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Inside This Issue

Strategic Planning Update
- Mary Quinn, for the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees' Strategic Planning Task Force is working to develop a three to five year plan for Eliot. The Mission Statement was adopted earlier this year, and the vision of where Eliot Unitarian Chapel will be in 2007 was discussed by over 120 Members and Friends during sessions held last November. The Task Force has derived six major strategic goals based on this congregational input. Each goal will be supported by specific objectives and tactics, intended to provide a timetable and to ensure that our goals are measurable. The Task Force is now in the process of identifying the objectives and tactics. Paraphrased for brevity, the six strategic goals are:

• Develop a stewardship culture.
• Establish a presence in the community.
• Create a communication culture that will foster greater involvement of all members and friends.
• Broaden the scope of and emphasis on education.
• Ensure the integrity of the physical plant and grounds.
• Support, nurture, and enhance the spiritual growth of all friends and members.

Questions and comments are always welcome. Please feel free to contact Boyd Jones at or Mary Quinn at . We appreciate the strong, positive feedback we have received from many of you in recent months as we plan for the days ahead.

Eat for Eliot
- Pat Krull

Thanks to everyone who bought scrip during February. We added Trader Joe's to our usual line-up of Schnucks, Dierberg's, Shop N Save, and Whole Foods, and we set a sales record on Feb. 7, the first week of our scrip raffle. Last chance to participate in the scrip raffle is Sun., Feb. 27 - and we hope you'll continue to buy scrip once our raffle is over. Eliot earns 5% of your scrip purchases all year long. Thank you for your support.

Welcome, New Members
- Claire Robertson, Membership Chair

We welcome to membership in Eliot Chapel the following people who signed the book on Feb. 6: Cary and Tim Harvengt, Julie Jordan, Keith Koval, Margie Maclin, Sandy and Doug Riggs, and JoAnn and Ed Shew. We wish all of them a long and fulfilling association with Eliot Chapel. [See their photos in the member/friend area of the website.]

Congratulations

To Janet and Ben Gleason and big sister on the birth of twin daughters on Feb. 3. [See the paper copy of the newsletter for children's names.]

Condolences

To Rev. Richard and Cindy Haynes and their family on the death of Dick's father.

Welcome!
- David Day, February 6, 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 name is Dave Day, and my greeting to all of you was inevitable. My wife, Jane Larson, has been lining these talks up for almost two years, and I have had a few narrow escapes to this point. My commitments to teaching religious education and facilitating the GATE classes for 6th grade have allowed me to have excused absences from this speaking engagement on most Sundays. On those Sundays for which I did not have a ready excuse, other braver folks have stepped up to the plate to greet you.

Now, my time has come, and ready or not here I am. If it must be, I am glad it is at Eliot.

In my formative years, I might have thought I would be speaking at the Episcopal church in Webster. I attended there during in my pre-college days, enduring my mother's rants about the minister's attempts to make some of her favorite bible stories relevant.

My decision to stop attending church as a young adult was made easy by late night carousing on many Saturdays. Sunday was a day to sleep and recover.

When we were close to age 30, Jane and I decided to check out the Unitarian church in Alton. At the time, we were living in Edwardsville, IL. When we got to the church, there seemed to be little activity. We walked up the steps to the front door to find there was no service that Sunday. The parishioners had gone to Forest Park to here Adlai Stevenson, Jr. speak. How cool! Even though we did not attend a Unitarian Church again until our older son was born, my attraction to Unitarianism began that day.

When we moved to Kirkwood six years ago, we started coming to Eliot. I soon became involved with the Religious eeducation program. What a great group of kids we have in our classes! For the past five years, I have taught Sunday school in the fall and winter. The past 2 years I have been the GATE coordinator. GATE (Generations Acting Together at Eliot) is a special program which allows adults and sixth graders to work as partners to apply Unitarian principles through group activities and social action.

Each time we meet and share our thoughts, I am impressed by the people that attend Eliot. I am glad to be with you.

Caring Volunteer Needed

Eliot needs a person to send greeting cards of sympathy, get-well and congratulations to our congregation, as needed. This person would assist Rev. Bonnie Vegiard along with the other Care Team members that provide meals, make visits, provide emergency child care, and rides to those who need them. This is an easy, inexpensive way for someone to serve the Eliot community. If you are that person, please contact Rev. Vegiard.

Burn, Baby, Burn

The Bergfried fire crew needs help! Both meadows should be burned between now and the end of April. If you will be free for a weekend day during that period and would like to help, contact Jim Lyon at . High school age youth accompanied by a parent will be welcome. On-the-job training will be provided.

Knit & Purrrl for Pets

A group has met for two months at Petropolis in Chesterfield, knitting mats for distribution to local shelters and adoption groups. These simple mats will make dogs and cats for adoption more comfortable in their cages. Knit & Purrrl "East" will be forming at Eliot Chapel, depending upon response. Experienced knitters or beginners welcome.

Supplies needed: Size 9 or 10 knitting needles; any color worsted weight yarn (washable, not wool); and a U.S. size 5 or 5 ½ crochet hook.

Time: First Sunday of every month from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

If interested, please register via email to , with "knit" in the subject line, providing your name and contact phone numbers.

