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


Previous Newsletters

Inside This Issue

Remembership Calls
- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

By now, almost everyone in the Eliot community should have received a phone call from another Eliot member, as a way of saying "hello" and "welcome to the new year!" You may remember the newsletter article Daniel wrote last spring about this communications idea. Or you may have been contacted over the summer and asked to be one of the callers. However, this call may have come as a complete surprise. The purpose of the calls is to check to see if any big changes have happened in your life, to ask how you're feeling about Eliot, and to remind you of upcoming events here. These calls are about you, and how you are doing. Remembership calls won't ask you to volunteer for anything, donate anything, or give money to anything. They are people from our community extending a hand of friendship.

People in our Eliot community are at all different levels of involvement. Some are members, others not. Some have been around for years and been on almost every committee, others come to all the social events, others mainly to Sunday worship. Many pop in and out over the years, depending on how hectic their lives are or what stage of family they are in. It's perfectly fine for you to find the level of involvement that works best for you.

But once you do become part of our community, even in a drop-in/drop-out basis, you are part of something larger than yourself. Being part of something means taking some risks-as big or small as you choose. We ask you to be aware of one another's joys and sorrows, to care for others, to be companions on a journey. These calls are part of being on that journey together. They are part of how we care about you, and ask you to care about others.

Please take a few moments to share with your Remembership caller how things are going for you. Let them know what you like about Eliot, or what you might be concerned about. Ask questions about things that interest you. And please respect the effort the callers are putting in to help make Eliot a closer community.

We are trying to call everyone listed in the Eliot directory. If you do not get a call by the end of Sept. please let Rev. Vegiard know. This is a huge effort, and there are bound to be a few hitches.

Finally, a great big Thank You for the 50 or so callers who have agreed to make this happen. We really have a terrific community. We also appreciate the members of the Remembership Steering Committee: Mary Taylor, chairperson; Beth Rossow, Tracey Howe-Koch, and Lisa Dahlgren. Doug Riggs was helpful in the initial efforts of organization as well.

May all these conversations be rich and rewarding!

Five Questions
- Jennifer DeBusk, Intern Minister

It's time to say farewell to the lazy days of summer and hello to a new and exciting fall church semester. If substance is what you are seeking, then Eliot Chapel has just the thing for you. Come join a 6-week discussion group addressing life's big questions. This course is called "5 Questions" exploring the following:

1) Who am I?
2) How do I know what I know?
3) Who - or what - is in charge of all that exists?
4) What is my purpose in life?
5) What happens after I die?

"5 Questions" approaches the issue of theology by suggesting that we all theologize whenever we talk about what we believe or do not believe. We are theologians whenever we construct a context to describe how life happens. Theology, then, is a pilgrimage: a spiritual journey on which we seek answers to the ultimate questions - questions that many dare not ask, lest only further doubts arise; questions that seem special because we long to embrace life more openly; questions with no guarantees that answers will ever be found. Let us explore these questions in a spirit of curiosity and wonder with other engaged participants. This is an especially good opportunity for newcomers to Unitarian Universalism. Of course, the invitation is open to all.

This course will be offered by Peter Campbell on Sunday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Room 001 starting Oct. 2 through Nov. 6. The same course will be offered by Jennifer DeBusk Wed. evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Room 001, Oct. 5 through Nov. 9. Choose whichever night works best for you. If you are interested in this exciting journey of growth and discovery, please call Joy Gorden at (314) 821-0911 to register. You may also sign up in Adams Hall on Sep. 18.

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 Susan Duncan's from May 22, 2005:

I don't know how long my husband Greg and I have been giving time and money to Eliot Chapel, but there are myriad reasons why we will keep giving both.

Organized religion lost its appeal for me at a very early age. When I was a child, we lived in a massive three-story funeral home across the street from the Catholic Church and grade school. I remember walking home after church one Sunday and saying to my father, "That was fun!" Of course, being 4 years old, it wasn't the service itself that was fun, but being with my family was. My father turned to look at me and said, in a very somber and stern voice (he is, after all, a funeral director), "Church is NOT supposed to be fun." And that was pretty much it for me.

