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Inside This Issue

Open Finance Meeting

If you'd like to know more about Eliot Chapel's budget and finances than time will permit at the Annual Meeting, plan to attend an open meeting of the Finance Committee on Wed., May 14, at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall.

This will be a green meeting: if you plan to attend and would like to receive a packet of financial information, RSVP by May 1 to . All are welcome, but you are not guaranteed a packet without an RSVP.

Racism in Kirkwood
- Rev. Daniel O'Connell, Lead Minister

On Saturday morning, Apr. 12, there were a couple hundred people from Kirkwood and surrounding areas at the Kirkwood United Methodist Church, including 10 or so folks from Eliot.

We were reminded that 99.9% of the human genome is the same, and that only .1% is different among the human races; and that the US Senator Barack Obama is a distant cousin of the movie actor Brad Pitt. There are, however, significant cultural, economic, and educational differences between blacks and whites; Kirkwood is no different than other places in that regard.

Racism in Kirkwood is primarily the corporate, silent kind. We don't have Klansmen walking around town in hooded robes.

We were reminded of drug and prison statistics: 11% of white teens use drugs; 9% of black teens. White teens were 33% more likely to have sold drugs, but black teens represent half of those jailed for drug use. There are more black men in prison than in dorm rooms. And even with more black police, things to have changed much.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "A religion concerned about souls but not about conditions that hurt the soul - that religion is a dry, dead, do-nothing religion in need of doing something."

After the general meeting, we broke up into groups and talked about our racial & ethnic backgrounds, when we first came to realize what ethnicity we were, when we've experienced racism, and ideas for improving race relations in Kirkwood.

Even though white people saw blacks as more or less monolithic, some of the blacks saw themselves as being in different "sects" depending on where they lived.

Come to think of it, I wonder if that isn't part of what the whole thing is about. "What high school you went to" is such a defining thing in Kirkwood, perhaps because by saying where you went to high school, you say what neighborhood you grew up in.

I heard a story about how 5 black girls died in house a fire in 1965 and no fire truck showed up; shortly after that, there was a black fire chief, for a while.

I heard another story about a black woman going to a restaurant at Station Plaza, just across the railroad tracks from out church; not only was she the only black person, but people kept looking at her as if she didn't belong there. She felt so uncomfortable, she finally got up and left.

There were stories about black men simply walking through a traditionally white neighborhood, getting questioned by police. And about police pulling over black folks in cars for the crime of "driving while black."

We heard that Meacham Park has no polling place because less than 100 Meacham Park residents have registered to vote. (There must be over 100 registered voters in an area before a polling place will be considered.) A lot of Meacham Park residents feel disenfranchised enough to think it's not worthwhile to even register.

We don't like to admit racism exists, but it does. What shall we do about it? You might attend the next meeting of the Community for Understanding and Healing (www.cfuh.org) on Sat., May 3 at Grace Episcopal Church on the corner of Argonne & Woodlawn. Registration and coffee begins at 9:30 a.m.; the program is from 10:00 a.m. until noon. All adults and teens are welcome (no childcare is available).

A subsequent meeting will be at Vianney High School, 1311 S. Kirkwood Rd., near I-44, on May 31 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Welcome!
- Julie Triplett, January 13, 2008

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.

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 's from :

My husband, George, and I first began attending Eliot Unitarian Chapel when it was a fellowship, more than 50 years ago. We had just moved to Kirkwood and did not know anyone. We needed to find friendship and fellowship.

One day, I saw a sign that indicated that Eliot Unitarian Chapel was located a few blocks away. When I investigated, I found Eliot in two old houses owned by the Kirkwood School District. We began attending services and found the sermons much to our liking. We also found a community of people who welcomed us. People like Betty O'Brien, Mary Louise Martin, Joe and Louise Killebrew, Joe and Nikki Tanaka and many others said they needed us, and, I suppose that was true. But, I needed them as well. I needed the warmth of a community that accepted me without question. That is what a community is - a group of people who welcome the new while embracing the old. A group of people that gives of itself to provide an environment where individuals can grow and learn from one another. This community spirit is one of the aspects of Eliot that makes it so special.

This was the beginning of my formal association with Unitarian Universalism, which I continued in Urbana, Illinois, when we moved there.

When we moved back to the St. Louis area, how delighted I was to find Eliot the same welcoming place that it had been. How great it was that, while we were gone, our daughter, Pam, had settled in St. Louis and she and her husband, Ken Denson, were a part of Eliot. Now, a third generation, Eric, has become a part of the church as well.

