetsinger, Mark Nissen, Joan Casey, Bill Carver, Lynn Goode and all who donated desserts as prizes for Bunko & Bingo!

Let's Hear from You

A new sign-up sheet for giving the Sunday morning Welcome is posted on the bulletin board outside Adams hall. Avoid the spring rush and sign up now!

Events

Movie Night

As another of our on-going projects, the Welcoming Congregation Forum is offering a movie night on Sun., Feb. 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Adams Hall.

In honor of Valentine's Day, you're invited to an evening of romantic comedy on the theme of "coming out." While this can be a serious and often traumatic experience for gays and lesbians, we want to present the lighter side through two comedies. The first will be the famous "coming out" episode of Ellen. The second will be the movie In and Out starring Kevin Kline with a special appearance by Debbie Reynolds.

Popcorn and refreshments will be served. Bring yourself; bring a friend; come out (pun intended) for this fun night at Eliot.

We are planning more activities for Mar. 13, Apr. 10 and May 8. We look forward to seeing you on Feb. 13 and beyond.

Romania Trip
- Clint Blandford

Sue and Clint Blandford are looking for Eliot members to accompany them on a 12-day trip to Romania in mid-June. We will spend 3 or 4 nights in our partner church village and the rest of the time exploring interesting sights in Transylvania and Moldavia: painted monasteries, fortress churches, and the medieval city where Dracula was born. Total cost should be around $2,200. Please join us for an informational meeting at Eliot Thu., Feb. 17, at 7:00 p.m.

Almost-Annual Mindfulness Meditation Winter Retreat
Sat.., Feb. 19 from 9:00 a.m. until noon
- Judy Highfill

Last week, Rich Vaughn and I had the privilege of attending two evening talks at Mizzou in Columbia, given by Jon Kabat-Zinn, founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Professor of Medicine emeritus. He is the author of best-sellers, Wherever You Go, There You Are and Full Catastrophe Living, and was featured in Bill Moyers' PBS series, Healing and the Mind. He was in Columbia to give workshops on Mindfulness and has a new book, Coming To Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness.

Meeting and talking with him was an uplifting experience, and I hope to share a bit of what we learned with everyone who attends this retreat.

You don't have to be an experienced meditator to come and experience mindfulness. This retreat will be an introduction to various kinds of spiritual practices: sitting, walking, and eating meditation, and some interesting new practices we're adding this time: Zen writing, hatha (traditional) yoga, medical qigong, tai chi, and laughing yoga. Each of these will be taught by a different, experienced practitioner or leader; we will have a wealth of wisdom to learn from. However, because we have such a full program, we will be running two of these programs simultaneously most of the morning, so you will have to choose which ones to attend.

Dress comfortably, in layers, since the sanctuary will not be heated. Bring a mat, a blanket and a pillow, if you like, plus pen and paper, or a laptop (if you plan to write). We'll share our usual communal stew (beef or veggie), so bring a small portion of a vegetable of your choice, cleaned, peeled, and ready to put in the pot (carrots, potatoes, onions, etc.), spices, or bread, dessert, or hot drink fixin's (hot chocolate or your favorite tea).

Please confirm to Judy Highfill ( ) if you plan to attend, and be there by 8:45 a.m. so we can start the stew. Namaste.

Namaste (The divine spirit in me greets the divine spirit in you.)

Newcomers' Dinner Tropicale

Wear that Hawaiian shirt to the Eliot beach on Sunday evening, Feb. 20, when the Membership Committee will sponsor a semi-potluck Newcomers' Dinner from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. Invited for tropical cuisine and warm conversation are new members, New U alums and other newcomers of the past two years. Childcare is provided by reservation; requests must be submitted no later than Feb. 6. If we inadvertently missed you with an invitation, or you're new and would like to come, please contact Claire Robertson, Membership Chair, at .

Adult Education & Enrichment:

A large and enthusiastic group welcomed Dr. Deborah Krause's last Adult E & E presentation at Eliot Chapel several years ago; be sure that you're included this time!

On Feb. 20 Dr. Kruase will present a talk titled "From The Passion of the Christ to The Da Vinci Code" viewing the movie and book as representing opposite poles in contemporary responses to Christian tradition and the authority of the church. This program engages the debate and explores it as an opportunity for progressive Christians and humanists to re-think Christian origins and the nature of religious authority. The program will be at 7:00 p.m. in the Eliot Sanctuary.

Dr. Krause, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary.

Liberals Encounter the Bible

Join Rev. Vegiard for a five-week series looking closely at the variety of perspectives in the Bible. We will look at how the actual content of the Bible supports and does not support dogma, supports and does not support open spiritual questing. We'll do background research on the literature, but also some personal "encounter" with the spiritual perspectives offered. Participants should be prepared to do reading before each session. Please contact Rev. Vegiard ( or (314) 821-0911) in advance for recommended books and assignments. The sessions will meet on five Monday evenings, beginning Feb. 21, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Eliot Bridge Game

There will be one open bridge game at Eliot Chapel each month for singles and couples running through June 2005.

There will be games on the following Saturdays at 7:00 p.m.: Feb. 26, Mar. 19, Apr. 23, May 28, and Jun. 25.

To participate, contact Sue Webster by 9:00 p.m. on the Sunday preceding the game.

New "U"

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 class is offered on Sat., Mar. 5 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 Feb. 20.

Mystery Dinner

Who killed G.D. Mogul? Was he a clone or a twin? And, what does "G.D." stand for? Every question is answered at 6:00 p.m. on Sat., Mar. 5 at the Mystery Dinner.

