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Inside This Issue

Appreciation
- Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell, Lead Minister

The first quarter has ended in some schools, and all the schedules - church, school, work - seem to be speeding toward the end of the calendar year and the quiet of winter. Even the leaves of trees move through their colors and cycles at a quickened pace.

Despite our speeded up schedules, November is the time to remember to be thankful. We take a moment to celebrate the abundance around us. This time of celebration can help us to enter winter's chill with a feeling of warmth and fullness.

We come to church and see people we know, people we care about. We meet newcomers, greet old-timers, we are acknowledged by our co-religionists in return. We feast together on Sunday mornings and discuss our dreams on a weekday evening. We gather to meet and plan and do good works.

Part of celebrating abundance comes through sharing it. We remember children and women and men at risk because of poverty, abuse, and neglect. We are reminded that though there is food to feed the world, that's not the way it gets distributed.

At Eliot, some of us will drive, cook, launder, and host the homeless right in our church through the Room at the Inn program. We will collect for the St. Louis Area Food Bank and for our Partner Church this month in order to live out our values and in order to celebrate our abundance through generosity.

This month, let us set aside some special time to be thankful for the community we have, to appreciate the abundance of love and support we feel at church. Perhaps you could tell someone you're really glad they are here at Eliot. Let us remember to extend this feeling of abundance to the new people and visitors who come to be part of us.

The end of November brings the beginning of our annual Madrigal - a renaissance dinner theater with fabulous singing and food and the efforts of dozens and dozens of volunteers working in an enormous variety of capacities. Hint: if you're looking to make a friend or two or five, volunteering to work on the Madrigal is a sure fire bet.

May your November be a time of appreciation.

Social Action Issues
- David Breeden, Intern Minister

Thanks to everyone who participated in the order of service poll concerning social action issues. It appears we have enough interest to sustain all four of the ideas to varying degrees -- Sanctuary Movement, Hosea House, Lunch Pals, and Energy Care. You'll be hearing more about all of those. The highest level of interest was in the Sanctuary Movement, a program the UUA is participating in. We were the first denomination to sign on. I'm gratified that there is so much interest in this controversial topic. Immigration reform is one of the most difficult issues this country faces -- or should we say isn't facing.

In my previous career I spent a month each year teaching global issues courses in central Mexico. This gave me a unique opportunity to see problems firsthand. The fact is, due to historical circumstance, a third nation exists several hundred miles north and south of the border. Many Mexicans had the experience of going to bed as Mexican citizens and waking up U.S. citizens. They became "foreigners," suffering the same sort of apartheid practiced on African Americans in the Southeast.

Unlike the African American experience of total displacement from a homeland, however, Hispano-Americans found themselves in that third nation, a twilight world between cultures, connected yet separate.

We do well to remind ourselves that the international border is in most places invisible -- a continuum of sand and gravel. And the Rio Grande is a river narrow enough to leap across in some places, shallow enough to wade in others. These facts, coupled with the voracious US need for cheap labor, have created a unique circumstance, a circumstance that does not lend itself to simple solutions.

More soon!

News from the Eliot Chapel Board
- Beth Rossow, Board Secretary

The Board met for its October meeting on Tue., Oct. 16. Most of the meeting was spent hearing a report presented by Rich Heuermann from the Building and Capital Advisory Committee. The details of this report are extensive and will be presented to the congregation over the following months. Briefly, the committee evaluated the condition of the buildings that comprise Eliot Chapel and suggested several options to repair/replace/enhance them. They also estimated the costs associated with each option and suggested strategies for a possible capital funds campaign (if needed). A tremendous amount of work by all the committee members went into this report and everyone on the Board was very appreciative of their work. It was stressed by the Board that we now need to discuss these options and then bring this information to the congregation so that the congregation can ultimately make the decisions. (Possibly through focus groups, surveys, newsletter, pulpit announcements, etc.) So please look for more information about this issue in the following months.

The Board approved its goals for the 2007-2008 church year. These goals were presented at the Town Hall Meeting. To summarize, they are:
1. improve communication between the church administration, the board, and the congregation,
2. review the process for funding church programs,
3. finish the analysis of our facilities needs and develop a plan to address those needs,
4. develop a plan to evaluate and report to the congregation the board's success in meeting its goals.

We discussed the need to evaluate how well the monthly newsletter and email announcements are working. As suggested at the Town Hall meeting, we will try to arrange a potluck meal associated with the next Town Hall meeting.

