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Inside This Issue

Spirituality at Eliot: Hints of What's to Come
- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

What kind of spiritual life do you seek? For some, learning and discussion feeds our needs to have life be connected and filled with meaning. For others, singing or dancing and being filled with joy or enthusiasm is the path to spirituality. Some see a spiritual life as calmness, a sense of peace, a practice that empties us of day-to-day concerns for a while. And even others put their spirits into their practice, preferring to use their time and talents to "do something" to help others in order to feel meaning in life. Many folks have spiritual needs that reflect more than one of these tendencies.

Most of us have a preference in our spiritual expression. It is helpful to understand that others may have different preferences than we do. Hopefully, all of these spiritual needs will be reflected one way or another in a congregation, in order to be sure we are providing the nurturance people need. But congregations, and even cultures, tend to have preferences in their spiritual expressions as well. We need to learn to value our gifts, while also understanding that the areas we are not so skilled at are also important -- individually, congregationally, and culturally.

Set aside Oct. 15, next fall, for a day-long workshop or retreat on these ideas. We'll talk about your spiritual type -- your most preferred and your least preferred, and also about our congregational type and what that means. I'd like to consider an ongoing spiritual journey group that will explore the types and how to nurture all the spiritual paths. Feel free to share your thoughts with me in advance. ( or (314) 821-0911.) I hope you have opportunities this summer to nurture your spirituality in whatever way is most meaningful for you.

Proposed Expenditure - Preservation Fund

This notice is being published in the newsletter and posted on the church bulletin board, in accordance with the bylaws of Eliot Chapel, because of the recommendation and proposal to use monies from the Preservation Fund (current balance $193,000) 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 $90,000 to repair the south transept gable end (the entrance to the Sanctuary from the corridor outside Adams Hall.) Actual expenditure may be less; the proposal includes $26,800 for repairing an interior wall; whether this will be necessary will not be known until the work is begun and the area revealed.

The work will restore the wall and four pilasters, including removal and replacement of capstones and other deteriorated stones, and tuck-pointing of the remainder. Part of the wall must be taken down and rebuilt. The contract provides for security and dust barriers, so that the sanctuary will be usable during the work. It is expected that work will begin mid-to-late June and be completed during July 2005.

While this is a significant expenditure in light of Eliot's reserves, the Buildings & Grounds Committee and the Board of Trustees believe it is necessary due to the deterioration of the wall.

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., Jun. 21, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.

Eliot Express
- Larry Ross, Chair of the Stewardship Committee

I would like to thank all those involved in the Eliot Express Campaign, especially Bill Erdman, Corinne Esneault, and Jim Gender, the Division Leaders, and every Team Leader and Canvasser who spent countless hours organizing and working towards our campaign goals. We were lucky to have a core of over 60 Members/Friends to carry the torch for Eliot this year. Our face-to-face campaign let us hear from you and learn from you. I am very proud to be a member at Eliot because of the strength of our community. Thank you all.

GA - What's in it for me?

More than ever, your voice needs to be heard. By sending its leadership to GA, a congregation makes an investment in itself -- GA is an opportunity to give your congregation a voice in the Association. There are numerous opportunities to learn information that will benefit you and your congregation. A myriad of workshops on topics including religious education, growing healthy and relevant congregations, leadership, stewardship, and hospitality (to name but a few) will be presented. General Assembly business encompasses a wide range of issues from civil liberties and gay rights to peace and racial justice. GA is an opportunity to share ideas and experiences in effective congregational advocacy, organizing, education, service, and public witness as well as participate in the Association's work toward inclusiveness and diversity, multiculturalism, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. Visit www.uua.org/ga.html [http://www.uua.org/ga/] or call (617) 948-4209.

It's not too late to participate; please join us. The full invitation is posted on www.cmwd-uua.org.

Summer Service Update
- Jane Larson

If you have an idea for a Summer Service, the only date open is Sep. 4. Since there is no RE that Sunday (Labor Day weekend), the kids will be joining us for the service. I know that someone out there has a fabulous idea that will be suitable for all! Please get in touch with me, ASAP!

