Beacon Spiritual Theme of the Month
~ Beauty ~
Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter. 
Heather Thornton, Beacon Office Manager

~ Sunday Service ~ 

"Everything Flagstaff"  Worship Associate Andy Hogg will explore why people choose to live in Flagstaff.  There is vast natural beauty, outdoor opportunities, and is a place of spiritual power to many Native people.  Andy will share  insight and humor about how we view our chosen home.  This theme will recur this fall for our annual services auction in November.
~ Touchstones Journal ~

Click here to read the September Touchstone Journal

~ From the Ministers Desk ~  
Dear Beacon,

I wish to thank the Board of Trustees and the Worship Team, and our professional staff, for their care and support this week as I needed to leave town promptly last Sunday after our homecoming picnic.

I received word during our community lunch that my mother's heath was declining with increasing concern.  I was able to reach Phoenix by  5 pm  Sunday evening, my sister and I shared a remarkable evening, and  Monday with her.  She drifted to sleep  Monday evening and died peacefully  Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by family.

I will not be in the pulpit  this Sunday, and I offer my gratitude to Andy Hogg for so quickly stepping in to support me. He and Adrianne will offer to our community a lovely service. I regret we will postpone our commissioning of our new music director, and our director of religious exploration.  I look forward to rescheduling this important ritual of welcoming and covenanting in the next few weeks. 

Thank you again for your care, love and support at this tender time of transition.

Grateful to be on the journey with you,

Rev. Kevin
~ Music Box ~
#329 Life Has Loveliness by Leo Collins is one of many settings of Sara Teasdale's poem, "Barter".  The poem speaks of beautiful things, loveliness, that life has for sale, implying there is a cost.  Her original title "Barter" helps us know it is not money or something we can save for and use but we must trade something.  The final verse tells us what we trade or barter for beauty, "count a year of strife well lost...give all you have been, or could be (for loveliness)."

#328 I Sought the Wood in Summer by Hal Hopson set to the poem by Willa Cather.  Willa Cather was an American writer noted for her portrayals of immigrant life on the American Frontier.  Her novels included O Pioneers! , 1913; My Antonia, 1918; and One of Ours , 1922, which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.  This text is an excerpt from "I Sought the World in Winter", published in April Twilights, 1903.

#77 Seek Not Afar for Beauty by Cyril V Taylor, words by Minot Judson Savage.  Savage was born to orthodox Main Congregationalists.  After graduating from Bangor Theological Seminary, he served Congregational churches in California, Massachusetts and Missouri.  In 1872, having read Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer, he became Unitarian and subsequently held long pastorates at Boston;s Unity Church and New York's Church of the Messiah (The Community Church).  An early advocate of a religious interpretation of the doctrine of evolution, he wrote many books.  In 1883 he published Sacred Songs for Public Worship , containing forty-two of his hymns, only a few of which survive in modern hymnbooks.

The choir sings this week!!! We have been on hiatus during the summer but are happily making music together again.  We rehearse each Thursday night from 7-8:30 pm and would love new singers to join us.  IT'S FUN!

Musical Interlude Two Dorian Hymns
  1. The Call by G.P. da Palestrina (16th century)
  2. Morning Song by A. Prudentius Clemens (5th century)

Offertory What A Wonderful World originally written for and performed by Louis Armstrong
arr. Ed Lojeski



~ Religious Exploration ~  
Religious Exploration classes start THIS SUNDAY for all children, nursery-grade 8. See you then!
For more information contact the Director of Religious Exploration, Amy Huntereece,  re@beaconuu.com

Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, a liberal faith community, seeks a Lead Teacher and a Childcare Assistant to provide development and coordination of the Religious Exploration (RE) program. The Lead Teacher and Childcare Assistant work with the Director of Religious Exploration, the Minister, RE Committee, and volunteers to create a visionary, vibrant, organized, safe, and effective religious education program for children. 18 years and up. Prefer familiarity with Unitarian Universalism and/or a commitment to learn.
 
Candidates will have a positive attitude and limitless patience. Will recruit, coordinate, and supervise volunteer RE teachers and youth group advisers. Must be detail oriented, able to handle multiple projects at once, meet deadlines, have good people skills, and love working with children. Must be present Sundays. Beacon UU Congregation is a 501(c) (3) Non-profit organization.
 
Please send resume and cover letter to office@beaconuu.com or minister@beaconuu.com
Are you passionate about peace?
Do you enjoy working with children?
This opportunity is for you!
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The children in grades 3 & 4 are learning about peace and justice issues in Flagstaff and beyond this fall for a short 6 week block. Curriculum, activities and materials are already developed.  We need you to help introduce these important issues to the children.
They will meet 10:15-11:15, Sunday morning during service, beginning September 17.
Please contact the Director of Religious Exploration, Amy Huntereece, re@beaconuu.com , if you are interested in volunteering, even for just one Sunday.
Thank you!
~ Social Justice Allies ~

Full Spectrum Justice: It's What Beacon Does!