As always, please contact any board member if you have questions or ideas. The full minutes of board meetings are posted in the hallway.

Stewardship Rap
- Pat Krull

This is a story in…celebration
Of an awesome and growing…congregation
A place with the very coolest…vibration
And a diverse, well-rounded, engaging…population
A place well known for its…toleration
And for its cool, eclectic…religious education
Now I'm hoping to give some…inspiration
To pick up the mantle from another…generation
And make a vow without…hesitation
That you won't just stop with…your donation
But you'll jump on in with your…participation
Guard the chapel well with your…dedication
And claim your place in our…rejuvenation
I thank you now for your…consideration
And your patience with my…bizarre imagination

Financial Transparency
Eliot's finances and budget for 2008-9

Mark your calendars: Wed., May 14, 2008, 7:00 p.m. Those interested in a more in-depth discussion than will be possible at the annual meeting should plan to attend this meeting.

Welcome the Visitor
- Jennifer Kirkton-Foss, Membership Coordinator

Eliot Chapel is a friendly place to be - right? Well, of course it is! Did you know that for our guests who may be visiting for the first, second, third or more times and even new members, the most crucial measure of that friendliness occurs in the first ten minutes after the sermon, during our coffee hour? It can be frightening entering a room full of individuals who already know one another and are engaged in conversation. Those guests who brave those feelings of wariness by entering Adams Hall with us are seeking our "hello." Our greeters and membership committee do a fantastic job in their capacities; building upon their genuine welcome is the responsibility of all members.

In that light, I challenge every member to seek out a new face in the crowd at least one Sunday this month. Approach them with a welcoming curiosity about their presence at Eliot. Who knows, that new face may be a friend in the making, a future Board member, a Room at the Inn volunteer or someone that simply needed a smile and a hello to make their visit a better one. Your engagement may be the key to making that happen! Any member, new or long time, interested in working further with new members and visitors would be warmly welcomed onto the membership committee. Please contact Jane Larson, committee chair for details!

Our Sympathy

To Steve and Kathy Mead on the death of Steve's father.

To Joyce Jones on the death of her mother.

Make Haste Madrigal!!

The time has come, the stalwart said,
To talk of many things:
Of shifts and crews, game hens dispatched,
And stewards wine to sling.
And if the wassail's piping hot,
And if your assist you'll bring,
Friends, fellows, Lords and Ladies,
Your praises we will sing!!

Now is the time! Now is the hour!! The Madrigal needs you, one and all. Pray join in the fellowship of Madrigal, if even for a few hours. Assistance is needed in all areas of preparation, dispensation, and making things like new. Sign up in Adams Hall between services.

Please Remember to Buy Fair Trade
- Beth Rossow

If you drink coffee, please consider supporting Eliot Chapel and Fair Trade workers with your purchase of a bag of great coffee. We sell Fair Trade after each service in Adams Hall. Eliot Chapel receives part of the income from these sales.

The Coffee of the Month for November will be "Mexico Chiapas", described as a coffee with bright, sweet tones having a light roast and medium body. The sale price for November is $10 per bag. Other specialty coffees may be ordered through a catalog at our table. The ever popular Eliot Blend is also available in regular or decaf, beans or ground at $10 per bag.

Chocolate has been ordered and should be available by the time this newsletter reaches you!

Split Collections
- David Breeden, Intern Minister

The Social Action Committee and the Lead Minister have collaborated on a series of split collections, for this church year. This year collections have been split to help fund Kirkwood Ministerial Alliance, CROP, and the UUA's Association Sunday. Upcoming split collections include St. Louis Food Bank and Partner Church (for St. Martin's in Transylvania). In Jan. and Feb. we will collect money for Missouri Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and Habitat for Humanity. In Apr. and May we will collect for Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, FINCA (a micro-financing cooperative for women in developing nations), and Nurses for Newborns Foundation. Finishing up the year, split collections will assist St. Louis Energy Care and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Collections on Christmas Eve and Easter go to the minister's discretionary fund.

Shared collections are a great (and relatively painless!) way to fund the mission, vision, and values of Eliot.

UUSC

Look for Guest at Your Table boxes in November! This year we are opening up this annual event to the whole congregation. GAYT is an important fundraising event sponsored by the UUSC. Please make sure to pick up your box and help people both in the United States and the larger world. Contact Matt or Tracey Koch if you have any questions. Thank you!