When we returned Eliot had changed - my, how it had grown from the fifty units that first formed the church. One thing that had not changed was the feeling of family and community. This feeling is so important to the success of a church. The church community must nurture and care for its members with love and friendship. In turn, each individual member has a responsibility to contribute time, talent, and financial resources to support and maintain that community. George and I have been supporting Unitarian Universalism for more than fifty years and have had its support all this time.

Lay Leadership At the Annual Meeting on May 18, Members of Eliot Unitarian Chapel will vote on the following individuals the Nominating Committee has proposed as members of the Board of Trustees.

David Day
I, my wife, Jane Larson, and our son, Patrick, a 9th grader at Kirkwood High School, have lived in Kirkwood for the past 10 years and have been attending Eliot almost that long.
I have been an RE teacher for the past eight years, coordinated the GATE program, and, for the past three years, been one of the youth group advisors. I have also served on the RE Council and am currently on the Religious Education Curriculum Committee. I enjoy jazz, literary fiction, and fantasy baseball.
After 29 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Webster Groves School District, I retired last year and have begun my efforts to become certified as an autism consultant.

Mary Meihaus
My husband Bob and I joined Eliot 14 years ago. We have three children, two who went through RE at Eliot. I've spent many years as a volunteer in the RE program as a teacher of RE classes and leader for Children's Chapel. I was a member of the Program Council for three years, two as chair. I enjoy volunteering for the Madrigal Dinner, Room at the Inn, and the book sale. I have facilitated one of the covenant groups since its inception six years ago. I have worked as an educator for over 25 years.
I am excited about serving on the Eliot Board. Eliot is a place that has helped me define my spirituality, taught our children to be open to all beliefs, and strengthened my family's commitment to spiritual community.

Brent Vaughn
I have been involved with Eliot Chapel beginning in kindergarten in the early 60's through my late teen years, went missing for a couple of decades, then began attending again eight or nine years ago. Since returning I have served on committees, most recently on the Buildings and Grounds Committee. I've taught in the RE program for several semesters and been a greeter for several years.
My wife, Rena, and two grown daughters are on other spiritual paths, but still share much common ground in their religious views. A civil engineer by training and instructor by profession, I enjoy hiking, camping, bicycling, and woodworking.

Brian Krippner
I joined Eliot Chapel in 2007. While interested in many of Eliot's programs, my primary time commitment has been serving as Treasurer and as the chair of the Finance Committee.
I've worked in banking for 23 years and am currently a Vice President in the Corporate Trust department at UMB Bank assisting governments and private businesses with their bond financings.
I am an active Truman State University alum, where I've served on the advisory board to the business school since 1999.
My wife, Ame, and I live in Crestwood with our two daughters (Lauren attends RE classes), and our newly adopted Miniature Schnauzer, Daisy.

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

The Board for Eliot Chapel met on Tue., Apr.15, at 7:00 p.m. Most Board meetings are the third Tuesday of each month and members and friends are welcome to attend. There is time set aside for comments and questions from visitors.

Highlights of the meeting:
- As authorized by the congregation at the Special Congregational Meeting on Apr. 13, the Board passed a motion to enter into an agreement with the stonework company to complete the remaining stonework at the quoted price of $234,000. Several issues were discussed, such as where to put the dumpster for the remaining time and what side of the church will be worked on first. All of these issues will be negotiated with the stonework company. The Building and Grounds committee will be overseeing much of this work.
- The lawyers working for Eliot have spent a great deal of volunteer time trying to settle the fence problem with our neighbors. They were not able to reach an agreement and so there will be a trial before a judge in May.
- Jan Erdman presented an update on the canvass. The canvass itself has received very positive feedback. Most people liked the service at the Kirkwood Community Center and the program for the children at Eliot. Currently, total pledges are below last year.
- Joy Gordon's retirement party will be on Sun., May 18, at 5:00 p.m. in Adams Hall.
- The official minutes of the meeting are posted on the hallway bulletin board.

Please note that the May Board Meeting will be on May 13, the second Tuesday.

