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 - Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, July 25, 10:30 am
(This is an in-person meeting)
Please join us outside and in-person for a Blessing of the Animals at 10:30 am on July 25th, at the Stonegate Park/Gazebos, across the street from Pine Grove Elementary School in Parker.
Bring your chairs! Melissa B will lead our service and you are invited to bring your animals to church, as safely as possible, for an animal blessing. Please consider using leashes, carriers, cages and other ways to protect your pets and animals!
Pictures of animals also are welcome, and pictures of those you are remembering can be placed on our altar table. We celebrate our interdependent web of life and the importance of these family members in our lives. We will be attempting to stream the service via Facebook.
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Ralph Waldo Mouse Says:
"Healing yourself is connected to healing others.."
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From the Board of Trustees... |
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The 8th Principle: Building Our Community
I hope you found Sunday's worship and discussion as inspiring and encouraging as I did. Paula Cole Jones brought us a critical message about our UUA efforts to fully implement a multicultural, anti-racist congregation with respect and love for all members using our collective power to change our culture, nourish our souls and unify our congregation. Paula offered to do a workshop on how to build this beloved community through her Consulting Firm. The Board built in funds for guest speakers. If you would like to schedule this for PrairieUU, let me know.
In Covenant,
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Justice League and M2A take a summer break!
Please note that the Justice League and M2A will not be meeting over the summer UNLESS something happens in our community and/or our world that “MUUves” you to action, in which case, please reach out to Kim M. to call an impromptu M2A meeting.
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Virtual Hot Topic: Critical Race Theory & Religion
As we learn more about 8th principle, it seems especially appropriate for us to examine critical race theory. You likely have heard this phrase come up in a variety of circles. While this conversation originally started in the education sector, specifically law school, it is now under discussion seemingly everywhere. Why might we discuss it in the church setting? Because the backlash against its misinterpretation and misuse is causing significant harm and violates several if not all of our faith principles, let alone the 8th one. Please take some time to learn more about this. Here are some resources:
Resources:
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The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby
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How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice by Jemar Tisby
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White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
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White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy In American Christianity by Robert P. Jones
Books by the creators of Critical Race Theory
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And We Are Not Saved by Derrick Bell
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Faces at The Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism by Derrick Bell
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Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings that Formed the Movement by Kimberle Crenshaw
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On Intersectionality by Kimberle Crenshaw
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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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If you are looking for more racial justice information see the following:
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Colorado UU's for Racial Justice - click here
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The UUA - click here
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UUA Pacific Western Region (PWR) - July Newsletter
Click here to read the Pacific Western Region (PWR) UU July 2021 newsletter.
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CO UURJ Summer Conversations
Monday, July 19, 6:00 pm
JEDI/Diversity & inclusion/etc. groups (generally inward-facing, examining and dismantling systemic racism in our congregations)
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Tech Talk
Tuesday, July 20, 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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Tuesday Book Group - See No Stranger
Tuesday, July 20, 6:30 PM
We will meet Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 with both an in-person and a virtual option. See the Full Schedule here. Plan to spend an hour prior to get-togethers reading and reflecting. We will be using a Reader's Guide recommended by Valarie's Revolutionary Love Project. I hope you will attend and participate as you are able. Please sign-up here!
In addition to supporting Prairie with your heart, you can purchase the book and support Prairie financially at the same time. Learn how here. Let Calisse help you set up Amazon Smile and the very profitable Shop with Scrips Program to purchase your book through Amazon and benefit Prairie by doing what you would be doing anyway! As you well know, every little bit helps! Please contact Calisse for help. She'll talk you through or even come visit you in-person to make it happen!
We invite all of our Prairie members and friends to join us. Please contact Melissa with any questions.
See No Stranger: A Memoir & Manifesto of Revolutionary Love. “This book is for anyone who feels breathless. Maybe moving through this world, in your body, is enough to make you feel constriction in your chest… Your breathlessness is a sign of your bravery. It means you are awake to what’s happening right now: The World is in transition.” She goes on to describe her philosophy of Revolutionary Love as “the choice to enter into wonder and labor for others, for opponents, and for ourselves in order to transform the world around us." Join me and let's read it together beside and holding each other. Valarie literally provides a compass to guide us. She has many opportunities to deepen our learning as well.
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Finance Committee
Wednesday, July 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, July 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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Sunday Worship, White Supremacy Teach-In
Sunday, August 1, 10:30 am
Pine Grove Elementary School (outdoors)
Please join us outside and in-person at the Stonegate Park/Gazebos across the street from Pine Grove Elementary School in Parker, on August 1st, for our latest White Supremacy Teach-In.
