Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive, Madison WI 53711–4843 (608) 271-8218 admin@uuprairie.com Located off the south frontage road (West Beltline Hwy Rd.) near the Seminole Hwy exit. PRAIRIE FIRE "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." June 6, 2008 Prairie Fire is the semi-monthly newsletter of Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society. View past issues at www.uuprairie.org. President: Rachel Long, ra_a_l@tds.net; 608-328-4899 Editor: Dan Proud, admin@uuprairie.org; 661–0776 PRAIRIE CALENDAR Sunday, June 8 *10:00 a.m. “Flower Communion and Its Founder, Norbert Capek” presented by Rev. Ralph Tyksinski Tuesday, June 10 7:00 p.m. Hospitality and Membership Committee Saturday, June 14 2:00 p.m. Memorial service for Betty Jallings, Grand Hall, Meriter Retirement Community Sunday, June 15 *10:00 a.m. Intergenerational Garlic Mustard Pull and Potluck *10:00 a.m. “Getting to Know the DNR Website” presented by Anne Urbanski Wednesday, June 18 7:00 p.m. New Member Orientation Sunday, June 22 *10:00 a.m. “Sex, Religion, Politics, and the Law” presented by Andy Somers 11:45 a.m. Board Meeting Tuesday, June 24 *1:30 p.m. Prairie Elders meet at Oakwood West Wednesday-Sunday, June 25-29 *UUA General Assembly, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Thursday, June 26 *7:00 p.m. Prairie Film Group views The Real Dirt on Farmer John Sunday, June 29 10:00 a.m. “The My Lai Massacre” presented by Joe and Joann Elder 11:45 a.m. Congregational Review Part III Sunday, July 6 10:00 a.m. “Summer Reads” led by Rose Smith *11:45 a.m. Book Club discuss Pillars of the Earth Wednesday-Sunday, June 25-29 *UUA General Assembly, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Friday-Sunday, September 5-7 *Fall Retreat at Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville (* = Details follow in this issue.) INSIDE - Religious Education news - Prairie activities and meetings - Strategic planning, property news NEXT INPUT DEADLINE SUNDAY, JUNE 15 DETAILS OF COMING PROGRAMS Sunday, June 8 On this Sunday Prairie celebrates flower communion, a service that was created by Norbert Capek (1870-1942), who founded the Unitarian Church in Prague, Czechoslovakia. He introduced this special service to that church on June 4, 1923. For some time he had felt the need for some symbolic ritual that would bind people more closely together. The format had to be one that would not alienate any who had forsaken other religious traditions. The traditional Christian communion service with bread and wine was unacceptable to the members of his congregation because of their strong reaction against the Roman Catholic faith. So he turned to the native beauty of their countryside for elements of a communion which would be genuine to them. This simple service was the result. It is now celebrated in countless UU congregations when members bring flowers to share with each other at the end of the service. This festive participatory service, of readings and song, which celebrates both the earth's beauty and humanity's oneness, is usually done before the beginning of the Summer season. Its simplicity and universality make it meaningful for children as well as adults. Sunday, June 15 Prairie folks will spend the morning pulling garlic mustard at the Arboretum. This will be followed by a picnic potluck at Marlborough Park. For those who prefer not to pull garlic mustard, there will be an interactive discussion on "Getting to Know the DNR Website" at Prairie. This will be lead by Anne Urbanski who works at the DNR. Sunday, June 22 Back by popular demand-—and because Andy has an interest in the several subjects of his title! Andy Somers sparked a lot of discussion last year with his services about propaganda. In this service on June 22, he presents a serious overview of the power of SEX as it affects organized religions and the political process. He'll talk about the legislature‘s response to the powerful and mysterious influence of SEX and our attempts to explain it and control its power over the people at the same time preventing it from interfering with the authority and reverence we have been instructed to give it. Andy has been a member of Prairie for 5 or 6 years. He served as municipal judge in Fitchburg for many years, and is an accomplished thespian. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEW BEGINNINGS We're currently in a time of new beginnings. We're coming out of our "holes" and enjoying the warm Spring air. Students are graduating from high school and college ready to embark on a new stage in their lives. Here at Prairie we honor this time with our annual Transition Service. Last Sunday we had an opportunity to honor our students, teachers and volunteers. One of the highlights of the service was the Dedication Ceremony for my son, Indiana Shyamalan Eliganti. I would like to thank Rev. Ralph for performing a beautiful service that honored my son and my family. I especially liked the part that asked the children to be a part of his life as well as the congregation. We also recognized our graduating senior and youth RE Committee member, Toby Wacker. Toby has been a special part of Prairie for many years and we were able to honor her with a Memory Book filled with photos, letters, and well wishes. Toby's parents, Carl and Paula Pachciarz, also read several short stories written by Toby. Classes have ended for the 2007-08 school year and RE Chair Karen Deaton and I are gearing up for what should be another successful RE school year. Classes will resume on September 14th with a new theme: Social Justice. In order to have classes we need teachers. Two teachers are assigned per class. Currently we have 5 and are in need of 5 more. Please let Karen or me know if you can take your turn teaching this year. If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. Rebecca Malke (YREC) youthcoordinator (at) uuprairie.org RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD June 9–St. Columba of Iona (Christian) 9-10–Shavuot (Jewish) 11–Trinity (Christian) 15–Corpus Christi (Catholic Christian) 15–Pentecost (Orthodox Christian) 16–Guru Arjan Dev martyrdom (Sikh) 19–New Church Day (Swedenborgian Christian) OUR SOCIETY STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE We had another productive planning session on May 31, this one focusing on our facility and staffing needs. We also discussed which of the actions (plan part 2) should be our priorities. If you weren’t there, we would like to add your input. Let me know and I’ll give you instructions for adding your “vote” on the action priorities. We will be presenting the results of this session to the congregation at a review session Sunday after service June 29, with a potluck of course. Hope to see you there! Rachel Long, President FITCHBURG PROPERTY UPDATE We now have an accepted offer of purchase from Chapel Valley Church on our Fitchburg property! We’re not quite done yet. They have a contingency-—getting approval from their international organization. They have until June 24, and if they don’t get approval by then, we can go back to looking at other offers. The good news is we’ve already had one other offer, and the better news is it’s very likely everything will go through with Chapel Valley. We’ll let you know later this month whether it’s a go-—we’re close! Rachel Long PRAIRIE ELDERS Prairie Elders meets Tuesday, June 24, 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Nakoma Room of Heritage Oaks, OakwoodVillage West. Or come at 1:00 for informal conversation. NEWCOMERS: Newcomers on or near the magical age of Medicare eligibility are welcome to join us. Call the contacts below for directions or a ride. We are pleased that people who joined Prairie in recent years have become regular contributors to our round-robin discussions. LONG TERM MEMBERS: Hovering near that 65th birthday? Come visit us. We don’t card at the door. Past 65 but have other priorities? You’re still welcome to join us on occasion whenever it’s convenient. JUNE TOPIC: Something unusual you have done that few others know about. Review your life’s activities and wow us. Did you do something special for the benefit of others? Earn your living in a unique way? Have an unusual hobby? Go on an amazing adventure? Take a gutsy political stance? Raise a five-hundred- pound pumpkin? At our May meeting we discovered a champion chess player among us. Who woulda thought? That whetted our appetite for more revelations. SNACKS: If convenient, please bring a few snacks to pass and your own beverage cup. ABOUT US: Prairie Elders aims to provide good times and mutual support for Prairie UU members and friends over 65. We welcome other UUs who live in the facility where we meet. Come and go as necessary for appointments, etc. Let us know if you need directions or a ride to Oakwood. CONTACTS: Donna Murdoch 238-3802, Rosemary Dorney 238-4382 or Rose Smith 233-3363. MOVIE GROUP VIEWS THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN The Movie Group will meet at Prairie at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 26, to view The Real Dirt on Farmer John, a 2005 release from independent film maker Taggart Siegel. Filmed over thirty years to document a unique person's struggles to find himself and to save his family farm, it is a fascinating epic story, with mini-reviews at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/real_dirt_on_farmer_john/. The film starts with a statement from John Peterson: My ancestors have farmed this land generation after generation, and I just about ended the whole thing. What do you do when nothing is left? And in a rural community where you aren't welcome because you're kind of different. Bring snacks to share. BOOK CLUB MEETS MAY 25 The Prairie Book Club meets after the Sunday service on specified dates, usually starting at 11:45 a.m. Participants bring food to share and meet in the couch room downstairs. Everyone is welcome, whether you have completed the book or not. For more information, contact Mary Mullen, 298-0843, or mmullen (at) chorus.net. Upcoming Prairie Book Club selections: Sunday, July 6, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett RACHEL SIEGFRIED MEMORIAL FUND Thanks to everyone who helped with the memorial service. In accordance with Rachel’s wishes, her family requests that memorial contributions be made to Prairie UU Society. Checks may be sent to Prairie, care of Treasurer Kate Liu. Please designate the Siegfried memorial fund in the check memo area. SAVE YOUR RUMMAGE! This summer the RE Committee will sponsor a rummage sale to raise money for the RE department. If you're doing a little spring cleaning and discover some items you would like to donate please let the YREC, Rebecca Malke, or RE chair, Karen Deaton, know. Because of limited space we ask that you keep your items at home until it is time for the sale. A date has not been decided so stay tuned for more details. SPANISH SPEAKERS Spanish speakers will meet for conversation and potluck dinner on Tuesday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Amy Schulz, 2304 South Syene Rd, Madison. For directions, call Amy at 273-2639. For rides or other information, call Rosemary Dorney at 238-4382. 'TIS ALMOST FAIRY TIME Sunday, August 10, meet new and old friends from James Reeb, First Unitarian Society, and Prairie as we carpool to American Players Theatre and picnic. Buy your tickets directly from American Players Theater for that night’s 6:00 p.m. performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (http://playinthewoods.org/ or 608-588-2361). Details on where to meet will follow or contact Liz Wessel, 238-9934 or lizwessel (at) yahoo.com, or Karen Deaton, karendeaton (at) tds.net Karen Deaton MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY CHANGES Please make the following changes to your copy of the Prairie directory: Dean and Orange Schroeder orange_dean@mac.com PRAIRIE WEB SITES Society Home Page: http://uuprairie.org/ News Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ prairienews/ Views: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prairieviews/ Social Action: http://socialaction.madisonwi.us Humanist Union: http://humanist.madisonwi.us GENERAL ASSEMBLY JUNE 25-29, 2008 FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA Explore http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/index.shtml, call (617) 948-4209, or write gaoffice@uua.org