To enter Eliot Unitarian Chapel's building at any time, any day of the week, everyone is expected to be vaccinated and to wear a mask. 

Reminder: Our policy is to provide additional protection for those on our staff and in our preschool and our congregation who are immune- and/or age-compromised. This policy shows our concern and care for each other. Please keep wearing your mask to church and any time you are in our building. Masks are available in Founders Hall and in the Sanctuary vestibule if you have forgotten yours.

Eliot has changed in the past nine years, but so much endures. As she prepares to retire, Rev. Barbara shares her insights, blessings and wishes for Eliot Chapel.

Masks are required at the services for anyone over two years of age. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. We strongly recommend an N95 or KN95 mask. We will have masks available if you have forgotten yours.

We will livestream our 9:15 service on Sunday. Find it at eliotchapel.org. After the stream, a recording will be available all week. You can also find it directly on our YouTube channel.

Every Sunday, Eliot Chapel shares half of the offertory with an organization in the community whose work reflects our shared values. This is one way that we care for our community and our neighbors. We are very pleased that May’s recipient is Metropolitan Congregations United.

The mission of MCU is to harness the moral authority of St. Louis congregations to work for justice. MCU puts faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good.

Eliot Chapel has been a member congregation for many years. Many of our leaders see their leaders as good friends and partners with whom to share the important work of social justice. MCU helps us to fulfill our commitment to justice, equity, and compassion for all. Key issues for MCU are breaking the school to prison pipeline, police reform, justice reform, prison reform, access to health care, and voting rights, among many others. These are also issues that we are passionate about.

Let us be good neighbors. Let us be a generous people. Here's how you can give:

The Religious Education (RE) program for children continues in person this Sunday, May 15. Note that May 15 is the final Sunday in the 2021-22 program year and Christie Lee’s final Sunday at Eliot as Assistant Director of Religious Education.

The nursery & preschool activity space will be open during the 9:15 and 11:00 am services for our youngest UUs who need freedom of movement (nursery & preschool-aged children aged 5 and younger). NOTE: The nursery & preschool room will close at 11:15 if no children are present at that time.

During the 9:15 service only: Children in grades K-7 should attend the first portion of the worship service with their family before departing for Religious Education (RE). RE is hosted by Christie Lee, Susan van Alstyne, and Amy Carre. Sunday’s activity is outdoor field games and popsicles.

We are excited to share that the playground is now open for fellowship for young children and their families during social hour following the 9:15 worship service (weather permitting). Parents & caregivers should accompany their children at all times while on the playground and familiarize themselves with the Family Playground Guidelines. NOTE: Masks are now OPTIONAL during outdoor play and activities.

Eliot children and families are invited to gather on Sunday, June 12 from 11:30 -1:30 pm at Picnic Site #2 in Tilles Park for a picnic, socializing, and getting wet in the spray fountain. Hosted by Susan van Alstyne. Sign-ups are open and can be completed on SignUpGenius.  

Contact Susan van Alstyne at eliotadventure@eliotchapel.org for more details.

There will be no Zoom Coffee Hour this week due to the Annual Congregational Meeting. We look forward to seeing you next week!

Sunday Worship – 9:15 am in the Sanctuary

Children's Religious Education – 9:15 am in Adams Hall (after first portion of service)

Sunday Worship – 11:00 am in the Sanctuary

Annual Congregational Meeting – 12:30 pm in Adams Hall

Eliot Garden Team – 2:00 pm on the grounds of Eliot

Women's Alliance – 9:30 am in Adams Hall and on Zoom

Vigil for Hope & Healing – 5:00 pm in front of Eliot

Earth-Based Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Eliot Garden Team – 9:30 am on the grounds of Eliot

Murphy Covenant Group – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

Group leaders, have you set up an area for your group in Realm? You have a secure place to chat and share documents and photos. Contact Christie Lee to set up your group.

The 2022 Eliot Unitarian Chapel Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 12:30 pm in Adams Hall.

The Nominating Committee is pleased to share that Carole Glauser is our nominee to join the Board and Steve Mennerick is our nominee to serve on the Nominating Committee. 

Just before the meeting, the Board will provide a light lunch of sandwiches and chips. We'll enjoy lunch outdoors, weather permitting.

All members and friends are invited to attend, and all members can vote.

If you cannot attend but would like a voice, you can vote by proxy. You can entrust your vote to another Eliot member of your choice by naming your proxy and notifying the board secretary at boardsecretary@eliotchapel.org. The deadline to submit your proxy vote is 24 hours before the meeting so plan to submit it before 12:30 pm Saturday.

We will be showing the meeting on Zoom this year. Those attending by Zoom will be able to watch, but probably won't be able to talk or ask questions. If you would like to attend by Zoom, an email with the link went out to our mailing list on Thursday morning. You will also find the link in our Eliot on Zoom email on Sunday.

