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Inside This Issue

Annual Meeting Review
- Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell , Lead Minister

I thought it was a pretty good annual meeting, with a good turn out. We held the annual meeting in place of the 2nd service on Sun., May 20. It felt a little odd to only preach once on a Sunday, but the idea was that we would have 2 RE programs as we normally do. That way parents of children could attend the 9:30 service and the 11:00 a.m. meeting, while their children went to RE classes twice, with 2 different sets of teachers, etc. I don't have hard numbers, but just from looking, I'd say attendance at this year's annual meeting was a little better than last year.

Outgoing President Mary Quinn kept things moving and honored some staff and committee chairs. After some important discussion, the Asset Management Task Force proposal passed easily.

I heard comments of concern about several key areas: financial transparency, loss of old members, membership numbers, and the Pet Blessing service on Memorial Day weekend.

Transparency about the budget.
It was pointed out that what was shown to the congregation was a summary, and not an in-depth report that would show, for example, what we're paying for building or health insurance, or salaries for individual employees.

Another issue was seeing exactly what was spent on say - building and grounds in the last year. Although this wasn't brought up at the meeting, saying what was spent on building and grounds in a particular time period isn't as straightforward as it sounds because we have line items for utilities, contract labor, building repair, and so forth, any one of which, a portion could be considered for buildings and grounds. The "contractor" line item not only pays for building contractors but for our musical accompanists. The Buildings & Grounds Committee itself doesn't have a budget; most of its projects are funded from the Preservation Fund.

It was clear to me that the sense of the meeting is - and was at the last Town Hall meeting - that we need a financial reporting system that better serves what people want than the current system. So, as I understand it, the Congregational Treasurer and the Business Administrator, perhaps along with the Finance Committee, will take some time in the coming program year to develop more financial reporting transparency, and perhaps a "dashboard" which would contain a half dozen to 10 key metrics as to spending and budgeting.

The Board of Trustees already hears from the Business Administrator on monthly budget variances (if any), and while most people in the congregation aren't interested in monthly financial reports, that information should be available to congregational members and to committees who have an interest in a particular budget area.

It was also pointed out that (1) there used to be a budget "hearing" in advance of the annual meeting, so people could ask more in depth questions there rather than at the annual meeting, and (2) such meetings were so poorly attended that it was decided to stop having them. Nevertheless, it seems that bringing back such a meeting will be a good idea. So, I will plan on it, probably a week or so before the annual meeting in May.

There was some confusion as to committee budgets - most committees don't make budget requests anymore (a few do), and the budget has been relatively static. There was some question as to whether committees get monthly budget reports or not. I'll ask our Business Administrator to make sure these get sent monthly.

Loss of old members.
A couple people pointed out that some members of Eliot have left over the last several years. It was also noted that over 50 new members were listed in the Sunday bulletin, but what about the old folks who used to be here?

Rev. John Robinson, the minister who retired before I got here, told me that something like 1/3 of the congregation turned over during his first couple of years at Eliot. His personality and style were substantially different from his predecessor, Rev. Webster Kitchell. My personality and style is probably as different from Rev. Robinson's as his was to Rev. Kitchell's.

I've also read that on average about half of a UU congregation will turn over every 8 years, with the number being slightly smaller for larger congregations like ours.

Bonnie and I have been here 5 years. When one prominent lay person told me she was leaving to go to First Church, I asked her if there was anything I could do to change her mind. She told me no, she preferred the minister over there, and that people's personalities are who they are.

I and our Membership Coordinator have made some inquiries. People mostly make up their minds as to their satisfaction and commitment to church on their own. And we will continue to reach out, but in a more coordinated effort in this coming year. This is something new, it hasn't been done before; it is an effort to reach out to long-time members and to those in their first year of membership to make sure we are doing what we can to help folks fit in and find a place at Eliot.

