Minister's Message
The Rev. Jann Halloran is on vacation and study leave during the month of July. She will be returning to the pulpit on Sunday, August 12.
As always, you are encouraged to support our speakers by attending services over the summer whenever you are in town. We will continue to have great music, stimulating discussions, and warm fellowship.
You may contact Board President, Mike Spooner, in case of an emergency.
__________
How to reach the minister:
303-840-5928 (church number)
|
The Board's Message Board
In honor of our UU tradition of taking a break in July, I'll keep this update short and sweet.
I hope everyone who had the opportunity to participate in the Pridefest activities had a great time. I've heard comments about people coming up to various Prairie participants with surprised comments about our Parker location. "Are you really in Parker? Where? I live in Parker!" "Oh, look! PARKER!" One reason to be on the lookout for new visitors coming our way.
Speaking for Diane, Jan, and me, General Assembly in Portland was a great experience. With 2,428 Delegates representing 643 Congregations (more than 60% of all UUA Congregations), 304 Ministers, 4 Masters level Religious Educators, and 5,697 total registrations, Portland 2007 was the second largest General Assembly on record. Word of an upcoming nation-wide marketing campaign will be yet another reason for us to be ready for new visitors.
The Board does not plan to meet in July. Our next meeting is currently scheduled to be a Board Retreat on August 18. That session is in the very early planning stages, so times and location have yet to be determined.
My wish for each of you is to have a very pleasant, relaxing, and fulfilling summer. Diane, Jan, and I look forward to sharing our General Assembly experience with you, and we look forward to hearing about all of your travels and adventures.
Yours in service,
Mike
|
|
Prairie's Covenant
We covenant to be a welcoming and loving community,
Offering each other fellowship, sanctuary, and a joyful spirit.
We seek justice and peace in all our deeds and relationships,
And we respect and honor both the individual and the collective search
For sacred meaning and truth.
We revere and celebrate the diversity of our Earth
And are guided by the Spirit that connects all life
As we reach out to offer our best to ourselves,
Our community and our world.
(adopted April 15, 2007)
|
Our Meeting Space and Mailing Address:
Most of our meetings and classes are held at the Prairie Crossing Conference Room:
11605 S. Bradbury Ranch Dr., Parker.
Please contact Jann to reserve it. Please also contact Pam Olmstead 2 weeks prior to a meeting if childcare is needed.
Our mailing address is: 17011 Lincoln Ave., #205, Parker, CO, 80134. |
|
|
| Dear Member,
We hope to see you at one of our summer services!
|
|
|
Sunday Services
All services are at 10:30 a.m.
July 1
"What Patriotism Means to Me"
Several Prairie members will share their definition of patriotism. Special music will be provided by Paul Ermisch, Tyler Berrett, Laura Simpkiss and Deidre Thompson.
July 8
"Hymn Service"
In this annual service, Paul Ermisch and Sheldon Berrett will teach us some new hymns. Come prepared to sing! There will be special music by Connie Berrett, Laura Simpkiss, Sheldon, and Paul.
July 15
"Following in Their Steps"
Founding Prairie member and retired minister Lew Dunlap will share stories of famous UUs who were born or died in July, including Adlai Stevenson, James Luther Adams, and Judith Sargent Murray and what he has learned from them.
July 22
"Dances of Universal Peace"
From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song and story have brought people together - at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation, etc... The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless tradition of Sacred Dance.
The Dances use simple music, lyrics, and movements to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. No musical or dance experience of any kind is required and everyone is welcome to join in. Participation, not presentation, is the focus. No special attire is required, although comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is best.
Ministerial student Dana Lightsey will be our leader.
July 29
"Days of 47"
Every year on July 24th the State of Utah celebrates the 'Days of 47'-the year the first Mormon pioneers made it to the Salt Lake Valley. As direct descendents of those pioneers, Prairie members Sheldon and Connie Berrett will share with you some of the horror and suffering the Mormons went through to get there, as well as explain some of the values and culture that persist among Mormons to this day as a result. When they left the Mormon Church in 2004, Sheldon and Connie made an intentional decision to try to preserve the baby while throwing out the bath water. Hopefully, only the first two rows will get wet.
