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.
Spring Congregational Meeting
Sunday, May 23, 11:45 pm

This is an important meeting. We will be approving the 2021/2022 budget. Additional agenda items include: approving the slate of candidates for Leadership Development Committee members as presented by the Nominating Committee.” The agenda is below.
 
Please let Vivian L or Susan know if you have additional items to add.  

Sunday Morning Experience

Join us for Worship Online at 10:30 am

Sunday Worship -
Communication and Culture

Sunday, May 23, 10:30 am  
Contact: COSM and Board

Please join us for our Sunday service as the Board and Committee on Shared Ministry continue community conversations, this week on communication and culture.

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.

Stay with us after the service:
There will be conversation via the same Google Meet after the service and Candles of Community for coffee hour and fellowship.

Watch the Worship Service:
Our Sunday morning service will be available live
Sunday, May 23, 9:30 am  
Contact: Jen S and Kendra P

Kids (and their grown-ups), join us this Sunday for our K-5 religious education program! All through the month of May, we will be exploring the theme of Story. 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!
Sunday, May 23, 11:45 am  
Contact: Denard T or Calisse W
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.
Spring Congregational Meeting
Sunday, May 23, 11:45 pm

This is an important meeting. We will be approving the 2021/2022 budget. Additional agenda items include: approving the slate of candidates for Leadership Development Committee members as presented by the Nominating Committee.” The agenda is below.
 
Please let Vivian L or Susan know if you have additional items to add.  

Ralph Waldo Mouse Says:

"Learn to respond to each other with honest, open questions."
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.
Scrip Program
Hello Fellow Shoppers - Sign up for Scrip NOW!

Shop with Scrip’s gift card program makes earning money for PrairieUU easy! You buy full-value gift cards, and the retailers give a rebate of 2-20% back to PrairieUU.
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! Click here to sign up!
PrairieUU's Enrollment Code: 86B6427674556

Sincerely,
From the Justice League...
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Get RRRRRReady for Service Sunday! EVERYone – ALL ages!
 
On Sunday, 5/30, YOU are invited to carry on an important PrairieUU tradition! In the spirit of Memorial Day, please join us at the J.S. Parker Cemetery (10375 S Parker Rd) to help prepare the resting place of fallen veterans for their Memorial Day tribute.

First, the Justice League will deliver supplies to prepare yellow ribbon decorations to your home. Then, we’ll assemble the ribbons together virtually after church. Finally, we’ll gather at the cemetery (COVID precautions recommended) to adorn the grave markers. Please let Calisse, Kim, or Melissa know if you would like ribbons to prepare!
An Invitation to the UURJ Summer Series

Please join CO UUs for Racial Justice and the Mountain Top for our summer educational series, Reaching Deeper: Building Relationships at the Speed of Trust. The purpose of this online series is to continue the work of building a robust, inter-congregational coalition to explore what non-hierarchical and accountable anti-racism and anti-oppression work might practically look like, as we UUs do the work of dismantling white supremacy in our congregations.  
 
This series is for EVERYONE - and the more participation we have, the more effective it will be.  Now's your chance to sign up! Our kickoff event is the weekend of June 4th through 6th, and will have events Friday night through Sunday - including an inter-congregational, joint Sunday worship service. After that, there will be meetings for various smaller cohorts over the course of the summer. See you there soon.

Register here.

To watch a video - click here. 
Habitat for Humanity Build Days are Back! 

As part of our affiliation with Habitat Interfaith Alliance, Prairie UU has secured TWO build days this summer. August 21 is our official day (there are 5 slots) plus we were able to get 4 slots on June 5. Due to Covid protocols we won't all be building together, but these extra slots will give more people a chance to participate in this rewarding activity.  
7:45 am- 3:30 pm 
 Minimum age is 16 years old.
Questions? Never built before? Call either of Prairie's liaisons to HIA for more info: Deena 303.809.0661 or Jim 720.320.1636
Deena will be leading the Prairie contingent on June 5, and Jim will head the team on Aug. 21
Note: please allow Prairie members first dibs. Beginning May 1 if there are still openings, spouses and friends of Prairie are welcome to sign up. 

To sign up to build on June 5, click here.
(Since this isn't our official day, we will not be able to see who's registered. Please let Deena know if you sign up for June 5 and she'll coordinate carpooling.)

