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A Note from Rev. Bonnie

We got some pretty encouraging responses to our decision to use Bible stories for Children's Chapel and other children's worship this year. While I'm sure there are those of you who are still skeptical, some families were grateful that we are able to offer our perspective on the Bible. Many UU parents were raised in families where religion was not taught at all, or only went occasionally to church. They know familiarity with Bible stories can deepen our understanding of many cultural experiences, such as literature and movies. But they themselves don't know enough about the Bible to talk with their children about it.

When you know more about how the Bible came to be, who wrote it and under what circumstances, I think it's easier to see the stories as a record of a people's struggle to understand their world and their role in it. For example, did you know that there are four basic sources of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible? Scholars can identify the different sources from the writing style and the particular words they use. One source uses the word translated as "Jehovah" when referring to God (the J source). Another source uses the word "Elohim" (the E source).

How can you and your child learn about the Bible together? I have a few resources that I think will help. First, for younger children, there's The Children's Illustrated Bible, edited by Selina Hastings and published by Dorling Kindersly. The passages are told in story form, with lots of informational sidebars, pictures, and other explanatory material. As children get a little older, The DK Illustrated Family Bible edited by Claude-Bernard Costecalde is a good choice. The passages are marked by chapter and verse. Again, there is a lot of explanatory material.

For parents, a good overall resource is Don't Know Much About the Bible by Kenneth C. Davis. This is a popular overview of Biblical scholarship that has radically changed perceptions of the Bible. And a good companion to have on hand as you read the Bible is The Oxford Companion to the Bible edited by Metzger and Googan. I also recommend using the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible as the most scholarly accurate translation (although much of the poetry has suffered in the name of accuracy).

We're thinking of having an evening or two where families can get together for a pot-luck, then the kids can go play while the parents learn more about Bible study. If you'd be interested in this kind of thing, let us know. I think Bible study can be great fun, and very enlightening, when you're doing it with other liberal religious families!

Faithfully,
Rev. Bonnie

October RE Calendar

Shhhh…Secret Pals Info

Congratulations on being a Secret Pal - whether you're an adult or the child. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to discover things about a new person at Eliot - or maybe someone you already know!

Adult Secret Pals - Remember to contact your child often, whether by mail, email, dropping things off at his/her house, and, of course, by leaving something at the Secret Pals table every Sunday. Include hints about yourself as the weeks go by, so that your child can have fun guessing who you might be. You and your Pal will want to discuss how you will dress for the party - coming in costume (it could be something as simple as a special shirt) is always fun for the kids. Joan is always willing to help you out if you can't be at church on any given Sunday. You can always leave things with her to put on the Secret Pals table - so please - don't neglect your Pal!

Child Secret Pals - Don't forget to send regular thank you notes and small gifts to your Pals. And remember to tell more about yourself, as well as try to figure out what costumes you and your Pal will wear to the party on October 24. You'll want to try to get to church every Sunday before the party, so you won't miss out on surprises from your Pal!

Parents - Let Joan know if your child hasn't heard from his/her Pal.

EVERYONE - Remember we want you to limit your Secret Pal spending to around $10 this year. And especially - mark October 24 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on your calendars for the Secret Pals Halloween party! Please get there on time, because activities are meant to be done with your Pal during the whole party!

Teacher Support Coffees

On October 26, teachers are invited to meet in room 001 before class (8:30-9:00 & 10:00-10:30) to discuss any issues, problem-solve, hold a team meeting, or just have some coffee & donuts. Experienced RE teachers & some RE Committee members will be there too for questions & discussion.

Note to Parents & Teachers

The members of the RE Committee ask that you bear with us in these early weeks of the new sign in/sign out procedure. We want to ensure the safety of our children & think that this procedure will get easier with time. Of course, we will continue to evaluate concerns, so please let members know what you think or offer any suggestions you may have to help the situation. Thank you for your patience!

Raising a UU Child - New Day

Join a discussion about answering the hard questions from your kids (ages 0-18). Our next meeting is Sun., Oct. 5th at 6.30 pm. Please call Tracey at 314.835.9275 or call or email Lori at 314.471.9264 for location and directions. We will be viewing and discussing the movie Affluenza. With the start of the school year, it is a great time to look at how consumerism affects your family and strategies to handle it! Hope to see you there!

Thank You's

Thank you to:

• Susie Bradley for making the new Children's Chapel orders of service.
• Debbie Fechter for printing the borders for the class room signs.
• Tracey Howe-Koch for making bean bags for the PreK class (although anyone can use them now!)
• Jan Chamberlin & the Early Bird Choir for making the Children's Chapel tape.

Play Group Plans

On October 19, we'll be going to Stuckmeyers Farm in Fenton. We'll meet in front of the main building at 10 am. They have hay rides, a giant pumpkin patch, Fort Spooky, a hay maze, lots of decorations, and a farm store. For admission of $4 per adult and $3 per kid (infants free), you can attend all the activities, plus you get to take a small pumpkin home for a souvenir. Stuckmeyers is at 249 Schneider Rd, (636-349-1225). Please call Stuckmeyers for directions.

Parents: NO children, of any age, should be left unattended on the playground without designated adult supervision, either before, during, or after class. Older children left unattended can misuse equipment or play in dangerous ways that can result in injury to younger children.

GATE Walk for Crop

Please be generous if a 6th grader comes up to you in the next week or two and asks for a donation towards the CROP walk he or she will be participating in on October 5. The CROP walk is part of a community based fund raising effort to raise money for local hunger-fighting agencies as well as the international relief and development efforts of Church World Service. Our 6th graders will be walking with their GATE partners.

Did You Know...

...that when you buy donuts or bagels on Sunday mornings, you're helping to support our active Youth Program? So please be sure to pay for your donuts!

For More News...

To learn about new children & families at Eliot, and which of our kids celebrate birthdays in October, or to play the 10:45 teacher word search puzzle, be sure to pick up a copy of REjuvenation! when you next visit Eliot.

This newsletter is a product of the Eliot Chapel Religious Education Department. Please direct any articles, comments, or questions to Joan Casey (Religious Education Director) at 314-821-0911 or at . An article must be submitted no later than the 20th of each month to ensure it appearing in the next issue.

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