Our Mission:
“We gather as a welcoming, caring community to nurture mind and spirit, celebrate diversity, and work for justice.”
Have a friend who would enjoy our community? Invite them to join our mailing list.
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Sunday Morning Experience
Join us for Worship Online at 10:30 am
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Sunday Worship - Imagining an Equitable Community
Sunday, January 24th, 10:30 am
One Sunday a month rather than having our regular Sunday Worship Service after a shortened worship service, we focus on Service and Education to support our community. As we continue to explore this month’s theme of imagination, how do we imagine a post-pandemic equitable community where everyone gets what they need? What concrete support and actions can PrairieUU take to create the community we imagine?
Join us for Conversation:
Beginning at 10:15 via Google Meet. This will be our space to chat and socialize before and during the service. We will also share Candles of Community immediately following the service in this same meet.
Watch the Worship Service:
Our Sunday morning service will be available live
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Sunday, January 24th, 9:30 am
Kids (and their grown-ups), join us this Sunday for our K-5 religious education program! All through the month of January, we will be exploring the theme of imagination. Our Soul Matters curriculum is specifically designed to keep kids engaged and curious over an online platform. So come along for stories, activities, and fun!
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Sunday, January 24th, 11:45 am
Welcome to our Middle and Senior High Youth from our PrairieUU and the local community to gather together. Join us for conversation, spiritual growth, and social activities.
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Service Sunday - Preparation
Get RRRRReady for Service Sunday: Open Space Clean Up +
Parker Task Force Food Drive
To prep for our upcoming Service Sunday on January 24, stock up on items needed by the Parker Task Force. See the Parker Task Force needs list here.
There are three ways to contribute these items in a socially distant manner:
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INDIVIDUAL DROP OFF - Prior to church on 1/24, you may drop off goods on the Bishop’s front porch, 8775 Little Sunflower Pl, Parker; you may text Melissa to coordinate at 720-471-0853 but not required
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SHOP AND DROP – for those of you who are uncomfortable or unable to shop, prior to church on 1/24, reach out the Justice League or contact Kim or Melissa if you would like to coordinate with someone to shop for you and drop off items.
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GROUP DROP OFF – On the day of church, 1/24, at any time between 8:30 am and 9:30 am, you may drop off your contributions in person at the Open Space Clean Up parking lot. Mask, gloves, and 6-foot distancing required.
And as long as you are there … OPEN SPACE CLEAN UP!!
Where’s our Open Space? Baldwin Gulch, trailhead at Twenty Mile Road and Ponderosa Drive (see map of area to clean below).
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What You Missed:
If you missed Worship over the last few weeks, you are invited to visit our Facebook page, YouTube or on our website to view our services.
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Ralph Waldo Mouse Says:
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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From the Board of Trustees |
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I hope your New Year is starting well! Here is to a Better 2021!
The Board and Finance Committee will be busy in early January building a Dream or Goal budget for Congregational input. A major task is envisioning/imaging when we can return in person which affects our budget in many ways, rent, need for childcare providers, a sexton etc. The current prediction about returning in person is January 2022. All of our members should have the opportunity to receive the vaccine by the end of summer, so there is some possibility we could return in September. We will be watchful of the progress made with vaccinations, unexpected challenges etc. Please review the information provided by our new Pandemic Safety Advocate, Calisse Wiedner. Clark Huff is providing commentary that is very helpful and I have been sharing brief presentations from my nursing professional organizations. We want to be safe and also meet together when we are safe because of the importance of personal contact to maintaining our blessed community for all.
Our Board meets on January 20, 2021 at 6:30 pm. Join us if you wish to share ideas and concerns. We will be considering the final nomination committee's role and responsibilities from the COSM, a proclamation about the celebration of Thanksgiving from the Justice League, an appointment of the Inclusion and Diversity Advocate, approval of the Dream/Goal budget, Bylaws change to increase the term of the COSM from two to three years as well as the agenda for the January 31 Congregational Meeting. Let me know if you have an agenda item for this meeting and please attend! The COSM has an exciting proposal about our vision, the associate program and Widening the Circle that engages all leadership groups/committees in Prairie UU as well as allows diverse opportunities for individual members to lead our community forward.
In Covenant,
Vivian Littlefield, Board President
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From the Justice League: Mayoral Madness
It appears that the federal government does not hold a monopoly on poor leadership judgement. We recently had two local leaders – the mayors of Parker and Aurora – make some serious mistakes.
Let’s start with Mike Coffman, former CO congressman and somehow current mayor of Aurora. When Denver’s Mayor Hancock asked for collaboration on tackling the Denver metro area homeless challenges, Coffman responded with a sweeping gesture of white privilege: he “lived” on the streets for one week. Click here to watch a (poor) report on this activity.