As a lot of you know, the landscape changes when you welcome children into the world. We wanted to put down roots in a place where people had a worldview at least partially similar to ours, where no one concept of God was considered superior to any other, and where our children would not be indoctrinated to believe that their most beloved Aunt Lauri and Aunt Monika were wrong for loving each other. I have no doubt that Unitarianism in general and Eliot Chapel in particular will continue to grow, even in the current political and social climate, because, in the words of Spanish author, philosopher and predecessor of Existentialist philosophy Miguel de Unamuno, "Faith which does not doubt is a dead faith."

And so, to close, I would like to list some things I love about Eliot Chapel:

• A real live person called after our first visit to see how things went - thank you, Joan Casey. The opportunities to help others and enrich yourself both spiritually and intellectually are almost limitless here, thanks to all of the volunteer time and energy of countless people;
• The people I have met here not only talk the talk, they walk the walk when it comes to tolerance and helping out those less fortunate;
• Thanks to Rev. Bonnie, Joan Casey, Susan Maginn, and the RE staff's excellent guidance, our children will never be taught that their concept of God is better than anyone else's;
• Rev. Daniel delivers excellent sermons, drawing from innumerable sources of knowledge;
• I always feel more centered and peaceful after coming to service, invariably leading to a better week at home with our children;
• The music rocks! I knew this was the place for us when I heard Circle Game by Joni Mitchell and Dust in the Wind by Kansas during the same service; and, the thing I like best about Eliot Chapel is:
• I will never again hear "Father, Son, the Holy Ghost, God loves Catholics the most," as the blessing before a meal.

Communicating at Eliot

If you have feedback, questions, or concerns about Eliot, there are several avenues for communication. The Remembership calls are one good way to communicate. Rev. Daniel Ó Connell and Rev. Bonnie Vegiard make themselves as available as possible to talk with anyone in the Eliot community. However, if you need a little extra support in sharing your perspective, you may contact any member of the Constructive Engagement Committee or the Lead Minister's Relations Committee.

Constructive Engagement: Gary Gray, Roz Marx, Luis Ortiz, David Roundy.
Lead Minister's Relations Committee: Kathleen Mead, Julie Triplett, and Rich Vaughn.

Our Sympathy ...

To Ward Emigh on the death of his wife, Eleanor.

Casting Call

The Not Ready for Reformation Players are preparing for the 2005 Madrigal, scheduled for Dec. 1, 2 and 3. If you are interested in a performance role, you are invited to attend a script reading tryout to be held Sep. 18 at noon, following the second service.

Interested in helping out behind the scenes and have questions? Please contact Denise Maue Dreyfus.

Room at the Inn
- Bill & Joan Clarke

Please consider volunteering to assist with Room At The Inn this fall. Stop by the table in Adams Hall on Sep. 18 to volunteer. St. Louis' homeless need your help!

Meal-A-Month
- Alicia Boelhauf

Interested in community outreach? Hosea House is a food pantry in south St. Louis city that provides emergency assistance to needy families. Hosea House is part of the Guardian Angel Settlement Association, an organization that assists at-risk youth, working families, and the elderly in our community. Your food donations are an important stepping stone in the path to empowerment and self-sufficiency for families in crisis. Drop food donations in the shopping cart in the corner of Adams Hall (near the coffee pot). Questions? Contact Alicia Boelhauf at .

September's Menu: dry spaghetti, canned spaghetti sauce, canned green beans, canned peaches.

Eliot Bible Study

All are welcome at Bible Study! We delve into the history of early Christianity and Judaism, which allows us to read the texts with a completely different lens than the creedal lens of traditional approaches. Truly understanding the Bible is much more than just reading it. Come join us! The next Bible Study is Mon., Sep. 19, at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. We will discuss the Ware Lecture given at our UU General Assembly by Biblical scholar Elaine Pagels. The lecture can be viewed at: http://www.uua.org/ga/ga05/4073.html

The following Bible Study is Mon., Oct. 3, at 7:00 p.m.

