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~ Monthly Worship Theme ~
New Beginnings
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Minister's Musings
January 5, 2017
New Beginnings ~
Well, I hope everyone is well into this first week of the New Year, happy and healthy!
What a winter holiday it was for many of us, thank you for your patience and understanding with several weather and technical concerns; on behalf of your staff, we are deeply appreciative for your care and understanding. We are still experiencing internet, web site and email difficulties. Back-story - the website was hacked the week of Dec 19
th
, with a redirect when accessing our Beacon Page to Adult Entertainment (xxx). While we are an open and progressive community of people, and teach OWL this was probably not the first welcoming introduction we wished to provide to folks seeking us at the Holidays!
When the web page was quickly taken down from search, this crashed our email unexpectedly this same week, just days before the Christmas Services. We got email back up by the end of the week, only to have the weather, deal us a one-two punch of storms Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. As you all know the Christmas eve service was hastily rescheduled to 11:00am Saturday morning, if you were (understandably) not able to join with us, please know you were missed. With gratitude, I share that 122 of you our dedicated members, friends and visitors were able to join together at Coconino Center for the Arts and we truly had a spirit filled service of recognition for the holiday. Christmas Day was cancelled due to Snow event.
The last week of the year, saw us working behind the scenes to effect communication and attempts to reboot the website, only to learn that in fact our internet access was also compromised, and no longer working correctly and regularly. Centurylink agreed after four days and three calls to send out a new modem, alas this arrived today Thursday, January 05, 2017 and is the wrong item for our system. A technician is now expected in person this evening. All this to simply share, your office staff (elves) have been dedicated and I cannot say enough grace and gratitude for Sakenya, Erika, Heather and Adrianne, along with some volunteer IT support from Dennis S. and Eric B. - believe me when I say we are all ready for a New Year and some New Beginnings!
I hope you might still have opportunity to make arrangements to attend one of the two special workshops being offered this weekend. Please see below for details and information. Rev. Amy Beltaine is our special guest in town for the weekend offering these workshops and she will be our Guest Speaker Sunday, Jan 8
th
for service. I hope we do not have another weather event this weekend, that might be cause for event cancellation. Please send good ju-ju, mojo or whatever your favorite expression, of positive thoughts might be in support of our Beacon Events.
As our New Year and new monthly theme speaks to New Beginnings, I share the following writing as our close to 2016 and our welcome to 2017.
Peace, Rev. Kevin
An ending, or merely prelude to more glorious beginnings?
By
Michael A Schuler
We have reached the end of this time
For the gathering of memory
And for letting the imagination play with future possibilities.
We have enjoyed magic moments and edified each other.
Shall it be concluded, then?
Or will this adventure, now commenced, continue?
Our separate paths converging, meeting, merging
In the unending quest for love more perfect,
The joyous struggle for meaning more sufficient and life more abundant.
Is this ending to be an ending,
Or merely prelude to new, more glorious beginnings?
I pose the question;
In your hearts lies the answer.
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Save the Date!
January 7th & 8th
Guest Speaker, Reverend Amy Beltaine
Saturday, January 7, time to be determined
Beacon Unitarian Universalist
$50.00
A journey into and back out of grief, loss and adversity. Make meaning from your underworld descent. Gain tools to go deeper and return with inner creative power. This soul-retreat will draw on the ancient Sumerian Inanna myth and the wisdom of contemporary eco-feminist theologians and healers. Experience your strength, limitations and the power of claiming, relinquishing and reclamation.
Note: This is a 6 hour event workshop,
Scholarships are not available for this event.
10 person minimum, please RSVP to [email protected].
Sunday Sermon - "The Sacred Fool"
Sunday, January 8, 10:00 am
"Show us truth, teach us courage. The Trickster, the Prankster, the Jester and the Muse: keep us humble by revealing our limitations; show us that anything is possible when we let go of expectations; teach us the healing power of laughter; inspire us to share our joy and sadness; remind us to see the world with new eyes; and sting us out of complacence and stagnation, returning us to the path."
Social-Justice Conversations
Sunday, January 8, 1:00-3:00 pm
Beacon Unitarian Universalist
$15.00
Build the world we dream of, one conversation at a time. In a safe space, gain skills to have crucial conversations that heal, connect, and transform. Tongue-tied when talking about social justice with Uncle Rob? How to start? With faith-based conversations in solidarity with the marginalized and bullied you have the power to call others into the circle of love and justice.