Coffman drew some alarming but not surprising conclusions from the experience that only reinforced the damaging mythology around the homeless experience: that homeless people are summarily drug addicts, that they’re where they want to be, that we as a society enable them with public aid and chicken soup, etc. His reflections are shallow and trivializing. Since the report, there have been calls for his resignation. Petitions are circulating. Click here to view an excellent response from local leadership (city councils, homeless advocates, etc.).
We at PraireUU are fortunate in that we have been able to see beyond such shallow characterizations. We’ve heard directly from people who have experienced homelessness, we have partnered extensively with Aurora Warms the Night and Ready-to-Work/Bridge House, we have heard from advocates on practical solutions, and more. We understand perhaps more than most – and certainly more than Coffman – that homelessness is both caused by trauma and causes trauma. We look forward to expanding our work this year to JUUST Living, a UU-grounded housing facility with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community.
As for the newly elected Parker mayor, Jeff Toborg, there is not much to say. It appears that he endorses the conspiracy theories that fueled the violent and deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol. Click here to watch the news report on this.
So, we have plenty of opportunity to voice our opinions and support our communities. Go for it!
Mike Coffman (Aurora)
303.739.7015 (council office)
Jeff Toborg (Parker)
Phone: 303.841.0353
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January 10 - January 25. Arise Up and Achieve the Dream. City of Aurora 35th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration 2021. Click here for the schedule of virtual events. |
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Need some reading material to get you through these next few months? Want to educate yourself on anti-racism and white privilege? Check out the new Justice League reading list here .
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If you are looking for more racial justice information see the following:
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Rethinking Thanksgiving
Let’s rethink Thanksgiving- read Melissa’s important message here.
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Support PrairieUU - Amazon Smile
If you shop on Amazon, please remember to use the special link and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchases to PrairieUU! This is through the Amazon Smile program. http://ow.ly/8zJi50BOssx
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Support PrairieUU - King Soopers Rewards Program
Our assigned Non-Profit Organization (NPO) number is UC596.
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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ADVOCATE
Board Liaison to the Nominations Committee
The Board is recruiting an individual to serve as a Board appointed advisor to the Nominations Committee. Our work with the COSM to create a more inclusive, diverse slate of nominees for Congregational Elections has led the Prairie UU leadership to recognize the need for an individual with experience and understanding of how bias can influence our choices and prevent a wider representation of diversity in our Prairie UU leadership. If you or someone you know is interested in serving in this role, please let Vivian Littlefield, President of the Board of Trustees know. The position should begin in time for our nomination process in March 2021.
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COMMUNITY SAFETY ADVISOR
The Board is seeking an individual to serve as an Advisor to our Prairie UU Community on Safety in the area of Sexual Misconduct.
The role as currently envisioned is that the Advisor would search the local, state and national information sources for evolving information, review the UUA resources in these areas and provide regular, timely information to the congregation and the church leaders. The specific role and activities can be proposed by the individual/s who assumes the role/s. If you are interested in serving in this important position/s, contact Vivian Littlefield, President Board of Trustees.
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Tech Talk
Tuesday, January 19, 4:00 PM
During this time that we may not be able to get out and be with our family and friends, communications via Video Conferencing, and social media are needed more than ever. If you have a question or can you help someone else with Tech? Computers, Phones and Tablets? During this hour we work through getting you up and running to be in better communications with our PrairieUU community and your other personal networks.
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Finance Committee
Wednesday, January 20, 5:30 pm
Our Finance Committee is vital to the life of the congregation. The committee with the Board of Trustees oversees the overall financial health of the congregation as well as fundraising, canvass (pledge drive), and auction. If you would like more information or to RSVP please contact us.
Agenda items this month will include the current state of Prairie's finances, potential ways to generate additional income, and a discussion of initial plans for the preparation of a draft budget for the next fiscal year.
Our Finance Committee is vital to the life of the congregation. The committee with the Board of Trustees oversees the overall financial health of the congregation as well as fundraising, canvass (pledge drive), and auction. If you would like more information or to RSVP please contact us.
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Board of Trustees
Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 pm
This Board Meeting is now from 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm. The Board will open the meeting to members/friends at 6:45 pm. All are invited to attend the entire meeting.