Another Success!
- Social Action Committee

Thank you Eliot for making our participation in the St. Louis CROP Hunger Walk a success! The split collection raised $265 and our Social Action and GATE walkers raised $2,193.25 - that's a grand total of over $2,400! It was a beautiful day in Forest Park, and we enjoyed the company of all our dedicated participants. We hope you will join us again next year in the work to end hunger!

Room at the Inn
- Bill and Joan Clarke

Thank you for your response to our requests for help. We have three new drivers and people to do laundry every week through the end of December. We still have four openings for hosts and one for cooks, so if you can fill in those last blank spaces, it would be great.

Our Room At The Inn guests are very grateful for the meals and lodging we provide. It gives them a safe place to be while they find permanent housing. We really do make a difference.

Moving Forward Toward a Green Sanctuary
- Bob Coulter

Just over 6 months ago, the Eliot board of trustees formally authorized the chapel to pursue being recognized as a Green Sanctuary. Since then, members have taken the lead in a number of areas, so we are well on our way. For those not familiar with the process, we as a congregation need to complete 12 projects in a variety of areas of church life that support sustainable living.

Now that the new church year is underway, I want to draw your attention to what is happening and encourage you to get involved where you can. Highlights to date include:
o Three sermons (Daniel on Earth Day, Kate Magrath on our stewardship of Bergfried, and mine on the challenges of "being green.")
o Senior High Youth leadership on expanding recycling.
o An educational program on native plants for your home.

Later this year we will be kicking off a series of parent discussions on engaging kids with nature, adding "green" projects to work days, and whatever other projects you support. As you work with your committees and interest groups at Eliot, please continue to think how you can add a green element to your efforts. If you'd like to discuss ideas, please don't hesitate to drop me a note at .

Spend Money! Buy Stuff! Help Eliot!
- Barbara Bleisch

We all spend money, love to buy stuff, and want to help Eliot whenever we can, especially if it doesn't cost anything! Don't forget there are two ways you can do both at the same time:

Shop with gift cards purchased through Eliot. You buy the gift cards for the face value, but Eliot pays a discounted price, so the difference (sometimes as much as 9%) goes to support Eliot. You can now place your orders directly online.

Go to www.shopwithscrip.com , register, and enter Eliot's enrollment code: 38B926D113474. Click on "order scrip" and an order form will pop up, with lists of all of the available merchants by category. (There are hundreds of them.) Fill out the order form, then write a check for the amount of your purchase and mail it or bring it to the office at Eliot. Checks must say "gift cards" in the memo line. Around the first of the every month, we will place all of the orders that have been paid for, and we should have the cards for you by the middle of the month. If you plan a big purchase or if you need the cards before the beginning of next month, let us know and we can probably place the order earlier, provided Eliot has received payment.

This is an easy way to support Eliot with funds that come from the merchants you shop with, and dosen't cost you anything. Once you try this program, you'll see how easy it is, so please participate. If you need more information, please contact me at .

Your Dollars help Stock the Shelves
- Alicia Boelhauf, Social Action Committee

The split collection for Sun., Nov. 4 will benefit the St. Louis Area Food Bank. Give thanks by helping local families. Your generous donation will help stock the shelves in time for the holiday season.

"Eliot Singletarians

If you are single and looking for new friendships and fun things to do, consider attending some of the events the Eliot Singletarians have schedule in the next several weeks:
- Sun., Nov. 4, 3:00 p.m. - St. Louis Symphony
- Sat., Nov. 10, 7:00 p.m. - Ethnic dining at Kim Son Vietnamese Bistro, 8080 Olive, U City.
- Sun., Nov. 11, 12:15 p.m. - Monthly gathering at Culpeppers for lunch.
- Fri., Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. - Madrigal night. Single "commoners" feast and settle rivalries in the balcony!
- Sat., Dec.1, (times vary) - Singletarian volunteer night at Madrigal (sign up in Adams Hall).

These are just the highlights! You may find individual Singletarians organizing among themselves to attend other Eliot events. For more information, check our calendar on the bulletin board, or contact Cara Sanning or Kelly Birmes about joining our Yahoo Group.

Calendar Sale
- Jerry Messer, Calendar Chair for the Music Committee

The Eliot Choir Calendar sale is on the way! Orders (with payment) will be taken after services on Sun. Nov. 4 and 11. Pick ups are on Nov. 18. Selections have been expanded to include many sizes and prices- something for everyone! (Holiday shopping?)

