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 - Honoring Turtle Island
Sunday, April 18, 10:30 am
Please join us for our Sunday service 'Honoring Turtle Island'. In April, we are exploring our monthly theme, becoming. We will also be celebrating Earth Day.
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
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Sunday, April 18, 9:30 am
Kids (and their grown-ups), join us this Sunday for our K-5 religious education program! All through the month of April, we will be exploring the theme of becoming. 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, April 18, 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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Sunday, April 18, 11:45 am
All are welcome. The April theme is becoming. It is helpful to do one spiritual exercise from the monthly packet, prior to the group meeting so you can share your experience. Here are the Commitment spiritual exercises:
- Could Have Been Your Credo
- Your Journey of Becoming in Six Words
- Five Pictures of Becoming
- What Inhibits our Becoming
- Find Becoming in Our Recommended Resources
Below you will find information to get the monthly Soul Matters small group packet.
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If you have an active PrairieUU gmail account click here to access the April small group packet.
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If you do not have a PrairieUU gmail account, or can’t access it, please contact RhondaW@Prairieuu.org to get this set up.
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If you are unable to get the documents and want to start using them, email JanetS@prairieuu.org.
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Ralph Waldo Mouse Says:
"I realize the Earth is our mother. I will treat her with honor and respect."
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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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Beloveds,
What does it mean to be a covenantal relationship? Over the years I have realized that many of our UU siblings have reduced covenantal ministry and membership to a transactional relationship. In this model, many members look at membership as a form of benefits and duties or responsibilities. This can include voting rights, access to pastoral care and/or community funds, free rights of passage and other transactions such as building use for weddings and funerals among other services. It usually includes a list of responsibilities such as making a pledge and paying “dues”, participation in leadership teams, and other forms of volunteering to the organization. In this model, many times people come and go as their needs are met or not. Also, often members only participate in ways that feed them, their “pet projects” or make them “feel good” instead of seeking ways to participate in the full life of the community.
What this type of ministry is lacking is a deep spiritual connection that is required of covenantal ministry.
In a covenantal ministry, the connection to the community is about making a spiritual commitment and not transaction. When covenantal membership is deeply engaged as a model, the community moves together to deepen connection with authenticity and vulnerability. When we agree to be in covenantal ministry, we agree not to benefits and responsibility but instead to creation. We agree to work toward creating a community that is filled with among other things, love, compassion, and struggle. We agree to support the community with a vision of fullness. A vision that engages what I like to call “The Four S’s” of community engagement ~ Spirituality, Scholastics, Service, and Socializing.
As we focus on Becoming this month, I hope that we can all take a look at how we are engaging our community here at PrairieUU in becoming a more deeply covenantal community that engages the whole person as a spiritual, learning, serving, and social human being.
In Service,
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From the Board of Trustees... |
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Greetings to those in covenant:
Albert Einstein reminds us that "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." Prairie UU has some opportunities for you!
Offer to become a lay leader! We have openings in Standing and Congregational Committees that would allow you to give back to Prairie UU. We have openings for a Caring Circle Chair, an Auction Chair, the Board Personnel Committee, the newly evolving Leadership Development Committee and new members of the Justice League. New COSM members are being elected April 18, 2021.
I know that many of you are fully engaged in leadership roles. Some of you need to step away for a while to tend to self care and other demanding personal challenges. A review of the attached video about Serving with Grace, Lay Leadership as a Spiritual Practice. (https://vimeo.com/13212025) suggests that if we viewed committee involvement, leadership roles as Chairs and officers as a spiritual practice we can find these roles more exciting and rewarding. There would be less burnout. Service to others can increase a sense of belonging to the community and allows those who serve to feel like they are making a difference in our "beloved community." The author of the book (Eric Walker Wickstrom) notes that service in a faith community should be different than in other types of organizations. I am hopeful we can make leadership different at Prairie UU. rewarding and spiritual with loving care for others.
The Board has been working to define the Liaison role to Standing Committees and fully implement the role. See the Board covenant to the Standing Committees in next section.
Currently the Liaison for:
- The Caring Circle is Carol Foster
- The Justice League is Calisse Weidner
- The Core Team is Vivian Littlefield
- The Membership/Communication Committee is Brenda Peterson
When committees want support, guidance, have concerns or want assistance to implement new initiatives they should connect their Liaison or come to the Board meeting and let us know what your needs are. The COSM is defining how committees engage in our Vision and Widening the Circle recommendations. It is possible that we can become a connected community open to opportunities despite our challenges.
With gratitude for your service,
Vivian, President Board of Trustees
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THE BOARD COVENANT TO STANDING COMMITTEES
- Provide committees with a Board Liaison. (per Bylaws)
- Support the efforts of the committee in its work to serve the Prairie UU community.
