HOME
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
NEWSLETTER
CALENDAR
DIRECTIONS
LEADERSHIP
PROGRAMS
OUR BELIEFS
SERMONS
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
SOCIAL ACTION
ABOUT US
CONTACT US

A Note from Bonnie

Worship and Our Children
(Some changes for this year)

I believe worship is an important part of our children's lives. It is a multimedia event, so to speak, with music, words, activity, art, silence, and ritual. It shows the children that we share values and beliefs that are so important we regularly take time to say them out loud in a community. Worship doesn't have to be profound or life changing. It is rather a reminder that deep meaning and life changes are always going on around us. We pause to take note.

At Eliot, we have three ways that we engage in worship with our children. Once a month, usually on the first Sunday of each month, our children join the larger community in the sanctuary for about 15 minutes. That way they get a sense of what happens in there while they are in their religious education classes. Second, every other month or so we gather as families in Adam's Hall for a special Family Worship Service. This service is about 45 minutes long, and is an opportunity for adults and children to experience worship together.

And finally, our most frequent worship opportunity is in Children's Chapel. In the past, children from K-5th grade have gathered in Children's Chapel before going to their religious education classes, for a 15 minutes service. We believe this experience has been valuable, but we also know that K-5th grade is a wide age range. This year we're going to try something a little different. The K-3rd graders will begin in Children's Chapel as usual. Children in 4th and 5th grade will begin their Sunday in their classroom, and will finish their hour with a worship service of their own.. This will allow us to talk to the older kids on a slightly different level. It will also help some of the crowding in Children's Chapel! Parents, please take note that 4th and 5th graders will be picked up from Children's Chapel after the service.

Our chapel services will follow the content of our Religious Education themes this year, beginning with Unitarian Universalist identity through our seven principles. Parents are always welcome in chapel. Thanks for all your participation in all of our worship opportunities!

Rev. Bonnie Vegiard and the Children's Worship Committee, Julie Procter, Debbie Fechter, Susie Bradley, Pat Eby, and Joan Casey

September RE Calendar

Most of you will remember that our RE Curriculum Committee announced that we are implementing a Pillars approach to religious education this fall for our children ages Kindergarten through 5th grade. During the First Semester we will focus on two Pillars: Unitarian Universalism first and then on our Jewish/Christian Heritage. At last, our Sunday morning programming, from Children's Chapel to our classes, will be linked to each other in subject matter.

In order to help parents share these topics with their children, our Curriculum Committee and our Family Support and Outreach Committee will host a Family Potluck on Friday, September 24, beginning at 5:45 pm in Adams Hall. Please bring a dish to share (see what to bring below). We'll eat first, and then kids will leave to play games (K and up) in the lower level. Preschoolers and younger will play in room 107.

Reverend Bonnie Vegiard will lead a discussion in Adams Hall about our first two Pillars, as well as provide resources to help parents with those tough questions that children can ask. We expect the evening to end about 8:00 pm.

Here's what to bring if your family name begins with:

• A-G bring salads/veggies
• H-M bring entrees
• N-S bring desserts
• T-Z bring milk/juice

Fillmore Park Fun Day

Please join us, all ages, on Saturday, September 25, for a chance to reconnect after the long summer. We'll meet at noon at Fillmore Park (located about 1/4 mile south of Eliot Chapel on Fillmore Ave). Bring a picnic lunch for you and your family and we'll eat and chat first. Then comes the fun part! As many of you are aware, Eliot Chapel adopted Fillmore Park many years ago. It's our job to keep it litter free. Sometimes we have been a little forgetful in keeping it clean. We're hoping that you will help us with this very simple family service project. Plastic bags & gloves to wear will be provided.

For more information, please contact Joan Casey or Debbie Fechter of the Special Events Committee.

Family Worship

Our first Family Worship of the year is September 26 in Adams Hall. It will run concurrently with the adult services. Families with children Pre-K through 5th grade are encouraged to attend. If that is not possible, teachers will be available in the Pre-K class (for kids Pre-K - 1st grade) and in the 2nd/3rd grade class (for kids 2nd - 5th grade.)

Secret Pals

During the first two weeks of church, we will pass out Secret Pals forms for children ages K - 5th grade. Forms need to be returned NO LATER than Friday, September 24, with no exceptions. If you need one mailed to you, please contact Joan Casey. Our Secret Pals party is on October 29, from 6:30 - 8:30. As before, we ask that pals limit spending to no more than $10 for the whole month. On Sunday, September 26, adult pals will choose their Secret Pals in Adams Hall. We hope many of you will participate, children and adults alike.

Chalice Choir & Junior Hand Bells

We are starting a new choir for children in grades 1-6 called the CHALICE CHOIR. It will meet between services from 10:15 - 10:45 am in the music room. We will learn musical concepts with games and learn some songs by rote and some by note with part singing our goal. The intention is for this group to sing on Sunday mornings in the sanctuary for special occasions, and sometimes for Children's Chapel and the family services. If we have enough singers, we will be able to split the group so they don't all have to sing at both services. Parental helpers will be needed. This group, directed by Jan Chamberlin and assisted by Allison Hendrix will begin rehearsals on Sept. 19th. If we have a successful trial period we will continue.

Junior Hand Bell Choir, led by Nancy Collis, is for 4th graders and up who are beginners. They will meet from 6:30-7:00 pm on Tuesdays beginning on September 7.

New Additions to Eliot Chapel

Announcing three new babies.

• A daughter to the Pritchett family
• A son to the Merz family
• A son to the Kelly family

Have a Milestone in your life to share?

New baby? Win a spelling bee? Run a marathon? Please contact Joan Casey so that we can share your family's news in Rejuvenation!, our children's RE newsletter, and on our RE bulletin board leading into Adams Hall.

The Playgroup Returns!

The Eliot playgroup is starting up again in September. We'd love to have you and your little one(s) join us to play in the Eliot nursery every 2nd Friday of the month, from 9:30 to 11:00. This is a fun way to meet and chat with other Eliot members while watching your child play. This group is best suited for kids age 3 and under. Our first meeting will be Friday September 10. Please call Wendy Cutshaw at 636-305-9753 for more information.

For More News...

To find out which of our kids celebrated birthdays in August and September, 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.

 Home   Sunday Schedule   Newsletter   Calendar   Directions   Leadership   Programs   Our Beliefs   Sermons   About Us   Contact Us