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Inside This Issue

Eliot, the church that ...
- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

How would you end that sentence? If you were someone in the community, and not a member of Eliot, how would you end that sentence? In our round of conversations a year ago, where Eliot members and friends were asked to think about our future, one of the items that emerged was a wish to be known in the community. People wanted Eliot to be recognized for what we have to offer. The Strategic Planning Committee massaged all of those conversations into a Strategic Plan, one element of which is that we will have a voice in the community. We will be known.

That might be a little scary in what is essentially a conservative town. What is it that we do want our community to know about us? Will our message of openness and freedom of religious thought be so counter to the prevailing norms that we will just look weird?

Call me naïve, but I think there's a hunger out there for what we have. There will always be folks ready to make fun of us. "They don't believe anything!" they'll say. But of course what we do believe is that each and every person must examine their ideas and assumptions and be sure all is internally consistent: i.e., each person must develop their own beliefs and then work to live them out in a community of diversity and respect. This is not just our idea - it's a global necessity. People who are uncomfortable with the too-easy answers of traditional doctrine want to know about us. In some cases, significant pain would be eased if they did know about us. Our fear of being misunderstood by conservatives should not get in the way of being found by those who need us.

So, what message do we put out there? Tell us what you think. Let us know if you want to be part of Eliot's PR. Eliot Chapel? The church that…

Did you Know ... ?
Rich Vaughn,for the Membership Chair

...that the meaning of membership as a UU includes an understanding that you've not found an exclusive way to truth; that we come together to create a community of honest inquiry; that we covenant to affirm others, even as we differ with their thoughts; that we are heretics at our core and history - defined as those who questions the accepted doctrines which define orthodoxy.

Membership is open to all, but may not satisfy those who seek a new system of right belief to replace one that has disappointed. Our ministers welcome your questions and comments on the Meaning of Membership.

There will be a town hall meeting of the Eliot Congregation after the second service on Sunday, Nov. 6. The board of trustees made a commitment several years ago to seek regular feedback from the congregation. The agenda is open. So come tell us what is on your mind and ask us your questions at approximately 12:00 noon on the first Sunday in November.

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 Tim Gardner's from March 27, 2005:

I began attending Eliot in '75 and signed the membership book Easter 1977, a week after THE FIRE. I've spent about one half of my life giving to and taking of the bounty of Eliot, magic words, the making of music, this sacred space, and you.

This past summer talking with Daniel, I acknowledged missing some of my friends who have recently wandered away, but also missing those who have moved away, and those who have died. These are each real losses, yet over these past 29-30 years, you have come by the hundreds and not only taken their seats in the sanctuary, but you have filled some of the voids in all that we do at Eliot.

Over the years I have cut the grass, resealed the driveway, plastered and painted inside our beloved sanctuary, and cooked Madrigal hens, but never did I do them alone. For this is a community of souls who give to and take of the bounty of Eliot Unitarian Chapel.

If you are new to Eliot, or if you are not, stop by Visitors Corner, pick up a copy of the Information Guide to Eliot, and find your place or find a new place. You will meet amazing people, they will meet you, and you will each be changed by it.

Thank You for Your Generosity
- Barb Bleisch and the Senior High Youth Group

The Senior High Youth group has been collecting donations for the Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls hurricane resettlement project. Their donation drive brought in more than six 12-foot truckloads of home furnishings, not only from the Eliot Community, but from the local neighborhood.

The collection on October 2 also resulted in a generous cash donation, which the Youth Group is supplementing through sales of baked goods (thank you, Zoe!) and other fundraisers

We will continue to participate in the actual rehabbing of the apartments at work days [in] October and November. We invite members of the Eliot community to join us. Sign up on the Senior High bulletin board or contact Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez at IP/FBW at (314) 531-4787 or at .

We are still taking donations of smaller items (except clothing) on Sundays in the Senior High room. For more information, speak to one of the youth or email , or leave us a note on our bulletin board. We also need someone with a truck to help us collect large items.

The Interfaith Partnership/FBW representatives are now using our efforts as an example for other churches who want to help, but don't know where to start. Thank you for showing that the Eliot community truly cares about those less fortunate than we are, and that we act on our principles.