What IS full spectrum justice? Rev. Lisa McDaniel Hutchings, Executive Director of UUJAZ (UU Justice Arizona) network says, "We believe that working for justice grows out of our values as Unitarian Universalists." Full spectrum justice is ALL the ways we do that, through service, education, organizing, advocacy, witness and philanthropy. Below are just a few examples of the ways Beacon folks have worked-and continue to work-for social justice.

Service: Ex: Serving dinners at the Flagstaff Food Center once a month.

Education: Ex: In collaboration with No. Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC), participating in public assemblies on such issues as accessibility to post-secondary education for undocumented immigrants.

Organizing: Ex: Conducting one-on-one-conversations within our congregation for three purposes: (1) building relationships, (2) identifying potential leaders and (3) determining-together-Beacon's social justice priorities.

Advocacy: Ex: Showing up at City Council meetings-maybe even speaking to the Council-in support of a resolution that includes LGBTQ folks in employment and housing rights guarantees in Flagstaff.

Witness: Ex: Personning a Beacon table at Pride in the Pines to demonstrate our welcoming of and support for the LGBTQ community; gathering on the City Hall lawn to show our support for non-violence.

Philanthropy: Ex: Sharing our Sunday offering-every Sunday-with a non-profit whose programs align with UU values and principles. Examples: Flagstaff Shelter Services, Sharon Manor, Flagstaff Food Center, No. AZ Dream Fund, UUJAZ (UU Justice Arizona) network.

Beacon members, friends and visitors all always welcome to drop in on our Social Justice Allies (SJA) meetings, of course. But if the planning piece is not for you, pat yourself on the back for engaging in your favorite form(s) of "Full Spectrum Justice!"

In community,
Roz Clark, SJA Journalist

~ In Community ~
Heaven, for those who believe, welcomed a new soprano Tuesday afternoon. Reverend Kevin's mother, Joy Lawson , died peacefully just before 4pm Phoenix time. She is greatly loved and missed, but grace abounds and so many of God moments in her last days. Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support for Reverend Kevin and Gary during this sad time. Blessed Be to a great woman, mother and friend. Service will be led by worship associate Andy Hogg in Kevin's absence.
 ~ Board Games with Beacon ~
1:00 - 5:00 pmS aturday Se pt. 23rd
$10 per adult, free entry for children with an adult 
50% of the proceeds to be donated to ACLU of Arizona

On Saturday the 23rd, Beacon will be hosting an all ages tabletop gaming event with Vault: Bringing Back Game Night. Tabletop gaming includes board, dice, dexterity, card, and party games. Vault's mission is to help you find and play your new favorite game. Vault does the work of finding great games and brings a little something for everyone, so unplug from a screen and drop in. Game Master Caleb will be there to get you playing a great game straightaway!

Board Games with Beacon is a community-building event of face-to-face fun, 50% of the proceeds will also be donated to the ACLU of Arizona. We're looking for monthly community partners to invite to Beacon and receive proceeds from future events. Have an organization in mind? Let us know so we can start planning for October's event!
~ Auction! ~
Get ready for Beacon's "Everything Flagstaff" 20 th  Annual Silent & Live Auction!
Auction date: Saturday, November 4, 2017ov. 4, 2017
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm- 9pm
Aspen Valley Golf Club, 1855 N. Continental Dr.
Free admission, childcare, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, door prizes, fun!
 
Examples of donations:
Hosted dinners, certificates to restaurants, hair salons,
experiences like guided hikes, yoga, rock climbing, yard work,
ice skating, yurts, skiing, timeshares, babysitting, etc. and more!
 
Come dressed as Everything Flagstaff!
(As a hiker, biker, tourist, skiier, tree hugger, student, Fratellis, from Route 66, ...)
 
Please get your donations rolling in!  Click here to view the auction donation form.
Can't wait to see you there!
Beacon Calendar
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, September 14
7:00 pm
Core Leadership Council
Wednesday, September 20
5:15 pm
Sunday Service & Religious 
Exploration
Sunday, September 17
10:00 am
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, September 21
7:00 pm
Social Justice Allies
Sunday, September 17
11:15 am
Games with Vault at Beacon
Saturday. September 23
1:00 pm
Yoga
Tuesday, September 19
11:00 am, 5:00 pm
  Sunday Service & Religious 
Exploration
Sunday, September 24
10:00 am
Qi-Gong
Tuesday,  September 19
6:15 pm
Touchstones Chalice Circle
Sunday, September 24
11:30 am
Religious Exploration Committee
Tuesday, September 19
6:30 pm
OWL Event
Sunday, September 24
11:30 am

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!
~ Save the Date ~

Saturday, September 23, 2017
1:00 pm
Board Games with Beacon

Saturday, September 30, 2017
10:00 am
UUJAZ Lunch info and Fundraising at Beacon

Saturday October 14, 2017
UUJAZ - Issue and Action Day

Saturday, Oct 21, 2017
9:00 am
Building and Grounds workday Breakfast treats provided!

