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.

Masks are required at the service 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 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 2021-22 Religious Education (RE) program for children has officially concluded. Children in kindergarten and older should attend the 10:00 am intergenerational Flower Communion worship service with their family.

The nursery & preschool activity space is open during the 10:00 service for our youngest UUs who need freedom of movement (nursery & preschool-aged children aged 5 and younger). The nursery and preschool room will remain open during summer services through Sunday, June 26.

The playground will be open for young children’s and family fellowship following the 10:00 am worship service this Sunday (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 am –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.

Zoom Coffee Hour takes place at 12:30 pm on Sunday. You are invited to "walk down the hall" and come to our Zoom Coffee Hour! We'll take a few minutes to say hello and let people settle in, then we'll say a few words of welcome and briefly review the service that day. We typically really enjoy the wisdom story and discuss how that story reflects on the theme of the sermon. Then we'll create break-out rooms of 5-6 people for conversation and sharing. We love making new friends and the small groups are great for that! In approximately 45 minutes, everyone will return to the big group and we'll say our goodbyes for the week. We usually end shortly after 1:30 pm, but those who wish to can stay a few minutes longer. Please watch your email for "Eliot on Zoom" on Sunday morning which will include a link to join the Zoom Coffee Hour. If you're not on our mailing list, sign up here. We look forward to seeing you!

Sunday Worship – 10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Rev. Barbara H. Gadon Retirement Brunch – 11:00 am in Adams Hall and outside

Coffee Hour – 12:30 pm via Zoom

Young Adult Group – 1:00 pm offsite

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

Women's Alliance Spring Picnic – 10:00 am in Kirkwood Park

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

Immigration Justice Team – 7:00 pm in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room

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

Transitions Support – 3:00 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.

Please keep Rebecca and Charles Schuder in your thoughts and prayers. Their niece passed away Saturday, May 14 after a 5-year battle with brain cancer.

Please join Christie Lee in congratulating Colleen Lee and Adam Usry. Colleen is graduating with her Masters degree in social work from the Brown School at Wash U this week and her partner Adam graduated with his Bachelors in teaching from UMSL last week.

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.

Anything for the June 3 This Week at Eliot should be sent to news@eliotchapel.org by Wednesday, May 25. 

Eliot’s website allows us to connect to members, friends, and newcomers. It lets people know who we are and what we represent. Our church management software provider has released a new web platform that offers modern features, better integration and security, and savings to the church. We would like to migrate the Eliot website to this new platform over the summer. Communications specialist Debby Lovell is looking for a team of members and friends who are interested in representing the congregation on this project. The first step will be an evaluation of our existing website and identification of goals for the new site. No technical expertise is required. This first stage should go through early July. We will meet via Zoom, communicate primarily through email, and share files on Eliot’s Google Drive. If you are interested in participating, please contact Debby at news@eliotchapel.org. 

This school year, teachers, aides, librarians, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, school administrators, and so many others that work and/or volunteer in schools have worked hard to make sure that students receive a high quality education in a supported, safe environment. If you talk to just about anyone in education right now, they have been through so much this year with so many stressors that are out of the ordinary.

If you are a member of the Eliot community and work in a school, volunteer in a school, or are involved in the life of a student, we salute you. Education is a valuable part of every child’s experience, and your work is so important.

For those who may not be intrinsically involved in the world of education at the moment, we encourage you to reach out to someone who is to express your gratitude. It might be an email to a friend, a post on one of your social media accounts, a sign in your yard for the bus driver who drives by your house every day, an email to the principal of a school in your neighborhood, or a letter to your school district’s superintendent. Who and how is up to you! See your school district's website for contact information.

For most area K-12 schools and districts, the year will end around Memorial Day.

Reach out to an educator!

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.

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. 

The Eliot Garden Team welcomes your help as we plant wildflowers, pull invasives, prune bushes, and play in the gardens at Eliot Chapel. Join us this week on Monday at 2:00 pm and Wednesday at 9:30 am. Bring water, gloves, and your favorite tools.

Women’s Alliance will hold its Spring Picnic at Campbell Pavilion in Kirkwood Park from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 24. Members and guests will bring their own bag lunches. Desserts and water will be provided. For more information, contact womensalliance@eliotchapel.org.

Note that masks are optional

for outdoor activities.

And do we have a lot to talk about! Come to our next Zoom Immigration Justice Team meeting at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 24 to hear all about it: the immigrant families we support; the activities for summer and the fall available to all Eliot friends and families; the continuing effort of our legislative advocacy work group to achieve real change in Missouri; and a volunteer party to welcome all newcomers; and what's happening around town, the state, and nationally to bring humanity to the way we treat our new neighbors. Plus we are a joyful and motivated bunch, so be prepared to laugh and learn as well. Can't wait to see you! Get the link in Sunday's Eliot on Zoom email.

The Grief Group has become the Transitions Support Group and is open to all persons experiencing a transition in their lives and wanting a supportive community. The group meets in person in the Susan Frederick-Gray Room and online every other Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. If you would like to attend virtually, contact ktaves@eliotchapel.org to receive the Zoom information. Our next meeting is Thursday, May 26.