News and Announcements

Sermon by Rev. Krista Taves, Guest Minister: “Unitarians and Universalists” - Every religion has a theology of salvation that speaks about what we see as evil and how to protect ourselves from it. Unitarian Universalism is no exception. We explore the strengths and weaknesses of how UUs engage evil and our salvation from it.

Rev. Krista Taves is the minister of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel in Ellisville.

Adult Education, 9 a.m.
- Transcendentalists (Clark Room)

Religious Education classes for children, 10 a.m.

OWL Classes, 10 a.m. (Classroom C8)

Hope Children’s Choir, 11:15 a.m. (Choir Room)

Adult Education, 11:30 a.m.
- Bible Study (Classroom C1)

Tags: Adult Education, Children, Religious Education, Sermons, Speakers, Sunday morning, Unitarian Universalists, Worship by admin

Sermon by Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister: “Our Pilgrim Church” - In our annual Thanksgiving service, we celebrate both our history as part of this nation’s Puritan-Pilgrim experience and our place as contemporary pilgrims of the spirit. We’ll enjoy Cornbread Communion as part of the service.

Guest at Your Table boxes will be distributed: Guest at Your Table supports the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, an independent human rights organization. Every time you have a meal or snack, make a monetary contribution to the box to share the blessing and bounty of your meal and home with others around the world. The boxes will be collected and one donation made to the UUSC in the name of our church.

Adult Education, 9 a.m.
- Transcendentalist Movement (Clark Room)
- Bible Study (Classroom C1)
- Transylvanian Unitarianism (Classroom C8)

Religious Education for children, 10 a.m. (Education wing)

Green Sanctuary committee meeting, 9:00 a.m.

Sandwich-making for the homeless, 9:15 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)

Hope Children’s Choir Rehearsal, 11:15 a.m. (Choir Room)

Care and Concern Committee meeting, 11:15 a.m. (Clark Room)

Winter Solstice meeting, 11:15 a.m. (Classroom C1)

Tags: Adult Education, Children, Green Sanctuary, Music, Religious Education, Sandwich-making, Sermons, Sunday morning, UUSC, Unitarian Universalists, Worship by admin

The third session of the Introduction to Unitarian Universalism class for newcomers to the church and others who are interested in learning about the basic traditions of our faith will be held on Tuesday, November 17.

In this 3-part class, we trace the development of Unitarianism in Europe and America, read excerpts from some of the leading ministers and authors who helped define Unitarian Universalism, and discuss the 175-year history of our own congregation.

The class is led by Rev. Samuel Schaal and Stuart Yoak. It meets on Tuesday evenings: Nov. 3, 10, and 17 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Contact Rev. Schaal through the church office (314-361-0595) or Stuart at adult.education@firstuustlouis.org for more information.

Tags: Adult Education, Unitarian Universalists by admin

The second session of the Introduction to Unitarian Universalism class for newcomers to the church and others who are interested in learning about the basic traditions of our faith will be held on Tuesday, November 10.

In this 3-part class, we trace the development of Unitarianism in Europe and America, read excerpts from some of the leading ministers and authors who helped define Unitarian Universalism, and discuss the 175-year history of our own congregation.

The class is led by Rev. Samuel Schaal and Stuart Yoak. It meets on Tuesday evenings: Nov. 3, 10, and 17 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Contact Rev. Schaal through the church office (314-361-0595) or Stuart at adult.education@firstuustlouis.org for more information.

Tags: Adult Education, Unitarian Universalists by admin

The Adult Education Committee will hold an Introduction to Unitarian Universalism class in November for newcomers to the church and others who are interested in learning about the basic traditions of our faith.

We’ll trace the development of Unitarianism in Europe and America, read excerpts from some of the leading ministers and authors who helped define Unitarian Universalism, and discuss the 175-year history of our own congregation.

The class will be led by Rev. Samuel Schaal and Stuart Yoak. It will meet on Tuesday evenings: Nov. 3, 10, and 17 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Contact Stuart at adult.education@firstuustlouis.org for more information.

Tags: Adult Education, Unitarian Universalists by admin

UU congregregations across the country are now discussing the Peacemaking Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) adopted at GA 2006. Congregations are to vote by February 1, 2009 on the draft Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking to be posted at the UUA Commission on Social Witness website by November 15, 2008. A final UUA statement on this issue is to be adopted at the GA 2009 in Salt Lake City next June 24-28.

