Minister's Message
The holiday season can bring out the best -- and sometimes the worst! -- in ourselves, our families and friends. These times call for a good measure of grace.
As you take a deep breath and plunge into the days of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Solstice and, ultimately, the New Year, remember to give yourself a bit of grace. Try to shrug off any disappointments -- whether these be cancelled plans or a failed Angel food cake. Say a little prayer of peace and calm for yourself -- try to make a point of not being too hard on yourself.
The most important aspect of the holidays is to notice what does happen so that you can let some joy seep in. You must prepare your heart, a bit, to receive joy. You must first learn to let go of unrealistic expectations, these are usually things for which we always wish but have never happened! Let the impossible go.
Instead, practice thankfulness -- be thankful for every person in your life, every pet, your ability to provide whatever it is you can provide, every visit, every friend, every smile. Hopefully, your list of things for which to be thankful will include Prairie, as we work to bring you beautiful, meaningful, joyful and playful holiday services. I hope you will include your church in providing holiday traditions for yourself and your family.
Grace comes to us when we notice, accept and appreciate the good in our lives -- a thank you, a gift, a laugh, a beautiful tree, a special ornament, candlelight, snow, eggnog, the smell of cookies or pie baking in the oven. And grace comes also from the unexpected -- again, a thank you; laughter that brings tears; memories that bring joy and tears; a warm embrace; a carol in the air; a call from a long-lost friend.
May the unexpected and beautiful fill your holidays. And may your heart be touched with grace.
In Peace,
Jann
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How to reach the minister:
303-840-5928 (church number)
Jann's day off is Monday, so please only contact her on this day if it is an emergency or critical. Her sermon writing and study day is Friday.
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The Board's Message Board
Like many of you, I was pleasantly distracted during September and October by the late season success of the Colorado Rockies baseball club. How refreshing to witness the surge in interest, attendance, and energy that the teams winning streak and post-season involvement brought to the whole area.
In some ways, Prairie is having a similar experience. During an early season snow event on October 21, several people mentioned their pleasant surprise at how many people attended Sunday Services on such a challenging morning. In one month, we've had two separate New Member Recognition ceremonies! At least 16 people are involved with the current session of the Building Your Own Theology class, with more expected when the next class is held on Wednesday, November 7. We had a great turnout at our meeting on October 8th to discuss our Vision, our Mission, our Strategic Planning, and planning for our Minister's Sabbatical. And on November 28th, Olan Mills will be taking complimentary photos that will be used in our Directory. It's a great time to be involved!
The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20th, at Prairie Crossing, at 7:00pm. Please let me know if you have any business that you'd like the Board to consider.
Yours in service,
Mike
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Board Members 2007-2008
Mike Spooner,
President
Mollie Cullom,
Vice President
Linda Eller,
Secretary
Mike Rodman,
Treasurer
Peter Faris
Maria Galloway
Cory Leddy
Eric Jorgensen
Amy Phillips
Trustees-at-Large
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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)
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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 Diane Long 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
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| Dear Member,
Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. Please remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night!
And don't forget to vote!
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Sunday Services
All services are at 10:30 a.m.
November 4
"Praying From the Heart"
The Rev. Jann Halloran will talk about all forms of prayer, her personal practice and how prayer can be a part of anyone's life, no matter their views on god, goddess, spirit or higher powers (or even the lack of these!). The Prairie Band will perform.
November 11
"Praying as a Congregation"
The Rev. Jann Halloran will consider how we develop a spiritual quality of prayer and meditation as a congregation in worship, in our work for social justice and in all aspects of church life. Celtic and Gaelic singer/performer Rudy Ramsey will provide special music.
November 18
"A Service and A Feast of Thanksgiving"
The Rev. Jann Halloran will lead a service on themes of Thanksgiving, and our Prairie Band will perform. The service will be followed by our Traditional Thanksgiving Pot Luck Feast (an extended Fellowship Hour). As always, Jann and Michael will bring roast turkey. If your last name begins A-H, please bring a main dish or side dish (lasagna, mashed potatoes, corn, etc.); if your last name begins I-P, please bring a salad, bread or rolls; and if your last name begins R-Z, please bring a dessert. If you have a Thanksgiving specialty, don't feel constrained, please bring it and join us for one of our best Sunday traditions! If you would like to help with planning and set up for the feast, please contact Jann.
November 25
"Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"
Robert Fulghum is a UU minister and author of numerous bestselling books. Prairie member Diane Long will share some of Rev. Fulghum's wisdom and humor, and speak about how this "stealth missionary" for UUism converted her.
All "Change for the World" this month will go to support our own Religious Education program.
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Religious Education - Youth
FALL FESTIVAL!
This years FALL FESTIVAL was lots of fun! Our children and youth enjoyed a Magic Show Fun Shop by a professional magician-and attended our Fall Festival after the service-complete with balloon animals, games, cookie decorating and more! Thanks to Gail Barr and our Middle School class for helping organize and run the fall festival!