To sign up to build on August 21, click here.
(We can see who's registered for August 21. Jim will coordinate carpooling as the date gets closer.)
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Reading Material

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.
The Justice League needs YOU!

With the pandemic continuing to impact unemployment, eviction rates, and homelessness, our community needs information on rights and resources. We’re creating an informational flyer to be distributed at apartment complexes and need volunteers to help distribute. If you are able to help, please contact Kim or Melissa.
If you are looking for more racial justice information see the following:

  • Colorado UU's for Racial Justice - click here
  • The UUA - click here

Support PrairieUU...
Carpet Cleaning Proceeds Go to PrairieUU’s Duke Scholarship Fund

Long-term PrairieUU member Kimberly Pratt has graciously offered her company’s carpet cleaning services and will donate 100% of carpet cleaning proceeds to PrairieUU’s Duke Scholarship Fund in memory of Alan Duke. Here is how you can get your carpets cleaned and also help fund scholarships for high school summer camp and other PrairieUU youth outings. Phone Kimberly at (303) 718-3959, mention you are with Prairie, and set up a carpet cleaning appointment. After your carpets are cleaned, Kimberly will give you an invoice. Simply cut and send a check to Prairie specifying “Duke Scholarship Fund”, or go to the Prairie website and make a donation for the amount of the invoice.  
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
Support PrairieUU - King Soopers Rewards Program
Contact: Calisse W


Our assigned Non-Profit Organization (NPO) number is UC596.
This Week's Calendar
PrairieUU Calendar - Check for ongoing weekly meetings
Tech Talk
Tuesday, May 18, 4:00 PM
Contact: Rhonda W

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.
MUUved to Action
Tuesday, May 18, 6:30 PM
Contact: Kim M

MUUved to Action is a sub-group of our Justice League that meets weekly as a result of being called by our BIPOC community and members to "not sleep through the revolution". We are joined by other Denver Metro UUs and community members. We currently meet virtually on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8 via Google MeetAll are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Kim M.
Healthy Living Small Group
Friday, May 21, 1:00 pm
Contact: Pastor AJ

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.
Children's Chapel
Saturday, May 22, 11:30 am

Every 4th Saturday through June we/UUCLV/Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey and possibly other UUs will offer a children’s chapel (virtually via zoom). This worshipful time offers our children and youth (maybe other UU congregations kids) a chance to reflect on important life issues, feel uplifted through music, hold others in care, and have time to listen to the still small voice inside. A practice of worship for children and youth grounds them in their faith in such important ways as encouraging religious identity, a sense of belonging in our UU congregation/church community and a space to grow their spirituality.
We will begin our time together with:
Songs/hymns
Chalice lighting
Joys and sorrows
A short meditation
Offertory
A story followed by ritual, meditation, activity or brief sermonette
Closing ritual
The themes for Chapel changes each month. If you are able, please allow your child to have a coin for their collection basket. We, as the Children’s Chapel community, will decide how to share our collection at the end of the congregational year in June.
Please RSVP to The Reverend Gordon Clay Bailey for the password.
----------
Rev Gordon Clay Bailey,
Minister (he/his/him)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Las Vegas
3616 E Lake Meade Blvd
Las Vegas NV 89115-6306 
Spring Congregational Meeting
Sunday, May 23, 11:45 pm

This is an important meeting. We will be approving the 2021/2022 budget. Additional agenda items include: approving the slate of candidates for Leadership Development Committee members as presented by the Nominating Committee.” The agenda is below.
 
Please let Vivian L or Susan know if you have additional items to add.  
Coming Soon
Core Team
Monday, May 24, 6:30 PM
Contact: Pastor AJ

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. 
MUUved to Action
Tuesday, May 25, 6:30 PM
Contact: Kim M

MUUved to Action is a sub-group of our Justice League that meets weekly as a result of being called by our BIPOC community and members to "not sleep through the revolution". We are joined by other Denver Metro UUs and community members. We currently meet virtually on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8 via Google MeetAll are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Kim M.
PrairieUU Men's Group
Wednesday, May 26, 6:30 pm
Contact: Dave L

