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

Battle Crabgrass Creep in Fillmore Park! Thursday, October 11 9:00 am Join us in community service in our "adopted" pocket park. Eliot volunteers meet and greet in shelter then spend an hour or so ID-ing, loosening, and removing weeds, deadheading flowers as needed, and doing a once over for usually minimal trash. Email for more information.		Welcome Neighbor STL Supper Club Friday, October 12  6:00 pm   Eliot Chapel and Cosecha will co-host a home-cooked Mexican dinner and conversation with local DACA recipients. Help build bridges, not walls, in our hometown! Register here – these dinners sell out fast!		Vigil for Hope and Healing Tuesday, October 16 6:00 pm Since the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson early August of 2014, members of Eliot Unitarian Chapel and people from the greater community have stood in a weekly vigil. Join us as we stand with love, for hope and healing.
Merchants of Doubt Viewing Monday, October 22 7:00 pm Looking for a scary movie to get in the mood for Halloween? Enjoy this satiric and illuminating peek into the heart of American spin. See the pundits who present themselves as experts but who have the real aim of sowing confusion about well-studied public threats ranging from toxic chemicals to pharmaceuticals to climate change.		Changing Systems, Changing Ourselves Wednesday, November 7, 14, 28 & December 5 6:00 to 8:00 pm Wondering what "Sanctuary 2.0" means? Join us as we screen this successful four-part webinar series, engaging in group discussion and delving deep into essential readings. Email us to register.
Eliot All-Reads October-December Groups are forming to read and discuss Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment as well as Waking Up White by Debbie Irving. Contact us to find out about meeting times.		Room at the Inn Eliot Chapel is in its 26th year of involvement with Room at the Inn and its work to provide transportation, to cook and serve a hot meal, to host a bed and breakfast, and to do laundry every week. Would you like to volunteer in this fulfilling mission? Contact us!		Kirk Care Volunteers Eliot's active Kirk Care volunteers welcome you to join them in the work of this important area non-profit which works to reduce hunger and poverty in Kirkwood's R-7 School district. Contact them to find out the many ways you can help.

See more of our recent and ongoing efforts here.

SHARING THE OFFERING

Our Shared Plate recipient for October is the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA Project). MICA is a community organization committed to working with low-income immigrants to overcome barriers to justice. The MICA Project utilizes legal services, organizing, advocacy, and education to promote the voice and human dignity of immigrant communities. The MICA Project utilizes a combination of community outreach and legal services to promote the voice and dignity of immigrant communities, taking a proactive approach that provides immigrants with the information and resources they need before legal issues arise, and legal representation when they do.  

The Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA Project) was founded in 2011 by law students Nicole Cortés and Jessica Mayo. Less than 10% of MICA Project revenues come from client fees. They reached more than 500 clients last year. And still the need outpaces their ability to meet it. MICA could take only 14 of the 47 potential clients who called in January 2018. The MICA Project is committed to working with low-income immigrants to overcome barriers to justice. Your contributions will increase capacity, networks and access to immigrant communities in the region.

We believe we can often work most effectively in partnership.