Be a Bubbala and Volunteer

We are seeking volunteers to set up and prepare traditional food for the Seder Dinner on Apr. 24 at 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Larry Ross at .

Attention Green, and not so Green, Thumbs

Scott Woodbury, from the Shaw Nature Reserve, will be speaking on "Gardening with Native Plants: Bringing Nature Home" on Thu., Mar. 3, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. He will include information on plants native to our area, the advantages of using native plants in landscaping, and will spend a little time on dealing with invasive species. This is part of the continuing series on our environment presented by the Social Action Committee.

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, Mystery, Mystery

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.

Adult Education & Enrichment: Nine Steps to Becoming a Peacemaker

Sunday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. Learn to shine your light and become a voice for truth and justice in the world! Dr. Laurel Clark, an ordained minister affiliated with the School of Metaphysics, will present nine universal principals that will help you to become a positive influence and healing presence, whether at home, in the work place, or in the public arena. This program is based on the lives of eight Nobel Peace Laureates, including Jimmy Carter, Mother Teresa, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Albert Schweitzer, and their mentor, Mahatma Gandhi.

Women's Weekend

The long tradition continues. Every third weekend in April, Eliot Chapel sponsors a time to retreat, relax, and find community among other women. Mark your calendars for the Women's Weekend 2005 on Apr. 22 - 24 at Camp Wyman in Eureka. This year we are offering an early registration discount to women who are certain they will participate before all the details are in place. When you register by Mar. 20, you will save $10.00.

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., Mar. 1 - Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Mary Widmer, Leader. Following the meeting, there will be book sorting from noon - 3:00 p.m.

Tue., Mar. 15 - Colleen Valley from Yoga Doc. Wear comfortable clothing; bring a mat, if you have one. Coordinator, Janie Fowler.

The Eliot Express...... is coming soon

Religious Education News
-- Joan Casey, RE Director,

Our 6th grade GATE partners are planning an ambitious and exciting spring service project to benefit a Nepalese orphanage called Mitrata Nepal. More information will be forthcoming in future newsletters. Mark Apr. 29 on your calendar and plan to attend a fun evening of games, Nepalese food, craft projects, and more. In the meantime, GATE partners will be selling donuts and bagels in Adams Hall to help support the project. So be generous and have a donut!

Note to teachers: don't forget that Teacher Planning Coffees are scheduled on March 6 from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. for 9:15 teachers, and from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. for 10:45 teachers, in Room 001. Members of the Teacher Support Committee and the RE Council will be on hand to answer questions or help team members problem-solve. Childcare will be provided in Room 006. These coffees are an excellent way for all of the team members to get together and discuss the rest of the year, have a donut and coffee, or work through any issues that may have arisen. We hope to see our spring teachers there.

Youth Coffeehouse
-- Susan Maginn, Youth Director,

On Feb. 5th, we hosted the annual Youth Coffeehouse. There were terrific performances from Eliot youth ranging from 5 to 16 years of age. We saw violins and tumbling, and singing and piano playing. It was a great evening to see the talents of the Eliot's youth. David Haynes and [a member of] our Senior Youth Group, were the Masters of Ceremonies. [A] senior youth from First Church, was our sound technician. [See the paper copy of the newsletter for omitted youth names.]

Much thanks to Jan Chamberlin and Joan Casey for making the evening run smoothly.

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Mick Byrd in Free Concert Mar. 12: Singer-songwriter Mick Byrd & Bonus Track will be performing at Eliot Chapel on Sat., Mar. 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Mick first appeared at Eliot at a Coffee House in May 1995, and he has gone on to release 5 CDs and perform around the country. Mick writes and sings fascinating, thought-provoking songs, with influences from folk, rock, blues, and country. The concert is in support of the Junior High RE group's UUA Principles Project. The opening portion of the concert will consist of songs Mick has written that illustrate various elements of each of the seven Unitarian Principles and Purposes. Bring the kids!

Coffee House Mar. 19: Tune up your guitars and dust off your dancing shoes. It's time for an Eliot Coffee House! It's your chance to sing, play, or recite that piece you used to do in high school - or try something new! The next Coffee House won't be until be next fall, so don't miss this one! Volunteers are needed to perform, set-up, make coffee, bring brownies and popcorn, and clean up. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the hall way or contact Jan.This fundraiser is sponsored by the Music Committee.

Join the Choir: Singers of all voices are needed for both adult choirs. Please contact Jan if you can help.

[One of] our senior high youth was recently featured on FM-88 KDHX's Song Circle of Friends program. Yeah! [See the paper copy of the newsletter for omitted name.]

Bon-Voyage, Eliot Youth: [Three] members of our Youth Group will be performing with the Webster High Band in Prague, Czech Republic over the Easter holiday. [See the paper copy of the newsletter for omitted names.]

Coming up:

Feb. 27	Preludes will be sung by Karen Gottschalk. 9:15 choir will sing So Little Time to Give by Hannisian. 10:45 choir will sing Wondrous Cool by Brahms.
Mar. 6	Eliot Hand Bell Choir will play the preludes. 9:15 choir will sing Amazing Grace.

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