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Inside This Issue

Almond Update
- Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell, Lead Minister

You may have attended the Crowd Control sermon and service on Nov. 6, 2005. As part of the service, you were asked to guess the number of almonds in a jar. Part of the sermon was about how crowds are generally smarter than individuals.

One unnamed individual in the congregation - let's call him "Bob" - counted the almonds for me, and ran some statistics on the answers. "Bob" is a bit of a scientist, and when he sent the results to a colleague, the colleague wrote:

"I don't know what I would have thought of the sermon, but the data I find interesting. Amazing that in both services there was a group of folks underestimating, and another, much smaller, group overestimating, with virtually no one around the actual value. Were these really entirely different crowds? And do you have any idea who the people were that estimated on the high side? I would guess they would have to be distinguishable from the others in some way."

"Bob" wrote me: "overall, the median guess was 593." The actual number according to "Bob" was: 1,403 nuts. He went on to say, "Oh well, it was a good sermon anyway, even if we can't apply it to nuts that well. Perhaps the next book selection should be 'A Confederacy of Dunces'."

Humph. Of course, "Bob" was kidding. I'll assure him that "kill the messenger" is only a figure of speech, and that while Unitarian folk are quite diverse, either "Bob" counted wrong, or we'll run the experiment until we get it right!

In the meantime, I'm eating the evidence. May your spiritual experiments teach you something too.

Welcome, New Members!
- Claire Robertson, Membership Chair

We welcome Connie Hogan, Bill Miller, and Heather and Joel Asunskis who signed our Eliot Chapel membership book on Nov. 6. We're so happy to receive you into full participation in our church community!

Congratulations ...

To Hilary Babcock and Andrew White, big sister Hannah and big brother Jackson on the birth of Carter Morris Babcock White.

The Meaning of Membership
- Rich Vaughn, for the Membership Committee

What has made/identified a UU traditionally has been one's desire/willingness/action to question and even challenge another's orthodoxy. That is, to question that which is held up as "Right Belief", be that a doctrine, dogma, creed, etc. A dilemma for UUs is often how to reconcile support for an issue (social or political) in the spirit of honoring the inherent worth and dignity of all, while extending that same value to those who have legitimate concerns - often more about process than the issue itself. Dealing with this tension is a Meaning of Membership.

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 a portion of Elisa Voss's from November 13, 2005:

I am a proud sponsor of Eliot Unitarian Chapel. My husband and I have been giving our time and money to Eliot Chapel for 12 years because this is a religion for thoughtful people. Did you know that in Unitarian Universalism you could question belief without censure? Hundreds of thousands of individual trials have proved it safe, although some side affects may occur: mild headache, confusion or exhilaration.

Ask your "inner" doctor, "Would I like to feel better?"

Some of you, like me, may have tried staying in the privacy of your own home but found you didn't get the full benefit of spiritual growth. I love to learn, and this is where I learn new things all the time. I learn about other ways of thinking and I learn about myself, at my own pace.

"Practice." They say practice makes perfect. While I don't expect to be perfect, I do want to be the best version of me I can. This is where I come to learn how. Unitarian Universalism is what I practice. The experience of being in a community of acceptance with no strings attached is priceless.

Take advantage of this risk-free opportunity, now. No one will pressure you with calls, unless:
- The fascinating book you checked-out from our library is way overdue,
- You really did agree to be the chairperson for Madrigal Dinner,
or
- You left your wallet at the Scrip table.

This is a no money-back-offer. But every dollar is tax deductible. Offer may be prohibited in some totalitarian communities.

Meditation Group

Eliot may form a sitting meditation group that will meet bi-monthly. A member of the local Zen center would like to offer such a group here. However, we need to be sure there would be enough people interested in this group to make it work. Please contact Rev. Bonnie Vegiard if you believe you would be interested in committing to such a group regularly. We would probably organize the group to meet on a weekday evening around 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall Meeting
- David Roundy

A gathering of approximately 45 people discussed several topics in a Town Hall Meeting held after the second service on Sun., Nov. 6. Facilitator Gary Gray from the Constructive Engagement Committee opened the floor to comments or questions around 12:05 p.m., and the following topics were raised: (This is a summary only, those who want the complete meeting notes can obtain them from the church office.)

