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A Note from Reverend Bonnie

Giving Back

The last couple of years, I've had people ask me about volunteering opportunities for their families on Thanksgiving Day. Many of us have come to realize how very much we do have-most of us have the basics, good housing, enough food, transportation in order to work, etc. Families like the idea of giving back around the Thanksgiving holiday.

The shelters and food pantries I've talked to say Thanksgiving has become the most popular day to volunteer. They have many more volunteers than they can take on that day or that weekend. They appreciate the thought, but wish people would be more open to volunteering the rest of the year.

As you think about the holidays coming up, and what you might give back, perhaps your family could have a conversation about volunteering at a food pantry or soup kitchen at other times of the year. You could make it a Thanksgiving commitment, but carry it out at other times. Our children can learn that being thankful for what we have, and giving back in gratitude, is something we do all year long. Mark it on your calendar, make a commitment, and next Thanksgiving look back on fulfilling that commitment, and talk about what that means to you.

Generosity is truly a powerful spiritual discipline. When you look at all you are thankful for, think about being thankful for everything you give away. True generosity, whether of time, talent, or treasure, does grow the spirit.

I am thankful for this community, and all the thought and concern you put into living lives that make a difference. Thank you. And Happy Thanksgiving!

Faithfully,
Reverend Bonnie

November RE Calendar

Christmas Pageant and Holiday Party

Christmas Pageant: We will begin distributing Christmas Pageant information and registration at the Family Worship on October 29. Forms must be returned no later than November 26 if you would like to have your child participate. The Pageant is on December 10 at both services and will follow the same format as the last few years. 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 Saturday morning, December 9, with times varying depending on roles. Mike and Vivian Antoine will again be our pageant directors and Nancy Collis returns as our music director.

Holiday Party: Our Holiday Party will be on Saturday, December 9 from 10:00 am 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 come to the party and have fun making crafts, playing the dreidl game and enjoying treats.

Thanksgiving Essays

Once again, we would like children in grades 1- 6 to write essays about what they are thankful for and why. We will choose one or two children at each of the three hours to read their essays at the Thanksgiving Bread Services on November 19. Submissions need to be handed in by November 12 and should note which service the family plans to attend (9:15, 10:15 or 11:15). Forms will be passed out at the Family Worship on October 29.

Parents are Primary Theologians

Sounds a little scary doesn't it? And yet, parents model spirituality everyday for their children, whether they mean to or not. Here are some ideas to help make it more intentional (thanks to Sparrow Alden of UUCUV):

• Have your own family chalice that you light for special occasions or regularly at family meals.
• Respond to Big Questions in a way that promotes discussion and wondering.
• Engage in your own Daily Spiritual Practice - and let your children see you!
• Attend church or at-home worship every week.
• Use worship and reverent behavior during the week.

Scouting's Religion and Life Award

If you have a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout interested in pursuing the Religion and Life Award, please plan to attend a brief organization meeting on Nov. 12 between services in Children's Chapel. Reverend Vegiard will plan to work with any youth who may wish to participate. We'll hope to schedule some meetings over the course of the next few months when the scouts can complete the requirements. Feel free to let Reverend Vegiard know that you are interested in advance of the Nov. 12 meeting, at 314-821-0911 or .

Spring Teachers Still Needed

We only need a few teachers at each hour for our spring semester, which starts on February 4. Please see Joan Casey if you can help out in one of these classrooms:

• 9:30 - Intermediate 2 (3/4 year olds)
• 11:00 - Pre-K and 1st grade.

Spotlight On: Family Support & Outreach Committee

This committee supports Eliot families, in whatever form they take, through various life stages and the challenges they may face, while fostering UU values. They work to provide opportunities for strengthening family and parenting relationships, as well as offering ways for parents to better share religion with their children. They maintain the monthly Eliot playgroup for young children and the online discussion group, host twice-yearly family potlucks and organize an annual preschool spiritual retreat. This year, they've added family circle suppers and are working towards expanding the RE part of the Eliot Chapel website. If you're interested in learning more or joining this committee, please contact Juliette Crone-Willis, the chair at .

RE Fees

Our Religious Education program is funded through the financial support of our members and friends, usually through payment of an annual pledge to the church. We can't possibly run our program without the generous support of all our members and friends. RE for each child who attends our program is about $425 per year (including building use, staff salaries and so on), so as you can imagine the supply fee is just a small part of our budget. If you would like more information about how to pledge, please speak to Joan Casey.

GATE Walks for CROP

GATE partners collected $641 to help alleviate world hunger!

Playgroup Fun

See you and your little ones on Friday, November 10 from 9:30 - 11:00 for adult conversation and kid play! We will then take a winter break and start up again March 9. Please contact Wendy Cutshaw (636-326-2491) of the Family Support and Outreach Committee for more information.

Youth News

Please note there are several youth events during the month of November. The Senior Youth are busy getting ready to lead the worship service on November 12. They also will have a lock in on November 10, the Friday night before the service. Junior Youth will not have class the day of the Youth Service and will instead attend it. Junior and Senior Youth are both invited to attend a bonfire at Senior Youth Advisor Barb Bleisch's home on Saturday, November 4. For more information about that or any other youth activities, please see Mishael Eastabrook, our Youth Director.

UU Parenting group

Join our UU Parenting group on Yahoo anytime. Just go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uuparenting to get started.

Have a Milestone in your life to share? Have a Milestone in your life to share? Know of an Eliot student living his or her faith? 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 on the wall leading into Adams Hall. For More News... To learn about new families and November birthdays, please pick up a paper copy of REjuvention! today. Religious Education Department Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Programs Minister Joan Casey, Religious Education Director Mishael Eastabrook, Youth Director 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. Back To Top