Voices from Darfur:
Personal Stories of Genocide

Save the Date: Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m. at St. Louis University Busch Student Center.

This national speaking tour of Darfuri refugees will feature personal accounts from survivors of the genocide in Darfur. The event is hosted by Gitana Productions and American Friends Service Committee with the support of St. Louis Save Darfur Coalition, St. Louis University Cultural Center, One World and the St. Louis University Political Science Department.

Exercise your right to act for justice. Pick up a sheet with advocacy points to urge your lawmakers to support a comprehensive plan to address all of Sudan's regional conflicts. These Advocacy sheets will be posted by the Social Action Board (across from the Soda Machine).

Look for more information in coming months. Please contact Matt Koch if you are interested in helping.

Special Speaker Coming

The Welcoming Congregation Forum is proud to sponsor a special guest on Nov. 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Marc Adams has spoken to many congregations and other audiences about his experiences as a gay man and published author. At one point in his life he was involved with the fundamentalist movement trying to become an "exgay". But his personal journey took him away from that to his acceptance of being gay and founding Heartstrong, an organization focused on helping GLBT students "terrorized at religious fundamentalist institutions".

For further information, contact Lynn Murphy at .

Take A Hike

Eliot Hikers gather in the Eliot parking lot at 9:00 a.m. the morning of the hike to form carpools, and leave at 9:15 a.m. Bring your own water and lunch (if desired). Greater detail provided via email one week prior to the date.

§ Nov.17 - St. Francois. 1 hour drive. 5-11 mile hike. Near Festus. If you would like to be added to the email list or have other questions, contact Laura Mullen at .

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is on the way!! Please join us for a delicious meal, friendly talk and games on Thanksgiving Day. Bring your favorite game and a dish (if you can) and join us for a Thanksgiving celebration on Thu., Nov. 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Adams Hall.

We have a sign-up sheet outside of Adams Hall. Contact Vivian or Mike Antoine with any questions.

Madrigal

Noble Lords and Ladies:

Everything Eliot

On Sun. Feb. 10, 2008 the Eliot Chapel community will come together for Celebration Sunday. Plans are still being made, but what we do know is that we will be together in one service to be held at the Kirkwood Community Center at 10:00 a.m. with a brunch to follow. This will be an event to be remembered for years to come - an event celebrating Everything Eliot - our music, our families, our community, our mission and our hearts.

Mark your calendars now - you won't want to miss it.

Women's Alliance

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

Tue., Nov. 13 - (Note change in date.) Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen. Leader, Sue Blandford

Tue., Nov. 20 - "Ragtime" with Scott Joplin House Personnel. Coordinator, Margaret Hasse

Tue., Nov. 27 - Tour of Alberici Green Building. Coordinator - Mary Widmer

Tue., Dec. 4 - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Leader, Julie Triplett

Holiday Bazaar

Any individual or committee interested in selling items at Eliot's "Annual But Different This Year Holiday Bazaar" on Dec. 2 and/or Dec. 9 must send an email to , subject "bazaar", no later than Nov. 12. Details will be provided.

One Size Does Fit All

Grocery scrip makes an easy-to-wrap and always useful last minute gift. We will have both $25 and $50 cards available for Shop & Save and Whole Foods, as we always do for Dierberg's. And be on the look-out for a non-grocery gift card table - or place your orders on-line. (See article on page 4.)

Stay Safe

As you know, some of our members use the property at Bergfried for hunting. Before you venture out, on your own, to enjoy some time in the country, make sure you won't be visiting during peak hunting seasons. Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation web site http://www.mdc.mo.gov/seasons/ for detailed information.

Bread Sunday
Nov. 18, 2007

If you're new to Eliot, Bread Sunday is a long standing tradition celebrating Thanksgiving. It's an inter-generational service, (although we will have child care.)

People (like you) bring bread and share it with the congregation. Often the bread reflects the person's ethnic background or has some other association with thanksgiving or the holidays and extended family.

If you would like to bring bread to share at one of the services, please decide in advance which service you will attend (9:15, 10:15, or 11:15), and sign up on the bulletin board no later than Mon., Nov. 12, to reserve a spot.

The money collected at the Bread Sunday services will be used to provide a weekly loaf of bread to over 100 impoverished and elderly parishioners of St. Martin Church and for general support of the villagers.

