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Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter.
Heather Thornton, Beacon Office Manager
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~ Monthly Worship Theme ~
Summer Imaginarium
Poetry Service!
On Aug. 20, Jack Doggett and Nancy Paxton will present Beacon's annual summer celebration of poetry. This year, we will offer some thoughts and contemplative poems that explore the mysteries of mortality, spirituality, and transcendence. We hope these modern and contemporary poems about loss, death, and transformation will provide fresh perspectives, and perhaps new consolations, that are in keeping with Unitarian-Universalist values and traditions.
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Join Beacon for our Annual In-Gathering Picnic! September 10, 10:00 am at the BMP Community Ramada at Bushmaster Park, adjacent to Thomas School, off Lockett Rd. There will be a short homily, with a potluck picnic, family fun, and games to follow! We look forward to having you all with us to celebrate this long time Beacon tradition!
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~ Ministers Musings ~
Friends of Beacon,
I am sorry to have been out of town this past weekend and away from our beloved community when terrorism and hate struck in Charlottesville. Like so many, I am heartsick at the events of last weekend. However, my resolve is strong. I am ready more than ever to speak truth and love to power, and to arise in body in spirit for Love and Diversity, here in Flagstaff, here in Arizona and here in our Country at large. I deeply appreciate the messages I received asking if we would rally at City Hall, while I was not able in the immediate to do so, please know I will be with you and will do so in the coming weeks. Sadly, this will not be a one-and-done need! This is a difficult new chapter in our land, and there will be many needs for us to gather and take a stand to defend love, diversity and progress. Values and principles we honor in the collective as Unitarian Universalists.
I was away last weekend and this week attending the "Walking the Walk" Social Justice Campference at De Benneville Pines UU Camp. This was a powerful gathering of Unitarian Universalists Justice Arizona (UUJAZ), Unitarian Universalists Justice Ministries of California (UUJMCA), and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) along with Social Justice Members and friends from UU congregations, churches and fellowships across both states. Beacon was by SJA member Faith Moore and me, and we hope for more attendees, next year. We will be reporting on the camp to SJA, sharing additional highlights, and programming updates in the coming months.
In the wake of Charlottesville and just today Barcelona, Spain - I wish to share the following message from my ministerial colleague and the President of Starr King Seminary, Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt:
"Dear Ones-
If you didn't know, now you know.
This past weekend, Charlottesville Virginia was the epicenter of a massive resurgence of racism
and hatred. White nationalists showed up in an
attempt to "reclaim" their country from the rest
of us. Three people died-one of them, Heather Heyer, killed in a shameless act of domestic
terrorism. Dozens of people were hurt; the president made a tepid non-statement; the world
watched in stunned disbelief.
If you didn't know that the recurrent, relentless scourge facing this nation is white supremacy,
now you know.
If you didn't know that our most recent UU General Assembly rightly focused on the structures
and habits that support white supremacy, even in our own beloved faith tradition, now you know.
If you didn't know that for every visible Nazi and white supremacist, there have always been
others waiting to emerge, now you know.
And if you didn't know that this is just the beginning of their attempts to
spark a renewed reign
of terror in the United States, now you know.
The white supremacist movement in the United States believes it is on the verge of a comeback,
100 years after one of its constituent groups, the Klu Klux Klan, first enjoyed the favor of the
White House-just as it does now..."
Let us together remain ever vigilant! Hate and Evil must not rise again! May we be every ready to answer the call of love, to know that love resists hate, evil, violence and segregation. Together we endeavor to build a beloved community.
Grateful to be on the Journey with you,
Rev. Kevin
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~ Music Box ~
This week the Music Box is staying closed
as its talented guide is taking a wee bit o time off to enjoy summer.
I take a quick moment to offer gratitude and appreciation for the two fine music services Adrianne has coordinated in recent weeks. Also to share gratitude for all who participated and shared personal stories helping to build our sense of community. Music is a gift and it is greatly appreciated we have a strong music community within Beacon. With Gratitude, Rev. Kevin
ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
Choir season commences Thursday, August 17th,
7:00 - 8:30pm @ Beacon!!! Can't wait to see you there! - Adrianne
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~ In Community ~
Steve Zeldes shared joy for one month retirement anniversary, and sorrow for a torn Achilles tendon.
