Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive, Madison WI 53711–4843 (608) 271-8218 admin@uuprairie.org Located off the south frontage road (West Beltline Hwy Rd.) near the Seminole Hwy exit. PRAIRIE FIRE September 8, 2006 "As the prairie stretches out until it becomes one with the sky, let us reach out to touch and be one with the natural world and with one another." (Bond of Union) Prairie Fire is the semi-monthly newsletter of Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society. The two most recent issues may be seen at http://uuprairie.org President: Mike Briggs (608) 835–0914 Editor: Dan Proud, admin@uuprairie.org; (608) 661–0776 PRAIRIE CALENDAR *Sunday, September 10 *10:00 a.m."Sacred Voices: A Pilgrimage of Story and Poem Into Sacred Traditions," presented by Andy Fraenkel Wednesday, September 13 6:30 p.m. Midweek Meal @ Prairie *Friday, September 15-Sunday, September 17 Prairie Retreat at Bethel Horizons Sunday, September 17 *10:00 a.m. Key Log Ceremony at Bethel Horizons No service at Prairie Wednesday, September 20 6:30 p.m. Midweek Meal @ Prairie Thursday, September 21 *6:30 p.m. Spanish Speakers potluck and discussion at the home of Mary and Andy Somers Sunday, September 24 *10:00 a.m. "Highlights from General Assembly" presented by a panel of Prairie members Tuesday, September 26 5:00 a.m. Prairie serves breakfast at Men's Shelter. *2:00 p.m. Prairie Elders meets at Oakwood West. Wednesday, September 27 6:30 p.m. Midweek Meal @ Prairie Sunday, October 8 *11:45 a.m. EnACT Study Group kickoff meeting Sunday, October 8-Sunday, October 15 Interfaith Hospitality Network Week NEXT PRAIRIE FIRE DEADLINE: Sunday, September 17 DETAILS OF COMING PROGRAMS Sunday, September 10 Andy Fraenkel (www.sacredvoices.com) travels extensively, offering multicultural and sacred storytelling programs at schools, colleges and a variety of venues. He is also an author and workshop leader and the recipient of a WV 2005 Artist Fellowship Award. He and his wife resided in Madison in the early 70's and he was a member of the Broom Street Theater. Sunday, September 17 Our Key Log Ceremony will be held during the annual retreat at Bethel Horizons. This is a chance to share with our community any events during the past year that have broken up our personal logjams. Sunday, September 24 Each June, UU’s gather from around the United States and beyond to work together, worship together, learn together, and play together. Come hear Prairie’s attendees share the highlights of this year’s gathering in Saint Louis—-from the UU Service Committee’s work in the region affected by Hurricane Katrina, to lessons about democracy in action, to reflections on the movement toward Right Relations in Unitarian Universalism. General Assembly offers us a chance to connect what is going on at Prairie to what is going on in our larger movement and lets us share in the energy and enthusiasm of many wonderful UU’s. Come be a part of it! OUR SOCIETY DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR CIRCLE DINNER The signup sheet for Circle Dinners has been circulating at Prairie the last few Sundays, and there are already more than 40 people on the list. If you would like to be included in a Circle Dinner group, you have until September 10 to sign up for the first round of dinners. You can always do this later, too, but you would be added to an existing group. The groupings will be announced the weekend of the 15th; if you are attending the retreat, you will receive the information there. Everyone who signed up will receive the names of those in their group. You may contact Karen Deaton or me to get your name on the Circle Dinner list. (Paula Pachciarz: 273-4806, pachwack(at)sbcglobal.net or Karen Deaton: 278-8480, karendeaton(at)tds.net ) For those of you unfamiliar with them, Circle Dinners are dinner parties for small groups of Prairie members and friends who like to eat delicious food and engage in stimulating conversations. It is a great way to meet newcomers and old timers. The style is casual and potluck, the talk is good, and the food delicious. Here's how they work: The Membership Committee organizes names on the overall list into groups of usually 8-12 people. Usually 3 or more households are represented in a Circle Dinner group. The households can be composed of families, couples and singles. We will ask one household to convene the first dinner, usually at their home, but the dinner can be held anywhere that is agreeable. It can be held at a park, at Prairie, etc. Once the Membership Committee sets up a group, it is up to members of that group to finalize date, time and place to meet. We will honor preferences as best we can. Some people prefer groups that love to engage in political discussion. Some really like to play and sing music. Some people prefer groups with no youngsters. But there is one preference we won't be able to honor. Not everyone can be in a Circle Dinner group with a new family. There aren't enough of them