Board Adopts Policy on Salary, Benefit & Contract Disclosure

The Board of Trustees adopted a new policy at its March meeting relating to the disclosure of certain salary, benefit, and contractual records of the Chapel. In summary, the policy provides that any member of the Chapel may view summaries and/or records of the Chapel relating to a) the individual salary and benefit packages of the called ministers, b) the aggregate salary and benefit costs of the non-minister staff, and c) contracts entered into by the Chapel in the course of its business.

The UUA's recommended salary ranges for comparable positions will accompany salary and benefit information. You can see the UUA ranges at http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/compensation/ (Eliot Chapel is in Geo Index 3 - national average). If youwould like to see any of this information, please contact Rev. Dr. Daniel Ó Connell, Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, or JoAnn Stephan at (314) 821-0911 to arrange a time to review the documents.

By-Law Amendments
- Clint Blandford, Board Chair

Several by-law amendments will be presented for adoption at the May 18 Annual Congregational Meeting. Copies of the amendments are posted on the bulletin board outside Adams Hall.

The first cluster of amendments concerns the process for selection of the Board of Trustees' officers. These proposals were a topic of discussion at the Mar. 30 Town Hall Meeting.

The other proposals involve corrections in legal citations recommended by one of the board's legal advisors: the reference to Section 501(3) in Article XII should be "Section 501(c)(3)" and all references to the Internal Revenue Code in Articles XII - XIV should be "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" not 1954.

What Does She Do?
- Jennifer Kirkton-Foss, Membership Coordinator

Some of you may still be wondering just what it is that I am doing at Eliot! In short, I am here to help every member and friend enrich his or her experience within the Eliot Chapel community. I welcome the guests that come through our doors seeking a spiritual community, introducing them to members, giving them relevant information and helping them find their way around our facilities. I greet new members upon joining and assist them in connecting to opportunities of interest at Eliot. I subsequently place a call to those members during their fourth to tenth month of membership to check in and make sure that things are going well for them. I note both compliments and constructive criticism and then act upon those concerns, whenever possible, with an interest in making Eliot an increasingly better place for everyone.

I am also here for those long time members who have ideas and concerns regarding Eliot, to assist them in the bridge building and mechanics of bringing about the actualization of those ideas.

My concern is for you. I want to know what is that YOU are doing at Eliot! What inspires you? What needs do you have that we can help meet together as a family? What does Eliot mean to you? I truly value the happiness and input of each member and friend and invite dialog at anytime. Please visit with me after any worship service or contact me at .

Questions, Questions
- David Breeden, Intern Minister

Question: Why is an elephant big, gray, and wrinkled?
Answer: Because if it were small, white, and round, it would be an aspirin.

That's one of the jokes in Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar...Understanding Philosophy through Jokes. It's a fun read and I recommend it to anyone with a philosophical turn of mind. But I don't bring it up for book review purposes. This joke keeps coming to mind in the course of our current sessions of The Roots of Unitarian Universalism.

As we look at the history of Unitarianism and Universalism, one of the persistent questions is just what we mean when we say we "believe" something. Michael Servetus "believed" his anti-Trinitarian argument to the point of being burned for believing it. Calvin, conversely, "believed" his Trinitarianism to the point of being willing to murder Servetus over the disagreement.

And what do we carry away from such stories? Certainly the human propensity to die for belief is admirable, but isn't that only the other side of our willingness to kill for belief? Where and when is that trait admirable? And what if we are merely confused to begin with? And when we leave off of verbs and get to the nouns we "believe" in, we humans find ourselves killing and dying over the strangest words, words like "god" or "trinity" or "freedom." Strange behavior, isn't it?

And, in the end, aren't we only falling into the trap of getting too attached to our definitions of "elephant" and "aspirin"? I don't know the answer. I like questions.

Thanks ...

To Kurt Bauer, Kevin Brownfield, Brian Casey, Bill Fitzgerald, Jerry Higginbotham, Bill Kesler, Curt Kristofitz, Scott Marshall, Larry Reutter, and Brent Vaughn who volunteered for the spring work party. And thanks, also, to anyone who worked but didn't sign in.

Honor Mom With a Gift to Nurses for Newborns

On Mother's Day we celebrate moms and welcome children into the congregation. The Social Action Committee invites you to honor the day by helping a mother and child in need. On May 11, the Nurses for Newborns Foundation will benefit from our shared collection. NFNF is a nurse home-visit agency that works to prevent child mortality, abuse, and neglect. They provide services to teen mothers, mothers who are mentally or physically disabled, infants who are sick, and other general population families at risk. For more information, visit www.NFNF.org.

