Lauren Lyerla
Lauren is Emerson Chapel's Director of Religious Education. A transplant from Florida and a certified Yoga teacher with a specialty in kids' yoga, she was a member of First Unitarian Church of St. Louis for two years before coming to Emerson. Lauren has been a guest lecturer at Emerson Chapel on several occasions.
Office Hours
September through May, the DRE schedules
office hours at Emerson Chapel:
Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays by appointment.
Lauren can be reached in the following ways:
Email: DRE
Confidential Voice Mail: (636) 256-7393
Site Links
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Religioius Education
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Consistent, responsible childcare with age appropriate creative play.
We Are Many, We Are One, encouraging cooperative play and work, self-expression, and appreciation for how we are all alike yet different.
We Believe, building on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism and encouraging participants to incorporate the Principles into their lives.
Travel in Time, exploring their religious identity and learning about the origins of Unitarian Universalism in North America and the lives of individuals who exemplify our faith.
Traditions with a Wink, teaching our Unitarian Universalist traditions, in fun and offbeat ways and exploring Unitarian Universalist roots in Jewish and Christian culture.
Our Youth will be creating a fascinating church year for themselves, with monthly discussions with our Minister, Rev. Krista Taves to explore in more depth some sermon topics selected by the youth; learning how some historical figures in our movement lived their faith, and exploring ways they themselves can better articulate the good news of our empowering but demanding faith. Youth Making a Difference projects, fundraisers, lock-ins, and district youth conventions will make up the balance of the year.
High School students will break from classes at least one Sunday per month for a Youth Group meeting. Our Youth Group is part of the nationwide organization "YRUU" (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists), and meets to plan social justice activities as well as lock-ins, fundraising, outings, and other fun activities. Twice a year our Youth Group attends Youth Conferences – weekend events held at UU churches throughout our district.
About the Course
This five part series will be offered this fall at Emerson Chapel. Beginning September 10th, we will meet every second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. To register, contact Mary Fogarty at Cakes
About the Course
Will meet every Wednesday in October, 7:00-9:00PM To register, contact Maury at MenSpirit, or call Jeff Gidday for more information.
About the Course
In 2005, the Unitarian Universalist Association published “Engaging Our Theological Diversity.” This groundbreaking study, written by a team of Unitarian Universalist ministers and lay people, is the result of several years of deliberation, discussion and dialogue in Canada and the United States, and in congregations from coast-to-coast. It explores Unitarian Universalism at its deepest level, and seeks to hold up what unites us, even as we remain committed to diversity.
This nine-session course will take participants on a journey through Unitarian Universalism’s theological landscape and towards the religious values that weave its outward diversity into a unified whole. It is equally suited to long time Unitarian Universalists and those new to Unitarian Universalism.
Registration: Please register for this course through the Chapel Office (call 636-256-7393 or email Office). Registration deadline is September 12th. New registrants will be accepted once the course has begun (please contact Rev. Taves at Minister or contact her at 636-256-7393).
What Materials Do I Need?
You will need a copy of "Engaging our Theological Diversity." Copies can be downloaded free of charge PDF here or purchased at UUA Bookstore. If you are on a fixed income and/or do not have internet access, please contact Rev. Taves. We will make sure you are able to obtain the reading material.
You will also need something in which to journal as there will be a question for reflection that accompanies each reading assignment. Once you have registered, you may want to review the reading assignments and the journaling questions.
When Will We Meet?
The class meets about two Thursdays a month from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Preparation for each session includes 15-30 pages of reading and 15-20 minutes of journaling.
You can download a copy of this information EOTD PDF
Session 1 – September 18 Framing the Question: What Holds Us Together?
Session 2 – October 2 History: Where Do We Come From?
Session 3 – October 16 Culture: Who Are We?
Session 4 - November 6 Values: To What Do We Aspire?
Session 5 - November 20 Theology: How Do We Frame the World?
Session 6 - December 4 Worship: How Do We Celebrate?
Session 7 - January 8 Justice Making: How Shall We Serve?
Session 8 - January 22 Community: How Do We Come Together?
Session 9 - February 5 Unitarian Universalism: Who Are We? Who is our neighbor? Who do we serve?
For more about Unitarian Universalism, check out this link: Visitors to UUism
For a concise summary of the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism, click here.