The Open Questions created by the Board are designed to help us learn what is important to the congregation so that we can continue to update the Rolling Roadmap for the coming years. On January 11, Reverend Krista’s service focused on the second of these Open Questions: “With whom in the community shall we engage in loving relationship?” Afterwards, the Board of Trustees hosted discussion forums with Eliot members, both in person and online, to discuss this question. Participation in the discussions was again robust, with nearly 50 members taking part. Attendees shared their thoughts, and vibrant discussions took place.

On March 8, Reverend Krista will be introducing the third Open Question for this year, and afterwards we will again host in-person listening sessions immediately following each service, and again via Zoom in the days that follow. Be on the lookout for the official details to come in the next few weeks!

For Open Question #2, see below for a summary of the feedback we received about whom we might engage with (or increase engagement with) in our local community:

Summary of Second Open Question forums:

• Partner with local Kirkwood/area churches (U.C.C as well as A.M.E were mentioned)

• Engage with Aging Ahead – who support seniors & the elderly

• Engage more with the local community/neighborhood

• Host open house events

• Host community discussion forums

• Do more lobbying with local politicians and local canvassing about social justice issues

• Engage with Conservatives to foster conversations

• Engage with area Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce

• Advertise or do events at local community colleges (to engage the younger crowd)

• Use music as a tool to foster collaboration and visibility with local organizations (e.g. choir exchanges, or open mic nights, etc)

• Do more with the UUA

• Partner with the Ethical Society on events

• Partner with local libraries for reading/story-time events

• Engage with the Equal Justice Initiative and/or Immigration Rights organizations

• Build relationships with the Black and other non-white communities (e.g. Meacham Park STEM outreach)

• Engage our allies, so we should partner with local artists on events

• Engage with local schools, like we used to do with Southside Development Center

• Engage more with Meacham Park

– Summary created by Board Member Matthew Hull