Lead a Summer Service

Every summer the ministers take a hiatus from the pulpit; and Eliot members have the opportunity to lead the worship services. During the summer, there is only one service at 10:00 a.m. Individuals or groups are invited to lead a service. It's an opportunity to tell of your own spiritual journeys, revelations, experiences, or to choose a topic to explore. Accompanists are available, if requested. Volunteer musicians are also encouraged to participate.

If you have an idea for a service, or have never lead one before - but think you might like to, please get in touch with Jane Larson at justmsjane@ att.net to talk about format, expectations, and music.

There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board outside Adams Hall. Available Sundays are Jun. 15 through Aug. 10.

Room at the Inn
- Bill and Joan Clarke

The Room At The Inn program provides shelter for homeless guests three or four Thursdays each month. Our sign up sheet for laundry help, in the hallway to Adams Hall, has lots of spaces available. Please consider adding a load or two of sheets to your family weekly laundry chores.

Thanks for your help. Support Eliot's effort to combat homelessness.

RATI Opportunity
In September, Sue Blandford will step down as coordinator of hosts for Eliot's Room at the Inn program. She has done a superb job helping to keep our Room at the Inn program running smoothly and we thank her for her work. Gary Gray, Sue's backup, will be retiring as well (thank you, Gary), and Sue will assume the backup position. That leaves an opportunity for you! The coordinator of hosts makes sure we have hosts each Thursday night, recruits and trains new volunteers, and serves as a resource for the team. If you are interested in becoming the new coordinator or have questions about the position, contact Bill or Joan Clarke.

Eliot 2008 Book-Fair a Success!
- Irmgard Voss

Great thanks to everyone who brought books, lifted books, loaded them into boxes, moved them up, down and, eventually, the last ones, out the door.

Women's Alliance members tirelessly sorted books on several Saturdays. And our pleas for help with lifting boxes on those days miraculously came about, and made sorting so much faster.

Wednesday morning, Wednesday night, and Thursday morning before the opening day could be nerve-racking if it were not for the dependable crews. They made it really happen.

Thank you everyone who helped on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Now, the pay-off for it all: $6,237.08 to be shared by Women's Alliance and the Library Committee.

The library committee is in the process of cataloging our library's "old" books and new additions onto a lap- top as well as printing new labels for book pockets, cards, and book spines. We will soon have a printout portfolio for patrons instead of the card catalogue.

And to our regular customers, thanks very much for your support.

Coffee Drinkers & Chocolate Eaters!
- Beth Rossow

Please support Fair Trade and Eliot Chapel by buying your coffee and candy at the Fair Trade table in Adams Hall after each service. The Coffee of the Month for May is Espresso Blend, described as a very rich, dark, full-bodied coffee with a bittersweet and spicy character.

Our Fair Trade chocolate supplier in Boston will not ship chocolate after Apr. 30, due to weather concerns. This year we have ordered a huge amount and hope to have a supply that lasts until the last regular service in June. But to ensure that you don't run out, stock up now!

Third Quarter Financials
- Brian Krippner, Treasurer

Financial Statement (pdf)

Commentary: The statements present Eliot's income and expenses for the fiscal year's first three quarters (July 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008). Results for the full fiscal year will vary. By this time of year, our financial statements tell a pretty believable story about where we will end up the fiscal year on June 30.

Revenue for the first half was $408,335, which is $17,328 or 4% below the budget for the first nine months. All of the key revenue sources are below budget. Some of the pledge revenue may be timing differences from last year's collections, but non-current pledges also play a part. Rentals and weddings are running behind budget due to fewer bookings. Scrip profits have been affected by the lower rates paid this year by Schnucks. Dividends & interest have been stronger, but Eliot also benefited from several unplanned gifts, without which revenues would be shy of budget more than $20,000 or 5% for the first nine months.

Expenses are running about $12,700 or 3% below budget. While this is a good trend, there are still expenses which are either unknown or which may have significant activity in the 4th quarter such as utilities, building repairs and computer maintenance.

Overall, our Net Income is $15,152 vs. a budget of $19,756. This result is $4,600 or 23% below the nine-month budget year-to-date.

The 1st quarter of calendar 2008 has made many nervous about the state of the national economy and perhaps their own personal economic situations. Eliot has short-term (operating) and long-term (capital) needs, both of which are met primarily from pledges. These needs are ongoing, whether the economic outlook is stormy, hazy, or sunny. Just as regular investing helps our long-term investment picture, regular giving is part of our long-term spiritual development. General investment advice is to think and invest for the long term, even in times of uncertainty. Each of us should consider taking the same approach with our own giving plans.

