Prairie UU & You – September 16, 2024

Click the graphic for information on our September Services

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Brunch Bunch

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Our next Brunch Bunch will be Sunday, October 6, 2024. We can’t wait to brunch with you! (Monetary contributions are accepted but not required.) Please RSVP to Katy, or contact with questions.

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Garage Sale Update

For the first time ever, we are going to extend the Fundraising Garage Sale to Saturday September 21st. This will give anyone who didn’t donate yet a chance to bring some items for the sale, and those who didn’t have an opportunity to shop a chance to do so! You can reach out to Brenda with donation questions, as well as Jan, as they will both be working to try to get ready for that September 21st sale date!
Brenda: [email protected]
Jan: [email protected]
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Prairie UU’s Annual Auction

It’s that time again — our Annual Auction Committee is beginning to prepare for this year’s big event! If you’d like to help coordinate Prairie’s Silent Auction and Live Auction (our biggest social extravaganza!), please contact Jan S.
The success of the Auction depends on help from people like you!

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More Info on UUSJ From Our Justice League

UUSJ — What do they do?
  • Political advocacy corps that lobbies for UU values and visits US congressional offices.
  • Delivers letters and emails from UUs and helped Congress to pass all 8 issues in the past couple years.
  • Develops relationships with other frontline groups that support climate justice, immigrants and democracy.
How do they partner with congregations?
By providing:
  • updates on legislation, issues and actions
  • leadership trainings for social justice
  • an advocacy corps called “Write Here, write now!”
  • arranged meetings with Congress
No aspect is obligatory!
To donate to this cause please write in the note line of your check to PUU or put into a special envelope marked UUSJ for the basket.
Visit UUSJ.net for additional info.

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Soul Matters is offering online small groups that members can join as part of our small group ministry program.

This fall, Soul Matters is offering four different online groups, each of them unique alternatives to our standard Soul Matters small groups. This is also a wonderful way to connect with UUs from all across the country.
Details about all four groups are linked below.
UU Writers
­Last Tuesday of each month, September – January
­Explore our monthly themes and engage spiritual discernment through the art of creative writing! Using whatever writing practice you are most comfortable with (journaling, poetry, prose, storytelling), participants share, inspire, support and witness each other.
Creativity Matters
­Two Groups to choose from:
One meets on 3rd Wednesdays from October-February, the other meets on 2nd Thursdays from October-February.
­Explore our monthly themes through creative expression. This group is all about allowing our intuition and imagination to guide us, not just our logic and reflective minds. Think of it as making room for your right brain to dance with your left brain. These groups are for everyone – no experience or artistic skill required. Just bring a playful and adventurous attitude.
Shamanic Journeying 
­Begins with an Introductory Session on Tuesday, September 24th, then meets monthly on second Tuesdays from October to January.
­This monthly-meeting small group explores our monthly themes through shamanic practices. Led by UU minister and shamanic practitioner, Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, participants learn and practice in the tradition of Core Shamanism, using a safe and ethical method of steady drumming that helps your mind shift into a more meditative state.
Practice Matters 
­Fourth Tuesday of each month, October – February
­This monthly-meeting small group engages our monthly themes through spiritual practice. Participants learn how our monthly themes show up in various spiritual practices of the world religions and then experience a version of those practices for themselves. Our hope is that by getting a taste of these spiritual practices, you will be motivated to weave one or two into your regular daily or weekly routines!

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People’s Forum on Immigration

Tuesday, September 17th at 6:00 PM at the Lowry Event Center in Aurora. The event will include an expert panel on immigration, shedding light on the complexities of the system while exploring concrete solutions. The event is co-hosted by the ACLU of Colorado, the American Friends Service Committee, the CIRC Action Fund, and Radio Bilingüe. Can also be attended via Zoom.

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Justice League

We hope you’ll join us for our next Justice League meeting Sunday, September 22nd, 12:00PM to 1:30PM at the Parker Library after service.
We are focusing on organizing, networking with other UUs and interfaith groups near Denver for action related events, finding some community speakers to fill our lay-led services, and helping with voting rights efforts.
Reach out to Kathy H. with questions, or visit the Justice League’s page.

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Prairie UU’s Book Club
When: Monthly at 2:00PM
Where: Parker Library, The Loft
Coming up…
September 21st – Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
October 19th – TheBrief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
November 16th – The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert A. Caro
December – No Book Club
January, 2025 – Cutting for Stone, a novel by  Abraham Verghese
Please contact Sarah M. with questions!