Job Opening
As Prairie grows larger, so does our Religious Education Program. We are so happy to have an active group of children and youth each Sunday. Our child care class has grown to 10-and as such, we will need to hire an additional child care provider! We are looking for an adult child care leader for our youngest children, to help our current high school child care providers. Please let Kristin Famula know if you would be interested in this position-or if you know of someone else who would like to work with our youngest children.
COA/YRUU fundraiser
Our Coming of Age (COA) youth and our High School Youth Group (YRUU) will team up for a Thanksgiving bean and soup fundraiser to raise money for a summer camp or GA trip. Please watch for them on November 18th after the service.
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Caring Circle
Welcome to all our new members:
Melissa Bishop
Jeannene Bragg and Dane Torbenson
Lisa D'Agostino and David Ragsdale
Rose Duhaime
Jessa and Mike Fee
Vincent Halpin
Spring Lea Henry
Spenser Lee
Rachel Simpkiss
Marge Thury
Chuck Wheeler and Shelly Montgomery
We are so glad you're with us!
Help Needed for Mike and Jenny Rodman. They take care of their granddaughters and need childcare help in their home while Jenny is recovering from surgery. Contact Jann if you know someone willing to make some extra money or if you can help with a shift.
Our thoughts are with Jeannene Bragg, Dane Torbenson and their daughter Clio, who are on their way to China to pick up a new daughter and sister!
And also with Jessa and Mike Fee who have a new foster-adopt baby.
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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.
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Upcoming Meetings
All of Prairie's committees are open to members and friends and new members are always welcome!
Snow and Bad Weather -- Most of Prairie's committee meetings and classes will be canceled if there is inclement weather. Please check with your committee chair or facilitator before venturing out on a questionable evening! When possible, cancellations also will be noted on our church phone and by email.
We will hold Sunday morning services as long as Prairie Crossing is open.
Board Meeting: Tuesday, November 20, 7:00 p.m., Prairie Crossing
Book Group: Thursday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. (Second Thursdays) The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. Contact Chris Zanoni or Carole Furnish.
Building Your Own Theology: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Prairie Crossing on November 7, 14, 28; December 5, 12, 19; and January 9, 23 and 30th.
Caring Circle: December 6, 7:00 p.m., Prairie Crossing
Circle Suppers: Saturday, November 10 (Second Saturdays) Contact Jenny Rodman for details.
Committee on Ministry: Thursday, November 29, 6:00 p.m., Gail Barr's home
Green Team: Friday, November 12, 7:00 p.m., Prairie Crossing
Religious Education Council: Thursday, November 15, 6:30 p.m., Susan Ermisch's home
Social Justice Committee: Sunday, November 11 (Second Sundays), 12:45 p.m., Tea Leaves in Parker
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Lay Ministry
The Caring Circle is sponsoring a new Lay Ministry Program for Prairie. We are looking for people who want to view their service to the church as a form of ministry. Our Lay Ministry Team will meet monthly and develop together a plan of further education which will include active listening, grief and dying counseling, the worship arts, spiritual development, non-violent communication and social justice outreach.
Lay Ministers will agree to a two-year commitment in their area of interest and will be recognized by the congregation.
To learn more, or if you are interested in participating, please contact Jann Halloran or Diane Long, chair of the Caring Circle.
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Habitat Home Dedication
Please join Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver and Habitat Interfaith Alliance at the Luna family's home dedication ceremony!
Where?
3511 Williams St.
Denver, CO 80205
Map
When?
Sunday, November 4th, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
What?
Dedication ceremony, home tour, and refreshments
Who?
The Luna family, home sponsor groups, Habitat staff & volunteers, friends and family
Why?
Because Habitat home dedications are great fun!
Come enjoy a moment when we are not needing to raise money or pound nails, but instead have the opportunity to see the wonderful Luna family get the key to their new home! Prairie members have worked hard building the Luna home, as well as bringing lunches to the workers, selling pumpkins at the Pumpkin Patch, and participating in the golf tournament and soup cook-off. Come and see the fruits of your labor first hand.
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| Holiday Greenery
Help send our youngsters to camp!
They are selling wreaths and other holiday greenery this year from Sherwood Forest Farm. Prices range from $10 - $25. Orders need to be in by November 4! Delivery will be December 2 at church. See the display at church on Sunday, November 4. You can also order items to send to family & friends delivered directly to their door at a slightly higher cost.
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UUs for a Slave Free Mauritania
You are invited to participate in a sponsored hike for a Slave Free Mauritania along with First Universalist Church of Denver. The purpose is to celebrate our freedom with a FUN event and at the same time create a powerful statement to raise public and media attention. Funds will support a micro lending program to help former slaves start a new life in Mauritania.
Sunday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Mt. Falcon Open Space Park - Upper (West Lot), Morrison
For a sponsorship form, driving directions, or to donate even if you can't do the hike, click here.
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Bulletin Board
Jann and Michael Halloran have an antique, upright piano (in good shape!) which they would be happy to give away to someone willing to bear the expense of transporting it to their home (usually $50-$100 for a professional mover). Please contact Jann if you are interested.
A feature for 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
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