The Family Worship service on April 20 was centered on "Life's Big Questions". Over the next year, Eliot will be asking itself some Big Questions about our physical space and building needs. This will give each of us the opportunity to think about our own personal "Visions of Eliot" (see Rev. Daniel's March 30 sermon) and the long-term financial commitments required to make those visions into reality. - Brian Krippner, Treasurer

PS: Next month, look here for a look at Eliot's Balance Sheet including how our long-term moneys are invested.

Looking at our Blessings
- Jan Erdman and Mary Quinn, Canvass Co-Chairs

As we wind down our 2008-2009 canvass we are mindful that, while nearly 400 members and friends attended the Everything Eliot Celebration Sunday, some of you were unable to be there. We thought it would be good to share the following responsive reading from that day. We should always take time to look at our blessings. We hope it will be a reminder of how lucky we are to have one another.

We are grateful:

For a home where we can safely explore free religious thought.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For a building that we treasure that houses our community.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For the spiritual and sharing opportunities enjoyed at Bergfried.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For the musical talents of voices and instruments that wrap us in warmth and offer us courage.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For a community that values its children and a religious education program that teaches and models tolerance in our world.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For the congregation that has a light heart and knows how to have fun together.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For a church that values gathering with a purpose...through Covenant Groups, worship, Room at the Inn, free trade efforts and social justice for our neighbors.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For a community that wants to be better stewards of the earth, protecting, nurturing and replenishing the beauties of nature.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For the opportunity to be part of a church that offers a powerful collective voice, and for congregants who serve on our Board, teach our children, maintain our building, and all volunteers who perform such meaningful work.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT
For the opportunity and the ability to be generous.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING ELIOT

Partner Church Scholarship

The Partner Church Committee invites the members and friends of Eliot Chapel to participate in a scholarship program for the students of St. Martin's Church in the village of Nyaradszentmarton, Romania. Donation Form(pdf)

Eliot Singletarians

Eliot singles events planned for May include:
May 4 - Quarterly brown bag planning meeting after second service (Adams Hall). Bring your calendar and event information.
May 10 - Ethnic Dining--Cafe Brazil.
May 11 - Monthly luncheon at Culpeppers.
May 17 - Melting Pot Dinner.
(Check the bulletin board for calendar and contact information).

Coming up:
TBA - Rescheduled Hike/Walk from April.
Jun. 4 - Erin Bode Concert at the Botanical Gardens.

Eliot Bible Study

All are welcome on Mon., May 5 at 7:00 p.m. for Bible Study in Adams Hall. We will be looking at the First Epistle of Peter. Bible Study is an open, historical-critical examination of the texts, led by Rev. Bonnie Vegiard.

New Covenant Group
- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

If you are new to Eliot and would be interested in meeting with a small group of people to discuss spiritual growth and interests, then a Covenant Group may be for you. However, most people want to try the experience out before making a commitment to an on-going group. And some folks want to do this but cannot make a long-term commitment to an on-going group. Rev. Bonnie will be leading two sessions in May just for you! If you want to just try a group, or if you want a short-term experience, join her on Wed., May 7 and Wed., May 21. If we get good response, Rev. Bonnie can continue this short-term approach in June and perhaps August, then people can join an on-going group in Sept. Please RSVP to Rev. Bonnie as soon as you can so she can gauge the level of interest in this group.

Mother's Day Child Dedications
- Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Program Minister

During our Flower Communion service on Mother's Day, May 11, we traditionally celebrate naming and dedications of children. Any family who wishes to have their children recognized in this ceremony is encouraged to participate. Please let me know, as soon as possible, if you are interested.

EnergyCare Air Conditioner & Fan Drive

Each year the summer heat causes fatalities in St. Louis. Victims are usually elderly and have low income. The Social Action Committee will be collecting new and used air conditioning units and fans by appointment on Sat., May 17, from noon until 2:00 p.m. Units will be donated to EnergyCare, a local organization that assists low income families with young children who are sick, individuals who are ill, and low-income elderly. If you have an air conditioner or fan to donate, or need an alternative drop off time, please send an email to or contact Alicia Boelhauf or Amy Stark.

Celebrate Joy Gorden's Retirement!