August 5
"Spirituality and Religion"
Spirituality and religion are not mutually exclusive. What does it really mean to be religious? Powell Bland, former UU and now UCC minister will speak.
|
Religious Education - Youth
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Our Fall Teacher Training has been scheduled!
This year, Prairie will be teaming up with First Universalist Church for our Fall Teacher Training. Join us to learn more about religious education for children and adults. Breakfast will be provided.
WHO: Everyone interested in religious education!
WHAT: Fall Teacher Training
WHEN: August 25th 2007
8:30am-11:30am
WHERE: First Universalist Church, Denver
Please RSVP to Kristin Famula or Susan Ermisch.
HELP US PREPARE FOR FALL RE!
"If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in" -Rachel Carson
We need YOU for our Fall teaching teams and RE council. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Kristin Famula. We need volunteers for all age groups-and we do not need a full year commitment. You do not have to be a parent to volunteer!
Please register your children for Fall Religious Education classes. The REregistration table will be set up during fellowship hour after services thissummer.
SUMMER FUN SHOPS CONTINUE!
Join us for our July Fun Shops:
July 1st-celebrate Independence Day!
July 8th-Learn Kenpo Karate
July 15th-Make baked treats!
July 22nd-Learn to Folk Dance
July 29th-Fun, Easy and Good for you FOOD
|
Caring Circle
Our thoughts and good wishes go to Phyllis McQueen, who recently fell and broke several ribs.
Our thoughts are also with Ian Pearson on the death of his oldest sister.
__________
In this space every month, we want to remember and think about Prairie members and their families who are going through some particular difficulty. Please contact Diane Long, head of the Caring Circle, or Jann Halloran.
Needs and concerns of the Prairie community are coordinated through Prairie's Caring Circle, chaired by Diane Long. If you would like to write cards, visit people in the hospital, make telephone calls or bring dinner to families and persons as they go through life changes, please contact Diane to join the Circle. Also, if you know anyone with an illness, a death in the family or other loss, or if there is a significant anniversary or celebration, please contact Diane.
|
|
Upcoming Meetings
All of Prairie's committees are open to members and friends and new members are always welcome!
Buddhist Group: There will be no Sangha until September. Contact Cindy Hanna.
Book Group: Thursday, July 12, 7:00 p.m. (Second Thursdays) Contact Chris Zanoni or Carole Furnish.
Circle Suppers: There will be no Circle Suppers until September.
Board Meeting: No Board meeting in July. Board retreat will be held August 18.
Caring Circle: No meeting in July.
Prairie's Annual Auction: Saturday, September 15
|
Prairie Represented at Pridefest
Thanks to all the Prairie members and friends who represented us at Denver's Pridefest on Sunday, June 24. Twenty participants, wearing our "neon" gold t-shirts and carrying colorful signs made by our Religious Education youth, joined with other UUs from the Mountain Desert District to show our support for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered community. Other Prairie members took shifts staffing the UU booth in Civic Center Park.
We have already received some visitors who saw us there!
Thanks again to all who participated.
|
Four Corners UU Summer Retreat
Friday, August 3 - Sunday, August 5, 2007
Sponsored by the UU Fellowship of Durango
Location: Private forest land beside the Pine River near Vallecito Lake, 20 miles east of Durango, CO.
Ministers: The Reverends James and Noan Hobart, ministers emeriti, First Unitarian Church, Denver
Accommodations: Pavilion for adult activities, shade shelters for children. Camp by the river or stay in cabins near the lake.
Activities: Saturday workshop and Sunday service led by the Hobarts. Workshop title: Engaging Change: Opportunities for Growth in Spirit and Purpose. Supervised activities for children and youth. Hike, explore the area, potluck dinner, campfire, sing, make new friends!
Fees: Its a bargain! Adults: $25; Youth: $10
Call or email Diane Long to get a contact number for more info.
|
|
|
Bulletin Board
A feature open to MEMBERS ONLY and/or UU related positions. Post skills or talents you have to share, help with a job search, etc. Items will be posted for a maximum of three months. Items WILL be edited for space. Send postings to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
Newsletters 