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Musical Jam Sessions

We are switching things up! Ukulele lessons on Thursday afternoons are ending, and the Prairie Jamboree is starting up!
~ 2nd and 4th Thursdays, each month
~ 4:30PM-6:00PM
~ The Gulch (Spirit of Life property)
For questions contact Clark or Claudia. All are welcome!

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Habitat Interfaith Alliance News
Habitat Interfaith Alliance’s Trivia Night ~ Save the date for Habitat Interfaith Alliance Brews & Brains Trivia Night on November 9th. More info to come!

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Antiracism Learning Circles

The Antiracism Learning Circles are small discussion cohorts that go through a book or podcast. These Circles were formed in the Fall of 2020 as an educational response to the unrest due to the murder of George Floyd. They are supported by First Unitarian’s Advancing Racial Justice Action Group (ARJAG).
REGISTER HERE
One of our goals as a church is to build a multicultural, diverse, engaged, spiritual community that works to dismantle racism and other oppressions. Antiracism Learning Circles are opportunities to do some of that work, to expose ourselves to our true history, to increase awareness of ongoing oppressions, and to explore and reveal our reactions to issues concerning race in America.
We strive to hear every voice, provide a safe space for expressing our doubts and discomfort, create a deeper understanding, and encourage and learn from each other in a small group setting.
Open to all; please invite your friends and neighbors to join our Circles on Zoom.
How will these Learning Circles Work?
  • Each cohort (typically 4-12) gathers for a series of 4-10 facilitated Zoom discussions.
  • You have to register for a particular Learning Circle.
  • Meeting dates & times depend on the specific circle & who is facilitating it.
  • Each individual is given the opportunity to share reactions, then discuss as a group
  • We ask that you attend all sessions so we develop trust bonds as we share personal stories and feelings.

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Social Justice Film Series 
4101 E Hampden Ave
Denver, Colorado 80222
Hosted by First Universalist and First Plymouth Church, will show The Cost of Inheritance on Friday, October 4th, in our Hospitality Center. Socializing w/snacks is at 6:30 pm; the screening starts at 7 pm. Please bring something to share. The documentary, The Cost of Inheritance, explores reparations in the U.S. and takes a personal approach to understanding our history, systemic injustices, and inequities. Descendants of enslavers and the enslaved look at the past and find just ways forward. The film aims to inspire understanding of the reparations debate. Lotte Lieb Dula, who is in the film, will join us and will speak about her work in reparations and in the film.

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From Logan Bennett, Director of Transformational Programs at The Refuge at La Foret…

Hello Unitarian Neighbors!I hope this letter finds you well and thriving in your mission to serve and uplift your communities of faith and justice. My name is Logan, and I am reaching out on behalf of The Refuge at La Foret, an outdoor retreat center in Colorado Springs. We are excited to share our upcoming transformational fall events designed for people of all ages and open to the entire community.
At The Refuge, our mission is to create experiences of the world as it could be. The Refuge’s events foster personal growth, community connection, and spiritual enrichment through unique, immersive experiences. This fall, we are hosting a series of events that promise to inspire, rejuvenate, and uplift participants. From engaging workshops and reflective retreats to family-friendly activities and youth-focused programs, our events cater to a diverse range of interests and needs.
We are particularly thrilled to announce that all our fall events come with “pay what you can” scholarships. This initiative is part of our commitment to ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from participating in these enriching experiences. We believe that everyone, no matter their financial constraints, deserves the opportunity to benefit from the transformative power of our programs, and we are dedicated to making this possible.
We would be honored to partner with your community in spreading the word about these upcoming events. Whether through your newsletters, community boards, or announcements, your support in reaching out to those who might benefit from these opportunities would be invaluable. Attached to this email, you will find fliers with detailed information about our fall events.
More information and registration links can be found at www.laforet.org/refuge
Upcoming Events…
Fall 2024 Refuge at La Foret Events
Concert with Spencer
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From Joanna Shukert, of our Prairie Community…

If any of you are considering buying or selling a home, or know someone who is, I’m offering to donate half my net commission from any transaction originating from a Prairie member. The funds will be donated directly to Prairie in your name. As you know, home prices have doubled in recent years (along with real estate commissions), so I’m happy to make this offer on an ongoing basis. I’ve worked as a Denver realtor for 15 years and have been in the top 5-10% of HomeSmart agents over the past 3 years. I’d be honored to assist with any buy or sell transaction in the metro area. I also offer free advice or guidance on anything real estate related, so please reach out anytime if I can help.
Please email Joanna to learn more!
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Upcoming Services

Questions? Additions for next week? Please email Katy!