• June 28 - "The Holy Trinity is Wholly Unitarian", Gene Hutchins; music by Kate Magrath and Chuck Schuder.
• July 3 - "You Lift Me Up: A Celebration of the Christian Tradition," Lynn Murphy, music by Rich Heuermann and Kathie Price.
• July 10 - Michael Cowen Nissen and the Young Adults.
• July 17 - "Jesus on Rice," Bob Coulter; music by Friends of Bob Coulter
• July 24 - News from GA, Gail Rock.
• July 31 -"What Shall I Do With My Life," Michael Hennon.
• August 7 - "Summertime, and the Livin' is Easy?" Julie Triplett, et. al.; music by Pam Triplett.
• August 14 - An original drama by Michael Getty, with the Welcoming Congregation group.
• August 21 - TBA, Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell
• August 28 - TBA, Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell
• Sept. 4 - Maybe you?

Welcome!

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. Here is Pat Krull's from May 15, 2005:

My name is Pat Krull and I have loved this place from the moment I walked in the door. After growing up Catholic and doing a lot of church shopping, the simplicity of this sanctuary has always impressed me. I initially thought the lack of religious symbols was what put me in -- for lack of a better word -- a worshipful frame of mind. But over time, I found it wasn't the absence of the symbols, but the presence of something, that so attracted me. I believe the community of Eliot -- the people here -- are what makes this place what it is.

At Eliot I found a community of people who were genuinely interested in each other. I found young -- at least at that time we were young -- moms like me to share the trials and tribulations of parenting. I found wonderful people who were my seniors who shared their life wisdom with me. I found people who helped me through learning my own life's lessons and taught me that we are always learning.

Eliot has afforded me the space to think, to grow, to determine my own religious thoughts and values.

Here I found a community whose theology is not dependent on dogma, nor developed by a hierarchy or clergy, but lived by the individual. Where each individual's ideas are acknowledged and respected.

And, miracle of miracles, I found a church that belonged to me -- to us -- to each and every member and friend of this congregation. What I contribute - what we contribute -- to Eliot makes it what it is. Our involvement in this chapel is what keeps it growing. So here is where I make my plug for the congregational meeting next Sunday. Eliot Chapel belongs to all of us, and the congregational meeting affords us the opportunity of knowing what makes this place run and lets us have a say in determining its future.

I have loved this place for many years, and plan to be here for many more, so when the next new person walks through that door, I can say, "Welcome to Eliot Chapel."

Our Sympathies

To Marlene Mestres and her family on the death of her father.

Thank You
- Bill and Joan Clarke

There have been so many people who have donated their time and talent to cooking for Room At The Inn; it will be hard to thank them all. Let us start off by thanking those who have cooked several times - Jerry and Pat Krull, Kate Magrath, Judy Mann, Elmer McNulty, Anne Miller, Julie Patton, Rhoda Robin and her home schoolers, and Lee Street. In the last six months, other cooks include: Georgia Archibald, Lisa Beck, Alicia Boelhauf, John Bonsanti, David and Janice Cox, Laura Griesedieck, Melissa Johnson, Jeanne Kloeckner, Jim Lyon, Alison Markenson, Denise Mussman, Emily and Derek Rapp, Flo Reaves, Sue and Nolan Stivers, Joann Tiemann, Brian and Susan Vent, Meg Wiedenheimer, Sean and Jan Wilcox, Linda Workman, and a covenant group. For the rest of you cooks out there, thank you! It takes a lot of people to make the RATI program successful.

We would like to say a special thank you to Tim Nicholson who has coordinated the hosts for several years. He has helped recruit, train, and hosted many, many times himself. Taking over for him will be Margie Maclin. We thank her for volunteering her time to the RATI program.

A Course in Miracles

Every Monday night, at 7:00 p.m., a study group, which focuses on the metaphysical text known as "A Course in Miracles," meets in the lower level of Eliot Chapel. The text is a spiritually enlightening book, which focuses on key concepts such as forgiveness, letting go of ego, and man's true reality as spiritual beings. The group meets for an hour and a half. Readings and reflections are the core of the meeting. It is open to everyone. The group is about to start at the beginning again, so this is a great time to join in. Questions? Contact Corinne Esneault. For more information on the course refer to www.miraclecenter.org.