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Healthy Living Small Group
Friday, January 22, 1:00 pm
Join Pastor AJ and others in our community as we engage in a healthy(ier) living time together. We will meet once a week to share ideas, recipes, what works and what doesn’t about exercise. This will be a time to connect Mind, Body and Soul. If you are interested, please join Pastor AJ’s facebook group UU Healthy Living. Finally, Pastor AJ is also joining Weightwatchers and is inviting you to join with him. If you are interested, there are a couple of special promos that are now running but end tonight. For more information, check with Pastor AJ or sign up with Weightwatchers directly.
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Core Team
Monday, January 25, 6:30 PM
Ever wonder how Sunday mornings come together? You are welcome to come and find out and even join our Core Team. The Core Team is a compilation of individuals and representatives from the Justice League, Hospitality, Membership, Communications, and many more. All are welcome.
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MUUved to Action
Tuesday, January 26, 6:30 PM
Join us for our next MUUved to Action meeting. MUUved to Action group is a sub-group of our Justice League that meets weekly as a result of being called by our members to "not sleep through the revolution". We meet to address the urgent and immediate calls for justice action in our community. We are also joined by other Denver Metro UUs and community members.
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Committee on Shared Ministry
Wednesday, January 27, 6:30 pm
The COSM is dedicated to growing our Vision, ensuring we live together in Right Relation, and conducting ministerial oversight and connection. All of our PrairieUU community members are welcome to join us for the first 30 minutes from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm. If you are unable to make it to our meeting, you can always leave a message in our Suggestion Box.
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Wednesday, January 27, 6:30 PM
This is space for Middle/Senior High Youth and 20something Young Adults from our PrairieUU and local community to gather together. Join us for conversation, spiritual growth, and social activities.
Please join us on Wednesday, January 27 to view: Soul
Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn't quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz -- and he's good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul.
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Healthy Living Small Group
Friday, January 29, 1:00 pm
Join Pastor AJ and others in our community as we engage in a healthy(ier) living time together. We will meet once a week to share ideas, recipes, what works and what doesn’t about exercise. This will be a time to connect Mind, Body and Soul. If you are interested, please join Pastor AJ’s Facebook group UU Healthy Living. Finally, Pastor AJ is also joining Weightwatchers and is inviting you to join with him. If you are interested, there are a couple of special promos that are now running but end tonight. For more information, check with Pastor AJ or sign up with Weightwatchers directly.
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PrairieUU Men's Group
Wednesday, January 27th, 6:30 pm
The Prairie Men's Group will resume our monthly online meetings on Wednesday, January 27th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. We will continue to meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month. This month's topic will be: "Lessons Learned." We've each had difficult times in our lives...we've overcome them...and moved on with our lives. The question is...what have we learned from these experiences? During this session, we will take turns describing one or two of our difficult life experiences...and what life lessons we learned from them. Check the Prairie website calendar to join the discussion.
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TO: UU Congregations, Fellowships & Churches
Your members and friends are cordially invited to join us for our VIRTUAL Seminary for a Day on Saturday, January 30, at First Unitarian Portland. This year’s spiritual theme is entitled, Success, Failure, and Everything In Between.
Our keynote speaker is the Rev. Meg Riley, co-moderator of the UUA, the highest volunteer office of our movement. Rev. Riley spent 37 years as a UU religious professional, including stints as the UUA’s Director of (then) LBG Concerns, Director of the UUA Washington Office, and Head of the Advocacy and Witness Staff Group.
At Seminary for a Day Rev. Riley is eager to share what she has learned and reflect on how our faith’s past weaknesses, successes and failures can help us now in our pursuits of equality and justice. She will explore the topic through the lens of our work in welcoming LGBTQ+ people and the lessons that have come from that work.
Details: Saturday, January 30, 2021
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Registration is open until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 29th. You will receive a Zoom link via email before the event.
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PrairieUU Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 31, 11:45 pm
Please join us for the January PrairieUU Congregational Meeting. An agenda will be available after the January Board of Trustee's Meeting.
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Community
Information and Resources
If you have other community resources that we should share, please let us know.
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Looking for ways to have some fun with others?
Sign up for one of these two upcoming Auction Events!
Prayer/Meditation Beading Online Workshop with Maurice
$40 per person
Join Maurice as he walks us through the history, meaning, and use of prayer/meditation beads.
Each participating household will receive beading kit(s) in advance and we will make bracelets/necklaces together via Google Meet.
KID FRIENDLY
When: Saturday February 28, 2021
Jackbox Game Night
$50 per Family
Julie and I will host a night of Jackbox games (see jackbox.tv) on Saturday March 13th at 7:30 PM until no one is left who wants to play.
These are interactive on-line games appropriate (or perhaps almost appropriate) for all ages.
People participating need one device per household to use for a Zoom call, and then one device per participant to play.