- Provide financial support as much as possible to ensure the committee’s success.
- Act with expedience in addressing committee needs and requests.
- Assure that committees have open avenues of communication with the Board.
- Assist with communication between committees, as well as with other leadership and Staff
- Provide committees with access to workspace, library resources, as well as access to technological resources and training when committees are engaging remotely.
Board approved: October, 2020
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The Justice League would like to give a HUGE shout out to Deena Lawrence and Jim Rogo for their undying support of our partnership with Habitat Interfaith Alliance (HIA). This organization was really struggling with the challenges of a virtual environment and needed leadership rotations. Deena and Jim have stepped into leadership roles and soon HIA will resume their many delightful fundraising activities and builds. Stay tuned for updates! We are so proud of and grateful for Deena and Jim!! Pictured here at 2019 trivia night fundraiser! Interested in learning more about HIA? Check out their website here.
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PrairieUU Breakfast for Humanity (benefit for Habitat for Humanity)
Dear PrairieUU friends,
Hope you are safe and well! I believe we all share a vision of a world in which everyone has a decent place to live. I want to personally invite you to join me at Habitat Metro Denver’s virtual Breakfast for Humanity on Wednesday, April 21st.
Hear from health experts—including Colorado Health Foundation CEO and President Karen McNeil-Miller—about how living in a safe, decent and affordable home improves an entire family's health and their quality of life. A homeowner will also share how their lives have been forever changed since partnering with Habitat.
Don't miss this inspiring event!
Breakfast for Humanity
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Livestreamed at 8 am
You can reserve your spot for this free event by registering here: www.habitatbreakfast.org. Please select either Molly Frank or Nancy Green (the two Habitat Interfaith Alliance table hosts) in the drop-down menu. If you wish to make a donation, please note that it is for Habitat Interfaith Alliance.
For 2021, HIA is helping sponsor a Habitat home in the Aria neighborhood located around 52nd and Federal in NW Denver. Thank you in advance for your support!
I hope to "see" you on the 21st!
With Gratitude and Hope,
Prairie UU
Co-Secretary, Habitat Interfaith Alliance
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Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance - Wider Circle
Click here for more information on their good works. |
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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.
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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.
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If you are looking for more racial justice information see the following:
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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,
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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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Committee on Shared Ministry
Monday, April 12, 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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Tech Talk
Tuesday, April 13, 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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MUUved to Action
Tuesday, April 13, 6:30 PM
Meet Jeeva! MUUved to Action invites you to join us at our regular Tuesday meeting. This week we will have a special guest speaker: Jeeva Senthilnathan, a self-described Brown Youth Activist, currently a high school senior and running for Parker Town Council. We’re excited to hear what motivates her justice work and her insights on the current local political environment.
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 Meet. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Melissa B.
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Life-Transitions Support Group
Wednesday, April 14, at 6:30
Contact: Dave L
This new Prairie online support group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. You can access this meeting from the Prairie Calendar, on our website.
If you, or a friend or relative of yours, would like to attend our support group, please contact either Fran or me, before the group's normal meeting time, so that we know how many attendees to expect. If we don't hear from anyone by the 2nd Tuesday of the month, we won't bother to initiate the online meeting for that month. Thank you for your understanding.
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Wednesday, April 14, 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, April 14 to view: Maleficent
A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.
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Healthy Living Small Group
Friday, April 16, 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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MUUved to Action
Tuesday, April 20, 6:30 PM
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 Meet. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Kim M.
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Finance Committee
Wednesday, April 21, 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, April 21, 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, April 23, 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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Community
Information and Resources
If you have other community resources that we should share, please let us know.
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Bill's Be-Cyber-Safe Box - Episode 7
Bill’s Be-Cyber-Safe Box, Episode #7. What steps can you take to make your own computer more cyber-secure? I use an iMac (Apple) computer running iOS Version 11.2.3. I have turned on Firewall ® under System Preferences. This prevents unauthorized applications, programs, and services from accepting incoming connections.
I purchased and installed Antivirus Sentinel Pro® to guard against viruses and malware on my computer. I leave this application on in the background, and it watches constantly for attempts from outside to get into my iMac. It blocks these attempts and lets me know. This is what I see when I click on the app:
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There are other apps that can be purchased and installed on your device. Some are free. Just Google “computer virus protection” and look at all the options for your specific device.
The next episode will show another attempt to get into my computer, and explain what apps can do versus what you must do to watch out for attempted hacks. Be cyber safe!