to go around! Paula Pachciarz PROGRESS WITH FINANCING PRAIRIE'S NEW HOME Prairie now has pledges of $131,000 toward its new home. This is what has been pledged by six families over the next three-year period. The goal is to raise another $275,000. This goal could be met if families pledged $1,000 to $5,000 per year: 6 @ $5,000 for 3 years = $90,000 6 @ $4,000 for 3 years = 72,000 6 @ $3,000 for 3 years = 54,000 6 @ $2,000 for 3 years = 36,000 11 @ $1,000 for 3 years = 33,000 ________ TOTAL $285,000 The Capital Fundraising Committee believes that the goal of raising another $275,000 is achievable and worthwhile. The religious education program would have more space and greatly improved facilities. There would be a room large enough for its monthly Spirit Circle, which could also be used for choir practices and film shows. Prairie's main meeting room would be large enough for weddings and anniversaries. There would be an office for the minister and for the administrator. A model of Prairie's new home will be available for inspection at the Bethel Horizons Retreat. More details about all aspects of the project will be available at the workshop on Prairie's future the morning of Saturday, September 16. Come with your questions, suggestions and comments. Capital Fundraising Committee PLEASE CHECK LOST AND FOUND ITEMS By request, the deadline for picking up lost and found from the table in the foyer has been extended. Sunday, September 24 is the last date these items will be displayed. They will then be donated. PLAYREADERS HOSTS SOUGHT Prairie Playreaders is looking for hosts to hold playreading get-togethers. Hosts get to choose the play being read. Comedy, tragedy, drama, all are welcome. You can also provide a treat to entice readers, of course. Please contact Susan Hagstrom at (1) 238-4970; (2) SusanTanyaAmI(at)aol.com or hagstst(at)dhfs.state.wi.us or hagstst(at)yahoo.com; or (3) 916 Shorewood Blvd, Madison, WI 53705 if you would like to host a playreading. Let her know which month (or date) would be preferable for you. SPANISH SPEAKERS MEET SEPTEMBER 21 Spanish Speakers potluck and discussion will take place Thursday, September 21, 6:30 p.m., at the home of Mary and Andy Somers, 4467 Crescent Rd., Fitchburg, 276-8397. Rosemary Dorney PRAIRIE ELDERS SEPTEMBER 26 Prairie Elders Meeting: Tuesday, September 26, 2:00-3:50 p.m., Oakwood Village West, Oaks Building, Second Floor Exercise Room. First segment: A discussion about our group. Prepare to voice your reasons for coming to Prairie Elders and your ideas for making our gatherings more meaningful to you. We hope to offer enough variety to meet everybody’s needs at least part of the time. Those who wish may send comments and suggestions for topics or activities in advance to Doleta Chapru or Rose Smith. These will be shared with the group. Second segment (as time permits): swapping tales about driving, car ownership, etc. This perhaps humorous exchange could lead to a more serious, future discussion on the impact of the combustion engine and implications for succeeding generations. (A new Dodge Ram gets 7-9 mpg in town.) The Exercise Room will be open at 1:30 for those who wish to come early for casual conversation. Participants are welcome to come and go as necessary for appointments, rides, chair attendants, etc. Refreshments: Please bring a handful of snacks to pass, if convenient. Beverages are furnished. About us: Prairie Elders aims to provide good times and mutual support for Prairie UU Members and Friends over 65. We also welcome other UUs who live in the facility where we meet. For directions, rides, parking and further information, please contact Rose Smith 233-3363 or Doleta Chapru 238-4970. Coordinating Committee members Donna Murdoch, 238-3802, and Rosemary Dorney, 238-4382, are not available as contacts for the September meeting. EnACT STUDY GROUP KICKOFF MEETING OCTOBER 8 Did "An Inconvenient Truth" get you fired up to save the world and stop global warming? But you wonder what one person could possibly do? Have I got a deal for you . . . The EnAct program (Environmental Action) is packed with tons of ideas for how you can conserve in areas like solid waste, energy, transportation, etc. There are ideas for the newbie to conservation as well as for people who are already doing a lot. The EnAct team will have a kickoff meeting on Sunday, october 8, after service. The regular sessions will be on Monday nights once a month, starting on October 9. For more details, contact Judy Skog. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS Labor Day has come and gone and now summer has officially ended. August 27 marked the beginning of RE with our Water Ceremony. It was a joy to see the return of so many smiling faces. Our RE children went on some fun adventures this summer from Noah's Ark to Japan! I would love to continue to hear about your summer vacation so if you see me and want to tell me about your summer, please do! I'm excited about this year's RE program. We have some returning teachers--thank you so much--and some new faces! If you have a minute, please make sure to thank our RE teachers. They're donating their valuable time and energy to help educate our children. Along with new faces we also have a new curriculum for this years' theme: UU Principles and Heritage. We're trying some new things this year. Our K-2 class will learn about UU principles and the principles and people of Prairie. Be prepared!