Ruth Roazen shared sorrow for Charlottesville.
Bill (visitor from Tuscon) shared sorrow for a friend who was hit by a drunk driver.
Laura Lyn shared joy that the girls father is in town, and also that Camp de Benneville was a great experience.
Roz Clark shared joy that Literature of the Borderlands was a success.
Susan shared sorrow for Charlottesville, and thanks to Chuck Tatum and Roz and Rich Clark for the Literature of the Borderlands series.
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~ Social Justice Allies ~
SJA will meet this Sunday, August 20, following the service (about 11:30). The agenda will include:
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Updates on coming activities
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Sat., Sept. 30: "Out of Darkness" Walk-a-thon sponsored by the Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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Sat., Oct. 14 (at the UU Church of Surprise): UUJAZ (UU Justice AZ) network "Issues and Action Day"
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Mini-training on one-on-one (relational) conversations, the foundational building block of Congregation-Based Community Organizing (CBCO), the process that guided Beacon into social justice work.
All are welcome: Beacon visitors, "friends" and members. Snacks will be provided.
It's a wrap: Literature of the Borderlands, led by Chuck Tatum.
Last weekend, we concluded our ambitious four-Saturday series onLiterature of the Borderlands. It was truly led by Dr. Charles (Chuck) Tatum: conceived, organized, prepped and delivered in spades by our summer Beacon friend (supported by his wife Anne).
Here follows a list of the positive outcomes:
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Participation: The number of attendees started at 20 (first session) and held steady at 15 the remaining three sessions. Participation of people from outside Beacon ranged from 5 to 10 (and two of them came to last Sunday's service!).
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Reading materials: Chuck selected excerpts from resources and we (finally) figured out a way to provide them for participants, so we have (literally) piles of fascinating reading by Latino writers.
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Learning: Chuck , with his decades of experience, writing and teaching, offered unique perspectives on "borders", as did other participants.
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Gifts: Chuck and others shared their gifts; as a thank-you to him, we made a collective contribution of $170 to No Mas Muertes (No More Deaths) in Chuck's name.
Seems like a win, win, win, doesn't it?!
In gratitude, Roz Clark, SJA Journalist
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~ Beacon Community Action Committee ~
August Community Partner: Full Circle People's Pantry
In last Sunday's service, the inimitable Barbara Packard (co-founder with Bill Packard) of Full Circle Charities, gave us the run-down on their newest project: People's Pantry. The 100% volunteer-run Pantry offers families the opportunity to shop once a week, selecting from the mini-grocery store the food items they want and need-all of it free!
In addition to being named as Beacon's August community partner, we are launching a food drive this week and next.
The also-inimitable Bill Packard will pick up contributions in the Pantry van after the service on Sunday, August 27.
Here are some ideas: Canned goods (e.g. spam, chili, tamales, tuna, chicken, peanut butter, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup) and boxed items like macaroni and cheese.
The Pantry also has a freezer and a fridge, but if you want to contribute those items, please deliver them directly to the store at 2529 E. 7
th
Ave (just east of 4
th
St.).
This project is all about "Flagstaff Helping Flagstaff"!
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~ 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. 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.
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~ Journey of the Universe ~
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Presents
Singer/Songwriter
Aaron Howard
On
Friday August 18, 20
17
Sponsored by and held at
Beacon
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
510 N. Leroux Street, Flagstaff, AZ
(Between Elm and Fine Avenues)
Growing up in rural Montana, Aaron found himself in a complicated relationship with music from a very young age. His Dad played '60s and '70s folk songs from the likes of Paul Simon, Kris Kristofferson, and Bob Dylan. These iconic artists moved Aaron deeply and defined the direction of his life. He became obsessed with everything related to music, and started spending hours a day learning to play the violin. "I didn't grow up with great records." Howard said of his formative years. "I wasn't allowed to listen to rock n' roll." Ironically, the absence of such music from his early life, was likely a powerful factor in the transformative effect it had on him later. "When I discovered rock 'n roll, everything changed. There was something about a three minute song that made sense of my life in a way nothing had before. It was like the world had gone from black and white to color."