The Study/Action Issue adopted at the 2006 GA started with the question: “… should the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) reject the use of any and all kinds of violence and war … and adopt a principle of seeking just peace through nonviolent means.” Although some interpreted this as a call for debate between just war and pacifist perspectives, the Peacemaking CSAI Core Team believes that the heart of peacemaking is seeking to find solutions that encompass all truths, rather than creating a competitive battle between two positions. To learn more visit the Peacemaking issue page at the UUA website.

Our congregation needs someone to lead discussions on this issue. Ron Glossop is leading discussions at the First Unitarian Church in Alton, Illinois and is ready to work with anyone who takes the lead here.

If you would like to be our congregational leader on this issue, contact Joanne at program.council@firstuustlouis.org.

Tags: Adult Education, Social Responsibility, St. Louis UU Community, Unitarian Universalists by admin

To help us build a stronger sense of community during this time of transition, the Board has decided to experiment with having only one service on Sunday mornings, beginning on Homecoming Sunday, Sept. 7, and extending through Oct. 19. The service will be at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Toward the end of the trial period, members and friends  will be asked for feedback on this experiment, which will be vital in determining the service schedule in the future.

Based on attendance figures at both services during the past year, space in the Sanctuary and R.E. classrooms appears adequate to handle all in one service, except perhaps at certain holidays. With regard to the issue of parking space, the parking available–in both our lot and CRC’s, as well as on Kingshighway and Waterman Boulevards–seems to be adequate.

Nancy Belt, Church President

Tags: Board, Unitarian Universalists, Worship by admin

On Wednesday night, July 30, a memorial vigil at Eliot Chapel, led by Rev. Daniel O’Connell and Rev. Bonnie Vegiard of Eliot Chapel, Rev. Khleber Van Zandt of First Unitarian Church of Alton, and Rev. Krista Taves of Emerson Chapel, honored the memory of those killed and wounded in the attack at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Sunday, July 27, 2008.

A number of First Church members attended the vigil, in which music by members and friends of Eliot Chapel graced the chapel and solemn prayer reminded us that while we acknowledge and may even pay tribute to the manner in which someone has died, especially in moments of heroism, we must emphasize and honor the life that each person has lived. As important, the theme of what Unitarians are called to do—to seek truth, to work for justice, to reach for a higher light, and, most difficult of all, to forgive even the worst offense—offered sustenance to those in attendance.

The service closed as a young church member sang “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow,” from the musical Annie, which was being performed by children and youth when the gunman entered the sanctuary and began his assault. As the young girl sang, congregants passed on the chalice’s flame, symbolizing our own internal light, our connection to the wider community of Unitarian Universalists, and our belief that the light of our free faith will never be extinguished.

— Teresa Sweeney

Tags: St. Louis UU Community, Unitarian Universalists by admin

This Wednesday, July 30, at 7 p.m., there will be a prayer vigil at Eliot Unitarian Chapel, 216 E. Argonne, in Kirkwood, for those involved in the tragedy yesterday at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, in Knoxville, Tenn. All UU churches in the St. Louis area are helping organize the service.

Tags: Board, St. Louis UU Community, Unitarian Universalists by admin

Remember the Tennessee Valley congregation in your thoughts and prayers as they try to recover from the deaths of two persons and injuries to seven others as a result of a man’s coming into their service yesterday and firing a shotgun into the sanctuary, which was filled with some 200 people. (At the time, about 25 children and youth in the church’s Summer Workshop were presenting a version of the musical Annie Jr.!) Killed were Greg McKendry, a Board member serving as an usher, who stood between the man and the children and youth performing; and Linda Kraeger.

The man charged with first-degree murder in the incident, Jim D. Adkisson, who has no connection to the church, was subdued by church members and held for authorities. In case the shooting turns out to be a hate crime, the FBI is assisting in the case.

In a letter posted yesterday on the UUA website, the Rev. William G. Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), said that members of the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry were on their way to Knoxville to offer additional ministry to the congregation as it grieves.

Our church has set up a fund for the Tennessee Valley congregation-something several of our members suggested. To donate to it, you may make a check payable to First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, write “Tennessee Valley Fund” on the memo line, and convey it to our church office. In addition, there will be a special offering for this fund at our service next Sunday, August 3. We plan to send our donation to the Tennessee church by Monday, August 11.

Flowers will be sent today to the minister, Board, and congregation of Tennessee Valley, in care of the neighboring church in which they are holding a candlelight service tonight. Additional means of showing support are being considered by the Executive Committee.

Tags: Board, Unitarian Universalists by admin