Eliot Unitarian Chapel - Kirkwood, MO: Social Justice in Action

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To hear about upcoming and late-breaking social justice opportunities, keep an eye on This Week at Eliot and be sure to sign up to receive emails in your interest area.

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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

EVENTS


Vigil for Hope and Healing Tuesdays 6:00 pm on Eliot's front lawn 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.		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

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. In November, we will be sharing our Sunday collections with SouthSide Early Childhood Center, an organization that Eliot Chapel has long supported.

In 1886, 15 courageous Unitarian women took a stand for the most impoverished children in St. Louis. These women founded a "day nursery" with a mission "to prevent pauperism by assisting breadwinners with young children on their hands, to earn an honest living." South Side Day Nursery, as it was known then, welcomed children of every race, ethnicity, and income level.

Over the decades SouthSide has grown, and its mission has expanded. Today the mission is to nurture, educate and inspire children and families in a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting healthy development and a strong foundation for success. Their vision is that children develop a lifelong love of learning, flourish within a supportive family environment and contribute positively to their communities. Children can enter as early as 6 months old and graduate when they begin regular school kindergarten.

SouthSide can serve up to 140 children each day. We all know the value of early childhood education. SouthSide is doing an outstanding job of providing it for children who really need it. Their work gives children coming from difficult situations a great chance for success. Learn more at www.southside-ecc.org.

Let us be good neighbors. Let us be a generous people. You can give in one of three ways:

Online: Click here. Make sure “Shared Plate” is your chosen fund.
By Mail: Please write “Southside ECC” 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 SharedPlate $(enter amount)" to 73256. A link in the reply text will take you to our secure database webpage where you can complete your transaction. Please note, "SharedPlate" must be entered as one word to reach that preferred option.

We believe we can often work most effectively in partnership.

We aim to nurture leadership and service in Eliot members and friends. If you are inspired to lead an effort, here is a guide to policies for initiating a Social Justice in Action effort.