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Beacon Spiritual Theme of the Month
~ Hospitality ~
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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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Reminder:
Building and Grounds workday this
Saturday,
Oct 21, 9 am to noon!
Free breakfast goodies provided. Come join the fun!
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Please get your donations rolling in!
Click
here
to view the auction donation form.
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~ Sunday Service ~
"Appreciate Your Life"
Rev. Glenn C. Farley, of the Sedona UU Fellowship, will reflect on what we can learn about living full lives from those who are dying. He will
share from his life and from the author Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
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~ Touchstones Journal ~
October Theme
Hospitality
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~ From the Ministers Desk ~
Well, it's day 20 into the month of October, and if your month is going like mine, I'm playing catch-up! It has really been a few weeks of cold and flu, and so many of us have been hit hard by the creepy crud, I hope many of you are feeling better these days. We will continue to offer alternative closing to asking for hand holding, during this season of sniffles and coughs.
Please take needed actions personally to keep you healthy and strong.
This month's spiritual theme of Hospitality has really afforded us some very nice Sunday service gatherings and spoken messages. I am pleased to see the common bowl of readings becoming an integral part in meetings and gatherings, with the sharing of some readings to open or close gatherings. I hope many of you who might have just heard about Chalice Circles last month, will be making plans to participate this month and November and December. We are so very fortunate to have new member Char Tarashanti to facilitate and offer caring heart and hold space for these circles, such a fine opportunity to deepen engagement with Beacon, and to make new friends.
Speaking of the readings from the common bowl, in case you haven't seen these in the monthly theme journal, or shared some in a meeting or gathering, the following are the quotes from the first week of October:
Day 1:
"The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and
loved. It's about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment." Shauna
Niequist
Day 2:
"True hospitality is marked by an open response to the dignity of each and every person."
Kathleen Norris
Day 3:
"Hospitality does not try to impress, but to serve." Karen Burton Mains
Day 4:
"There is nothing that makes me happier than sitting around the dinner table and talking
until the candles are burned down." Madeleine L'Engle
Day 5:
"Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become
friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully, and even to dare to be silent with you."
Henri Nouwen
Day 6:
"Hospitality is the practice of ...welcome by reaching across difference to participate in
...actions bringing justice and healing to our world in crisis." Letty Russell
Day 7:
"Worship, then, needs to be characterized by hospitality; it needs to be inviting." James
Smith
I hope you will find like me, these are so helpful to shift my thoughts, realign my outlook, perhaps you will develop a daily practice with morning coffee, or before hitting the pillow in the evening, to simply review the quote of the day. A moment's pause to center and reflect, to allow a new thought and expression to cross your pathway.
Grateful to be on the journey with you,
Rev. Kevin
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~ Music Box ~
#6
Just as Long as I Have Breath
We are fighting through an unsteady world all the time. It is common to get fatigued, out of breath, perhaps even panicked. The lyrics of this very popular UU hymn are such a great reminder to follow our breath, feel gratitude for our beating hearts and when our vision fails us, rely on that third eye/intuition coupled with truth, that lights the way through dark times.
1. Just as long as I have breath, I must answer, 'Yes' to life;
though with pain I made my way, still with hope I meet each day.
If they ask what I did well, tell them I said, 'Yes', to life
2. Just as long as vision lasts, I must answer, 'Yes' to truth;
in my dream and in my dark, always: that elusive spark.
If they ask what I did well, tell them I said, 'Yes' to truth.
3. Just as long as my heart beats, I must answer, 'Yes' to love;
disappointment pierced me through, still I kept on loving you.
If they ask what I did best, tell them I said, 'Yes' to love
#100
I've Got Peace Like A River
written by Rev. Marvin Frey or is it an African-American Spiritual/field song? Research sites both. Marvin Frey was one of twelve children born to immigrants from Germany and raised in Portland, Oregon. At age seventeen he began a prolific songwriting career, composing (or copywriting) some of the most popular Christian choruses of the twentieth century. For example, he registered
Kum Ba Yah
in 1936 and
I've got Peace Like a River
in 1977 for copyright with the Library of Congress. My gut tells me that Rev. Frey most likely transcribed cultural songs he learned through the oral tradition from missionaries returning from Africa (
Kum Ba Yah
- Come By Here) and African American field songs,
I've got peace like a river
... So, I'm trying not to let the issue of "ownership" ruin my peace... Songs from African-American heritage are important in our shared history. I am thrilled that so many songs are in print and have survived through the changing face of oppression, censorship and racial inequality... Stay with the flow of the river...
#108
My Life Flows On in Endless Song
is a Christian
hymn
with music written by American
Baptist
minister Robert Wadsworth Lowry. The original composition has now entered into the public domain, and appears in several hymnals and song collections, both in its original form and with a revised text. Twentieth-century Quakers adopted it as their own and use it widely today. It is a personal favorite of mine, too.