--you may be stopped by one of the children and be asked about the history of Prairie, our building or beliefs. Our middle school class will have "Messages in Music" where they will learn about our principles by listening to music. Our high school class's "Dare to Know Isms: Humanism" will have many Prairie members downstairs presenting topics on Humanism from "The Nature of Ethics" to "Journalism and the Media". I would love to hear feedback from parents, students and the congregation on our RE program and subject matter. You can catch me before or after service to discuss any concerns or send me an email. With all the fun we're having I hope many of you are not feeling left out! If you're feeling upset that you didn't get a chance to teach this year don't worry, there are many more ways in which you can contribute to our program. October 22 will be our annual Fall Frolic. If you would like to play games with our children and stay overnight at Prairie let me know. Can't attend our overnight? No problem! We need substitute teachers, people to carpool and help out for Service Sundays. If you would like to volunteer please sign up or let me know. We're already off to a good start and I look forward to what this year will bring. Thank you to all who have been contributing their time and talents to RE, we all appreciate it. Rebecca Malke youthcoordinator@uuprairie.org MEMBERSHIP NEW DIRECTORY Please report any corrections for the new directory to Dan Proud at 661-0776 or by e-mail to prouds (at) tds.net. Errata will be distributed in September. UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST NEWS UUA AND GULF COAST RELIEF Noting the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the Gulf Coast, UUA President William G. Sinkford has issued a pastoral letter reflecting on the significance of that catastrophe and the larger issue of racism and classism in American society. Sinkford says, in part, "You do not need to go to the Gulf to see systems of power and privilege. Simply look down the street, or into a neighboring community.... We need to develop the capacity to see and know the reality of oppression...even when, or especially when, we only have to look next door." The full text of Rev. Sinkford's pastoral letter is available at http://www.uua.org/president/060830_katrina.html. The UUA's Web site also features "Voices from the Gulf," a compilation of anniversary reflections that includes reports from New Orleans by UUA Moderator Gini Courter; a letter from the Rev. Meg Riley, chair of the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief fund; sermons and reflections from Gulf Coast UU ministers Marta Valentin, Jim VanderWeele, and Jacqueline Luck; and profiles of Gulf Coast Relief Fund partners working to restore the Gulf Coast region. "Voices from the Gulf" can be found at http://www.uua.org/news/gulfcoastrelief/1year/ For more information on the work of UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund, please see http://www.uua.org/news/gulfcoastrelief/index.html NEW BOOK: TAKING BACK FAITH Taking Back Faith, by the Rev. Dr. Matt Tittle, has been selling for a few months. All proceeds will benefit the Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church Capital Campaign. You can now get free shipping on copies ordered directly from the Web site, www.revmatt.org. Order also from all major online booksellers such as amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. The author has added a blog to www.revmatt.org, where you can follow and participate in several discussions. OTHER NEWS JOE ELDER OPENS SPECIAL MIDDLE EAST SERIES To mark the fifth anniversary of 9/11, UW-Madison sociology professor Joe Elder will present “The Roots of Conflict,” a free presentation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 13 at the Overture Center for the Arts (Capitol Theater), 201 State Street in Madison. In this first of a special five-part weekly series on “Understanding the Middle East,” Elder, who was born to American parents in Kurdish Iran and has first-hand experience in the region, will provide an overview of the history of the Middle East and the root sources of conflict. Other presenters include prominent theologian and National Humanities Medal winner Martin E. Marty and Chevron Corporation counselor for international strategy and Woodrow Wilson scholar Jan H. Kalicki. The program is a presentation of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters as part of its Academy Evening series. All programs will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, September 13 through October 11 at the Overture Center for the Arts and are free and open to the public. Free tickets (suggested donation $2) are recommended to ensure seating and are available in the Wisconsin Academy’s James Watrous Gallery at Overture, third floor. Gallery hours: Tues./Wed./Thurs. 