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A Note from Bonnie

Those Darn Emotions

We hold values of learning to resolve conflict, compromise, listen, and affirm others, and generally hold the worth and dignity of all people as an ideal. Our schools, as well as here at Eliot, are teaching our children conflict resolution skills. We read books on communication, see others using styles that shut down rather than open up understanding between people. There are no lack of good ways to learn communication and conflict resolution skills.

So then why are we so often angry or resentful or depressed? Why are skills that look so easy in the books simply unavailable to us when we need them? Why can't we seem to live in peaceful, open, affirming ways with each other?

It's those darn emotions. Sure, it's easy to see where someone else is using bad communication practices-when you're not emotionally involved, things are much more clear. We see our children practice conflict resolution in an exercise, and then suddenly they're in a knock-down drag-out with a sibling a couple of hours later. Emotions simply stop the thought process. Completely.

Well, almost completely. It's a great idea to read and practice these skills; it is, I think, part of our religious growth. But we must also practice thinking when we're in an emotional time. The skills cannot be used unless we learn how to think.

This is the hardest part. Be patient with yourself. Sometimes you need to start the thinking after you've lost it and messed up. Then go back and apologize, and try it again. Little by little, you can consciously think about taking a step back in an emotional situation, and engaging your brain. It takes lots of practice. When we can do it, our lives become much better. It's worth the effort.

A couple of good books for learning the skills are Crucial Conversations and Parenting with Love and Logic. Then, remember, practice, practice, practice!

Faithfully,
Reverend Bonnie

May RE Calendar

Date	Event
May 6, Sunday	9:30 am Nursery - 5th grade RE classes only 11:00 am Nursery - Senior High classes Both services Children K-5th grade begin in service for first 15 minutes, then attend class as usual 10:30 - 11:00 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room 11:00 am Adult GATE partners in class
May 11, Friday	9:30 - 11:00 am Playgroup meets in the nursery
May 13, Sunday	Mother's Day Flower Communion Nursery open as usual/Childcare in room 107 Children K - up attend adult service [Bring a flower to share]
May 18, Friday	6:00 - 9:00 pm 2007-2008 Junior Youth activity - City Museum trip
May 20, Sunday	Annual Meeting Sunday Children K-3rd grade begin morning in Children's Chapel Children 4th-5th grades end morning in Children's Chapel RE Classes as usual (Note: There is one service at 9:30, followed by the annual meeting at 11:00.)
May 27, Sunday	Animal Blessing One service at 10:00 am only Nursery open as usual/Childcare in room 107 Children K - up attend adult service

Think Global, Act Local

Our Religious Education program is only possible with the regular participation of our members and friends here at Eliot Chapel. If you want to make a better world, there is no more important place to start than in your own faith community's children. Please join us next year in one of our RE classes.

To sign up or for more information, please stop by the recruitment table in Adams Hall after services through May 13; fill out one of the green inserts in the order of service and drop it in the Global Box in Adams Hall after services through May 13; or speak to . Thank you!

Summer Religious Education

Summer services are right around the corner, which means we're busily preparing for Summer RE classes. Once again, there will be three classrooms open during the summer. Members of the Curriculum Committee will lead the curriculum called "Dr. Seuss Saved My Life" for the older RE class, which is for kids entering 1st grade and up in the fall. The preschool class will use the curriculum "Story Time," a literature based program. The nursery will also be open. Parents will assist in these classes.

Registration for the summer will begin on April 29. If you plan on attending summer services, even just a couple, please fill out and return the form as quickly as possible so that we can get the classrooms staffed. (Most likely parents will only need to help out once or twice, depending on enrollment.) You'll want to note that class requirements are a little different over the summer in order to keep class sizes even. Thanks!