Get Involved: International Social Outreach

Are you interested in joining an Eliot committee, meeting new people, or getting involved with international social outreach? The Partner Church Committee invites you to give our group of "social activists" a try. We meet monthly after second service to share news from our Transylvanian partner, St. Martin Church, and to plan ways to help them with their church projects and repairs. Contact Sue Blandford for further information.

Guest At Your Table

Our Religious Education Program participates in the UU Service Committee's "Guest At Your Table" program every year. The children will bring home boxes from the Nov. 6 Family Worship service. These boxes are to collect loose change, or regular contributions, as if you had a guest from someone around the world at your own table. But this program isn't only for families! If you wish to pick up a box, look for them in Adams Hall on Nov. 6. Also, feel free to go to the Service Committee's website to see what good work we're supporting! www.uusc.org.

Young Adult Anti-Oppression Conferences
- Michael Cowen Nissen

The Eliot Chapel Young Adult group invites Young Adults of all ages to the Regional UU Young Adult Anti-Oppression Trainings! Please spread the word about the upcoming conferences in OK, PA, CA, and WI; help make them a success.

For online registration and more information, go to www.connectuu.com.

Bridge

The November bridge game date is on Sat. the 26th at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. Couples and singles welcome. Please contact Sue Webster by the Sunday before the game for your reservation.

Third Annual Blood Drive

Sun., Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Mark your calendars! Eat healthy! Sign up for donation times after both services on Oct. 30. For more information contact Linda Polcyn. [cancelled]

Young Adult Group Meeting
- Michael Cowen Nissen

The Eliot Chapel YAG will meet on Nov. 6 in the Bergfried Room after the 10:45 a.m. service and move out from there. There will be a note left on the board in the Bergfried room saying where we ended up, for any late-comers. We will be discussing a variety of topics, including making the covenant for our group. And of course, fun and adventures because that's what we do best. If you're interested in joining our little group or have any questions, e-mail the group at . Don't be shy! We're wonderfully welcoming. (In fact, some might say we're radically inclusive.) Our main focuses are social events, member support, religious exploration and discussion, conferences, and rocking out. So, if you're 18-35, and looking for a spiritual family within the Eliot Chapel home, or just some awesome people to hang out with, come, check us out.

Adult E & E - A Jazz Offering
Sun., Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Have you ever thought that jazz was just too darned hard to listen to? Well-known jazz pianist and master teacher, Herb Drury, will educate us on what to listen for and how to understand jazz structure. Mr. Drury was the Piano Proficiency instructor at UMSL for 22 years and recently retired from a ten-year engagement at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton. He has been a guest soloist with many of the area's musical organizations and has played in a variety of St. Louis clubs and hotels. Come hear a master performer and give your ears and mind a treat.

Eliot Bible Study
- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

The next meeting of the Bible Study will be Mon., Nov. 7, at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. Rev. Dick Haynes will lead this Bible study. We will examine several texts to see how each writer portrays the person of Jesus. Texts to read in preparation: 2 Samuel 7: 8-17; Mark 1: 1-14; Matthew 1: 1-20; Acts 1: 1-8; John 1: 1-14; John 1: 43-51. Eliot Bible study takes a non-doctrinal, questioning approach to the Bible, and is open to anyone interested. Advance preparation is helpful, but not required.

Campus Ministry Training
Madison, WI - Nov. 11-12

Regional Campus Ministry training is designed to bring together core leaders from area UU campus groups in order to strengthen skills, connections and visions for campus ministry! Registration information and contact information for individual conferences can be found online at www.connectuu.com.

Join The Celebration!
-Lydia Hopkins

The Madrigal Dinner celebrates 30 years. Champagne and tea cookies will be served after both services on Sun., Nov. 13. The Singers Greenleaf - both present and former members - will serenade us with madrigals (after second service.) There will be displays of photos and memorabilia from Eliot Madrigals spanning the years. We will honor our past chairs of the event and reflect on the thousands of volunteers who have been vital to the success of this fund raiser. For the past 29 years, the proceeds from this festive event have supported operating and building funds for Eliot Chapel and provided a stage for many talented members. Lords and Ladies, knights and nobles, serfs and rabble, join us in Adams Hall on Nov. 13. Be sure to stop by the Knight and volunteer a small amount of your time for this year's feast.