It is super fun and easy
There will be a prize for Highest and lowest score!
Saturday March 13, 2021at 7:30 pm
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Calisse's COVID Corner:
As some of you may know, this past summer, I was hired to work for the Tri-County Health Department, on the COVID-19 Investigation Task Force (thank you, Janet for the reference!). Since then, I have learned a lot about giving guidance around staying isolated or quarantined if someone has come in contact with COVID-19. More recently, I serve on the Community Services team, and help people who struggle to keep their Isolation/Quarantine as they face the challenge of needing to obtain food, pay their bills, stay out of crisis, etc.
When Vivian asked me to take on this role as Safety, I was excited to help keep our congregation informed on pertinent topics around the pandemic, such as vaccine availability, the roll-out phases, and what to expect around getting vaccinated (Tri-County Health Department highly recommends that you do this, just like getting the influenza vaccine).
I will also stay in the loop of what the UUA is recommending around timing on gatherings, such as small groups, guidance around doing this, as the vaccine is disseminated throughout 2021.
Please reach out to me, let me know your thoughts or questions, or interest in helping be a fact-gatherer, as I know I'm not the only one wanting our congregation to stay healthy, and happy!
Yours (from at least 6 feet away),
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COVID19 Vaccination Schedule
When can I get vaccinated, click here. |
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Effective coronavirus vaccines are here
Although the work of vaccines specific for the covid-19 began about 10 months ago, the development of the new vaccine technology has occurred carefully over the last 20 years.
The first two vaccines available are based on messenger RNA technology, which accelerates the development of immunity. There is no risk of viral infection from the vaccines. These novel vaccines, created by Pfizer/Biontech and by Moderna, have been approved by emergency use authorization. Both require 2 injections and offer close to complete protection against severe infection. Side effects, most commonly soreness around the injection site, have not been severe. Significant acute allergic reactions are quite rare.
In Colorado groups at greatest risk of severe infection are being targeted first: medical care providers, residents and workers in long-term care facilities, first responders, and people age 70 or older.
The previous public health measures, such as masks and distancing, will still be needed for many months. Widespread participation in the vaccination campaign is critical if we are to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities against severe infection and to allow our society and economy to recover from the devastating impacts of this pandemic.
Submitted by
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Hello Fellow Shoppers!
Here's just a tease for all you shop-online enthusiasts--who also like making money for Prairie, without a ton of effort! It was recommended that we look into a program of gift card distribution--but not just physical gift card distribution. That's right! The purchasing of eGIFT cards that by doing so can benefit Prairie up to 20% of certain purchases.
With over 250 brands that offer gift cards, that can be sent right to your email INBOX or right to your home, this is a great way to purchase gifts for others, staying out of stores completely! The finishing touches are being put in place to make this available to all Prairie UU families, so be patient--we're almost there!
Watch in the newsletter next week, and on our website soon as well, to discover how this will work! If you just can't wait to learn how, send me an email, and I can give you a bit more information, and YOU could be one of the first families to register, and start earning for Prairie!
Your homework for this week is to practice saying the organization:
Shop with Scrip
Shop with Scrip
Shop with Scrip
(It's NOT Shop with scrips or scripts or scriptures)
Sincerely,
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Quick Videos on Racial Disparities and COVID-19
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COVID Assistance Funds and Resources |
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Arapahoe County Rent and Mortgage assistance for Covid related loss of income, click here for more information.
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Douglas County is offering Covid-19 assistance funds to individuals and families. Please click here for more information.
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City of Aurora Covid-19 resources please click here for more information.
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Parker Covid-19 information and resources - please click here for more information.
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Support PrairieUU
Click on the images below to learn more!
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Follow and Connect with us! |
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Get the most out of G Suite in your workplace with training guides, tips, customer examples, and other resources.
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To connect via a computer simply click the links provided.
To connect via a phone or tablet you will prompted to need to download the Google Meet app.
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We Look Forward to Hearing From You |
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Newsletter & Announcement Contributions
All requests for the Monday newsletter and Orders of Service are due on Wednesday at 12 pm. (PLEASE NOTE: All submissions are subject to editing for content and space.)
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General Office Hours
Mon-Thur - 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Office Hours - M-Th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Phone/Text: 720-549-0530
Schedule an Appointment via Google Calendar
Office Hours - M-Th 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone/Text - 720-549-0531
Schedule an Appointment via Google Calendar
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Committee Emails
LifeSpan - Religious Exploration for all ages
Membership - Visitors, becoming a Covenantal member
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Mailing Address:
PrairieUU Church
P.O. Box 1684
Parker, CO 80134
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