The Prairie Men's Group meets monthly online on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  Topics vary from month to month. Check the Prairie website calendar to join the discussion.
Healthy Living Small Group
Friday, May 28, 1:00 pm
Contact: Pastor AJ

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.
Colorado UU's for Racial Justice Educational Series
June 4-6

Please join us for the kickoff of the Colorado UU's for Racial Justice summer educational series, Reaching Deeper: Building Relationships at the Speed of Trust. This series is open and without cost to ALL congregants of the sponsoring UURJ congregations, and it is the first step in a summer that will focus on building a Front-Range wide, non-hierarchical, relationship-based coalition among UU communities. The series will explore what centering marginalized voices actually looks like in practice, with the goal of building the relationships among congregations that are crucial to an effective and unified Colorado UU anti-oppression, anti-racism coalition. 

We need YOU in this series.

Please register at the link on the flyer, and mark your calendars for June 4-6!
Contact Jen S for questions.
Community
 Information and Resources
 If you have other community resources that we should share, please let us know
We will gladly share here and on PrairieUU.
Bill's Be-Cyber-Safe Box - Episode 11

 
What are common computer mistakes that lead to trouble?
According to the British website Swift Digital Support, https://www.swiftdigitalitsupport.co.uk/blog/top-10-computer-mistakes-users-make/70

These are the some of the most common computer mistakes made by users. Details at the link above.

TOP 8 COMPUTER MISTAKES USERS MAKE
  • Turning computer off improperly : (shut down checks all unsaved work and saves files).
  • Not using backup power : (a surge protector on your power strip is a good investment). 
  • Downloading software from third-party websites: (dangerous as you may pick up a virus). 
  • Installing unverified software: (check your source before installing new applications).
  • Removing external devices unexpectedly: (eject the external device and wait till it disappears). 
  • Failure to backup important data: (always back up your files to avoid loss of your work).
  • Not keeping operating system or software up-to-date: (this is to use latest protections).
  • Clicking Next or OK without reading: (you may have agreed to install or buy something)
I might add “sending an email before reading it carefully” to this list. Painful results can follow and feelings are hurt if you said something that you didn’t even realize sounded bad.

The next episode will explore risky behavior you will probably want to avoid.
You can get help with Prairie related tech issues by joining “Tech Talk” on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. with Rhonda. Check the church calendar for connection details using Google Meet. © 5/10/21
Big changes are in the air in the Mountain Desert District and throughout the Pacific Western Region. You are invited to hear more about them and to give your input. The MDD Board of Trustees will be holding two Zoom meetings to give more information and to hear input leading up to the Mountain Desert District business meeting on June 19.
 
The Zoom meetings will cover the same information, so feel free to pick which time works best for you – Saturday, May 22 at 10 am MDT or Wednesday, May 26 at 7 pm MDT. The issue to resolve is no less than the future of the MDD. A statement from the Board follows. To register for either of these meetings, email Rhoda Whitney. Registration for the business meeting will open on the MDD website on May 19th.
 
Mountain Desert District Board of Trustees – current ideas on regionalization 
 
Regionalization was voted in at General Assembly in 2014 but has never been fully implemented in the Pacific Western Region (PWR). The Boards of the four districts of the PWR have been meeting together for almost two years now, working to support each other, align our goals, and find the vision of what full implementation should look like.
 
The Mountain Desert District (MDD) Board has spent a considerable amount of time and energy – both in coordination with the other district boards, and separately - on what the path to regionalization should look like, and what we think the end goal should be. 
 
There were, and are, many reasons for regionalization. The main reasons are:
  • Eliminating redundancies,
  • More chances to collaborate, and
  • Ability for staff to specialize.
 
At this point in time, it appears inevitable that the districts will dissolve. The positive reasons for this are the same as they were for regionalization in the first place, plus the fact that lay leadership within the districts has become strained over the past few years. As well, it seems clear that the UUA intends to operate through regions, not districts. Maybe it is time to accept this and work together to move forward.
 
MDD has an additional responsibility that the other districts of the PWR do not – we are the fiscal agent for PWR, and PWR only exists as a “doing business as” entity under the MDD. Therefore, the Board recognizes that we cannot responsibly recommend dissolving the district until there is either another entity to contain the PWR or the PWR can exist on its own. 
 
