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 5:00 pm outside Eliot 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. Join us in front of Eliot Chapel as we side with love, for hope and healing.		UU the Vote UU the Vote is a national grassroots campaign sponsored by the UUA to support and promote UU values in the upcoming 2020 electoral campaign. What issues are close to your heart? If you recognize the importance of the democratic process and voter engagement, consider joining us in this work. Contact us for more information.		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

In June, we're sharing our offering with the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America (IFCLA). Through education and advocacy, IFCLA convenes an inter-faith community to accompany the people of Latin America in their work for human rights and social justice. Together with their partners they create and sustain programming to put a human face on the issues in Latin America. They work to end racial profiling of immigrants both in the Saint Louis region and the United States as a whole, to promote just immigration policies, to close the School of the Americas/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, to end the militarization of Latin America, to promote just trade, and to promote justice in all Latin American countries.

Eliot Summer Reads

Chinese Brothers, American Sons

“Tens of thousands of men from southern China changed the course of American history with their tireless work in the California goldfields in the 1850s and their crucial contribution in the building of the first Transcontinental Railroad in the following decade. Chinese Brothers, American Sons tells the little-known story of these brave adventurers through the eyes of two brothers, Li Chang and Li Yu, who arrive in San Francisco in 1854 in search of the Gold Mountain.… Despite their efforts, Asian Americans were the target of racism for a century beyond the opening of the railroad in 1869, and the poison has yet to fully disappear. The author's own story, of trying to fit into his hometown birthplace of St Louis, is one of the many rich strands to this broad narrative. But the story, in the end, is one of hope and triumph – the Chinese brothers are no longer invisible, they are now American sons.”

We believe we can often work most effectively in partnership.