1. Jerry Higginbotham asked for an update on the progress of the Memorial Garden. He learned that the board is moving ahead with the project; planning and budgeting are complete; actual work now needs to be scheduled. Watch for a more complete summary on this topic from Rev. Ó Connell.
2. Jim Lyon from the Bergfried Committee gave a summary on the work of the forester who is updating the 10 year Bergfried Forest Management Plan. He stated that some of the forester's recommended actions (e.g., removal of less desirable species) would cause small areas to look unsightly to some for a few years. The forester plans with a 60-80 year window. He will provide Eliot with a menu of choices, and Jim expects him to be done by the end of the year. The report has to go to Missouri Dept. of Conservation, who has some control over forestland management decisions, and will pay for ¾ of the costs of the study. The Bergfried Committee will be responsible for recommendations to the Board on actions to be taken, and will post the report. Jim Lyon received a round of applause in appreciation for the time and care he has committed to this.
3. Dotty Storer stated that the Welcoming Congregation (WelC) committee would like to move to have Eliot officially become a welcoming congregation for gay and lesbian members. She said the committee would like to see it on the agenda for discussion at the spring Town Hall meeting. Asked what it takes to become a WelC officially, she answered that the Eliot congregation would need to officially commit to UUA Guidelines for a welcoming congregation. The Board would need to decide to bring the question to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
4. Proposed change of Sunday Service Schedule and introduction of Sunday Forum. Based on discussions that have circulated in the congregation, Gary Gray brought forward the proposal that Sunday services be changed to 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., to allow for a Sunday Forum (for speakers, discussion groups, etc.) at 10:30 a.m., and, hopefully, better distribute attendance between the two services. Many attendees commented on this; the comments dealt with a range of issues on logistics, length of the "church day," impact on other church activities, etc. All agreed that no decision is near on this; much more time and discussion are needed.
5. At the request of Judy Highfill, Daniel gave an update on the work of the Board and the Governance Committee on the new Governance model for the church. After the discussion, there was agreement that the congregation needed to be kept updated on the work on Governance. Gary adjourned the meeting shortly after 1:00 p.m.

Consider our Neighbors

Kirk Care is the local food and energy assistance organization sponsored by area churches, including Eliot Chapel. Much of the food and money that Kirk Care would normally get has gone to the gulf coast relief effort. Its food pantry can't meet the current demand and heating bills are going to be higher this winter. There are people living within a mile of Eliot Chapel that will have to skip medications, or be hungry or cold, without our help.

Please pick up a Kirk Care pamphlet from the table in Visitors' Corner, and as you do your year-end charitable giving, consider sending a check to Kirk Care. If you live in the City of Kirkwood, you can also just check the Kirk Care box on your utility bill and add your gift amount to the payment.

For more information, or to volunteer to help more actively, see Jim Lyon or go to www.kirkcare.org.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Bright red bags of fair trade coffee make great Christmas gifts! Plan to stop by our table to stock up for the holidays. We have regular and decaf, whole beans and ground, all in Eliot Chapel's special blend. The Eliot blend coffees are $10 per pound. You may also order specialty coffees at $11 per pound and specialty teas at $8 per box. Ask to see the specialty lists.

Please look for the fair trade table in Adams Hall after each service. Remember that with fair trade, growers and workers are paid a fair wage. And Eliot Chapel receives half the money that we collect from this terrific fund raiser. Thanks to everyone for your support.

The Holiday Season
- Bill and Joan Clarke

It's around the corner and Room At The Inn is part of it -- the Holiday Season. It's that time of year when it becomes more difficult for us to volunteer our time, but Eliot Chapel's RATI program needs your help. We have sign-ups in place thru the beginning of December, but after that we need hosts, cooks, and launderers for the linens. This could be a good family activity while your children are on holiday break.

Also the Bridgeton RATI Center reminds us that while we all enjoy giving teddy bears and toys to the children at the center, we must remember many mothers are unable to qualify for low income or transitional housing due to unpaid utility bills and back rent. Other families can't move from the shelter system because first and last rent payments are beyond their means. This holiday season, instead of teddy bears, consider a cash donation to RATI to assist a family to bridge the financial gap involved in moving to a permanent home. If you are able to help, please contact RATI at (314) 209-9198, or mail a check to 3415 Bridgeland Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044.