Of course, if someone is on the verge of leaving because they are upset about something - perhaps they have an issue with a minister or staff member or church program - it is wonderful if they would tell someone. We can't read minds. It's great to approach someone directly, but there is always the Lead Minister's Relations Committee (LMRC) which is composed of Luis Ortiz, Julie Triplett, Rich Vaughn, Kathleen Mead, and Kim Fitzgerald.

With our LMRC and membership coordinator, plus any tips I get at coffee hour, I plan on phone calls, visits, and emails to keep in touch. If you or someone you know would like to chat over lunch, over the phone, or at church, please let me know.

Membership numbers.
Someone wondered aloud if Eliot had not shrunk in membership in the last few years. They recalled hearing a figure of 770 members.

From 1984 to 1994, the number of adults ranged from 402 to 458, and the number of kids from 183 to 295. From 1996 on the number of adults has hovered in the 550 range. Right before Rev. Robinson retired, the membership rolls were scrubbed to remove people who had died, left town, that sort of thing. In February 2002, just before we arrived, the reported membership was 576. In February 2007, the reported membership was 522. As of the annual meeting, membership was at 548.

You can also look at congregational commitment in terms of total expenditures. Other than a blip in 2002, there has been a steady upward progression.

1999 $443,600
2000 $474,820
2001 $488,200
2002 $527,000
2003 $497,000
2004 $497,000
2005 $499,000
2006 $516,500

Memorial Day Service.
Several people balked at the notion of a Pet Blessing Sunday being held on Memorial Day. That has been the tradition since before I got here. It's probably one of those Sundays - like Easter - where some people come and love it, and others stay away. I have heard it is very meaningful for the people who come. It is also a Bergfried weekend, so it doesn't fit the "regular" Sunday format.

We do pay extra attention to our veterans during the Sunday closest to Veteran's Day and to our own Eliot folks who have passed on at our Circle of Life service the first Sunday of the calendar year.

I appreciate the thoughtfulness of people at the annual meeting. I especially appreciate the hard work of our Board of Trustees and lay leaders. Everyone is trying their best to be earnest, authentic, and to do what's best for the congregation's future.

It is a blessing to be together.

New Vision for Adult Programs
- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard , Program Minister

We are planning many varied and exciting programs for Eliot members next year. I met with several different groups who are making plans, including the Religious Education Family Outreach and Support Committee, the Music Committee, and the Social Action Committee. Our offerings will include the big theological question series "5 Questions" in the fall, a Missouri Botanical Garden program on native plants, and the Men's Spirituality curriculum written by Daniel. We will have discussions on poverty, children's services, and family rituals.

We are planning many fewer Sunday evening programs and a monthly Sunday morning discussion during the 9:30 service. More details will come in the Information Guide and newsletters.

This format is a change from the "Adult Education and Enrichment" Committee that has operated in the past. That group has dwindled in size and energy, yet at the same time these other church groups have been enthusiastically making plans. So, we are changing our way of planning to ask representatives of different groups to come together and share their plans. Meanwhile, a couple of us will continue to make sure we offer Religious Education opportunities such as "UU Roots" and presentations from professors of religion at various schools in our area.

So, if you're wondering what's happened to "Adult E&E," we're morphing into a new Adult Program group. We'd be happy to hear your ideas as we continue to make our plans.

Preservation Fund
Proposed Expenditure

This notice is being published in the newsletter and posted on the church bulletin board, in accordance with the by-laws of Eliot Chapel, because of the recommendation and proposal to use monies from the Preservation Fund (current balance $189,000) 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 $95,000 for repair and restoration of the stonework in the interior courtyard, which is badly deteriorated, including the following items:

• Treatment of the stone with a biocide product.
• Excavation around the base of the building.
• Replacement of stone as needed and tuckpointing.
• Teardown and rebuild of two pilasters; repair of one pilaster.
• Restoration of wooden window frames.
• Site to be secured at all times; access to the sanctuary not to be blocked.