Childcare Policy Reminder

Childcare will be provided for certain major events, if arranged at least two weeks prior to the event. It is our intention that no Member or Friend of Eliot should be prevented from attending an Eliot event due to inability to pay for childcare. On the other hand, our childcare is not simple to arrange and represents a fairly significant expenditure, thus we do require at least three children before childcare is provided.

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

November is a time to think about giving thanks for all our blessings -we even have a special day set aside to do just that. And here at Eliot Chapel, we have our traditional Bread Service the Sunday before Thanksgiving. One of our traditions is to ask our students (1st grade and up) to write an essay about what they're thankful for and why. A few of them read their essays at the Bread Service, on Nov. 18 at 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. In order to be considered for the Bread Service, submissions need to be turned in by Sun., Nov. 11, either in person, by mail, or email. We will have essay forms for children to use, but writing it on plain paper is fine.

During the Bread Services, we will distribute Guest at Your Table boxes. The money we collect in these boxes help support the important work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee which puts our faith into action. Some of the projects they are currently working on include rebuilding New Orleans, making the right to water a reality, and strengthening the rights of child laborers. Just put money into the box at each meal to feed the "guest" at your table - it's as simple as that. Boxes should be returned to Children's Chapel on Dec. 23; it would be most appreciated if you convert the cash into a check.

Our Christmas Pageant is on Dec. 9 at both services and will follow the same format as last year. Look for Christmas Pageant information and registration forms in the next few weeks. 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 9:30 or 11:00 service. Rehearsal for the pageant is on December 8, with times varying, depending on roles. We are happy that Jeff and Jane Pack will co-direct the pageant this year and Nancy Collis will again be our music director.

Our Holiday Party is on Sat., Dec. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 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.

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 Feb. 3.
9:30: 2 Pre-Kindergarten, 1 1st grade, 1 3rd grade
11:00: 1 2nd/3rd grade, 1 4th grade

Please spare the vocal chords of our Teacher Support Committee and sign up to teach one of these classes today! And thanks to all of you have volunteered already.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about any of our upcoming events!

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Coming up:
Nov. 4 - preludes by the Greenleaf Singers; 9:30 choir Cantate Domino, 11:00 choir Simple Gifts.

Coming up:
Nov. 11 - preludes will be Bach selections played by Leon Burke on the organ. 9:30 choir Auf Stimmet de Seiten with organ and flutes, 11:00 choir Deep Peace.
Nov. 18 - all three services Bluegrass music by Doug Way and Friends; choirs will sing Before the Bread.
Nov. 25 - All musical selections by Holly Mead, jazz piano.

Coffee House: A candlelit evening with friends complete with snacks enjoying the musical talents of Eliot friends. What could be better on a cool fall evening? You don't want to miss this! Sponsored by the Music Committee. $5 at the door. (Half price to senior citizens, students and starving artists.) Sat., Nov.17, at 8:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Laclede String Quartet: LQ Wired! Jazz, Chops, Grooves, Latin, Swing! 3:00 p.m., Sun., Nov. 11. Admission Free.
Friends of Music: Baroque music for five oboes, the Sonata in A major, OP. 120 by Schubert for piano, and Schoenberg's string sextet Verklarte Nacht performed by Configurations. Sun., Nov. 18, 3:00 p.m.

Musicians Wanted: Occasionally we have need for a violinist, pianist, drummer with trap set, or saxophone player. Please contact me if you can help.

Thanksgiving Office Hours

The office will be closed on Thu., Nov. 22 and Fri., Nov. 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Fall Back

Daylight Savings Time ends. Before you turn in for the night on Sat., Nov. 3., remember to turn your clocks back one hour.

Events in Future Months

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Services 5:00, 6:30, 8:00 amp; 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 30 - New Year's Service 10:00 a.m.
Jan. 26, 2008 New "U"
Jan. 26, 2008 Chili, Dessert and Games Night
Jan. 27, 2008 Town Hall Meeting
Feb. 9, 2008 Partner Church Trivia Night
Feb. 10, 2008 Everything Eliot Celebration
Feb. 16, 2008 GATE Dinner
Mar. 7, 8 & 9, 2008 Book Fair
Mar. 16, 2008 New Member Dinner
Mar. 30, 2008 Town Hall Meeting
Apr. 5, 2008 New "U"
Apr. 19 & 20, 2008 Women's Weekend
Apr. 20, 2008 Seder Dinner
May 2, 3 & 4, 2008 Men's Advance
May 18, 2008 Annual Congregational Meeting

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