Aaron excelled as a violinist and appeared to have a real future there. He rejected the conservatory route, however, in favor of taking his first handful of songs on the road. After a lot of big dreams and empty shows, Aaron found himself in Phoenix, playing hotels and wine bars while writing songs on the side. It was an apprenticeship of sorts. He learned to be an artist during those years. He made several records that ended up being more meaningful in terms of experience than having something to say. He apprenticed in a studio. He
produced a couple of records for other artists. He lived in Chicago and played on the street. He composed music for two short films and a shoe commercial. He wrote well over a hundred songs. Somewhere in all the chaos of those years, he found a sound that brought his work to life. Audiences started to respond.
Aaron Howard
He was a 2014 finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting contest; and the winner of a national competition to become a "Music Groundbreaker" at HATCHfest. He performed with UK film-composer Philip Sheppard at Sundance; shared the stage with legendary Songwriter and Producer, Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Jewel, Fleetwood Mac); landed a spot on the radio show, 'Live from the Divide: A Celebration of the American Songwriter'; a as well as opening slots for Trevor Hall, Shawn Phillips, and Timothy Schmit of the Eagles.
Please join us in welcoming Aaron to the Flagstaff Folk Project.
We need more Open-Mic'ers
One of the enjoyable and special things at the Flagstaff Folk Project is the first half Open-Mic, where local musicians get to play in front of a safe audience for a 10 minute gig (usually 2 songs). We set up this format so folk musicians can get some experience in front of an audience and to show the variety of talent that exists in and around the Flagstaff area. So bring an instrument and a couple songs you've been practicing with you and sign up for one of the 6 slots.
Format:
7:15 - 8:15 p.m. - Open Mic
8:15 - 8:30 p.m. - Refreshment/Coffee Break
8:30 - 9:30 p.m. - Featured Performer
Admission: $5.00 (all proceeds go to the featured performer)
Up-Coming Featured Performers:
September 15 Carol Markstrom - Tucson Area Singer/Songwriter
October 20 Ed kabotie - Hopi Singer/Songwriter
November 17 Tony Norris and Bill Burke - Old Timey folk music
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~ Classifieds ~
Lost and Found!
Please note! It's time for the annual clearing out of the lost and found! Please look in the plastic tote under the plate table for any of your belongings, we will be donating all remaining items in September!
New
Sunday Morning Volunteer opportunity! 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.
Tuesday Volunteer opportunity! We're seeking volunteers to prepare the weekly deposit and other simple tasks as needed. Please contact the office with your interest.
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.
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~ Art Exhibitions at Beacon for July and August
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And Now For Something Different - New Art At Beacon
For July And August we are displaying the exciting work of textile artist and man about town Jamie Hasapis. The pieces in this exhibit were created using a technique called "snow-dyeing". Fabric is covered with 8" - 10" of snow and then dyes are applied. As the snow melts the dye is absorbed randomly creating color, design and texture. "I never know what the end result will be....when I open the bundles I have these incredible gifts that I get to share."
In addition to his art, Jamey is a musician, singer and actor. He is also the host of Radio Sunnyside's Community Conversation
on Monday mornings at
10 a.m.
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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 Heather, our Office Manager, at
[email protected].
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Beacon Calendar
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, August 17
7:00 pm
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Yoga
Tuesday, August 22
11:00 am, 5:00 pm
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Qi-Gong
Tuesday, August 22
6:15 pm
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Sunday Service & Religious
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Board Meeting
Wednesday, August 23
6:00 pm |
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Social Justice Allies
Sunday, August 13
11:00 am
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, August 24
7:00 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
Please call the office during regular office hours for DRE needs at this time.
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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
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~ 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!
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!
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