Members of the congregation are invited to submit questions or comments to the Board of Trustees within the next 30 days. The Board meets in Adams Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m., or comments may be given to individual Board members.

Congratulations

To Ann and William Lemon on the birth of their daughter, Evangelina Marozhana Lemon.

Kits for Kids

Summer brings additional struggle for families in our community who live at or below the poverty level. Children who normally receive free breakfast and lunch at school are in danger of going hungry. Circle of Concern, a food pantry and assistance program in nearby Valley Park, will be distributing extra bags of food for families with children, along with activity books and crayons. The Social Action Committee is having a "Kits for Kids" drive all through the summer to support Circle's efforts to reach families in need. Please consider adding a few of the following items to your weekly shopping list, or make it a family service project to gather a "Kit" each month:

• peanut butter and jelly
• boxed cereal
• Spaghetti-os and canned pastas
• macaroni and cheese
• applesauce and fruit cups
• 100% fruit juice in plastic jugs or juice boxes
• other kid-friendly foods
• coloring books, activity books, and fun educational workbooks
• crayons or markers

Last Call: Fair Trade Coffee & Chocolate
- Beth Rossow

Please stop by the Fair Trade table after each service on Jun. 3 and 10 to stock up on Fair Trade coffee for the summer. Once the summer services begin, we won't be selling Fair Trade until some time in August. Make sure that you have enough of the Eliot Blend to make delicious iced coffee during the hot St. Louis summer.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to take orders for the specialty coffees until we start up again in August. Our supplier, Hartford Coffee Company, has recently been sold. The new owners plan to continue coffee deliveries to Eliot and we are assured that reliability will improve.

Thanks to everyone who has supported Fair Trade and contributed to a worthy cause while at the same time helping Eliot Chapel. And thanks also to everyone who has waited patiently for coffee orders while our supplier has undergone some changes.

Chocolate will return in October - when it won't, we hope, melt in the mail.

RATI Doesn't Take Summer Vacation
- Bill and Joan Clarke

Lining up volunteers to drive, host, cook and do laundry for Room At The Inn is always critical at this time of year. We need a host and launderer for Jun. 14. July and August still have many openings. Please check your calendars and either sign up on the bulletin boards in the hallway to Adams Hall or sign up on Jun. 3rd at the RATI table in Adams Hall after either service. This is our last chance before we cut back during the summer.

Last Sunday, while sitting in Adams Hall, I was asked about the program and those we assist (our guests). Those we welcome into our church on Thursday nights are not the homeless that we see on the streets, but they are families - women, men and their children who have "hit a bump in the road" and are getting back on their feet. They lost their apartment when the utility bills got too high or they used up their welcome with a family member. They are in the program no more than 30 days and are working to find housing, jobs, and education for their children.

Our help is critical and we have been providing it for 15 years, so please volunteer so we can continue through the summer.

Eliot Bible Study

All are welcome to join us Mon., Jun. 4 at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall for Bible Study. We will be looking at the stories of the patriarchs in Genesis, chaps. 24-50. This will be our final Bible Study until Oct. 2007.

Summer Invitation

Pat Lee invites you to swim on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at her home pool. The first swim will be on Jun. 6. Pat has been opening her pool for Eliot Chapel friends and members and their children for twenty years. Bring a snack or drink to share and RSVP. There is plenty of shade, a slide and diving board for the adventuresome, and plenty of helping hands and eyes if you have more than one non-swimmer. Babies are welcome. It is a great time to get to know other adults and kids from Eliot. We have fun!! Hope to see you!

Bridge

This month's game is Sat., Jun. 23 at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. Couples and singles welcome. Please contact Sue Webster for reservations.

