Our work is driven by Unitarian Universalist principles including

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; 
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; 
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; 
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; 
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; 
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. 

At Eliot, we create a community of deep relationships by working toward a more just society, dismantling racism, and improving the environment. Eliot's specific mission and goals can be found here. 

Our Mission:

The Social Justice Program will inspire and equip individuals and the congregation to work effectively for justice both locally and beyond. We will continue to be challenged by the teachings of Martin Luther King's vision of the beloved community:

"In the beloved community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood."

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Birth of a New Nation"
1957

Eliot's Social Justice Steering Committee wants to thank all of you who worked to UU the Vote over the past year and a half: letter and postcard writing, webinars, screening of movies, phone banking, text banking, displaying yard signs, conversations with friends and family. Regardless of election outcomes, we hope you found meaning in new connections you made and in reflecting on and proclaiming your UU values.  

EVENTS

Vigil for Hope and Healing Tuesdays 5:00 pm on Zoom and Facebook Since the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson early in August 2014, members of Eliot Unitarian Chapel and people from the greater community have stood in a weekly vigil. We've now gone digital since the latest stay-at-home order in St. Louis County. Please join us on Eliot's Facebook page or join us in vigil by signing up for our email list.		Eliot Gardeners If you'd like to put a little sweat equity into Eliot Chapel, work alongside friends, and meet new people, please join the Eliot Gardeners on the grounds around the Chapel. Email to sign up.

See more of our recent and ongoing efforts here.

SHARING THE OFFERING

We have a longstanding tradition at Eliot Chapel of sharing our Sunday offering with an organization in our community. In January, we are sharing our plate with the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. Meacham Park is a predominantly African American community in Kirkwood. Even before Meacham Park was annexed to Kirkwood, an intentionally diverse group of Meacham Park and Kirkwood residents formed to advocate for Meacham Park. Eliot Chapel has long ensured that we have one of our members at the table so that we are always ready to lend a hand and to be part of the solution. Our representative for the last seven years has been Janet Solecki. When asked what it has meant for our church to make this longstanding commitment, President Harriet Patton shared that it was simply a blessing, that we are the only church in Kirkwood to have made such a commitment to the Association.  

 

The Neighborhood Improvement Association offers college scholarships and many programs for students, including a STEM workshop in the spring, Pride in the Park in the summer, school supplies in the fall, and they sponsor 20 families at Christmas.  

 

But this has been a difficult year for Meacham Park. COVID-19 has hit the Black community harder than anyone else, and so has the resulting economic hardship. Their well-loved Martin Luther King Jr. Day Musical Celebration usually pays for most of their programs, and it has been cancelled due the pandemic. So we’ve decided to step up our game. Our goal is to raise $3000 through our Shared Plate this month for the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. This will help them continue to serve Meacham Park families as it always has.   

 

We will let you know each week how close we are to meeting our goal. You can give in one of three ways: 

 

• Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
• By Mail: Please write “Meacham Park” in the memo line of your check and mail it to Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 100 South Taylor Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122. 
• By Text: Text "Eliot $(enter the amount) SharedPlate" to 73256. A link in the reply text will take you to our secure database webpage where you can complete your transaction.

 

The motto of the Association is Come Together. Work Together. Stay Together. Let’s show up strong for our beloved neighbors. 

We believe we can often work most effectively in partnership.