Thank you.

On the Lighter Side
- Lynn Murphy, For the Welcoming Congregation Forum

Bring you tickle bone to our next event on Sun., Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall when we will view a tape of gay and lesbian comedians taking a lighter look at being gay/lesbian. Join us for this humorous look. Refreshments will be served. See you and your funny bone there.

Third Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

Can you smell that turkey? Yes, it's almost time for our annual Thanksgiving feast in Adams Hall on Nov. 24 at 4:00 p.m. Our goal this year will be to make sure everyone at Eliot who would like to join us for dinner is able to do so. This means that when you sign up outside of Adams Hall please indicate whether you need a ride or would be able to provide a ride to someone who would like to come but would otherwise not be able to for lack of a ride.

Last year we had lots of fun with games, good food and general good will. Bring your favorite game and a dish (if you can, not required) and join us for a Thanksgiving celebration.

Contact Vivian or Mike Antoine with any questions.

The Madrigal is coming!

Mark the dates: Dec 1, 2 and 3 on your calendar. The Greenleaf Singers and the Players have been rehearsing and preparations for the feast have begun. Please consider volunteering for several hours one or two evenings.

A sign up board is set up in Adams Hall - just look for the knight in armor. It takes a village to raise funds for the chapel. For more information on volunteering, contact Denise Maue Dreyfus.

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., Nov. 1 - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Leader - Sue Stivers.

Check These Out!
-Irmgard Voss

The Library has acquired 43 new titles which are located on our "New Books" shelves to the right as you enter the Dubois Library.

Here are some of the titles with call numbers you'll want to check out:

• The ABCs for UU Newcomers / William Cleary. 2002 (230.9 CL)
• The Godless Constitution / Isaac Kramnick. 1996 (322.1 KR)
• Lamb: the Gospel according to Biff. 2003 (F MOO)
• The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying / Sogyal Rinpoche. 1994 (155.9 RI)
• Reading the Bible Again for the First Time / Marcus J. Borg. 2001 (220.6 BO)

RE News
- Joan Casey, RE Director,

On Nov. 6, we will have another Family Worship in Adams Hall during both services for families with children Pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. Parents who do not want to attend Family Worship, though we encourage families to attend together, may leave their children in the following classrooms:
Pre-K - 1st grade: room 105 (Kindergarten room)
2nd - 5th grade: room 005 (5th grade room)

During Family Worship, be sure to pick up a couple of very important handouts. We'll be passing out essay forms for Thanksgiving Bread Service. We will have a few students (1st grade and up) read their essays about what they're thankful for and why at the Bread Service, on Nov. 20 at 9:15, 10:15, and 11:15 a.m. In order to be considered for the Bread Service, submissions must be turned in by Sun., Nov. 13 (in person, by mail, or email.)

Christmas Pageant information and registration forms will also be distributed at Family Worship. The Pageant is on Dec. 11 at both services. Students 5th grade and up get the speaking parts and must be able to perform at both services. Younger children will perform at either the 9:15 or 10:45 a.m. service. Rehearsal for the pageant is on Dec. 10. Mike and Vivian Antoine will be our new pageant co-directors and Nancy Collis will again be our music director.

Our Holiday Party is on Sat., Dec. 10 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The party runs concurrently with the pageant rehearsal. Children who are in the pageant will have time to participate at the party, and all children, whether in the pageant or not, are invited to attend. We hope that lots of you will be able attend and have fun making crafts, playing the dreidl game and snacking.

If you have questions about anything, don't hesitate to contact me for more information.

Where are you?

If you are a Member or Friend of Eliot Chapel who previously gave permission for your name and email address to be included in the Member/Friend section of the web site [Email Directory, password required] , would you please take a minute and verify that we have your correct email address listed? If not, please email with "email correction" in the subject line. Thanks.

Spring Forward, Fall Back

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sun., Oct. 30. Before you turn in for the night on Sat., remember to turn your clocks back one hour.

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