Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter. 
Caleb Alexander, Beacon Office Manager
~ Sunday Service, Jan. 21 ~ 
"The Search for Truth, Now."
Nancy Paxton, Worship Associate

  In keeping with our theme of Justice this month, I will explore some of the
historical reasons why the "search for truth" has been a central concept in
Unitarian-Universalism and offer some suggestions about how we, as UUs,
can continue to "seek knowledge in freedom" in spite of the current climate
where claims about "fake news" dominate the airwaves and flood the internet.

~ Touchstone Theme: Justice ~ 
~ Building Expansion Team ~  

On January 7, the congregation voted to proceed with a Capital Campaign to Repair, Improve & Expand our home.  The Building Expansion Team met  on Monday  to review a project schedule, confirm the roles of team members, and discuss the process for the Capital Campaign.  Rich Clark and Steve Zeldes, who are heading the fundraising project, will recruit Visiting Stewards to visit each member one-on-one in April to see if we have the financial capacity to proceed with our hopes to repair, improve and expand the building. 

This is a tremendously exciting time for the Beacon congregation, so we urge you to keep informed.  Come to church!  Read the newsletter! Check our website! 
~ From the Minister's Desk ~

Exciting and busy times here at Beacon, the New Year is off and moving at a quickening pace.  The Congregational meeting affirmed the direction to proceed with the upcoming Capital Campaign program to learn of Beacon's Capacity for Repair, Improvement and Expansion of our Community Home.  Like any home from time to time, we need to address some repairs, modernize and update some areas, and most certainly, we are in need of some more space.

~ Social Justice Allies (SJA) ~
 
This Sunday, January 21: SJA meeting following the service (about 11:15) in the Purple Room. Beacon members, friends and visitors are welcome to participate. Agenda items will include:
  • Planning for UU Day at the Legislature (DATL) Feb. 19, Presidents' Day (see below);
  • Progress on development of an emergency safety plan for Beacon (see below);
  • Update on plans for our monthly winter/spring film series focused on democracy and public engagement, co-sponsored by SJA and the Flagstaff Book Group.
At 12:30 on Sunday, UU Justice Arizona Network (UUJAZ) executive director Rev. Lisa McDaniel-Hutchings will facilitate a Zoom electronic training at Beacon for UU DATL. SJA chair Terry White will set us up so we can participate together at Beacon. A light lunch will be provided.
 
Also this Sunday at 4:00 pm there will be a Zoom-based Justice Strength Training about the death penalty with Judge Wallace Hoggatt, a UU and Superior Court Judge in Cochise County.  You can register for that by emailing Rev. Lisa at  lisa@uujaz.org .

The same Zoom link works for both meetings!  

Please record this information as this is the link we use for all UUJAZ meetings.


Monday, February 19 (Presidents' Day ): UU Day at the Legislature (DATL) is  an all-day gathering at the capitol in Phoenix. It's both a statewide UU rally and an opportunity to exchange priorities in small groups with our respective legislators. Rev. Lisa will help us prepare this Sunday. Our good friend Carolyn Kavanagh, who now lives in Sedona and is active with the Sedona Fellowship, will also help by making appointments with Sen. Sylvia Allen and Rep. Bob Thorpe.
 
Emergency Safety Plan for Beacon
With congregations around the country feeling especially vulnerable these days to serious unexpected disruption--or worse--SJA agree that it's prudent to develop clear systems for protecting people participating in our activities at Beacon. While a Beacon policy on Disruptive Behavior (Section 200.8) was approved in 2015, attention to highly dangerous emergencies is scant. Sue Strobel, Beacon-and SJA-member, has been researching resources for guidance, including a request that a local law enforcement specialist visit our building and offer suggestions for congregational safety. 

She presented information gathered so far to Beacon's Core Leadership Council at their meeting January 17 and will follow-up with the Board of Trustees the following week.

In community and service,
Roz Clark, SJA Journalist
~ Religious Exploration ~

Looking forward to seeing you for RE on Sunday, January 21! 
  • PreK-Grade 2 children will hear the story of The Dog and the Heartless King and reflect on Justice for all.
  • Grades 3 & 4 are still encouraged to join a very special Google Group created just for them.  (Let me know if your child is in that age group and you did not receive an invitation.)  Here they will find fun family activities that will prepare them for the lesson on Sunday. 
  • Grades 5-7 will handle the important awareness of justice work with Side With Love!'s (Formerly Standing on the Side of Love) 30 Days of Love Program.  On Sunday we will begin by considering how we can grow our ecosystem.
  • 8th Graders will begin their Coming of Age Program.
We are looking forward to:
  • Middle School Movie Night, Wednesday January 24, 4:30-7:00 PM. 
  • Community Potluck, February 11 after service.  Come celebrate a very special 60th birthday!
~ Chalice Circles ~

A way to deepen your Beacon experience.