Circle Suppers

Let's get to know each other at a Circle Supper! Circle Suppers are intimate potluck dinners in members' homes where conversation flows, friendships are made, and children are welcome.

Please come to the sign up table, which will be available in Adams Hall after the services on Sun., Sep. 11 and 18 and choose from one of these scheduled dates for your Supper: Sat, Sep. 24; Sun., Sep. 25; Sat., Oct. 1.

Please indicate if you will be bringing children, and if you will be a host or a guest. The host will contact the guests with directions and a time to meet. If you are not able to sign-up on Sep. 11th or 18th, please e-mail Doris Yohe at .

Family Potluck
- Joan Casey, RE Director,

You're invited to attend the Family Potluck on Fri., Sep. 23, beginning at 5:45 p.m. We'll eat dinner and afterwards play a trivia game together. (There will be childcare for young children during the game.) We hope to see many of you there! Here's what to bring if your family's name begins with:
A-F bring salads/veggies,
G-L bring entrees,
M-R bring desserts,
S-Z bring milk/juice

Bridge, Anyone?

Bridge at Eliot is Sat., Sep. 24 at 7:00 p.m. Please note we will play downstairs, Lower Level Rooms 002 and 003. Couples and singles welcome. Contact Sue Webster right away for a reservation.

GA Volunteer Kick Off

Patsy Madden, Chair of the Local GA Committee, and SLAUUC (St. Louis Area Unitarian Universalist Council) invite you to a meeting and celebration on Sat., Sep. 24 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Emerson Unitarian Chapel in Ellisville, MO. Ms. Madden will be sharing news from her meeting in Boston including the latest in volunteer opportunities and special projects that we can get involved with to make the General Assembly 2006 in St. Louis the best ever! We will serve a light lunch so please RSVP to Gail Rock, SLAUUC President, by Sep.19.

History
- Lynn Murphy

The next Welcoming Congregation Forum workshop will be on Sun., Sep 25 in Adams Hall from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. We will look at the history of the bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgendered civil rights movement to help us better understand these issues today. Refreshments will be served; join us for this thought-provoking workshop.

Work Party

The Fall Work Party is Sat., Oct. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There will be projects for all skill levels - major and minor repairs - and doughnuts. This is a great way to meet other Eliot Members and Friends.

Hayride & Bonfire

What better way to spend a cool October evening with friends and family than on a hayride? The Special Events Committee of the RE Council invite you to attend the 3rd annual Hayride in Forest Park on Fri., Oct. 7. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. Our two wagons will depart promptly at 7:05 p.m. Afterwards, we get to have a bonfire! Bring marshmallows to roast and cider to drink. If you have a guitar, bring it along for a sing-along. Cost is $5.00 per person. Please sign-up quickly as we have limited seating. Sign-up is in the hallway outside Adams Hall. Make checks payable to Eliot Chapel-Hayride. For further information, please contact Tracey Howe-Koch.

Addition to Adult Education & Enrichment

Adult E & E has added a program called, "June in Romania" for Sun. evening, Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m. Sue and Clint Blandford along with Steve Lewis and Elisa Voss traveled for ten days in Romania this summer. Come see a slide show and learn about our Partner Church, St. Martin, in Transylvania, Romania. The Partner Church bulletin board gives a sneak preview of the program.

New "U" - Your ??? Answered

Your questions about Unitarian Universalism and Eliot Chapel 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 class is offered on Sat., Oct. 15 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 may be arranged if requested by Sep. 30.

Future dates for New "U" are Nov. 19, Feb. 18 and Apr. 8.