11-5, Fri./Sat. 11-9, Sun. 1-5, closed Mondays and Labor Day weekend. The Capitol Theater offers ample seating; walk-ins likely seated. Maps and directions are available at www.wisconsinacademy.org. We regret that tickets cannot be mailed or reserved by phone except for groups or for attendees who reside outside of Dane County. They may order tickets from Barb Sanford, bsanford@wisconsinacademy.org, 608/263-1692 X13 (email preferred). Presentations are as follows: September 13: The Roots of Conflict-—Joe Elder, Capitol Theater, 7–8:30 p.m. An overview of the region’s history and the root sources of conflict. September 20: Rx for “Oil Addiction”: The Middle East and Energy Security -—Jan H. Kalicki, September 20, Capitol Theater, 7–8:30 p.m. Kalicki proposes ways to remedy our “addiction to oil” through a foreign policy strategy that encompasses both national and energy security. September 27: The Dilemma of Fundamentalism—-Martin E. Marty, Capitol Theater, 7–8:30 p.m. On the dilemma of fundamentalism as opposed to constructive religious practice, with an emphasis on how this problem pertains to the Middle East. October 4: Beyond the U.S. Veil: Women in the Middle East-—Mary Layoun, Promenade Hall, 7–8:30 p.m. A discussion of the status and promise of women in the Middle East. October 11: Paths to Peace-—Nadav Shelef and Ali Abootalebi, Overture Lobby, 7–8:30 p.m. Presenting their views on possible paths to peace in this embattled region. FRIENDS OF INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR PEACE COUNCIL FORMED The Friends of the International Committee for the Peace Council is forming to raise local and regional awareness about the Peace Council. The next meeting of the Friends will be on September 28, 2006 at First Unitarian Society, Madison, WI, 900 University Bay Drive, 1:30-3:30 PM. Daniel Gomez-Ibanez, Executive Director of the Peace Council, will speak on this year's project in France. He will share the newest award-winning TV ads for the Council's work. Information on what the Friends are doing and how to join and support the Council's work will be provided. Light refreshment and fellowship time will be provided. The Peace Council is an international organization located in Madison, Wisconsin. Its mission is to demonstrate that peace is possible, and that effective inter-religious collaboration to make peace is also possible. The Peace Council was formed in the early 1990's. It travels worldwide in its work. Members of the Peace Council include Elise Boulding, Joan Chittister, the Dalai Lama, Thomas Keating and Desmond Tutu. The Web site www.peacecouncil.org will give you a full description of their work over the past ten years. The Peace Council's work is supported by voluntary contributions and a few grants. Members of the Friends to the Peace Council include Daniel Gomez-Ibanez, Joann Elder, Deenah Givens, Kim Hokaj, Wendy Cooper, Michelle Honore, Mary Ellen Lewis, Maureen McDonald, Paula McKenzie, Chuck Pfeifer, Ken Pennings, Sandi Penzkover, Jim Roseberry, Sheila Spear, Jody Whelden and Linda Joy Knox. Membership is open to all that wish to join. We are striving to have a diversity of faith and religious communities be involved in the Friends. If you would like to attend the September 28 meeting or would like more information please call or email one of the co-chairs: The Rev. Jody Whelden, Minister, Free Congregation of Sauk County-UU at (608-347-0237) minister@jdwhelden.com or Linda Joy Knox, Peace and Justice Committee, First Unitarian Society-Madison at (608-831-0021) Lknox@chorus.net, or Deenah Givens, Social Justice Minister, Unity of Madison at (608-221-1376, Ext. 304) deenah@unityofmadison.org. Rev. Jody Whelden 2301 Regent Street, Madison, WI 53726 608-347-0237 cell *********************************************************************** PRAIRIE RETREAT NEWS A highlight of the Prairie year is our annual retreat at Bethel Horizons, scheduled this year for Friday night, September 15 through Sunday noon, September 17. Registration Details Registration forms are available at Prairie or from Robin Proud. Please submit these as soon as possible. Make checks to Prairie uu Society. Scholarship money is available; we want to be sure no one stays away because of financial concerns. Options include staying in the lodge, outbuildings, camping, or just attending for a day. Carpooling is encouraged. Maps will be in the next Prairie Fire and available at Prairie. What to bring Sheets, pillowcases and towels (or add another $7.00 per person to use Bethel's linens) Snacks for Friday night, preferably finger foods Props, instruments, or music for a Talent Show act