Holiday Bazaar

After each service on Dec. 4th and 11th, local artists will be offering their craft items for sale. It is a great opportunity to find unique items for yourself and others. Profits go to support Room at the Inn and some Social Action Committee activities.

Bible Study

The next meeting of the Bible Study Group will be Mon., Dec. 12 at 7:00 in Adams Hall when we will discuss Romans, Chapter 8 and Galatians, Chapter 5.

Shop for Music

The Eliot Chapel Music Committee is pleased to announce the second annual First Nite for Music fundraiser, on Thu., Dec. 8 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Plowingsharing Crafts, 6271 Delmar, in the University City Loop. Come shop in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere for unique handcrafted gifts from 45 countries. Choose from toys, men's and women's jewelry, pottery, music, and more.

All purchases benefit the Eliot Chapel Music Program which will receive up to 20% of the total sales for the evening. There will be live music and songs played and sung by Eliot musicians.

Mark your calendar now and invite your friends. For further information, contact Jerry Messer or Mary Taylor. Parking is available on a number of free municipal parking lots.

Holiday Party
- Lynn Murphy for The Welcoming Congregation Forum

Merry Christmas! Yes, soon it will be that time again and the Welcoming Congregation Forum wants to "welcome you" to our first ever Christmas party in Adams Hall on Fri., Dec. 16 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. It will be an inclusive and family-friendly event. Games and holiday films for children will be provided. Refreshments will be provided. All you need to provide is yourself. Hope to see you there!

Bridge
- Sue Webster

Attention all bridge players! There will be NO bridge date in December. Watch for the next game in the January Newsletter. In meantime, contact me if you have questions about Eliot Bridge.

2006 WomanSpirit Winter Conference
Life Changes; Our Transforming Power

Join us for laughter, song, dance and transformation! Friday through Sunday, Jan. 27 - 29, 2006 at Countryside Church, 1025 N. Smith Rd., Palatine, Illinois. The keynote speaker is Selena Foxm, psychotherapist, teacher, author, and founder of Circle Sanctuary, an international nature spirituality resource center.

WomanSpirit is presented by the Women and Religion Committee of the Central Midwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association and Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist.

A brochure and registration form are at www.womenandreligion.org.

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., Dec. 6 Resurrecting Empire: Western Footprints and America's Perilous Path in the Middle East by Rashid Khalidi. Leader - Sue Webster

We hope that all of our families had a Thanksgiving filled with good company and good food. As we all know, once we put away the turkey platter, it's time to start thinking about the winter holidays. The Special Events Committee invites all of our families to the Holiday Party on Sat., Dec. 10, from 10:00 a.m. until noon on the lower level. Children will play games, make gifts, and have snacks. We have a lot of wonderful volunteers ready to make it a fun morning for everyone.

The RE Department is also busily preparing for the annual Christmas Pageant to be performed at both services on Dec. 11. Participation forms are due in by Nov. 27, so be sure to get them in as soon as possible. Casting for the speaking roles (children 5th grade and older) will be announced the next day, Nov. 28. Younger children will be cast in various roles depending on age. Although the pageant rehearsal runs concurrently with the party, all pageant participants will be given an opportunity to attend the party.

We plan to continue the tradition of the Giving Tree in Adams Hall over the holidays. The tree will be set up Nov. 27 through Dec. 18. It will be decorated with ornaments, each containing information about a particular needy child. To participate, take as many ornaments as you wish. Leave the wrapped gift under the tree and use the ornament as the gift tag. I know we've been very generous helping the victims of recent disasters; but let's not disappoint these needy children right in our hometown, especially during the holiday season.

Guest at Your Table boxes are due in Children's Chapel by Dec. 18. If you haven't already picked up your box, please stop by Children's Chapel to get one. Proceeds will go to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

And finally, before we get too busy with the holidays, I would like to remind everyone that we still need teachers for the Spring Semester, which begins on Jan. 29. Give the gift of yourself by signing up to teach one of the following classes:
9:15 2 Kindergarten openings;
10:45 2 Intermediate; 2 Pre-Kindergarten; 2 Kindergarten; 1 First grade teacher; 1 Third grade teacher

Please contact me immediately to reserve one of the slots or for more information.

Holiday Service Childcare

Dec. 24 - Childcare available only at 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve services

Dec. 25 - 10:00 a.m. service only - no childcare

Jan. 1 - 10:00 a.m. service only - only the nursery will be open

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