If you can read, there's a part for you at the funeral of G.D. Mogul.

Dine in elegance and intrigue for $23.00 per person. Make checks payable to Eliot Chapel Mystery Dinner and mail to 1437 Woodgate Dr., Kirkwood, MO 63122. Sign-up sheet in on bulletin board outside Adams Hall. Brought to you by the FUN Committee. Contact Lydia Hopkins for more information.

Women's Weekend Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for the Women's Weekend 2005 on Apr. 22 - 24 at Camp Wyman in Eureka. Look for pre-registration here soon.

For more information, contact Carolyn Burke.

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.

Tue., Feb. 15 - Beth Griffin, Director of Citizens for Missouri's Children. Coordinator - Mary Lu Durbin

Tue., Feb. 22 - Movie - Iron Jawed Angels. Coordinator - Janie Fowler

Religious Education News
-- Joan Casey, RE Director,

February promises to be a busy month for the RE Department. On Feb. 13, we'll have Family Worship led by Reverend Bonnie Vegiard in Adams Hall. These services run concurrently with the adult Sunday services at both hours. Everyone is invited, but we especially encourage families with children Pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. For parents with children between those ages who do not plan on attending the Family Service, their children may be dropped off with teachers (who will take them) in these rooms: children Pre-K through 1st grade in Room 108 (Pre-K room) and children 2nd through 5th in Room 003 (2nd/3rd grade room).

We've already presented our first Spiritual Retreat for young children on Feb. 5. Thanks to the hard working members of the Family Support and Outreach Committee who pulled it together: Susan Duncan, who did a major portion of the planning, Angie Bowland, Juliette Crone-Willis, Wendy Cutshaw, and Tracey Howe-Koch. Thanks also to Reverend Vegiard for leading the parents' retreat. For families who missed out this year, please let us know your interest in attending one in the future.

Also on Feb. 5, our GATE partners enjoyed food and friendship at their annual Spaghetti Dinner before attending the Youth Coffeehouse later that evening. GATE partners are busy planning their spring fundraiser, an evening to benefit an orphanage in Nepal. More details will follow!

Happy Valentine's Day!

[RE Family Potluck on Feb 11]

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Chalice Choir: We had a successful first performance of the Chalice Choir for children, grades 1-5. They sang two Christmas carols for the pageant in December. Practice is resuming on Sundays between services in the Music Room. We hope to sing for the services on April 3. Allison Hendrix had to move home to Michigan, but Nancy Collis will step in to help. The choir learns musical elements through fun games, and learns songs by both rote and note. New singers are welcome. (Especially boys!)

Night At The Opera: The Music Committee's fundraiser for the Chapel was a success! Leon Burke narrated the evening and brought in guest performers from local opera companies to add their talents to our own singers for a delightful evening of entertainment! We raised over $2,400. Many thanks are due to Lori and Bill Kesler for logo design, tickets and PR; to Karen Gottschalk, Pamela Triplett, Leon Burke, Jan Chamberlin, and the Eliot Choirs for singing; to Dick Swain, Bill and Lori Kesler, Sandy Oliver, Blake Lawrence, and Ron Robertson for working the doors, and to Mary Taylor and Rosemarie Teng for refreshments.

New Quartet Forming: Doug Riggs, a tenor, would like to form a quartet of singers to sing classical sacred music. Practice would be in homes so children can also enjoy the music. If you are a soprano, alto or bass and interested, please let me know.

Join the Choir: Now is a great time to join the choir! We will be preparing for Easter and Flower Communion and we need all voices! Please contact me if interested.

Coming up:

Feb. 13	Dennis Woracheck and Jan Chamberlin sing C&W Preludes. 9:15 choir sings Eres Tu by Calderon; 10:45 choir sings Salseo by Galian.
Feb. 20	Baker Symes sings Learning to Fly by Tom Petty. Preludes: 9:15 choir sings Something Told the Wild Geese by Porterfield; 10:45 choir sings Blue Skies.

Youth News
-- Susan Maginn, Youth Director,

The Jr. High Youth Group will present their UUA Principles Project on Mar. 4 at 6:30 p.m. There will be a scavenger hunt! Each principle will be hidden somewhere in Eliot Chapel for you to find. We are blessed at Eliot Chapel with creative and reflective youth. Come see what they have been up to. A Jr. High Youth lock-in will follow to celebrate their work on the principles. For more details contact Susan Maginn.

The Sr. High Youth Group went to the Winter Con in Urbana, IL at the end of January. Ten youth drove up in a van together and were accompanied by Mary Hoehne. They attended workshops and worship with other Sr. High youth from all over the Central Mid-West district. A good time was had by all.

Book Fair Donations

The Library Committee and Women's Alliance continue to welcome donated books. Donated items should be in saleable condition (no mildew or paperbacks with missing covers.) Please, no magazines, periodicals, or outdated textbooks. LP's may now be donated. Items may be left in the DuBois Library any time the building is open. Please note that the cut-off date for all book donations is Friday, March 4.Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Guilt-Free Shopping

Someone venerated and very wise once said, "He who shoppeth without Eliot scrip may tasteth the bitter fruit of guilt." You're buying groceries anyway - let 5% of your purchases help Eliot Chapel.

Now available: Schnucks, Dierberg's, Shop N Save, Whole Foods, and - for those who enjoy a traffic challenge - Trader Joe's. Please bringeth your checkbook on Sunday.

The Eliot Express is Coming:

Get aboard!

 Home   Sunday Schedule   Newsletter   Calendar   Directions   Leadership   Programs   Our Beliefs   Sermons   About Us   Contact Us