Chalice Circles are an important part of Adult Faith Formation among UU congregations.  We are proud to offer this opportunity for spiritual growth to members and friends of Beacon. Chalice Circles are designed to foster introspection and deep listening as participants respond to topic questions from their personal perspective and life experience. Chalice Circles provide:
  • A way to foster friendships and caring connections
  • An avenue for personal growth and spiritual exploration
  • And an opportunity to strengthen the fabric of our church community
Circles will meet once a month for 90 minutes, January through April. The first Circle will be January 23 at 7:00 pm with a second on Sunday, January 28 at 11:30 am, both of which will be in the Beacon Library upstairs. Subsequent meetings may will be held on fourth Sundays at 11:30 am or Tuesdays at 7:00 pm (with some exceptions).   The number of participants per Circle is limited to six.  Topics correspond with the monthly Touchstones theme.

As your Chalice Circle facilitator, Char Tarashanti is committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all participants and guiding the process within the framework of the Chalice Circle format. Char has five years of Chalice Circle experience in her previous congregation in Minnesota .
 
Sign up sheets will be available in the lobby this Sunday or contact Char directly at, 
(507) 990-3888 or biobalance240@charter.net.  She will be happy to answer your questions or accept registrations. 
~ Tret Fure in Concert, Feb. 3 at 7:00 pm ~

Tret is a singer songwriter in the folk tradition. She has been performing for over 50 years. For many years she was part of the Women's Music Movement. She has been active in the labor movement and has served as the president of Local 1000 for traveling musicians. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Share in an evening of music at Beacon! Contact lore m. dickey for tickets at (318) 265-4287.
~ Save the Date! ~

birthday_cake_candles.jpg
Guess who turns sixty years old 
on  February 11th

And you're invited  to the celebration!

More details to come!
~ Community Action Committee ~

Logo of Figure Reading a Book: Return to the home page for Sun Sounds
Beacon's community partner for January will be the Flagstaff affiliate of Sun Sounds of Arizona.

Thanks to Beacon's commitment to Share the Plate with approved community partners! For January's undesignated Sunday morning offering money beyond $300 will be presented to Sun Sounds of Flagstaff.

If you would like to nominate an organization to be a community partner, pick up the application in the CAC folder at the bottom of the office stairs. Information and instructions for Share the Plate partners 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
~ Save the Date! ~

candle.jpg
Rejuvenation - Body, Mind and Spirit: 
Youth and Adult Retreat Day

Saturday, February 24, 9:30 - 3:30 at Beacon

Developed by Rev. Kevin and Char Tarashanti with m ore information coming soon!
~ In Community ~

Jennifer & Collin shared their sorrow of illness in the family, especially Collin's stepdad and Jennifer's nephew. They are thankful for the support of her brother's church community and for the community here at Beacon in this challenging time.

Grace is celebrating the life of her favorite teacher who has passed away. This teacher encouraged her to read insightful authors that were not mainstream at the time. 

Anne is grateful for the gathering of middle school students and thanked the many helpful members including Dee, Jeff, Bob, Anne, Barry, and any others for their aid.

Nancy remembered her mother's best friend who introduced her mom to UU, participated in the Selma Civil Rights March, and was a living example of UU principles.
~ Beacon Calendar ~
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, January 18
7:00 pm
Touchstone Chalice Circle
Tuesday, January 23
7:00 pm
Flagstaff Folk Project
Friday, January 19
7:15 pm
Middle School Movie Night
Wednesday, January 24
4:30 pm
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, January 21
10:00 am
Kadampa Buddhist Meeting
Wednesday, January 24
6:30 pm 
SJA Meeting
Sunday, January 21
11:15 am
Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 24
7:00 pm
SJA Lunch & Legislative Training
Sunday, January 21
12:30 pm & 1:30 pm 
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, January 25
7:00 pm
Yoga
Tuesday, January 23
11:00 am & 5:00 pm
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, January 28
7:00 pm
YA OWL Planning Session
Tuesday, January 23
3:30 pm
Touchstone Chalice Circle
Sunday, January 28
11:30 am
QiGong
Tuesday, January 23
6:30 pm
Yoga
Tuesday, January 30
11:00 am & 5:00 pm

If you would like to submit a calendar event, send an email to 
office@beaconuu.com . 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!
~ Beacon Office Hours ~
Minister, 
Rev. Kevin  Lawson 

Tues: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Or by appointment
Director of RE, 
Amy Huntereece

Sun: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tues:  12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Wed:  4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
 
  Office Manager, 
Caleb Alexander

Wed: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thurs: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fri: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Or by appointment
Office Phone (928) 779-4492
~ 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. 

Call or email Caleb (office@beaconuu.com) with any questions!
 ~ Beacon Google Group ~

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  office@beaconuu.com.