Family and Adult Activities at Prairie UU Society

Prairie Society has an informal style. It is very easy for members and friends to organize interest groups and special events. Some "special events" have been so popular they have become annual or recurring events. Here is a sampling of our adult and family activities:

Annual Retreat

Annual all-congregation retreat

Each year since 1970, Prairie members and friends have scheduled an annual retreat in the fall or, since 2012, in the spring. These retreats have often been at Bethel Horizons, near Dodgeville. Past retreats have also been held at Pine Lake Camp near Westfield or at Camp Upham Woods near Wisconsin Dells. The retreat provides an opportunity for members and friends to join together in nature walks, crafts, discussion groups, games, dancing, singing, meditation --you name it! The highlights of the weekend are the Talent Show on Saturday night and the Sunday morning service featuring a "key log ceremony."

Music making

Prairie appreciates musicians and encourages their talents. Most Sunday services include piano accompaniment or other musical performances. The most frequent performer is the Prairie Choir, which is open to any member who can carry a tune. Rehearsals are most Sunday mornings from 8:45 - 9:45 am during the school year. (The choir takes the summer off.) For more information contact the choir director, Barbara Park, at barpark@gmail.com.

Circle Dinners

Circle Dinners are groups of 6 to 12 people who meet approximately once a month for dinner and conversation at the home of one of the circle members. Circles are organized each fall, but new members can be added at any time. Some dinner groups include children, while others may be organized for adults only.


Adult Education Offerings

From time to time Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society offers a variety of classes and workshops designed to challenge and inspire adult learners on the journey of intellectual curiosity, spiritual exploration, moral development, faith formation, deepening of on-going social relationships, cultural enrichment, and other learning opportunities to strengthen your involvement in our Prairie Community.


Interest groups that meet monthly

Prairie Book Club

Members of this group read a different book each month, then meet to have lunch together and discuss the book. Meetings are at 11:30 or 11:45 am on a Sunday, usually in the Prairie Annex.

Prairie Game Night

Game Night is at the Meeting House on the first Friday of each month. There is typically pizza available and others bring supplemental potluck items like snacks or desserts. Dinner is at 6, then the board games begin shortly after. All ages are welcome.

Prairie Mom's Group

This is a social group that meets on the fourth Friday of each month at differing locations for social time, conversation and camaraderie. For information contact Holly Tellander.

Women of Wonder (WOW)

This informal group offers women an opportunity to get to know each other better in a purely social setting. Participants schedule monthly meetings (usually on a Saturday) for a potluck meal and conversation.

Humanist Union

Prairie humanists meet once a month in the Meeting House or Annex, usually on the first Sunday of the month, to discuss a topic of particular interest to humanists. Meetings start with a potluck lunch starting no later than noon followed by the program from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. An outside speaker is sometimes invited to present the program. Time is always provided for discussion. Coming events are posted on the Coming Events page of the group's website, and links to recordings of many past programs are available on their Past Events page. For information email Humanist Union of Madison.

Social Action Committee programs

In addition to contributing an occasional Sunday service, from time to time Prairie's Social Action Committee organizes a program around a particular social issue at a different time. Such programs are listed on the committee's Past Events page. Links to transcripts, photos, or recordings of some of the past programs are available there.

Spanish Speakers' Potluck

This group is open to all who wish to practice their Spanish. It meets periodically in members' homes.

Our Meeting House

Members often use the Meeting House when they wish to celebrate special occasions in their lives. The Meeting House also can be rented for a reasonable fee by non-member individuals and other organizations. The parish Administrator arranges the schedule for use of the building and posts it on the calendar.

Wrapping the May Pole