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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Three times the Fun!
(We will be having 3 parts to our Auction this year!)
The Prelude
A series of virtual and outdoor gatherings to happen during September and October!
The Online Auction
At the end of October. (more info coming soon)
The Gala
Saturday, November 14th, Save the Date!
Starting now, we are collecting and offering creative ideas of things that will be fun and safe for the Prelude Gatherings. (Using safety measures as always.)
For example:
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See items already in the catalog. Online Catalog.
- Invitations to places to enjoy, museums, gardens, outdoor adventures, picnics, bike rides, hikes.
- Creative backyard classes in crafts, in art, lectures on topics with discussion. All with social distancing and masks.
- Under the stars movies and concerts.
- Dinners, celebration foods, dessert of the month, cookie of the month, all delivered to your house by our talented chefs and bakers.
- Our imaginations are limitless. Offer us your ideas and let’s have a party.
Register by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, Sept 2, 2020, for a chance to win a $25 gift card!
From there you can see the Catalog and be able to Register as a bidder.
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Register to Vote
If you are not registered to vote, please do so! (Click on the vote button above to register)
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2020 Census
Participate in the 2020 Census! (Click on the Census button above to complete the Census).
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Summer Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Front Range UU People of Color - Speaker Series
An Exciting Invitation!
As part of our commitment to creating space for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPoC). Our Front Range UU Professionals of Color and Colorado UU’s United for Racial Justice are happy to invite you to our 2020 Fall BIPoC Speaker’s Series. All people are invited! The series is broken into two spaces. The “Speaker Nights” where all are welcome to join us and the “Discussion Nights” which will be for BIPoC only to share in fellowship, create, and develop BIPoC identity space in the Front Range. Click here to register. To get the most up to date information visit us on Facebook.
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Notes from Pastor AJ
Dear Beluvs ...
It is with a heavy heart that I once again write to you today in the wake of more violence against black members of our beloved community. This week, once again, we have witnessed an unarmed black man shot in the back by police in front of his children. I ask you to say his name with me ~ Jacob Blake! This injustice has led our community to once again call for an uprising in the City of Kenosha, Wisconsin and across this country which has been met with more injustice and more violence by white supremacists. Last night three more people were shot, two of which died at the hands of a militant white supremacist. This uprising that is being called for is not confined to any one particular area. This uprising is called for in the name of black, indigenous, people of color across this country. I am asking you to join me in this uprising. I am asking you to write to our legislators and civic leaders, and to protest in solidarity on social media, with your family, friends, colleagues, and anyone else you engage in your life. I am now asking you to let it be known with all that you can put forth that we must defend the least among us. The time is now to, at all levels, call for justice where honestly at most levels justice can not be found. There will never be justice for children who witness their father being shot. There will be no justice where a black man’s body is mutilated by bullets because of ignorance and hate. There can be no just where lives have been stolen. There can be no justice unless black and brown lives matter.
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The time is now to speak out. The time is now to call to #DefundthePolice and shout with our most prophetic voice that #BlackLivesMatter and finally declare that “We will not be SILENT or COMPLICIT …” with these injustices. I am asking each of you to download and display our “We will not be SILENT or COMPLICIT …” 8.5 x 11 signs to be placed in your cars, in your homes, and anywhere else you make your presences known.
Please remember that I continue to be available for pastoral care, conversations, and connections. I am available to chat, catch up etc. Please continue to schedule appointments, and calls with me. You can schedule a time via my Google Calendar or call/text me at 720-549-0531.
In Service,
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From the Committee on Shared Ministry …
The Justice League Retreat that was scheduled for August 22nd, was postponed so that members could attend Kelly Dignon’s mother’s memorial service.
So what does the CoSM actually do? Our work includes 4 general areas in service to Prairie UU:
shared resources; shared responsibility; working together and larger network communication.
Today, I would like to explain what shared resources means. To get the most out of our new database (Breeze), your first need to fill out your Breeze profile on the Prairie UU website. Once this is done, we recommend getting the Google Drive app in your App Store. This is free. At this time, you will be able to open up Google drive and find the Membership area. Click on this section and you will find the membership directory; Candles of Community; Suggestion box; Prairie by-laws, UUA GA watch parties and many other documents.
If you have problems completing these steps, please contact Rhonda Williamson. Her phone number is: 720-549-3530. Rhonda’s office hours are: MTWTh from 11:00 am to 2:00pm.
I sincerely hope this information helps you to connect to our shared resources!
Thanks for all your time and talent!!
In Faith,
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From the Board ...
Greetings!
The Board and Finance Committee had busy meetings on August 19th. The following motions were passed unanimously by the Board:
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Kim Murray was elected Secretary of the Board
- Pastor AJ was given an additional year on his contract, until June 2022
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A policy for half plate/virtual offerings was adopted (here)
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CDC Guidance for Faith Communities was adopted to guide Prairie UU during the Covid 19 Pandemic (See Here)
The Board also began the process of defining goals for the 2020/21 year. Keep tuned for the presentation of these next month. If you have suggestions for what we should focus on during this coming year, I welcome your suggestions. We are in a shared, collaborative relationship.