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~ Community Action Committee ~
This month's community partner:
Flagstaff Family Food Center Food Bank and Kitchen
On Friday, October
27,
Beacon has signed up to pack food boxes at the Family Food Center's warehouse, 3805 E. Huntington Drive-look for the big Food Bank sign on the building
. Our assignment is from 10am to 1:00pm. Everyone is invited to participate, whether it's for the full 3 hours, an hour, or something in between!
There is additional parking behind the building.
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~ In Community ~
Dawn DiMiao shared concerns for recent health issues.
Steve Zeldes and Dru Monroe shared joy at their son's marriage.
Jack Roberts' son is quitting his job with Qatar airlines and coming home.
lore dickey shared concerns for recent health issues.
Adrianne Anning shared sorrow for the loss of a friend in Flagstaff.
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~ Chili Potluck ~
Sunday October 29th
Immediately after the service!
Both meat and
vegetarian chili provided.
Please bring a side dish to share. Come enjoy breaking bread together!
For Children of ALLLLLLL Ages:
Wear your costumes and receive a special goodie bag! We know how Beaconites love a par-tee and to dress up!
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~ Auction! ~
Get ready for Beacon's "Everything Flagstaff" 20
th
Annual Silent & Live Auction!
Auction date: Saturday, November 4, 2017
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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, and more!
Call for raffle items and door prize items
for
"Everything Flagstaff", Beacon's Annual Auction
Besides terrific auction items you can bid on when you come to Beacon's "Everything Flagstaff" Auctio
and maybe even a
totally FREE door prize
!
Where will those raffle items and door prizes come from?
From YOU, of course!
So think about asking for a donation from a business you frequent, like a favorite restaurant, massage therapist, hair or nail salon, coffee or tea shop, or...use your imagination. Some Beacon folks would prefer to just
purchase
a gift card or service rather than asking for a donation. Most raffle items are valued at $25 - $50.
We also need about a half dozen door prizes, probably of lesser value than raffle prizes: $10 - $20 value.
With less than three weeks before the big night, now is a perfect time to make your contact or purchase your gift card. Then, please alert Roz Clark ([email protected] or 380-6502) about your raffle/door prize donation.n Saturday night, November 4, you'll have an opportunity to win spiffy raffle items
~ ~ ~
Come dressed as Everything Flagstaff!
(As a hiker, biker, tourist, skiier, tree hugger, student, Fratellis, from Route 66, ...)
Can't wait to see you there!
Please consider providing yummy finger food for our upcoming Beacon Auction!
Here are some of the particulars:
What: Appetizers and desserts that are easily handled by hand and can be served on a tray; 20-30 items.
When:
Saturday, November 4th 6 p.m. at the Aspen Valley Golf Club. I will happily pick up your food donation if you are not attending this event! (Please bring your food in at
5:30 p.m.)
Contact: Donna Engleson if you are able to contribute!
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~ Building Expansion ~
Beacon Financial Capacity Study for the Proposed Building Expansion
An important step in our planning for our building expansion is to assess our financial capacity for funding the project. Beacon UU Congregation has hired Kay Crider, a congregational stewardship consultant, to conduct a professional financial feasibility study in early November. The results of her study will serve as a guide for Beacon's next steps in our building expansion planning.
Kay will prepare a summary report for the congregation. The results of the study will be reported to the congregation at a meeting on
December 3.
In a congregational meeting our membership will vote on whether to move forward with a capital campaign, which would likely be conducted in early spring, 2018. If so, it will be combined with our annual stewardship campaign.
The expansion plans include:
- More space for fellowship and religious exploration
- Moving our minister's office to the first floor
- Improving our common spaces and infrastructure
It's important that the feasibility study survey a representative cross-section of our congregation. About 20 per cent of our members are being invited to participate. Kay Crider has given us guidelines for who she wants to survey and invitations have gone out to that group.
These confidential interviews will be conducted at the church
November 9, 10 and 11. The results will:
- Clarify how much our members know about the expansion project
- Help identify issues that need to be resolved
- Estimate what financial support to expect
Interviews will take approximately 45 minutes and participants comments will remain confidential. Participation with partners as couples is encouraged.
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Beacon Calendar
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Yoga
Tuesday, October 24
11:00 am, 5:00 pm
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Building and Grounds Cleanup Day
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Sunday Service & Religious Exploration
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Touchstones Chalice Circle
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Touchstones Chalice Circle
Sunday, October 22
11:30 am
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Flagstaff Family Food Center
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OWL
Sunday, October 22
1:00 pm
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Building and Grounds
Tuesday, October 24
10:00 am
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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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~ Save the Date ~
Saturday, Oct 21, 2017
9:00 am
Building and Grounds workday.
Breakfast treats provided!
Friday, October 27
10:00 am
Family Food Center Volunteer Day
Sunday, October 29
11:00 am
Chili Potluck
Saturday, November 4, 2017
6:00 pm
Beacon Auction!
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~ Classifieds ~
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!
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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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 Hunterreece
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,
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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(928) 779-4492
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~ 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."
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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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~ 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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