Limited scholarships available, please speak with Rev. Kevin for more information.
20 person minimum, please RSVP to [email protected].
Spiritual Accompaniment (one-on-one sessions)
(Appointments available Monday January 9, 10-8)
Spiritual coaching and companioning sessions available with Reverend Amy Beltaine, Spiritual Director. Curious about spiritual accompaniment but want to see what it is like with a UU first? Looking for "just-in-time" discernment or exploration of a spiritual question? Inviting you to conspire with divine love to trust and live your heart song. Cost and appointmenttimes visible on
listentoheartsong.org, Or email Amy at
[email protected].
About Reverend Amy
Reverend Amy Beltaine provides spiritual support for justice-makers through Sunday services, retreats, and spiritual accompaniment. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her spouse Thorne, son Corey, a pug, a beagle and a cat. Amy serves as the president of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, as the webmaster for the UU Spiritual Director's network, and as a board member of the League of Women Voters of Portland. She travels with her portable home, visiting UU congregations throughout the SW in the cool months and the NW in the warm months. Amy aspires to become a love ninja! Learn more about Reverend Amy at
http://amybeltaine.info
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~ Upcoming Services ~
Jan 8 - Rev. Amy Beltaine - Sacred Fool(s)
Jan 15 - Rev. Kevin - The Dream Continues...
This morning we will mark MLK Day with special music and service, the dream continues, what is our work to build the beloved community?
Jan 22 - Andy Hogg -
Jan 29
- Rev. Karla Brockie -
We are pleased to have Rev. Karla Brockie of Prescott join us here at Beacon.
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Religious Exploration
Dear Parents,
Welcome to 2017! The sum of the numerals in 2017 is equal to the number 10. In numerology, the number 10 is often reduced to the singular numeral 1. It is believed that, "The number 10/1 brings all sorts of new changes into your life, and there seems to be an element of luck within those energies. Through this vibration, you have the insight to recognize and understand the needs of humanity, and the ability to bring peace and harmony to all".
What a perfect way to begin a new year of learning, growing, and changing!
The highlighted UU principle for January & February is:
"Acceptance of one another and encouragement to
spiritual growth in our congregation"
January 8, 2017
January 15, 2017
January 22, 2017
January 29, 2017: Tales and Myths from Indian Mythology
.
We will be sharing stories and myths from the Indian Tradition, and learning about their pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha, and Krishna. We will be exploring sacred ritual, chants, and ceremonies related to the Hindu and Buddhist faiths.
We will be focusing on inclusivity and how Unitarian Universalists encourage spiritual growth welcoming diversity and difference in our congregations.
All classes will be hybridized to include age appropriate discussion and activities.
Volunteers are always welcome! Please email
[email protected]
to find out how you can contribute to our dynamic RE program.
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News from the Committee on Ministry
Now that you know that Mark James, Dru Monroe, Collin Weller, and Nancy Paxton are serving on Committee on Ministry (COM), you may be wondering what does the COM do? According to the UUA, one of the most important functions of COM is promoting direct, face-to-face communication among all the members of our UU community. Don't be surprised if you express a concern to one of the members of COM, and we respond by asking, "Have you spoken with the person involved"? We see direct communication as one of Beacon's most important principles to help maintain the loving bonds that we affirm every
Sunday when we say "love is the spirit of this church." This is why we will do what we can to encourage you to speak directly to the person involved, with sympathy and compassion. We ask you to avoid airing objections anonymously or by email. We hope you will share your appreciations and praise as well as any concerns or suggestions for change with the person involved, whether it is our minister, other members of our staff, volunteer leaders, or any other member of the congregation. Of course, all of us on COM are happy to speak with you or answer your questions, if we can.
If you have information to share with COM as a whole, you may contact Nancy Paxton who has agreed to serve in this role for COM. You may call her at 928-773-9181 or email her at [email protected].
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SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLIES (SJA) UPDATE: 2017, HERE WE COME!
"Social Justice Conversation" with guest presenter Rev. Amy Beltaine
As you can see in the "Listen to Heart Song" piece on a previous Weekly News, