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Inside This Issue

What Your Gifts Support: By the Numbers
- Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell, Lead Minister

In a typical week, about 500 adults and children show up on a Sunday, and almost that many are here over the course of a week.

On split collection Sundays we raise $350 for a local or remote charity.

In previous years we have given over $30,000 per year to charitable and mission causes. Next year, we will try to move closer to "tithing" or giving away of 10% of our budget to various causes.

We have 5 full time and 5 part time staff. We have an annual budget of just over half a million dollars. We provide space for music recitals, weddings, funerals, lectures, a nursery school, a prominent interfaith group, various community recovery groups, and the homeless 3 times a month. We have about 70 different groups & committees.

Our "ask" this year is 110%. That means we are asking you to consider a 10% increase over your last year's pledge. The ministers and other lay leaders have agreed to pony up their pledge by 10%.

Why the requested increase? For one thing, our utility bills have skyrocketed, as we continue to keep this old building heated and lit. The carpet in Adams Hall needs replacing, as do various building parts, and the outdoor sign. Several of our staff are underpaid and need remedial compensation increases so we can keep and attract the top quality talent we are used to. And we are looking to bring on a Director of Membership & Development to ensure a better church experience for our Members and friends.

The good news is that our financial house is increasingly in order. We have gone from a $40,000 deficit a few years ago to a $20,000 deficit, to a balanced budget this year, and we look to be balanced for next year.

Your gifts of time, talent, and treasure, help make Eliot Unitarian Chapel the unique bastion of liberal religion in our part of the world.

THANK YOU!

Intern(al) Musings
- Jennifer DeBusk, Intern Minister

Olympic Games and religious education - what do these two things have in common? It comes down to one word: redemption. On Feb. 26 the New York Times ran a story on the Olympics titled: "When Sports Becomes a Head Game." The article described how a de-cathlete, Dan O'Brien, failed to make the Olympic team in 1992 after he missed a qualifying pole vault. He later "redeemed" his athletic edge and won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games.

The word "redemption" got me thinking about the "American Roots" Unitarian Universalist history class that Rev. Bonnie Vegiard is teaching. One night we had a lively discussion on the topic of salvation. From what are we being saved or redeemed? The orthodox view of Christianity is that Jesus died on the cross for human sin. We fall from God's grace and are redeemed by Jesus's sacrifice. This is referred to as Fall/Redemption theology.

But Hosea Ballou, a 19th century Universalist theologian, thought differently. The liberating message that he offered was this: human beings do not have to appease a wrathful God through a blood sacrifice. Instead, we simply need to be reconciled to all that love stands for: truth, justice, and peace. For Ballou, God represented this love. For other Unitarian Universalists, love may be represented in different ways and called by different names. But the roots of our faith tradition remain the same. We are saved by love, not by wrath. This is our redemption.

So, the next time you are at a sports bar watching the Olympic Games and someone asks if Dan O'Brien "got his redemption," you can say "yes, with love." Or you can quote Ballou who said that the orthodox Fall/Redemption theology "…has done more injury to the Christian religion than the writings of all its opposers for many centuries." Or you can just drink your beer; your choice.

Welcome!
- Judy Highfill, Feb. 26, 2006

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.

"Becoming a Unitarian Universalist ... it's a trip!"

I started giving my time, talents, and annual tithe to Eliot Chapel about 12 years ago. What I most recall about that Sunday was the reading of Lao Tzu: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao." Those ancient Asian words have always been one of my favorite definitions of God.

Soon after I joined Eliot, I learned about Mindfulness Meditation, and helped start a meditation group that's been meeting - in one form or another - for over a decade.

Later on, I attended a Seder dinner. This is the Hebrew tradition on which the Lord's Supper is based. I hadn't participated in a Seder since the young adult con-firmation class at the United Church of Christ in Union, MO, where our minister asked the only Jewish couple in town to teach us about this tradition so we could better understand our liberal Protestant roots.

Now every week I enjoy Israeli folk dancing at the Traditional Synagogue in West County. It's great exercise and the folks there are friendly and welcoming. I would probably never have found this new spiritual practice had I not joined Eliot Chapel.

At my first Thanksgiving Bread Service at Eliot, I learned about UU origins derived from the Pilgrims and Puritans who came to America from Europe.

Later I discovered the UU connection to Transylva-nians (present-day Romanians), whose king, during the bloody fighting between Catholics and Protestants in the 14th century, made tolerance the law.

Recently, visiting a UU Church in Clearwater, FL, I learned about the Khasi [pronounced "Kah-see"], an in-digenous group of about 10,000 Unitarians living in northeastern India. I expect to meet some of them at an International Interfaith Congress I'm attending this month in Taiwan, which I learned about last summer at the UU General Assembly in Texas.

This summer we'll all have the opportunity to meet UUs from around the world at our Unitarian Universalist convention, the GA, or General Assembly, to be held right here in St. Louis at the Convention Center.

Unitarian Universalism ... it's a trip! And this June we won't even have to leave home to experience it! "It's coming to a theatre near you." I urge you to make the trip!

Welcoming Congregation
First in a Series of Articles
- Lynn Murphy for the Welcoming Congregation Forum

The Welcoming Congregation is a UUA program designed to assist congregations in fostering welcoming behavior towards, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. Should Eliot Chapel choose to become designated as a Welcoming Congregation, it would be a symbol to those in the larger community that people of various sexual orientations are respected and honored here.

For a year the Welcoming Congregation Forum has been offering a series of workshops and other events to promote understanding and sharing of issues faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. We have arrived at a point where many of us feel the Eliot community is ready to become officially designated a Welcoming Congregation. With the Town Hall Meeting coming on Apr. 9, followed by the Annual Meeting in May, and the General Assembly in St. Louis in June, we will present a series of articles explaining the importance of this issue and this step for the Eliot community.

What is a Welcoming Congregation? Per the UUA, a congregation that "publicly and successfully welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people…assumes the presence of g/l/b/t people and celebrates this diversity by having inclusive language content in worship…offers support for rites of passage for g/l/b/t people including services of union…"

In many ways the Eliot community has already incorporated many of these qualities. So are we ready to be-come officially Welcoming and what will this mean? We'll discuss this in future articles.

Congratulations

To Marissa and Aaron Nauman, big sister Isabel and big brother Tommy on the birth of Zoe Felicity.

To Kevin and Lauren Mitchell and big brother Owen on the birth of Beckett Michael.

Our Sympathy

To Dorothy Dahman on the death of her husband, Bill Dahman.

Try It, You'll like it!
- Larry Ross, for the Seder Committee

We are looking for volunteers for the committee which makes the Seder Dinner possible. That would include preparing ritual food (we have the recipes), set-ups, clean-ups, and other chores. We will be meeting on Mar. 12 after the second service on the first level of the RE wing. Previous experience is not necessary. The dinner is on Apr. 9 at 5:30 p.m. Please email . Thank you.

The RATI Program - Now more than Ever
- Bill and Joan Clarke

The President's budget includes a 50% cut to housing for people with disabilities and a 25% cut to housing serving the elderly. These are the very programs that help keep the "at risk" people from losing their housing and joining the "chronically homeless." A recent check on the availability of Section 8 Housing indicated that the wait is three to four years. Where do those people turn for assistance now? Programs like Room At The Inn.

Your generous contribution of time and effort allows Eliot Chapel RATI to continue to do its part. We thank you; please continue to volunteer. We especially need hosts at this time since the departure of our practicum student.

All the News, Too Fast to Print

As a reminder, instead of waiting for the post office to deliver a paper copy of the newsletter - and they do have latitude with bulk mail - you may choose to have a PDF version of the newsletter emailed to you. The paper newsletter is mailed on Wed., you know what day of the week you receive it. The PDF version is emailed no later than Wed. and received same day, Bill Gates willing. One of our PDF recipients said, "It's great! I've never read it all before. Ever."

If you read the newsletter on your PC, you'll save a tree, or at least some bark. If interested, please email with " PDF " in the subject line.

White Elephant Sale

During the Women's Weekend Apr. 28-30, we will once again offer our White Elephant Sale. Look through the basement or attic for those lost treasures you'd like to donate to the sale. This is a fund raiser for scholarships for women who need financial assistance to attend the weekend.

Chaperones Are Needed

For the UU Children's Choir during GA week. Chaperones will live with the 70-80 singers in St. Louis University dormitories. Their room and board will be provided. There is a special need for adults who know their way around St. Louis; fun field trips will be taken. The only GA event they will attend will be closing ceremony on Sunday evening. Please consider serving in this important function and caring for these UU children, as we would want our children cared for out-of-town. For further information and to apply, please contact Harry Mangle at .

There is also an urgent need for a leader who has knowledge of transportation issues to take charge of bus arrangements. Contact Jan Chamberlin if you're that person.

Thanks

One half of each of the meadows at Bergfried was burned on Sun., Feb. 26, to improve wildlife habitat and discourage woody growth.

Many thanks to the intrepid Bergfried Burners: Bruce MacKenzie, John McIntosh, Flo Reaves, Dan Shreve, Dale Smith, Kirk Smith, Rich Vaughn, and Rick Walters; special thanks to Dan for plowing the fire lines.

Thanks also to those who responded to the call for help but were not able to make it to Bergfried on short notice.

Hats ON to our Newcomers

Celebrate St. HATrick's Day! Leprechauns wear hats - and so do all of us! If you're a new member, New U alum or new friend of Eliot Chapel of the past two years, don a favorite hat and a bit of Irish green - and join us on Sun. evening, Mar. 12, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall for a Newcomers' St. HATrick's Day Semi-Potluck Dinner. Whether in fedora, baseball cap, lucky fishing hat, or a fancy chapeau, please join us for an evening of mixed themes and pure sociability.

If we miss you with an invitation or you'd like to throw your hat in the ring for this event, please contact Claire Robertson at .

Relating to Teens

On Mar. 19, at 7:00 p.m., join Coffee and Conversations: Relating to Teens facilitated by Nancy Williger. Come talk about positive ways to relate to the teenagers in your life! And meet others at Eliot asking some of the same questions. Nancy Williger is a therapist and Eliot member, as well as the mother of teenagers!

Join Us for Bridge

Bridge players: our March game is Sat. the 25th in Adams Hall at 7:00 p.m. Please contact Sue Webster by Sunday before the game for reservations. Couples and singles welcome.

Exploring Religious Naturalism
- Rick Walters

On Sun, Mar. 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, Dr. Ursula Goodenough, Washington University biology professor and author of the best-selling book, The Sacred Depths of Nature, will present a program, "Exploring the Concept of Religious Naturalism." Religious naturalists find their sources of meaning within the natural world and are also informed and guided by our traditions such as art, literature, philosophy, and the religions of the world. The natural world and its manifestations by way of human creativity and community are the focus of wonder and reverence. This naturalist orientation generates a shared sense of place, gratitude and joy. Join us for a fascinating talk and discussion.

On the Lighter Side - Part II
- Lynn Murphy, Welcoming Congregation Forum

Come join us for a little laughter on Sun., Mar. 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. We will view comic scenes from movies and an hour of a gay/lesbian comedy club where comedians take a light look at being gay. Bring yourself, bring a friend, bring a snack to share, and share the fun with us.

Committed Couples' Collaborative Communications
For the Chronically Time-Crunched

Has daily life so swamped you that you barely see your partner - never mind having a meaningful discussion? This event is for you! The Family Support and Outreach Committee and ACME are excited to offer this introduction to communication strategies for committed couples. Please join us at Eliot on Sun., Apr. 2 at 7:00 p.m. See the RE bulletin board for further information and childcare sign-up.

What's Going On?

Plan to attend a Town Hall Meeting after second service on Apr. 9. Topics will include: a proposed resolution for the annual meeting, to make Eliot Chapel a "welcoming congregation", and a preliminary report on possibilities for handling growth of the congregation at Eliot.

Time will be allotted for other questions and comments. Come and find out what's going on.

Religious Hypocrisy in American Politics

On Sun., Apr. 23, at 2:00 p.m., Susan Jacoby, author of Freethinkers, A History of American Secularism, will speak on "With God on Their Side: The Rise of Religious Hypocrisy in American Politics" at First Unitarian Church, 5007 Waterman Blvd. at Kingshighway.

There will be a question and answer period after this free lecture, followed by a reception and book signing.

Men's Advance

Planning for the exclusive Men's Advance to be held on May 5, 6, and 7 has begun. There are still some volunteer positions to fill. Details and workshop information will be posted in the men's room. The sign up board will soon be on the floor below the bulletin board. Plan now to have that weekend available for this once a year chance to howl at the moon and not have to make any excuses for being a manly man.

Women's Alliance

The Women's Alliance meets on the first, third, and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Adams Hall.

A special rescheduled program will take place on Tue., Mar. 14 at 10:00 a.m. Leni Kraai will present "Making Exercise Fun" and a part of your everyday life. Wear comfortable exercise clothing and bring a mat if you have one. Come and learn everything you always wanted to know about this important part of your life.

Tue., Mar. 21 - Living Wills with Ron Fischer. Co-ordinator, Janie Fowler.

Women's Weekend

For information and on-line registration: Women's Weekend

Have you ever attended one of our potlucks, or helped children make crafts at the Christmas party, or received a thank you note for teaching, or enjoyed the Christmas pageant? If you have, then you've seen our five Religious Education committees in action. The members of these committees are people just like you, with demanding jobs, active children, and busy lives. Yet they understand that in order for our Religious Education department to do the important work we do, we need people to help make it happen.

As spring rapidly approaches, most of these committees will be looking to find new members to replace departing ones. You may be approached by one of the committee chairs, and we hope that you will consider joining. We have tried to streamline the responsibilities of each group so that most of them only meet 3 to 4 times a year. The five committees are: Curriculum, Family Support and Outreach, Special Events, Teacher Support, and Worship. Each one is an integral part of our multi-faceted RE program. If any of these committees sound interesting to you, please don't hesitate to contact me for further information.

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Coming up:
Mar. 12 - Flo Reaves will play pieces by Bartok on violin, accompanied by Sue Goldford.
Mar. 19 - The Chamber Choir will sing "Libera Me" from Faure's Requiem, and the Chorale will sing "Lacrymosa" from Mozart's Requiem.

Eliot Parking Lots

If you are an able bodied individual, please consider parking on the street rather than in Eliot's parking lots for Sunday services. There are a number of members, who while not "handicapped", have difficulty walking, are bringing items into the building, or have several small children. If you need the parking space, use it; if you don't, consider another who might. Thanks.

Late Arrivals

If you arrive late or must leave during a service, please use the rear doors to the sanctuary. The south transept doors (the doors at the side leading to Adams Hall) may only be used before and after services. Thank you.

Scrip

A reminder, or for anyone unfamiliar with our scrip program - Eliot Chapel buys scrip (gift cards) at a 5% discount from Schnucks, Dierberg's, Shop N Save, and Whole Foods. You buy the scrip at face value and receive that same amount in purchases at those stores. Your grocery store shopping earns 5% for Eliot, at no cost to you.

There are about 400 families at Eliot. If 100 families bought $100 of scrip every week, Eliot would earn $26,000 in a year.

Thanks to those of you who have bought, and who will buy, scrip; and special thanks to our wonderful volunteers who sell it. For more information about the program, please contact Pat Krull.

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