Have you wondered what our youth think about the term "White Supremacy"? Do they find it divisive or somehow see it as part of a path ahead to Love and Healing? We will hear from our very own, Octavia Pratt who delivered a powerful message at Prairie's High School Youth Camp. Come grow in faith as we answer the call of our BIPOC siblings. Efforts will be made to stream the service via Facebook Live.
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Prairie Garage/Bake Sale -
Friday, August 20 and Saturday, 21th - Notice Date Change
Hi PrairieUU Peeps!
Are you ready to contribute to the Prairie Garage/Bake Sale?
The garage sale will be at Vivian Littlefield's home in Stonegate...thank you Vivian! This will be the 6th or 7th one over the years and I'm certain there's some STUFF you want to contribute!
Please find me, Brenda P, at 303-522-7988 by phone or text anytime with your interest and questions. I'll need some helpers in the days beforehand to help sort and price and set up. And I'll need several helpers in shifts during the Friday and Saturday Sale. Sunday is also a big day as I want to make sure to get everything out of Vivian's garage AFTER the sale, so someone willing to help that has an open bed truck is appreciated (and some muscles).
I have a cool Lemonade Stand 'prop' if there is a kiddo or two, with a parent, that would like to partake in keeping everyone cool and refreshed, including our shoppers.
P.S. if you have a large item you'd like sold with proceeds going to Prairie, let me know. I can possibly help.
Again, Brenda P at 303-522-7988. This is really something to look forward to!! Thanks ya'll.
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Soul Matters Retreat
Spinning Gold
An Online, Creative Practice Retreat
Friday, August 13 - Sunday, August 15
On August 13-15 (with a short Aug 11 kick off and connection meeting), we're holding our first ever Soul Matters retreat!
It will be online and combine the best of our small group discernment work with the expressive arts!
Our Facilitators: Elizabeth McKoy (Creative Matters Coordinator), Rev. Scott Tayler (Soul Matters Team Lead) and Dani Swint (guest Yoga teacher)
Our Theme: The past year and a half has been full of loss, trauma, fear, uncertainty and division. It's also contained growth, beauty and gifts. We're different now, in ways that we've not fully recognized yet. This online retreat is about stepping back to notice those changes and integrating them so we move into a "new normal," not just return to normal.
Our Framework: Influenced by the field of post-tramatic growth, we will focus on three areas of exploration:
- Where We've Been: How do we look back in a way that enlarges our story and helps us see the fullness of what we've been through? How can we witness to each other's experience in a way that helps us heal?
- Where We are Now: How are we different than we were? What is shifting inside us and around us? What new thing is trying to be born through the struggle and loss of the past year and a half ?
- Where We're Going: What do we want to hold on to? How do we want to redraw our maps of normalcy?
Dates and Flow of the Retreat:
This is a weekend retreat (Aug. 13-15), with a short Wednesday evening (Aug. 11) kick-off session.
Location:
All the sessions are online. We will offer suggestions about organizing your home environments to feel as though you are "away" as well as spiritually and emotional connected to other participants.
Retreat Fee:
The total cost for the retreat is $135.
Reduced fees available on request. Just email us.
Questions?
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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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Summer Series 2021 CO UURJ Summer Conversations Registration Link!
As promised, here is the registration link for our summer conversations. Our schedule has various constituency conversations across conversations, but please note that it also contains one meeting for congregational caucuses, and two meetings for -all- of UURJ - that is, 3 meetings total for anyone and everyone! The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, July 21, 6:00 pm
Social justice committees (generally outward-facing, doing the work of social justice in our communities)
Monday, July 26, 6:00 pm
Elected leadership (boards, COMs, nominating/leadership development)
Wednesday, July 28, 6:00 pm
Worship leaders (worship associates, worship teams/committees, musicians, etc.)
Monday, August 2, 6:00 pm
Caring committees: Welcome committees
Monday, August 16, 6:00 pm
Personnel committees
Thursday, July 26 and August 26, 6:00 pm
CO UUs for Racial Justice - whole group!
Monday, August 23, 6:00 pm
Congregational caucuses (in breakout rooms)
Also, please note that meetings for RE and youth professionals and volunteers are being scheduled separately. To join that list, please go to https://groups.google.com/g/uurjreandyouth and click 'ask to join group'.
Lastly, if you're a religious professional of any stripe (RE, music, minister, membership, administrator, etc), please note that we have meetings for religious professionals every other Wednesday at 1:30pm MDT. Please check the UURJ calendar for more info.
Hope to see you soon!
In love and resistance,
Rev. Jen Simon
720-775-9863
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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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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 Allen 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.
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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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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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General Office Hours
Mon-Thur - 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
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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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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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