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 BULLETIN "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." December 6, 2008 In this issue: -calendar -programs The full featured Prairie Fire, including calendar items, programs, and articles, is published on the 21st of every month.The Prairie Fire Bulletin is a calendar- only newsletter that is published on the 6th of every month. Both are published by Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society of Madison, WI. View past issues at www.uuprairie.org Contact Us: Minister Rev. Ralph Tyksinski minister@uuprairie.org 873-6041 Youth Coordinator Rebecca Malke-Eliganti youthcoordinator@uuprairie.org 695-3435 Editor/Administrator Kate Liu admin@uuprairie.org 271-8218 President Rachel Long 608-328-4899 Calendar Saturday, December 6, 2008 **Men's Homeless Shelter Breakfast. Please contact Kathy Converse to volunteer. 9:00 am - Prairie WOW meets at Barb Park's home for breakfast potluck. Sunday, December 7, 2008 9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal. 10:00 am service - "This I Believe" presented by Anne Lundin, featuring Marcia Johnson, Rick Ruecking, and Tom Lovett. 11:45 am - Denominational Affairs committee meets at Prairie. 3:30 - 5:30 Building rented. ** Please note - Sunday night meditation has been canceled until further notice.** Saturday, December 13, 2008 6:00 pm - Humanist Union will celebrate HumanLight. Sunday, December 14, 2008 9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal. 10:00 am service - "Symbol Tree Intergenerational," presented by Erin Bosch. 11:45 am - Prairie Book Club meets to discuss The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf. 1:00 pm - Building rented. **Last day for donation of Cradle Club items.** **Interfaith Hospitality Network Week begins, see Erin Bosch for details. Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:00 pm - Program Committee meets at Prairie. Thursday, December 18, 2008 7:00 pm - Movie Group meets at Prairie to view "Singin' in the Rain." Please bring snacks to share. Sunday, December 21, 2008 9:00 am - Choir rehearsal. 10:00 am - service - "Christmas Stories," presented by Rev. Ralph Tyksinski. Wednesday, December 24, 2008 7:00 pm - Christmas Eve program, presented by Rev. Ralph Tyksinski. Upcoming Programs Sunday, December 7, 2008 This I Believe, presented by Anne Lundin. Marcia Johnson, Rick Ruecking, and Tom Lovett will share their own spiritual journeys in the ongoing lay ministry series that explores religious background and current beliefs. The emphasis in the series is on the diversity of beliefs in our shared community. Sunday, December 14, 2008 Symbol Tree Intergenerational, presented by Erin Bosch. This Sunday will be our traditional Symbol Tree intergenerational service where all (including children) are welcome to come forward, share some words with the congregation, and place a related symbol on the tree. Following are some possibilities to get you thinking: Was there an important milestone event that happened to me this year? What did I learn this year that might help others? Do I have a story to share about something that others might find uplifting? If you are perhaps less comfortable sharing personal experiences, you would also be welcome to share a poem or quotation or other short reading with a more universal quality. This is also the Sunday for the Santa Lucia procession, so please come a little early if your children would like to participate. Please bring cookies or other festive finger foods so we can munch as we mingle after the service. Sunday, December 21 A Child's Christmas in Wales, presented by Rev. Ralph Tyksinski. This service will feature a reading of “A Child's Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas. Readers, back by popular demand, will be Andy Somers, Al Nettleton, Warren Hagstrom, and Rev. Ralph. Choral performances will also be part of the service. Through the lyrical language of Dylan Thomas and beautiful Welsh and English carols, the readers and singers will paint a warm, wry, and sympathetic picture of the human spirit and the wintry observance of Christmastide. Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve, Carols, and Candlelighting, presented by Rev. Ralph Tyksinski. We celebrate with readings, singing of carols, and candlelighting the story of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. This, an intergenerational service, draws from Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by seeking peace and good will for humankind. No childcare will be available. Input Deadlines: Calendar items and program descriptions are due on the 1st and 15th of each month. Feature articles for the full Prairie Fire are due on the 15th of each month. Please send to Kate Liu at admin@uuprairie.org or call 271-8218. Prairie UU Society 2010 Whenona Dr. Madison, WI 53711 608-271-8218