May Sunday Services

Parents will want to note that our May calendar is a bit different than usual. On May 13, Mother's Day, the service will be multigenerational, so kids Kindergarten and up will attend the service. Preschool childcare will be available in room 107 and the nursery will be open for our littlest ones. The same schedule will be followed on May 27, Memorial Day weekend, but we will only have one service at 10:00 am. We will have our annual Animal Blessing in the sanctuary that day.

Finally, on May 20 there will be just one service at 9:30, followed by the Annual Meeting at 11:00. Religious Education classes will meet as usual at each hour. Parents wishing to attend both the service and the meeting are welcome to have their children attend both classes. Parents will need to pick up their children between classes, however, to allow the 11:00 teachers time to set up.

Bergfried Weekend

Come join us for fun and fellowship over Memorial Day weekend (May 25-28). Families can camp the entire weekend from Friday through Monday or just come out for the day on Sunday for church services and the potluck picnic. Bergfried enthusiasts will have planned nature activities for a mixed-age group of children during the service. In case of rain, we'll meet at the Bergfried Cottage for arts, crafts, and games. The house provides shelter and all the amenities (flush toilets for those unwilling to walk to a latrine, electricity, and so on).

Whether you come for a day or camp some or all of the weekend, you'll want to bring bug spray or lotion and sunscreen SPF 25 or higher. Campers - bring hot dogs or bratwurst. Day-trippers - bring out side dishes, chips, dips, veggies, salad, dessert, or some similar item to share at the lunch.

For directions or more information, please see Mark Nissen of the Bergfried Committee, 636-677-1518.

2007-2008 Junior Youth City Museum Trip May 18

Be sure to get your registration forms in by May 6!

GATE Service Project

Our GATE partners were able to participate in a great service project at the St. Louis Area Foodbank. We sorted boxes of food to be sent to area food pantries.

The partners also made a final decision on where the proceeds from their donut sales should go this year. On April 15, they voted to give $250 to our Partner Church, with the money earmarked for students, $250 to Southside Day Nursery, and the remaining $253.62 to Voices for Children.

Family Volunteerism

Second in a series of articles about our families living out our faith. [First article]

Preparing and serving dinner to Room at the Inn guests at Eliot Chapel has been a very tangible way for our family to make a difference in our community. Our daughters, aged 7 and 9, understand the importance of a home: it is where your bed is; where your toys, books and clothes are; and where there is food that you like to eat. Kids know that whether you are an adult or a child, no matter what color your skin is, or if you are married or single, having a home and good food to eat are important things.

The girls help me prepare a meal at home, set the table at Eliot, eat and chat with the guests, and help clean up. They like to show children to the library and the bathroom, and play games with them while the grown-ups finish their meal and conversation. They can really understand how they have helped, and who they have helped.

This has been a great way for our family to volunteer together, doing work that we find meaningful and enjoyable. We all can appreciate the contribution to the community, and our service has generated some very interesting discussions at our own dinner table. They have learned that despite their young ages, they have something to offer to others. Our volunteer work has helped them to see Eliot Chapel as their church "home" and that part of our faith is service to others.

Another Goodbye

Another Eliot family is moving - the Naraians. Kala has accepted a position at Cornell and leaves with her family. You'll be missed!

Summer Camp 2007

Summer Camp forms are now available outside of Joan Casey's office. Camp is for kids entering Kindergarten - 5th grade next fall. We will be exploring Stories the Hebrew Prophets Told from August 6 - 10, 9:00 am to noon.

Our kids live in a culture that is steeped in Biblical references. We think it's important to explore these stories from a Unitarian Universalist perspective.

For more information, pick up a copy of the form. We also need adult and youth volunteers, so see if you're interested. We're looking forward to a great week of activities and hope you can make it.

Playgroup Fun

If you've been craving a little adult conversation in your day, then we're the group for you! Playgroup is on Friday, May 11 at 9:30 in the nursery. All parents with tots are invited. Hope to see you there!

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 our new families, a new baby, and our May birthdays, pick up the May copy of REjuvenation! 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