Much Ado About. . .
Shakespeare in the Park

Join the FUN Committee for some frolicking FREE family fun in Forest Park on Sunday June 10: We will have spaces reserved up front IN THE BLANKET SECTION to see this year's Shakespeare in the Park production: Much Ado About Nothing. Bring your picnic dinner, blanket/towel/groundcover, and a sweater (yes, it does get cool in the evening after dark). The Green Show with Joe the Juggler, the Court Jester, Shakespeare in a Flash, and other entertainment begins at 6:00 p.m. The play begins at 8:00 p.m. and is over by 11:00 p.m. It is a wonderful family event on a summer evening. Please let us know if you are coming so that we spread out enough blankets to hold your space. Email Lori Allen: by June 9. We will arrive by 5:30 p.m. to get good spots but cannot hold spaces past 6:30 p.m. - the crowd takes over any non-occupied space. If you would like to sit in the chair section, we may have someone willing to hold spaces in that section, so please let us know in advance. Hope you can join us.

UU Book of the Month

We will conclude our UU Book of the Month discussions for this year with Salted with Fire, a book about strategies for sharing the UU faith and growing congregations. This book contains essays by 22 Unitarian Universalist ministers and is edited by Scott Alexander. Join us Tue., Jun. 12 at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall. The book is available for $14.00 from Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, or may be ordered online from www.uua.org/bookstore.

Next fall we plan to continue the book discussion group, but we will re-read three of the most popular books for the first three months. Current group members will facilitate the discussions for Oct., Nov., and Dec. during Rev. Bonnie's sabbatical leave. Mark your calendars for discussing Heretic's Faith on Tue., Oct. 8, Three Prophets of Religious Liberalism on Tue., Nov. 13, and Out of the Flames on Tue., Dec. 11.

Annual Float Trip in June This Year
- Mark Nissen

The FUN committee sponsors our annual water worship on Sun., Jun. 24. We have chosen an outfitter near Steelville to float the Upper Meramec River. On Saturday, we camp along the river and are joined by day canoers around 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. Check the bulletin board, announcements and next newsletter for further details.

Circle Suppers

The final Circle Suppers for this year will be held on Jun. 30th and Jul. 7th. Come meet new friends and share a pot-luck dinner in a private home. Contact Doris Yohe or sign up in Adams Hall on Jun. 10th.

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.

Tue., Jun. 5 - Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. Leader - Mary Lu Durbin.

Attn: Quilters & other Fiber Artists

In Feb. 2008, the Art Committee plans to display a collection of wall hangings in Adams Hall. The subject of the exhibit will be the 7 UU Principles:
l) The inherent worth and dignity of every person
2) Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
3) Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
4) A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
5) The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large
6) The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
7) Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

We invite your participation in creating a wall hanging to include in the exhibit. If you are interested please contact Pat Lee. There are no age restrictions. If you wish to only do only part of the challenge, for example, just the design or just the construction do not hesitate to give Pat a call. Let your creative juices flow.

Bergfried Cottage is Ready

Thanks to the efforts of Ann Petlin, Gene Hutchins, and Robert Kokenyesi, the smelly carpet was removed from the Bergfried cottage. It's not the Hilton, but Eliot families, groups, or singles are welcome to rent the cottage, at a rate of $30 per night. You will need to bring your own bedding (and beds), towels and washcloths, but just about everything else is there, including pots and pans, chairs, a small table, dishware and silverware, coffeemaker and microwave, stove, refrigerator, and lamps. There is a full bathroom, with a bathtub but no shower. There are some simple rules, which we will inform you of when you call for further information. The cottage is also available for day use by Eliot groups and committees. Contact Gene Hutchins or Kate Magrath.

Religious Education (RE) News
- Joan Casey, RE Director,

The exciting news in the RE Department is that for the first time in years, if ever, we have ALL of our Fall teaching slots filled as we wrap up our active Teacher Recruitment! Thanks to all of you who made it possible! We still have some spring slots available, so if you want to join the fun, please speak to .

Be sure to pick up your copy of the summer issue of REjuvenation!, our RE newsletter. It has information about all the things happening in RE during the summer months. 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.

