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Marilyn Fallert - 12/1/02

My name is Marilyn Fallert. I found Eliot Chapel about 15 years ago quite by chance when I came here for a wedding and picked up some pamphlets from the vestibule in the back. It was my first encounter with Unitarian beliefs.

I had given up going to other churches as I was uncomfortable with their creeds. Uncomfortable accepting miracles as truth.

Here is a quote from the Jazz Musician, John Coltrane. "The truth doesn't have a name on it, and each man has to find it for himself." (unquote) That search is possible here at Eliot. This place is comfortable.

Thank you.

Maxine Stone - 11/3/02

Good Morning! My name is Maxine Stone, and I’d like to tell you just a little about why Eliot Chapel is so important to me.

It was 1967. I had recently moved to St. Louis from the east coast with 3 small children, the oldest of which needed a pre-school. Eliot Chapel seemed like a convenient and philosophically correct place to send my daughter. Having been brought up Jewish, going to "church" was the last thing on my mind – but after meeting a few members of Eliot Chapel, I was encouraged to try it out. It was a strange, yet intriguing place to me. Not like any religious institution I’d attended. There was no Star of David, no cross. The talk from the pulpit and the conversation with others was meaningful and comforting - like a home I never had. I remember Webster Kitchell speaking so eloquently and thoughtfully, about serious and timely issues. Webster made me think. And that was good.

Over the years I have seen a lot of changes and participated in lots of things — too many to mention, and really not more than most people here. I have seen buildings come down (from fire) and buildings go up (for more space). I have seen ministers come, and I have seen ministers go. I have seen huge church controversies. And I have seen emotional, shared mutuality. All of this is good.

I made friends here at Eliot Chapel early on. I still have those friends; you know who you are. And I continue to meet new and wonderful people, always in awe of the quality of these special friends. I remember my own children participating in religious education, children’s choir, holiday pageants and parties — and now I see my granddaughter doing the same. That feels very good.

So there is inspiration, friendship, history. And when I combine these important facets of Eliot Chapel with the knowledge that I have the freedom to think as I wish and the respect to speak these thoughts, I feel very lucky.

Eliot Chapel has been and continues to be a secure place of comfort to me. It is my roots and my home. For this, I am grateful.

Carolyn Burke - 11/24/02

Good morning. My name is Carolyn Burke. I have been an Eliot Chapel member for about 16 years. I started coming to Eliot because I needed a place to get married, and I was searching for a place to nourish my spirit. I stayed because Eliot has given me the opportunity to grow and the freedom to question my faith - one that I still don’t totally understand.

I have been involved with many activities and committees - some for myself and some for my two sons. Eliot has always given me the space to do things among the Eliot community. We once had the local Funeral Consumer Information Society of which I was the Executive Director, and I was able to have fun with the Scraptastics Scrapbook Club.

I’ve taught in Sunday School, helped with the Madrigal Dinner, developed the Eliot Chapel Information Guide. I was a parent advisor for the Boston Bound Youth Group. I started making the new nametags you see people wearing, and now I sing in the choir. WHEW !

I’ve been the Eliot Chapel Wedding Liaison for three years now. I assist couples getting married in our fine Chapel......Seems I’ve come full circle.

Thank you.

Jan Chamberlin - 11/10/02

Good morning! My name is Jan Chamberlin. This is my 6th year as Music Coordinator and director of the Early Bird Choir. My husband Bob and I have been members here for 18 years. We had both grown up in the Lutheran Church, and drifted away from it as the worship there lost its meaning for us. We came to Eliot at the invitation of Bob Howard to share in the music, and ended up staying for much more.

I have experienced much growth and change here. It seems, whenever I've expressed a personal need or wish, I have ended up challenged in a creative process and engaged in a meaningful way to serve that has transformed me. I cannot think of any other place that would give me the freedom, support and courage to do what I have done here, both personally and professionally. There was a time when I felt isolated, in an apartment in Ballwin, with two toddlers, trying to piece together an income to supplement my husband's teaching, and, I was drinking too much. I suspected if I never showed my face again in Adams Hall, no one would miss me. In desperation, I asked our minister at the time, if there was any kind of "caring" committee or people who would reach out to those in need.

His response was not, "Why Jan? What's wrong?" but rather, "We really need something like that! Why don't you get it started by talking to Sears Williams? He can tell you what we've done in the past." "Oh! OK……", I said.

Some people might have held onto their pain and wondered how a minister could be so insensitive. But, I was totally shaken out of my rut by this fresh point of view. And as my focus of attention shifted from helping myself to helping others, I woke up, stopped drinking, and ended my downward spiral. Eliot Chapel is a place where you can be transformed by something bigger than yourself. And you don't have to be desperate. But you do have to ask.

Thank you.

Judith Anderson - 10/20/02

Welcome. I’m Judith Anderson, and I became a member of Eliot after I moved to St. Louis 3 1/2 years ago. I’ve heard many people say that Eliot is so big that it’s hard for new people to "break In" here. Since I didn’t have that experience at all, I thought I’d share how I got involved. First, I took the New U class ... not so much to learn about the religion, since I came to St. Louis a Unitarian ... but to meet people who were new like me. Through the class I found people to sit with on Sunday morning and talk to in Adams Hall.

