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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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~ Sunday Service, March 18 ~
"Nothing is Owed to Us, Everything is Given to Us"
Sakenya McDonald
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Cultivating humility is a measured process and more vital to the advancement of environmental preservation and conservation than ever before. Exploring different "ways of knowing" may lead to expanded consciousness and a deeper and more profound embodiment of spiritual and secular humility. By recognizing diverse and indigenous contributions to environmentalism, as well as engaging in dialogue with the intention of establishing cooperative relationships, we afford ourselves opportunities to develop greater compassion, empathy, and humility in our connection with others and with our beloved planet.
After the sermon, please consider joining Sakenya for a round-table workshop in the sanctuary. She will share observations of environmentalism from the voices and perspectives of the "other" and encourage the sharing of ideas for ways to inspire environmental connection and activism in individuals who may often "ride the margins" on these timely subjects.
~ Touchstone Theme: Humility ~
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~ Repair, Expand, Improve Campaign (REI) ~
We have moved from the quiet phase of our combined Stewardship/Capital fundraising campaign to the main event! As of Sunday, March 11 we had quietly canvassed 20 members and friends. This group, which comprises about 22% of our estimated 91 donors ("pledging units") have created an encouraging start to the canvass.
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To our annual Stewardship drive they have pledged $66,650, which is 44% of the $150,000 needed to fund our operational budget* for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
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To our Capital campaign they have pledged $275,600 over a three-year period, which is 61% of our $450,000 stretch goal for funding our building improvements and expansion.
Over the next six to seven weeks the rest of our pledging members and friends will be contacted by one of our volunteer visiting stewards. When you are contacted, please take this opportunity to meet personally with that person; engage in conversation about Beacon: our programs, plans, and future together. It's also a chance to deepen your personal connection to another Beacon member.
Your visiting steward will present you with two pledge forms, one for Stewardship (to fund our operational budget) and a separate one for the Capital campaign (to fund our building improvements). We understand that your pledge is based on a number of personal factors, and every gift is valued.
What are the next steps? When we know the full extent of pledges for the combined campaign there will be two important meetings:
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A town hall in May to discuss recommendations for the annual operational budget and the Repair, Expand and Improve Campaign in light of how much has been pledged to each campaign. No final decisions will be made at this meeting.
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The Annual Congregational Meeting in June, at which time members will vote on the budget for 2018-19 and whether to proceed with construction.
Thank you for your support of Beacon!
In community,
Rich Clark and Steve Zeldes, Co-chairs, REI Finance Committee
*Our Stewardship goal is based on what is necessary to maintain our current programs as they exist today. Increased costs necessitate at least a 5% increase in stewardship, so please keep this in mind as you deliberate what you can commit to.
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~ Website Update ~
Members and Friends should register on the Beacon website soon. Once a significant number of members have registered, content containing personally identifiable information and other member specific content will be available only to logged in members and friends. This will improve the security of personally identifiable information on the Beacon website. Please go to http://www.beaconuu.com/ and register.
Care of,
Dennis Spurlin
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~ Social Justice Allies (SJA) ~
The next SJA meeting will be Sunday, April 15, following the service.
Agenda items include updates on our Community Film Series (see below) and a progress report on the efforts of Beacon's newly formed Church Safety Committee.
Beacon members, friends and visitors are always welcome! Snacks will be provided.
Free Community Film Series On
Democracy and Public Engagement:
How to Change the World
7:00 pm Monday, April 9 at Beacon
If you would like a beverage other than tap water, please bring coffee or tea in a lidded cup or mug.
Feel free to contact me for further information,
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~ Religious Exploration ~
Childcare for young children will be in the Purple Room during service this week. All children older than Grade 3 are encouraged to join their families for the service.
Middle & High School Movie Afternoon!
Who:
Beacon kids Grade 5 and up, friends welcome!
What: Popcorn & Free Movie,
Wonder
, Dir. by
Stephen Chbosky
(2017, 1:53, PG);
based on the monthly theme of Humility, with discussion to follow.
When: Wednesday, March 28, 4:45 pm - 7:00 pm
Where:
Beacon Purple Room
Why: Because it's FUN! Bring your friends.
Easter Sunday, April 1
Inter-generational Service, children are invited to stay in the service and participate too!
Amy Huntereece
Director of Religious Exploration
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~ Community Action Committee ~
The People's Pantry is a mini-grocery store that stocks meat, dairy, eggs, produce and dry pantry goods-all free! Located at 2527 E. 7th Ave. and open convenient hours, people may shop once a week and choose what they like and need for themselves and their families.
To nominate an organization to be a Beacon community partner, pick up an 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 has recently selected additional community partners for April, May and June.
The CAC is comprised of Joanne Parkes, Sue Strobel, Lynda Dorweiler, Rev. Kevin Lawson and Rich Clark.
With continuing thanks for Beacon's generosity and especially for CAC members' thoughtful, persistent efforts to bring our UU Principles to life,
Rich Clark
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~ Community Announcement ~
Religious Exploration Director Amy Huntereece was in in attendance on behalf of Beacon as hundreds of young people walked out of high school classrooms to call attention to gun violence Wednesday. All three area high schools participated in this national display of solidarity and a call to action in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida. Students were engaged in discussions and workshops during the walk out.
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~ In Community ~
Dorothy shared the joy that Clover and Katie have made their family whole by cross-adopting children of former members.
Anne shared the sorrow the she hasn't sold her house but her children have come up and helped her clean it out.
Jeremy is grateful to the congregation for the support received after his recent skiing accident. He is healing well and is on the mend.
lore shared the joy of new grandnephews as well as the sorrow of a death in the family.
Grace shared the joy and thanks for friends who push her toward her entrepreneurial goals.
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~ Beacon Calendar ~
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, March 15
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11:30 am at Flame Broiler
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Kadampa Buddhist Teachings
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, March 22
7:00 pm
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Worship & Childcare (No RE)
Sunday, March 18
10:00 am
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Worship & Childcare (No Re)
Sunday, March 25
10:00 am
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Talk Back Session with Sakenya
Sunday, March 18
11:15 am
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Touchstones Chalice Circle
Sunday, March 25
11:30 am
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Steward Training
Sunday, March 18
11:30 am
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Steward Training
Sunday, March 25
11:30 am
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QiGong
Tuesday, March 20
6:30 pm
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Yoga Practice
Tuesday, March 27
11:00 am & 5:00 pm
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Steward Training
Wednesday, March 21
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QiGong
Tuesday, March 27
6:30 pm
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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!
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~ Beacon Office Hours ~
Rev. Kevin
Lawson
Tues: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Or by appointment
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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
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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
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Office Phone (928) 779-4492
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~ Fundraising the Easy Way! ~
Looking for easy ways to give back to Beacon? Fry's, Basha's, iGive, and Amazon Smile are all great ways to show your support with your everyday purchases!
- Fry's: At checkout, enter Beacon's phone number, (928) 779-4492, and Fry's will donate a portion of your purchase back to Beacon through their Community Rewards program.
- Basha's: If you hold or purchase a Beacon fundraising Basha's gift card, as you use and reload it Beacon receives a portion of your total. Want to purchase one? Contact Dorothy Rissel, dorothy.rissel@gmail.com, for more info! Have one? Be sure to keep it loaded!
- iGive: Check out Beacon at iGive (just click) for online shopping with retailers you already know.
- Amazon.com: Set Beacon as your Amazon Smile charity so your Amazon purchases chip in!
Do you know of other passive fundraising methods? Reply to this newsletter and let us know!
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~ 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.
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