Fundraiser - Book Sale

Summertime's almost here, and you know what that means - that it's time to go Barefoot -- with Barefoot Books, that is! Books from Barefoot Books, an independent children's publishing company, will be on display in Adams Hall on Jun.5 and Jun. 12. All net proceeds will go directly to Eliot Chapel. Check the display out in Adams Hall. Please call Susan Duncan with any questions about the books or the sale.

Eliot Bible Study

The next meeting of the Eliot Bible Study will be Mon., Jun. 6, at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. Rev. Bonnie Vegiard will lead a comparison of common material from the Gospel of Thomas and the Q source for the New Testament Gospels. Both the Gospel of Thomas and the Lost Sayings Gospel Q are available on the web at www.earlychristianwritings.com. Rev. Vegiard also has a lengthy scholarly article comparing this material, which is available for the cost of copying. Both Thomas and Q are collections of Jesus' teachings with little or no narrative. Both are thought to be among the very earliest of Christian literature. All are welcome to the Bible Study. If you have not attended before and plan to come, it will be helpful (but not required) to let Bonnie know in advance. We plan to continue the Bible Study next year on a monthly basis, lead by Rev. Vegiard, Rev. Dick Haynes, Susan Maginn, and others.

Shakespeare In The Park
- Lydia Hopkins

Sat., Jun. 11, join us on the red-and-white checked blanket for a picnic and The Tempest. It's free! Food and beverage may be purchased or carried in. You may bring a lawn chair. Lydia's plan - give me $5 (in advance) and I will reserve a chair "front row center" for you. (Sitting on the ground that long is a bit tough.) I'll get to the site, just east of the Art Museum in Forest Park, by 5:00 p.m. The performance begins at 6:00 p.m. It's been a fun evening the past few years. Call and let me know if you'll join Laj and me for an evening of Shakespeare. Visit www.sfstl.com for more information.

Picnic

Sun., Jun. 12, in Kirkwood Park at noon - join us for some family games and hot dogs. Please bring chips, cookies, or fruit to share. This is a good time to say goodbye to the old year and look forward to the summer church schedule. Softball begins at 2:00 p.m. Please bring a glove and bat if you have one.

Directions: Go west on Adams past Geyer Road. Turn left into the Park at Amphitheatre Drive. Bear right at the fork to the parking lot by the water tower. We will picnic and play ball there. Brought to you by the FUN Committee.

Father's Day
- The Worship Committee of the RE Council

For the intergenerational Father's Day service on Jun. 20, we invite everyone young, old, and in between, to bring something that represents your father to you (a picture, a medal, a baseball - whatever. The item will be returned at the end of the service). There will be a special time to honor our fathers or other significant male influence in our lives during the service. We hope to see you there!

Cards, Anyone?

Join us for our June open bridge game for both singles and couples on Sat., Jun. 25. Please call Sue Webster by Sunday before the game to reserve your place(s) at the table. See you then!

Or if poker is your game, plan to play on Jun. 9 at 7:00 p.m. (the second Thursday of each month) in Children's Chapel.

Women's Alliance

We meet on the first, third, and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Adams Hall.
Tue., Jun. 7 - The #1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Leader - Julie Triplett.

Fundraising Event Seeks New Sponsor

The Library Committee has elected to discontinue the calendar sale event held in October. If there is another Eliot group interested in adopting this fundraiser, we would be happy to help you get started! Please contact Irmgard Voss.

Summer Scrip Sales

During the summer (after Jun. 19), scrip will only be sold on Jul. 10 and Aug. 14. Regular weekly scrip sales will resume Sep. 11. Make sure to stock up -- don't be caught short when grocery shopping for summer festivities!

If It's Coffee or Tea, Make it Fair Trade
- Beth Rossow

We will sell Fair Trade coffee and tea as often as possible during the summer. If you want to make sure that you have the fair trade beverage of your choice, you may either stock up before Jun. 12, or email Beth Rossow ( ) to place an order. If you email your order in before a Wednesday, it will be ready for you to pick up on the following Sunday.

We still sell the Eliot Private Label blend at $10.00 per pound in beans and ground, regular and decaf. Other specialty coffees are available, by special order, at $11.25 per pound. We now have several kinds of Fair Trade teas at $8.00 per box.