All members and friends are invited to join us Sun., May 18, at 5:00 p.m. in Adams Hall for a reception to honor Joy's years of service to Eliot Chapel. You are also invited to make a retirement donation. Please drop your checks off in the office or send to the attention of JoAnn Stephan, with "Joy's Retirement" in the memo field.

F_N At Bergfried
- Kate Magrath

What's that you say? Something is missing? You're right! It's just not fun without U. The annual Family Campout is Memorial Day weekend (May 24, 25 & 26).

Come out and experience the glories of spring in our beautiful Bergfried, and the FUN of tenting, burning marshmallows, watching the lizards eat the bugs, hiking, AND listening to the birds. If you're not a camper (yet), come out for just the day and learn about this wonderful space that belongs to all Eliot members. Or, come out for the service on Sunday and the potluck lunch afterwards. If you've never been to Bergfried, the Family Campout is a great time to have your first visit! The Cottage will not be available to rent during this family event, in order for it to be available for all campers' use (phone, dishwashing, RE), but we will once again have two port-a-potties at the campground. Contact Kate Magrath with questions about this or any other activities at Bergfried.

UU Book of the Month

Although the Book of the Month group will not meet in May, we are planning for our final book discussion on Tue., Jun. 10. The book, Faith without Certainty, by Paul Razor, is available from the book table in Adams Hall for $18.00. This book is an in-depth study of how liberal theology has developed over centuries, and how post-modernism in now impacting this perspective. It is an interesting, but not a light, read, so we encourage anyone interested to get the book and begin it soon! Book group meets at 7:00 p.m. in Adams Hall and is led by Rev. Bonnie Vegiard.

Save the Date!

Noon on Sun., June 8, will be the farewell reception for David Breeden, our Intern Minister.

Please plan to join us in Adams Hall to congratulate David on a wonderful year with Eliot, and wish him well for the voyage ahead!

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., May 6 - Book discussion - Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida. Leader - Janie Fowler.

Tue., May 20 - Spring Luncheon - Must bring a dish and RSVP to Sue Blandford. Meet 11:30 a.m.; eat at noon.

Tue., May 27 - Tour of Shaw's Nature Preserve with Lisa Nansteel. Coordinator - Janie Fowler.

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

Have You Joined Team UU Yet? If you haven't already signed on for the joys and challenges of teaching a Religious Education class next year (fall or spring), there is still time to join our Team UU. We offer tender loving care for our little ones and preschool level classes of two to five year olds, as well as grade school through Senior High. A few positions are filled, but we still have more than half of our teaching slots open. So please don't hesitate today to sign up or find out more about teaching at Eliot Chapel. Our Teacher Support Team members will be on hand in Adams Hall from now until Mother's Day to assist you find the right class for you. We need you on our team!

Summer RE ClassesSummer RE classes will begin with the summer services on June 15 and end on August 31. We will again offer three classes: Nursery; Preschool (for potty-trained children 3 years old through entering Kindergarten in the fall); and Multiage, for children entering 1st grade and older. Our preschoolers use the literature-based curriculum called "Story Time," while our older kids will become "World Travelers," visiting such lands as Uganda, Nepal, and Argentina.
Who Should Register for Summer RE?If you plan on attending even a couple of summer services, your children must be registered. Parents are needed to help assist in the classrooms, so you can expect to help out once or twice over the summer, depending on how many children are enrolled. Registration forms are now available, so please pick one up and hand it in as soon as you can.

Summer CampRegistration forms are also available for Summer Camp, which is scheduled for Aug. 4 - 8 (Monday through Friday) from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Camp is for children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade in the fall. There is a $45 fee, but please don't hesitate to speak to Joan Casey if fees are an issue.

We will be looking at Native American Spirituality this summer. We always have a great time hearing stories, doing crafts, singing songs, and so much more during the week of camp. We need adult volunteers as well as older youth (entering 6th grade and up) to help plan and run our various activities. We hope you can join us!

Music Notes
-- Jan Chamberlin, Music Director,

Coming up:
May 4 - Special music by The Vela String Quartet, Women's choirs 9:30 a.m. Hymn of Promise, 11:00 a.m. Holy Spirit.
May 11 - Chalice Choir sings O, What a Beautiful Mornin', choirs sing 23rd Psalm by Bobby McFerrin at both services.
May 18 - Robin Lopate offers special music at 9:30 a.m. and the choir sings When Will the Fighting Cease.
May 25 - Jan Chamberlin, folk music for the Animal blessing at Eliot (no choir). At Bergfried - folk music performed by Kate Magrath.