An important discussion was how the church leadership, such as committees' chairs, work with the MInister. A summary of that conversation was that the relationship between church leaders and the minister should be grounded on both sides in open communication, mutual trust, good faith and an open and agreed upon process. Church Leadership and the Minister share responsibility for leadership and ministry in a collaborative partnership.
The Finance Committee reviewed the 2019/2020 year end budget and the first month income/expenses of the 2020/2021 budget year. The Treasurer reported that Prairie UU finances are in good shape currently due to members pledges, income from a PPE loan/grant and year end savings for 2019/2020. The budget approved by the congregation at our last congregational meeting can be viewed on Google Documents. (here)
If you would like to review our minutes of the last meeting, they are on the Breeze documents. If you need to know how to access the Breeze documents, ask Rhonda, or go to the Tech Talk session on Tuesdays at 4 pm.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or suggestions about the Board activities.
In Covenant,
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Lifespan Education
Calling EVERYONE!
This year, as part of our effort to provide integrated, multigenerational religious education at Prairie, we are excited to call for volunteers for these opportunities:
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Focusing on Our Youth: This is an opportunity to bring your own experiences and interest to the specifically child-focused segment of Sunday worship, in keeping with our monthly Soul Matters themes. Participate on your own, a partner, or create a video with the whole family!
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Children's RE facilitators: In addition to the opportunity to build meaningful connection with our elementary-aged kids, being an RE teacher will give you the chance to explore our monthly themes in creative, hands-on ways that adults and children alike can experience for the whole week.
Never taught RE before? No problem! Soul Matters provides a comprehensive, easy-to-follow curriculum with engaging activities, media, and instructions for adult leaders, and your RE team stands ready to provide you with the materials, information, and support you'll need to create an inviting and interactive virtual space for our children and their families. An orientation session to the curriculum will be provided.
Worried about the technology? Don't be! Tech tutoring and support are available, and basic technological tips and tricks will also be covered in volunteer orientation. We're here to support you in connecting with your community.
Please contact Jen text/call 720-775-9863 to volunteer!
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Rhonda’s Ribbons
If you have questions regarding Breeze and the Google Suite I am available both Sunday morning and at Tech Talk on Tuesday afternoon.
Did you know that the email [email protected] is a way to send a message to everyone using the PrairieUU email? Anyone with a PrairieUU email address can use this email. Messages will be moderated, meaning that each message will be reviewed and either approved or denied before being sent. This communication is for things that are time sensitive and out of the ordinary, not for regular church business or announcements.
My office hours for other general church business are Monday through Thursday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. We can make an appointment outside of those hours as needed.
Sincerely,
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Service Sunday Followup - August 23
The Justice League would like to thank the 25 folks who showed up for Early Bird Service Sunday on August 23 and contributed to open space clean up and to filling welcome baskets for Bridge House graduates! We collected enough for five baskets so now they have two extra. And we collected plenty of garbage!
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School of the Spirit Teacher
The Boulder Valley UU Fellowship is seeking creative, flexible individuals interested in facilitating curriculum and creating fun and unique learning experiences offered once a week. We are open to various ways to stretch our minds, bodies, and spirits. Applicants should demonstrate the ability to recognize and articulate diverse developmentally appropriate behavior & respond to create a safe & welcoming learning environment. Creative skills such as music, nature, yoga, meditation, writing, storytelling, etc will be an asset in these positions.
Start date: September 1 or as soon as possible after.
Read all about it at here.
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ACTION NEEDED - Bringing PrairieUU Home
Beginning September, we will not be able to publish all song lyrics for the streaming worship services.
If you would like a hymnal (gray, teal or both) so that you can easily sing along at home during the Sunday morning services, send a message to Rhonda W. We will arrange to "check out" the hymnals to you.
We will be using ‘Soul Matters’, a lifespan curriculum for the 2020-2021 year. As such, it is very important that we maintain best practices for copyright purposes.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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PrairieUU Auction Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 27, 7:00 PM
Plans for the PrairieUU Auction are underway. If you are interested in joining in on the fun of planning this traditional PrairieUU event, please join us for our always fun, planning meeting.
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PrairieUU Community Garden
Prairie gardeners would love your help! In need of watering, and soon-to-be harvest time pickers.... it’s exciting times down at the PrairieUU Garden in Parker.
Clark H, aka Head Gardener, will be out for a few weeks, as his wife just had hip replacement this week. Please contact Calisse if you’re interested in helping out!
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If you have other community resources you would like to share, please let us know.
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Activity Ideas for kids - from the Lifespan Team
Employment Resources:
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Onward CO - One-stop resource for the people of Colorado impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Health Resources:
Economic Resources:
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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 Weekly News, Sunday Morning Announcements, and Orders of Service are due on Monday 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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