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Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter.
Caleb Alexander, Beacon Office Manager
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~ December Touchstones Theme ~
Hope
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~ Sunday Service ~
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"Blessed be the life that comforts, sustains and upholds us, and blessed be we who do, now and then, awaken to its grace." - Rev. K. Sawyer
Contemplation this morning on some of the gifts of the season.
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~ Town Hall Summary~
Last Sunday, the Building Expansion Team (BET) held an informational town hall meeting. The purpose was to discuss the Financial Feasibility Study recently completed by Kay Crider, our UUA consultant, and to prepare for the Congregational Meeting on January 7, 2018. On January 7, we will be voting on whether or not to proceed with a capital campaign in the spring.
Rev. Kevin Lawson opened the meeting with a chalice lighting. Roz Clark acted as moderator, explaining the meeting itinerary and rules for discussion. Dennis Spurlin summarized the work completed so far by the BET, and a timeline of the efforts made in the past to expand our space (since 2006!). Carl Taylor gave a summary of the Feasibility Study. Copies of the timeline and the Feasibility Study were passed out to the members present, and the report is also available on the Beacon website.
In general, the BET was pleased with the results of the Feasibility Study. The study shows we should be able to raise $380,000 to $420,000, and a stretch campaign goal would be $450,000. These numbers were based on interviews with 30% of the pledging units from 2017-2018.
There were many very good, valid questions and concerns raised at the town hall, about the methodology of the interview process and formulas used by Kay Crider; concern about spending this much money and why we are doing this; what kind of changes could we make at this point to the design in order to reduce costs; bridging loan, mortgage, and how do we pay the contractor if we are starting construction in the summer; and the fear factor of whether we can afford this.
If you have any questions about the building expansion, Financial Feasibility Study, or capital campaign, please contact a member of the BET. Also, be on the lookout for BET members wearing a special name tag that says "Ask me about building expansion." They welcome all comments and questions!
Thank you to all who were able to attend the town hall, and be sure to mark your calendars for the Congregational Meeting on Jan 7!
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~ Religious Exploration ~
Dec. 10 Focus on miracle of birth, Chalice Kids training
Dec. 16
1:00-4:30, Parent afternoon out, free childcare
Dec. 17
Focus on Peace, Chalice Kids training
Dec. 18-22
Move Create Be (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) &
Just click on the event to register!
Dec. 22
Illuminate Celebration of Light 4:00 performance
and art display, 5:00 potluck and ceremony
Dec. 24 Focus on the family (10:00 AM)
Christmas Eve celebration (6:00 PM) at
Coconino Center for the Arts
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~ Social Justice Allies ~
The next SJA meeting will be Sunday, December 17, following the service. By that time we hope to have more details about a Zoom training session scheduled for Sunday, January 21, preparation for the UUJAZ (UU Justice Arizona) network's annual Day at the Legislature Presidents' Day at the capital in Phoenix the following month.
This Sunday, December 10, SJA chair Terry Hubbard White will be the featured presenter, as part of a series-one each week-of brief informational descriptions about Beacon's wide array of committees.
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~ Community Action Committee ~
Beacon's community partner for December is Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS).
Established in 2006 by concerned citizens, business owners, and faith-based organizations, FSS provides critical shelter, food, and access to resources for Flagstaff's
most vulnerable people. Regardless of faith, mental health or sobriety, the shelter serves any adult experien
cing homelessness.
In 2014, FSS became a year-round shelter serving those in need every night of the year, providing personal and behavioral crisis response, helping clients move from crisis toward self-sufficiency.
Thanks to Beacon's commitment to "share the plate" with approved community partners, December's undesignated Sunday morning offering money-above $300 for the month*-will be presented to FSS.
If you would like to nominate an organization to be a community partner, pick up the one-page application form in the CAC folder at the bottom of the stairs. The nominator's responsibilities are described on that form.
The CAC is comprised of Joanne Parkes, Sue Strobel, Lynda Dorweiler, Rev. Kevin Lawson and Rich Clark.
With thanks for Beacon's generosity and especially for CAC members' thoughtful, persistent efforts toward living our UU Principles,
Rich Clark, CAC chair
*$300 each month becomes part of Beacon's operating income.
~ Special Notice ~
We gather in remembrance of the Newtown Shooting on this fifth anniversary of the tragedy. Join us at the Murdoch Community Center on December 14 at 5:30 in a tribute to all victims of gun violence. Be inspired by those who speak for this cause and those who present music of the heart. For the 150,000 sacrificed to this cruel epidemic, we come together to work toward an end to these senseless gun deaths.
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~ In Community ~
Anne Cotton shared joy at becoming a great grandmother.
Jack Roberts shared joy for recovering from a bout with pneumonia.
Cassie Dakan shared joy for going to Africa in two weeks to visit her daughter.
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~ Beacon Calendar ~
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 7
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Core Leadership Council
Wednesday, December 13
5:15 pm
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Worship & Religious Exploration
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Finance Team
Wednesday, December 13
6:00 pm
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Committee on Shared Ministry
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Wednesday, December 13
7:00 pm
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 14
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Qi Gong
Tuseday, December 12
6:15 pm
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Parent Afternoon Out
Saturday, December 16
12:00 pm
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If you would like to submit a calendar event, send an email to
[email protected]
. With all requests, please indicate the following: proposed start and end time of the event, the space/room preferred, and a rough group size. On the occasion of a cancellation or rescheduling of an event, please let the office know in a timely fashion to ensure that your event is correctly represented in the newsletter and order of service. Thank you!
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~ Beacon Office Hours ~
Rev. Kevin
Lawson:
Tues: 11:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Weds: 11:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Other times available by appointment
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Director of Religious Exploration,
Amy Huntereece
Sun: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Tues:
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Thurs:
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Office Manager,
Caleb Alexander
Please contact the office
for the office manager
at this time.
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Office phone (928) 779-4492
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~ Website Members and Friends Access ~
Interested in accessing the directory and board documents on the Members and Friends page on
BeaconUU.com
? You can get the password over the phone (928-779-4492) during regular office hours, or by requesting it from a board member after Sunday Services.We will not be providing it by email.
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If you are not on Beacon's exclusive Google group, you are missing out on an important communications link within our congregation. It is useful for spreading information about something going on in Flagstaff, informing others of social action activities, offering an item for sale or to give away, sharing enthusiasm about a book or movie, requesting information or recommendations -- and more! It's simple to sign up! Email Caleb, our Office Manager, at
[email protected].
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