String Quartet Concert: On Mon., May 5, at 7:00 p.m., the Vela String Quartet will play a recital of music including works by Smetna, Shostakovich, and Beethoven. Freewill offering at the door. These young musicians are raising money to travel to Michigan.

Calling all Eliot Parents!

Are you interested in enjoying some Saturday nights out this summer?

The Family Support and Outreach committee is organizing a twice-monthly babysitting co-op throughout the months of June, July, and August. Parents will take turns caring for kids at Eliot in exchange for childcare on the other Saturday nights. Parents of children of all ages are welcome to participate. The specifics will depend on the number of families involved--the more the better!

If your family is interested contact Angie Bowland at

Please Welcome . . .

Jenny Renfro, who will be working in the office in the afternoons, Monday through Thursday, and Sunday mornings.

Jenny has lived in Festus, MO all her life. She now divides her time between Festus and University City, where her fiance, Dan, lives. Jenny and Dan are getting married on July 19. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and trying out the latest restaurants.

Stop by the office and introduce yourself to Jenny.

What Year Is It?

We are now at the time of year when some people are paying this year's pledge and others are starting to pay next year's pledge. Eliot's current fiscal year (2007-2008) runs from July to June. On July 1, 2008 we begin the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

In order that we may apply pledge payments correctly, please indicate in the memo line of your check whether your payment should be applied to the (current) 2007-08 year or the (next) 2008-09 year. Or, if the fiscal year is too confusing or you have more important things to remember, please simply note in the memo line the month(s) covered by your pledge payment, and we'll figure it out. Thanks.

Pet Etiquette

Our annual Memorial Day Animal Blessing Service will be held on May 25, at 10:00 a.m. (one service only.)

Please do not assume that all animals enjoy one another's company or that all people want your pet near them. The balcony will be reserved for people who want to enjoy the service but do not want to sit with the animals.

The following guidelines have been established to make this an enjoyable experience for all.
· Be in control of your pet at all times.
· Dogs must be leashed and all other animals must be in appropriate carriers.
· Walk your dog outdoors before entering the sanctuary.
· Inside the sanctuary, sit with dogs on the south side, cats on the north side, other animals center.
· Please clean up after your pet both inside and outside the sanctuary.

Committee Expenses

As we get ready to end the fiscal year, please ensure that any requests for reimbursement are submitted for any outstanding expense. As a reminder, check request forms are in the black boxes on the office or JoAnn's door. Receipts must be attached and the request must be signed by an authorized signer (usually the chair of the committee for which the expense was incurred.)

Green Tips

Once they're all used up, recycle your rechargeable batteries. More than 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased annually in the United States and, if not recycled property, pollute the environment. Find out where to recycle at http://earth911.org/.

It takes one 15- to 20-year-old tree to make enough paper for only 700 grocery bags. And plastic bags may be more convenient than paper, but they're not biodegradable. Bring cloth bags with you every time you shop (for groceries, clothes, and everything else). If you forget, put your purchases in as few bags as possible, and be sure to recycle the bags.

Reduce your food miles. Food travels an average of 1,500 miles from the farm to the store. All that traveling, by plane, ship, and truck, requires a huge amount of fossil fuels, which results in millions of tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Shop at your local farmers' markets.

Send in Your Photos

The 2008-2009 Eliot Directory will contain photos of our Members and Friends as well as photos of Eliot events. If you are in charge of an event, or a shutterbug attending an event, please take some digital pictures for inclusion in the next directory. Save the pictures as jpg files with a title describing the event e.g. 2008picnic1.jpg and attach a couple of the best shots to an email to . All pictures for inclusion in this year's directory must be received by Jul. 1, 2008.

Who Are You?

In addition to preparing a new member/friend directory this summer, we will be updating the Program Guide.

If you are a committee chair, please make sure that the office knows you will be chair for the coming year. Also, please take a minute to look over the description of your committee that appears in the guide and send any changes to Nancy at news@eliotchapel.org. Copies of the Program Guide are available in Visitors' Corner.

Time to Reserve Your Space

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. If your committee or group will continue to meet throughout the summer, please ensure that a your room request form indicates that your meetings are "starting" in July (or August.)

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.

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

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