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. © 4/12/21
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Hi Prairie! Here is the latest Masking ORDER for the Denver/Metro area (and Tri-County Health Department), as of April 5th:
The link to the full order:
Here are the take-aways:
ORDER
A. Pursuant to the statutory authority granted to the Executive Director/Public Health Director of TCHD, and at the authorization and direction of the TCHD Board of Health, the following is ordered:
1. Each person over ten (10) years old, when in Adams, Arapahoe, or Douglas County, must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when entering or within any Public Indoor Spaces. For the purposes of this Order, Public Indoor Space means any enclosed indoor area that is publicly or privately owned, managed, or operated, to which individuals have access by right or by invitation, expressed or implied, and that is accessible to the public, serves as a place of employment, or is an entity providing services. Public Indoor Space does not mean a person’s residence, including a room in a motel or hotel or a residential room for students at an educational facility.
2. To protect workers, customers, and the community, owners, operators, and managers of any indoor public space, and those authorized on their behalf, shall deny admittance or service and require the removal of any individual who fails to wear a medical or non-medical face covering as required by this Order.
3. Owners, operators, or managers of the businesses, services, and locations that constitute a public indoor space, and those authorized on their behalf, must post signs at entrance(s) instructing individuals of their legal obligation under this Order to wear a face covering when entering or within the business, service, or location.
4. Parents or custodians or caregivers are strongly encouraged to have their children between two (2) and ten (10) years old wear a face covering in accordance with CDC guidelines. Parents and custodians and caregivers must supervise use of face coverings by children to avoid misuse or unsafe conditions.
5. Face coverings are not a replacement for adhering to social distancing and other public health protocols with respect to COVID-19. All individuals must continue to maintain 6 feet or more of distance from other people, wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and stay home when sick. Face coverings should be worn regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status except in settings designated as not needing such by CDC guidance.
B. The following individuals are exempt from the requirements of this Order:
1. Individuals ten (10) years old and younger; and
2. Individuals who cannot medically tolerate a face covering.
C. Individuals performing the following activities are exempt from the requirements of this Order while the activity is being performed:
1. Individuals who are hearing impaired or otherwise disabled or who are communicating with someone who is hearing impaired or otherwise disabled and where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication;
2. Individuals who are seated at a food service establishment;
3. Individuals who are exercising alone or with others from the individual’s household and a face covering would interfere with the activity;
4. Individuals who are receiving a personal service where the temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service;
5. Individuals who enter a business or receive services and are asked to temporarily remove a face covering for identification purposes;
6. Individuals who are actively engaged in a public safety role, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel;
7. Individuals who are officiating or participating in a life rite or religious service where the temporary removal of a face covering is necessary to complete or participate in the life rite or religious service; 8. Individuals who are giving a speech for broadcast or an audience; 9. Individuals who are alone in a room.
Colorado extends vaccine availability to everyone age 16 and above The state is now in Phase 2 of the vaccine distribution plan, which allows vaccination for everyone in the general public age 16 and over. Everyone in the previous phases remain eligible, and vaccine providers may prioritize by age, depending on their supply. The state has launched six community vaccination sites across the state to help with vaccine administration and access. Find a vaccine provider near you. The best next step is to sign up on a waitlist at a vaccine clinic or provider near you. You can use the Colorado COVID-19 Vaccine Spotter to find vaccine appointment openings at pharmacies, updated every minute. The vaccine is free and no identification is required. The more people who get vaccinated against COVID-19, the sooner we can get back to enjoying time with our loved ones and helping our businesses recover. If you or someone you know has questions, please contact our call center at 303-220-9200, email us at email callcenter@tchd.org or visit our vaccine webpage. The state’s toll-free COVID-19 vaccine hotline number is also available 24 hours per day every day to answer questions in multiple languages at 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).
If you have questions about these orders, or any other COVID-19 related inquiries, or vaccinations, please call Tri-County Health Department, call center at: 303-220-9200
Option 2, Option 1
Thank you! Stay well, stay safe, and stay smiling
~Calisse
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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!
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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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UUA Guidance on Gathering In-Person When COVID-19 Subsides
The UUA continues to carefully monitor developments with testing and vaccinations. Last May, we recommended congregations plan for virtual operations until at least May 2021. By now, we recognize this timeline will likely be longer. As the Biden administration develops a coordinated federal response, we expect it will be March before we have a reasonable sense of the vaccine horizon and timeline for when we might reach herd immunity. In the meantime, our current UUA Guidance on Gathering offers recommendations for specific metrics to monitor in your own community as you consider decisions about gathering when the pandemic subsides.
The full link to the UUA press release can be viewed here.
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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 be prompted 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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Office Hours - M-Th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Phone/Text: 720-549-0530
Schedule an Appointment via Google Calendar
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General Office Hours
Mon-Thur - 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
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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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