Spiritual Journeys

"What's your spiritual type?" This could be a new kind of opening line, or the beginning of an in-depth journey of your own. Rev. Bonnie Vegiard will introduce some ideas about spiritual disciplines in her sermon on Sep. 18. Then the entire congregation is invited to participate in an all-day spiritual exploration event on Sat. Oct. 22. From these two introductory experiences, we will form a year-long Spiritual Journeys group to meet monthly with Rev. Vegiard. This group will be limited in size and will require commitment to one's own spiritual journey and to the group. There is additional information to come, or contact Rev. Vegiard to find out more.

Got Flu Shots?

On Sun., Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., members of the congregation may get a flu shot at Eliot Chapel. Shots will be given by the same company that gives flu shorts in the malls, for the same price ($25). They will bill for Medicare Part B. More information will be provided in October.

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, unless otherwise noted.
Tue., Sep. 20 - African Adventure presented by Maryann Mace.
Tue., Sep 27 - Visit to St. Charles Art Foundry. Meet at Eliot at 10:00 a.m. Lunch in St. Charles. Coordinator, Julie Triplett.

RE News
-- Joan Casey, RE Director,

It's time for some favorite fall activities:

Fillmore Park Fun Day - Families: bring a picnic lunch to Fillmore Park on Sat., Oct. 1 at noon. We'll eat lunch and visit with each other. Then, 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 Avenue and Clinton Place. There's a playground for the kids after we've finished cleaning up. We hope to see you there!

Secret Pals - On Sun., Sep.25, adults who would like to be Secret Pals should stop at the 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 love having non-parents participate. By being a Secret Pal, you promise to attend the Halloween Party at Eliot Chapel on Fri., Oct. 28, 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. 2 to Oct. 23, 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 in the pocket on my office door. To be a child Secret Pal, please fill out a form and return it to me no later than Fri., Sep. 23. Forms are being passed out in class Sep. 11 and Sep. 18. If you need one mailed to you, please contact me.

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. 18 - For prelude and interlude, pianist Michael McElvain will play Bach and Ravel. Choirs will sing Fire of Commitment by Jason Shelton.
Sep. 25 - prelude will be sung by Jan Chamberlin accompanied by flute and piano. The 9:15 choir will sing Filled With Loving Kindness, the 10:45 choir will sing I Know I Can.

Why is there a 4-digit number next to that song? We are going to hear songs on Sundays that come from the new hymnal supplement, Singing the Journey. To avoid confusion with the gray hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition, the new book starts numbering at 1000. This is a wonderful collection of songs from many musical styles. For more information and to hear the tunes, please check out http:www.uua.org/publications/music . We'd like to purchase at least 150 of the books so the congregation can sing the songs together. Please help by contributing $15 per book. Dedications can be specified. Contact Jan Chamberlin for more information or to volunteer.

What is it?

We find a variety of items outside Eliot's door, left by people who can't get here during the day. Without much detective work, we can determine that clean laundry is for Room at the Inn, and books are for the Library's book sale. We do ask, however, that anyone leaving anything else please attach a note indicating who is to receive the item(s). (Recently, we thought we were in a Twin Peaks revival when an unidentified tree stump was found by the door.) Thank you.

New Directories

The new 2005-2006 Eliot Members and Friends directories are available in Adams Hall.

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

Please Be Kind to the Tables

In order to keep "drawbridge" tables functioning for as long as possible, please close them ('raise the bridge') to move them on their wheels, rather than dragging them on their legs; put any heavy objects towards the middle rather than at the ends; and please, for your safety as well, put your hindquarters on the chairs, never on any tables. Thank you.

Rx for Scrip!

For those of you who get prescriptions filled at Schnucks, Dierberg's, or Shop N Save, just a reminder that scrip may be used for those purchases, as well as for all grocery items. For some of us, the cost of medicine is a significant expense - if 5% of that cost helps Eliot, perhaps that will ease the pain somewhat. Additional reminders:

• Eliot Chapel buys scrip at a discount, and earns 5% of the value of your scrip purchases; you get face value in purchases.
• Whole Foods scrip is also available.

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