A possible path forward would be for the MDD to expand its geographic boundaries and change the makeup of its board to include directors from all of the current districts, change its name to Pacific Western Region, and have the other three districts combine with the “new” PWR. At that time, the new board could decide to turn over governance to the UUA and dissolve as a board, or possibly continue at least on a trial basis. This would greatly reduce the number of board members needed from the region, reducing the strain on volunteers. 

We need to remember that governance structure is not Unitarian Universalism, and that there is no one perfect way to organize.

In faith,
Your MDD Board
 From the UUA - Seasons of Giving | May 2021
Stewardship and Development News

“We are here to awake from the illusion of our separateness.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

It is a privilege to serve our faith alongside my UUA colleagues and sibling organizations like the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). Today, I am especially grateful for those colleagues whose work allows us to show up as global citizens, rooted in the understanding that we are bound together in a common web of humanity and ecology.
 
India is in crisis. It is hard to wrap my head around the devastation COVID-19 has caused there. The public health and economic impact is simply unfathomable. For any of you with family or friends in the center of that storm, our prayers are with you. And so is our commitment.
 
The Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program (UUHIP) is part of our association’s International office. Established in 1984, UUHIP provides aid through local partner organizations for a range of humanitarian initiatives. UUHIP partner organizations have been working overtime during this crisis to meet the needs of their communities.
 
If your congregation is planning to take up a special collection to support crisis relief in India, please consider the Holdeen Fund as a beneficiary. Donations to UUHIP can be made online or by texting HOLDEEN to 51555.
Please contact Derek Mitchell, Director of the Holdeen India Program, if you would like to learn more about their work. In addition to giving, there are opportunities to volunteer or host programs in your congregation.
 
Many thanks to all of you who support global connections by giving to advance Unitarian Universalism internationally.

And most of all, may you and yours be well and safe.
 
Best wishes, 
Rev. Lauren Smith 
Director of Stewardship and Development

Calisse's COVID Corner:
Hi Prairie!

High-level vaccine talking points

  • As of 5/4/2021, 657,905 individuals (53.8%) have been vaccinated with at least 1 dose in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties. Of those, 458,207 (37.5%) have had all the doses needed to be fully vaccinated. Of all individuals who have had at least one dose, only 21.7% are Hispanic and 35.3% are African American or Black, emphasizing the need to continue to promote the vaccine in our communities of color.

  • The Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen vaccine is an available vaccine option in Colorado again as of April 23. Colorado has placed additional orders of J&J vaccine and will continue to do so in weekly intervals moving forward to ensure this vaccine option is available. The FDA has determined that the available data show that the J&J vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.

  • Finding a COVID-19 vaccination is easier than ever. TCHD is now offering vaccination by walk-in with no appointment needed. Vaccine scheduling is also more convenient with TCHD and our area vaccine providers offering evening and weekend hours. All state community vaccination sites and equity sites are also offering walk up/drive thru without appointments required.

  • The FDA is likely to authorize Pfizer vaccine for people as young as 12 years old as early as next week. TCHD is working with local pediatricians to help support their access to the vaccine in smaller quantities. (Pfizer comes in 1170 doses with time-limited storage in the freezer and fridge, so it poses logistical issues for health care provider offices.)

  • CDC estimates we need anywhere from 67 – 79% of the population vaccinated for community immunity. According to the latest Census data, that puts Colorado at about 3.8 - 4.5 million people who need to get vaccinated. Currently, 1.8 million Coloradans are fully immunized and 2.5 million are immunized with at least one dose. 

  • While most high-risk Coloradans are already vaccinated, we’re starting to see a concerning rise in cases among children — especially among middle and high school students. We want to remind everyone to continue to rely on mask-wearing, physical distancing, and healthy habits like handwashing to control the spread among children and all of our communities.

  • Please continue to utilize materials from CDPHE and CDC to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence. 

 
Statewide mask order talking points
  • The Colorado statewide mask mandate has been updated. Masks are no longer required in indoor public spaces if 80% of people in attendance have provided proof of COVID-19 vaccination or by restaurant employees if 85% of staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • In Adams and Arapahoe counties, the TCHD face covering order applies, and does not currently include these exceptions. (Douglas County has opted-out of the TCHD order.)