Remember, Fair Trade growers and workers are paid a fair wage. Most beans are organically grown. Eliot Chapel gets half the money that we collect so this is a terrific fund raiser. Thanks, everyone, for your support this year.

YUUth Art Work Ready for Pick Up

The families whose children had art work displayed at the YUUth Art Show earlier this year may pick up their masterpieces in Joan Casey's office. Sara Luckow thanks everyone who participated in the workshops and exhibit as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Sara is in the process of printing note cards featuring some of the art work, and they will be available for purchase through the Social Action Committee in the near future. Proceeds will benefit the South Side Day Nursery.

RE News
-- Joan Casey, RE Director,

Families, be sure to pick up your copy of the summer issue of REjuvenation!, our RE newsletter. It'll fill you in about all the things happening in RE. The RE newsletter is passed out in class the last Sunday of each month and is available outside of my office the rest of the month. If you want to know what's happening in RE, then you need to read REjuvenation! An abridged form of the newsletter is also available online at our Eliot Chapel website.

Summer services are right around the corner. Families planning to attend over the summer should be sure to get their Summer RE registration forms in to me soon. We are offering a multi-age class for incoming Kindergartners and older that will focus on Native American Spirituality. Preschool aged children (2 ½ & up and must be potty trained) will be using Story Time, a literature-based curriculum. The nursery will also be open as usual for younger children.

Also, don't forget that Eliot Chapel Summer Camp is from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5. Please get your registration in as soon as possible so our dedicated volunteers can plan accordingly. Our theme this year is Stories Jesus Told. We're hoping to see a lot of our Kindergarten through 5th graders there!

And again, we still have openings for teachers next year. If you can help out, please see me.

Hope to see most of you over the summer.

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Summer Music: Musicians are needed to provide preludes and possibly accompany hymns this summer, especially on Labor Day Weekend. If you have a song to sing or play, please contact Jane Larson, the Summer Services Coordinator.

Music Appreciation Party: If you have provided music for worship services this year (including handbells and children's Chalice Choir) please join us for the annual pot luck pool party on Jun. 11. For details and to RSVP please contact Jan Chamberlin.

Coming up:

Newsletter Deadlines

During the summer we only publish two newsletters. If you have summer events you want to publicize, make sure to get the articles in by the deadline.

Summer Services

Summer services begin on June 19, Father's Day, with one service at 10:00 a.m.

Reverends' Summer Calendar

Both ministers will be attending GA from Jun 20 - Jun. 28.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell will be out of the office, on vacation, from Fri., Jul.1 through Tue., Aug. 2. He will be on study leave Aug. 20 - Sep. 3 and will resume regular office hours on Tues., Sep.6, 2005.

Rev. Bonnie Vegiard will be on vacation from Fri. Jul. 1 through Tue., Aug. 2, back at Eliot for Summer Camp from Aug. 1 through Aug. 5, then on study leave from Sat., Aug. 13 through Sat., Aug. 27.

Where Are You?

We will be preparing a new Member/Friend directory this summer. Please make sure that the office has your current address and phone number. Information change slips are available in Visitors' Corner, or email changes to .

Who Are You?

In addition to preparing a new member/friend directory this summer, we will be updating the Program Guide.

If you are a committee chair, please make sure that the office knows you will be chair for the coming year. Also, please take a minute to look over the description of your committee that appears in the guide and send any changes to Nancy at . Copies of the Program Guide are available in Visitors' Corner.

Committee Expenses

As we get ready to end the fiscal year, please ensure that any requests for reimbursment are submitted for any outstanding expenses. As a reminder, check request forms are in the black boxes on Joy's or JoAnn's doors. Receipts must be attached and the request must be signed by an authorized signer (usually the chair of the committee for which the expense was incurred.)

Parking

Now that the Farmers' Market is open for the summer, please do not use their parking spaces for church services or events during their business hours.

Time to Reserve Your Space

It's not too early to complete room requests to make reservations for next year's meetings and events. Please check with your chair, facilitator, or leader about next year's meetings and events. Please reserve space even if you "always" have had meetings or events at a particular time. We will accept reservations from outside groups beginning July 1. Make sure you're able to reserve the time and space you want ... do it now!

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