Early on I became a member of the People Committee ... joining that committee, again because I thought it was a good way to meet other new people ... and it is. I taught RE and developed a friendship with my co-teacher and met many other parents. And I came to events ... The Madrigal ... mystery dinner ... Coffee Houses ... Chili and Games Nights. Attending the mystery dinner led me to join the Fun Committee. That was a committee that had my name on it, and it only meets once a year. Through that I joined the team that writes the mystery dinner. We meet, drink wine, have dinner and laugh. Thhe fact that we actually write a mystery might be the greatest mystery of all, since we have way too much fun to actually accomplish something.

And then last year I was nominated to Program Council which is a very rewarding experience in that I’m meeting so many people and learning about the many interesting experiences people are engaged in by working together on a committee or gathering for an activity.

If you’re involved at Eliot beyond Sunday morning, then you know our wonderful services are just a part of the Eliot experience. If you’re not involved, you’re missing out on a lot, and we’re probably missing the opportunity to know you better. So if you’re not sure how to jump in, talk to us in Visitors' Corner or call me or anyone on Program Council, and we’ll help you ... break in.

Judy Lindquist - 12/8/02

Good morning. My name is Judy Lindquist. My connection with Unitarianism began when my parents were in college. As newlyweds eager to start a family, they were struggling with not only their spiritual needs, but the religious education of their children. Both had been raised Southern Baptist and were looking for something different. One evening at a party, they were having a discussion with a classmate who was denouncing Unitarians. The more he said, the more my parents listened. Finally he asked, "Can you believe those people?" My folks replied, "Actually, that’s just what we’re looking for."

As I was growing up, we would attend All Souls Church in Kansas City whenever we could. It was quite a trek for us to get there, so I also often attended other churches with friends in my hometown of Lexington, Missouri. It was an interesting sampling of ideas and faiths.

In 1973 I came to St. Louis to finish my music education at SIU Edwardsville. I didn’t immediately look for a church, but after some time realized there was something missing in my life. Being raised Unitarian I decided to start there. The first place I checked was Eliot Chapel, and I’ve been here ever since.

Eliot Chapel has truly complemented my life. Craig and I were married here by John Robinson and Sandy Boler. Both of our children were dedicated and baptized here. There are many people I have met who have become an important part of my life. And being involved in many aspects of the church has been very fulfilling. As with any relationship, there have been frustrations, and ups and downs. But also as with any relationship, getting through those times creates a stronger bond.

Eliot Chapel is truly one of the blessings in my life.

Nancy Tartar - 12/15/02

Good morning! My husband Jack and I first came to Eliot in 1978, when our son, Josh, was about a year old. Neither of us had been church attendees since our teens, and were avowed agnostics, but we wanted our son to be exposed to Sunday school so he could make his own choices.

Since we hadn’t been to church, we had no idea where to go, so we attended a Christian Church with a friend and were faced with the same feelings we’d had as teenagers. Then Jack suggested Eliot. He was a Missouri Conservation Agent at the time and had given a talk at Sunday Forum, and had enjoyed the company. So we came.

That Sunday, Leonard Griggs (airport director) spoke at Sunday Forum, which I felt was auspicious, since I was at that time a TWA flight attendant.

John didn’t speak that Sunday – Bob Boyd gave a wonderful talk that was very impressive and that I really didn’t understand fully; but I was really stretched intellectually. That and the friendliness of the people around us and the music made me feel at once that I was in the right place. I wish I could remember who performed the music that morning, because the music, whatever style, has always been so impressive here and is a major reason for my attendance. Music is spiritual, no matter what style, and gives me a connection to whatever it is that calms and sustains me.

There was no reference to "hell", or "being saved" but there was a lot of talk about community and the environment and being kind. I loved John’s sermons. I was impressed with the involvement of the children. I loved the casualness – lack of ceremony – and the lay involvement in services. I started coming every week and just soaking up the atmosphere – I had been starved. After several months we signed the book and became members.

Through the years I’ve participated in various things like the Intern Committee, work parties, teaching Sunday school, Bergfried, the Library Committee, the Music Committee, Madrigal Dinner, New U, Room at the Inn, performing Preludes and Postludes, Pledge Drive, Coffee House, and singing in the Choir for the last 10 or so years – there’s something for everyone. I feel very grateful to have found this place and these people. My life has been greatly enriched.

Josh, by the way, has made his choice, but he really is a Unitarian – or I should say, an Eliotarian.

Ted Lau - 11/17/02

Good morning! My name is Ted Lau, and I’ve been a member of Eliot Chapel since 1990. I confess that I find being a Unitarian Universalist difficult, because it’s so full of tensions. (Does anyone else feel perplexed? Your perplexity is welcome here.) For example, one homeless guest at Room At the Inn, comparing us to other churches where she’d stayed, said "I like it here; you don’t have to listen to a sermon to get fed." But on another such evening, just as we were all sitting down to dinner, there was an awkward silence from us hosts – relieved finally when one of our guests led the saying of grace. I’m proud about our stand against religious coercion, but I’m dismayed I find it so hard to lead the most humble of religious acts.

Being a UU is full of tensions: One of our previous ministers believed we should not use symbols to represent our denomination, because this could be a barrier to entry for non-members. I like symbols such as the flaming chalice (once I’ve come to appreciate its history) – but I understand the conflicting roles symbols can play.

Being a UU is full of tensions: This faith tradition asks questions of me but offers no easy answers. This tradition exposes me to opposing perspectives, equally passionate in their appeal. Being a UU calls me to hold these questions open, and to embrace the tensions, sacred and irresolvable. Being a UU calls me to live these questions and tensions in community.

But when I tire of these tensions, as I inevitably do, and want to abandon this difficult faith tradition, God sometimes comes to me and says "HA"!

Welcome, and thank you for being here.

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