Saturday, November 4, 2017
6:00 pm
Beacon Auction!
~ Classifieds ~

Volunteers!
Sunday cash counters needed! You've been looking for how you can help out at Beacon, here's your chance!  We're seeking to build a pool of cash count volunteers to work in teams of two, for one half hour after service to count the offering and prepare cash count sheet.  Please contact the office with your interest. Thank you to those who have expressed interest, we need three or four more people to schedule a training, and are looking forward to implementing this program in the coming weeks!

Photos!
Requesting photos with permission to use them on the Beacon website! Photos can be of congregational events (please make sure everyone in the photo is named so that I can obtain a release to use them!), the church itself, the grounds, or even just of around town! Help us show the public the beautiful community that is Beacon UU!

Beacon Library!
Our Beacon Library is in need of some friends, might you have time to help organize, and to create and review checkout and return of our honor system loaner library?  The library is currently being reset in the upstairs library / DRE office room, so a great time to help with organizing.  Please be in touch with Rev. Kevin.
Beacon Office Hours

Minister, 
Rev. Kevin  Lawson: 

Tues: 11:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Weds: 11:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Other times available by appointment
Director of Religious Exploration, 
Amy Hunterreece

Sun: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Tues: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Thurs:  1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 

  Office Manager, 
Heather Thornton

Tues: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Weds: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thur: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

~ Art at Beacon ~

BRICOLAGES

For September and October, works by Beacon member Carleton Sheppard will be on view in the sanctuary. They are called "bricolages," a French word for the creation of a work from a diverse range of things that happen to be at hand. "Collages" are two-dimensional works of art made by combining various papers and other flat surfaces; "bricolages" are three-dimensional, made by combining objects.. 

When she moved to Flagstaff in 1998, she began practicing the Japanese art of 
wabi-sabi before she learned what it is: the aesthetic of impermanence and imperfection. She was fascinated by the natural forms and rusty objects she found in the Ponderosa forest, and began assembling them into wall arrangements.  According to Wikipedia, characteristics of 
wabi-sabi include "asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity... and appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes."
~ SIGN UP Time for Circle Suppers at Beacon ~
Break bread with a few other Beaconites

How it works:
  • Any Member or Friend of Beacon signs up (with your partner and family, if you wish) by September 12. You are signing up to participate in 3-5 potluck Suppers (or brunches or whatever) during September-January. Each Supper is held in the home of one member of the Circle; nobody hosts more than 1 Supper.
  • Paul Beier assembles participants into "Circles" of ~6-8 adults (plus kids in kid-tolerant groups), notifies you of the Circle to which you have been assigned, and assigns one person to be the Ringleader of each Circle.
  • The Ringleader of each Circle works with Circle to set the date for the first Supper at the Ringleader's home. At each Supper, the Circle selects a date & host for the next Supper. Continue until everyone has had hosted.
  • Is your home too small to host? No problem! We can work it out...
 
"A Beacon tradition for 30 years"
What to do:
Before  September 12, email  paul.beier@gmail.com, with your
  • Name
  • Email
  • Phone (gotta have it! I promise not to share it beyond your Circle)
  • Names of other adults who will attend Suppers with you
  • Names and ages of kids who will attend suppers with you
  • Are you willing to have babies (kids <36 months) old in your Circle? Yes/No
  • Are you willing to have kids > 3 years old in your Circle? Yes/No
  • Any other information, such as: "only Sunday brunches" or "house too small for me to host" or "please put in circle with Barack."
If you can't remember if you already signed up for Circle Suppers, just sign up again - I will find the duplicates.


~ A new way to deepen your Beacon experience. ~

Chalice Circles are an Adult RE component of the Touchstone program of themed ministry that Beacon is initiating in September. Each Circle will consist of 8 participants an a facilitator, meeting once a month for approximately 90 minutes, 4th Sunday at 11:30 am and 4th Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Topics will follow the monthly Touchstone theme. 

Chalice Circles are not study groups, or support groups. They 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
  • An opportunity to strengthen the fabric of our church community. 
As your Chalice Circle facilitator, Char Tarashanti is committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all participants and guiding the process with the framework of the Chalice Circle format. Char had 5 years of Chalice Circle experience  in her previous congregation in MN. 

Sign up sheets will be available in the lobby on Sundays and in the office during the week. Char will be happy to answer any questions in person or by phone. 
Call (507) 990-3888 or email biobalance240@charter.net
~ 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 Heather (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 Heather, our Office Manager, at  office@beaconuu.com.
~ Fundraising the Easy Way! ~

We have added new, easy ways to give back to Beacon! 

Do you shop at Fry's? Use the Beacon phone number, (928) 779-4492, at checkout, and Beacon receives donations from Fry's through their Community Rewards program!

Do you shop online? Use www.iGive.com/BeaconUnitarianUniversalistCongregation and Beacon receives donations from the companies you shop with! 
Or, use smile.amazon.com! Just set Beacon as your charity of choice, and when you use the smile.amazon.com portal to shop, Beacon receives donations from Amazon.com!

Do you know of other passive fundraising methods? Let us know at office@beacon.com!