Families planning to attend any of the summer services should be sure to get their Summer RE registration forms in to me soon. We once again are offering a multi-age class for incoming 1st graders and older that will use the curriculum "Dr. Seuss Saved My Life." Preschool aged children (3 years old and up and potty trained) will use "Story Time", a literature based curriculum. The nursery will also be open as usual for younger children. Parents will be asked to help out once or twice over the summer as an assistant.

Also, don't forget that our Eliot Chapel Summer Camp is from Aug. 6 to Aug. 10. Please get your registration in as soon as possible so our dedicated volunteers can plan accordingly. We will be focusing on "Stories the Hebrew Prophets Told". We think it's really important that your children hear these stories from a UU perspective. Let's face it, they're going to hear them out in the world; wouldn't you rather hear them from us first? We're hoping to see a lot of our Kindergarten through 5th graders there. Invite a friend or two! Registration ends on Jun. 30, but the sooner we get your forms, the better for our planning purposes.

Hope to see you over the summer.

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Many thanks to all who participated in making music this year at Eliot Chapel. Our music program is only as fabulous as our volunteers and their families! A special thanks to Sue Stivers, outgoing chair of our supportive Music Committee.

The incoming Co-chairs of the Music Committee are Lori Kesler and Linda Cummings. The Music Committee will be presenting the Father's Day and the Labor Day services. If you like music, you might consider joining this vital group by contacting Lori or Linda . If you're going to Portland for the GA Jun. 20-24, you can sing with Leon Burke, the official GA choir director, at the Sunday concert.

On Sat. July 21 at 10:00 a.m., there will be a handbell cleaning party.

In August, Leon and Jan will be attending the UU Musician's Network annual conference.

Looking ahead to next year, please consider how you might participate in the music at Eliot Chapel. Singers are needed for choirs, instrumentalists are needed for Sunday services, and helpers are needed for concerts and parties. If you would like to collaborate with another musician, just let us know. We can help you find one. Please let us know what you have to offer.

Newsletter Deadlines

The end of the church year is approaching. Don't forget that during the summer we publish two newsletters. If you have summer events you want to publicize, make sure to get the articles in by the deadline.

Deadline / For Issue Dated
Noon on Jun. 6 for Jun. 16 - Jul. 27
Noon on Jul. 18 for Jul. 28 -Aug. 31

Newsletter Change Begins in August

Beginning with the Sep. 1 issue, we will begin a trial of a once-a-month newsletter. The deadline will be noon the 20th of every month; the mailing date will be the last Wed. of the month. If the 20th falls on a weekend, the deadline will be noon on the following Monday. We hope this will eliminate much of the confusion about when articles need to be submitted to give readers adequate notice of events and opportunities. Each issue will cover the entire current month and the first part of the following month.

For Committee Chairs

Questions about committee financial reports were asked at the Annual Meeting. Every committee that has a budget (not all do) should receive a monthly report of expenses (and/or income). If you have not received a report, there may have been no transactions, or someone else may picked up the report, etc. To ensure that everyone is caught up, year-to-date reports through April 30 were placed in committees' mailboxes on May 25. If you think your committee should have received a report and did not, or if you have questions about the reports, please call JoAnn in the office.

Committee Reservations

If your committee or group will continue to meet throughout the summer, please ensure that the office is aware of this. Otherwise, we assume meetings are suspended.

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!

Weekly Emails

Weekly emails are suspended over the summer and resume after Labor Day. If you find you are not currently receiving them, and you think you should be, please be sure that the office has your current email address.

A reminder: the weekly email reminders are just that - reminders - and because they tie in with the order of service, they must be brief. The newsletter remains the primary vehicle for announcing events and providing details about them.

If you are not currently receiving this weekly update, please send a request via email to .

Committee Web Updates

Committee Chairs and Others: As the new year begins, please review your committee or group's page on the Eliot web site, and send updates to . (And have a look at some of the other pages - you might find something new and interesting.)

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