Thank you! Stay well, stay safe, and stay smiling
~Calisse
COVID-19 and Your Mental Health

Information from the American Nurses Association from Vivian L.

This COVID-19 video education series will help you learn how to assess your mental health needs during this pandemic, understand the magnitude of challenges you are facing, and determine how to identify mental health support resources.
This video education series is
Immediately accessible.
Click below to access all COVID-19 and your mental health video content:


Topics that can be viewed as quick videos or as one of two on-demand 60-minute webinars include:
Assessing Mental Health
This 4-minute quick video examines various methods of how to assess your mental health.
Identifying Mental Health Support
This 5-minute quick video covers various symptoms of distress and how to know when and what type of help you need -- and how to get it.
How Leaders Can Help
This 9-minute quick video examines several mindful communications to support colleagues in times of need and the role of nurse leaders in helping their staff maintain mental well-being.
Is this normal?
This 5-minute quick video examines what we are experiencing in response to the pandemic and the four domains impacted by distress
The Magnitude of the Problem
This 7-minute quick video examines the magnitude of nurses' distress related to caring for COVID-19 patients and its implications.
Pros and Cons of Stress
This 4-minute quick video covers some of the research on stress, the pros and cons of this common reaction to events in our lives, and how to make it a positive.
 __
Made possible by the generosity of the American Nurses Foundation.
UUA Pacific Western Regions

Planning for multi-platform (in-person/online) church: the PWR staff will be hosting a series of conversation groups in May focused on the questions so many of you have been articulating to us and wrestling with about what the coming months will look like for your congregation as Covid restrictions ease. We will use a flipped-classroom model where you are asked to watch the webinars that the Central East Region Congregational Life staff have produced and then come for conversation with us and each other. Here is the registration link: join the conversation. The full description is below my signature.
 
Regionalization discussions: the journey from districts (Pacific Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Central, and Mountain Desert) to one unified region (Pacific Western Region) is underway. PWR staff and district boards have been hosting a series of conversations about how various areas of UUism will be expressed as we fully regionalize our governance and operations. This month we’re exploring Leadership--meaning the involvement of UUs in leading the region and UUA--and Programs for Youth & Emerging Adults. 
Love Right Through Forum Topics
Emerging Adults (ages 18-25) 
May 17th 6:30pm - 8:00pm PT Leadership
UUA General Assembly

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to have voting delegates
The UUA Board of Trustees has passed a resolution making the 2021 UUA General Assembly a 100% virtual event. Let’s reach record-breaking attendance June 23-27, 2021!

PLEASE NOTE:

This year, there will be a contested election for a position on the UUA Board of Trustees (3-year term). Polls open June 1 and close on June 25.


See the election information guide (PDF, 2 pages) about voting in the election.

Learn more about the candidates in the contested election for Board of Trustees Position #8. The UUA will host two online candidate forums - one in late May or early June (date TBD), and one during General Assembly (June 24).
COVID Assistance Funds and Resources
  • Arapahoe County Rent and Mortgage assistance for Covid related loss of income, click here for more information.
  • Douglas County is offering Covid-19 assistance funds to individuals and families. Please click here for more information.
  • City of Aurora Covid-19 resources please click here for more information.
  • Parker Covid-19 information and resources - please click here for more information.
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Your contributions are always appreciated! All requests should be sent to our Communications Team.
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.)

Contact Us








Office Hours - M-Th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Phone/Text: 720-549-0530
Schedule an Appointment via Google Calendar


General Office Hours
Mon-Thur - 11:00 am – 4:00 pm



Office Hours - M-Th 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone/Text - 720-549-0531
Schedule an Appointment via Google Calendar
Chat via Google Hangouts
Connect via Facebook & Twitter
Music Director - Eric Moon
Choir Director - Paul Ermisch
LifeSpan Coordinator - Jen Simon
 PrairieUU Board of Trustees:
Vivian Littlefield, President
Brenda Peterson, Vice President
Kim Murray, Secretary
Clark Huff, Treasurer
Committee Emails
Core Team - All Things Sunday Morning
Justice League - Social, Environmental Justice
LifeSpan - Religious Exploration for all ages
Membership - Visitors, becoming a Covenantal member
Mailing Address:
PrairieUU Church
P.O. Box 1684
Parker, CO 80134