Because of the sharply rising numbers of COVID cases in St. Louis, we will ONLY have food and drink outside of our building. I understand how disappointing this is, given how central sharing food is to community life. However, food generally means taking off masks, and we are now seeing churches with masks-optional policies experiencing outbreaks. The UU church in Peoria recently had an outbreak of 11 people from a single weekend with a memorial service and worship services. The good news is that you are most welcome to have picnics on our grounds or in nearby parks. The Women's Alliance is holding their spring luncheon in Kirkwood Park. Before our annual meeting this Sunday, people can take sandwiches outside for a quick bite, and for our brunch on May 22, people will get pretty to-go bags to take outside and socialize. There will be chairs for folks who need to sit – which includes yours truly. Thank you, once again, for your patience.

Click on the graphic to see a PDF of the information. Catch up on the ministerial transition on our website.

Our family campout is held annually on Memorial Day Weekend (this year May 27 – 30) and brings together all Eliot members and friends. You are welcome to come out for any part of the weekend whether you plan to camp or not. There is plenty of hiking, relaxing, and connection to enjoy! The weekend includes these main events (all optional):

Most choose to camp in tents or trailers; spaces in the cottage (with running water and electricity) are available by reservation with priority given to those with medical needs or physical limitations. Eight beds are also available in the new rustic bunkhouses. To sign up for the weekend, to reserve a cottage or bunkhouse space, or for any information contact bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org.

Spring also promises great weather for individuals and families to visit and enjoy nature on their own.

The Bergfried cottage, with air conditioning, electricity, and running water, is available for rental ($35/night). Contact bergfriedreservations@eliotchapel.org whenever you are planning a trip on your own or to reserve the cottage.

Please join us at a brunch in honor of Rev. Barbara H. Gadon on the occasion of her retirement. All are welcome on Sunday, May 22, following the 10:00 service for a light "box" brunch in Adams Hall. We'll pick up our to-go meals and eat together outside.

The Eliot Social Justice in Action Steering Committee welcomes nominations before June 30 for Shared Plate for the 2022-2023 church year. Shared Plate is Eliot’s program to divide Sunday offering and designated online gifts with community organizations that align with our mission. Additional criteria for nominees can be found on the nomination form here. 

In an email letter to members and friends, Rev. Barbara outlined "How We Do Church Now" as Eliot Chapel suspended face-to-face meetings. As a guiding document, it was always open to changes as we found out what worked and what didn't in our response to this extraordinary situation. You can find this document on our website now. We will keep it updated as things change. We'll also try to let you know here of any changes.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please email the appropriate staff person.

The Eliot Ride Team provides rides to church and to medical appointments for Eliot members and friends who cannot drive themselves. If you need a ride, email ineedaride@eliotchapel.org with your name, your address, where you need to go, and the date and time needed. We will be in touch to make arrangements. 

The Eliot Meal Train provides meals to Eliot members and friends who need some love and care. For example, we will provide meals for those who have recently lost a loved one or are recovering from medical care. If you would like to request meals or offer to provide meals, please email mealtrain@eliotchapel.org with your contact information and someone will be in touch with you.

Our COVID team is here for you. If you are quarantining and need support having groceries and prescriptions picked up, please email pastoralcare@eliotchapel.org with your contact information. 

As Unitarian Universalists, our faith compels us to take liberatory action! Join the Eliot Chapel Social Justice In Action team this Saturday, May 14 as we join Planned Parenthood in a “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally from noon to 2 pm. The demonstration will take place in Kiener Plaza. Wear your Siding with Love t-shirt, or a yellow shirt, so that we make a visual presence! Bring signs, water and ID.

If you wish to carpool from Eliot Chapel, we will be meeting there at 10:45 am. Carpools will leave at 11:00.

Once you have parked downtown, look for the Eliot team at the southwest corner of Kiener Plaza at 7th and Market Streets.

We hope to see you there!

The Eliot Garden Team is working to spruce up the gardens at Eliot and we would love to have you help in whatever way you can. All ages welcome! We will be on the grounds this week on Monday, May 16 at 2:00 pm and Thursday, May 19 and Saturday, May 21 at 9:30 am. We’ll be planting, weeding, pulling honeysuckle and winter-creeper, and enjoying each other’s companionship. Bring water, gloves and your favorite tools.

If you have native plants you would like to donate, please contact Terry Jones via environmentjustice@eliotchapel.org or email/call me via Realm.

Women’s Alliance will meet on Tuesday, May 17, at 9:30 am in Adams Hall and on Zoom. We’ll have a period of conversation followed by a talk by Mike Zolezzi of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Each year the St. Louis Area Foodbank distributes more than 42 million meals to people in our area who are struggling with hunger. The coordinator for this meeting, Barb Jones, says cash, checks, and designated food items will be gratefully accepted. For a list of needed food items or for more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.

Note that masks are optional

for outdoor activities.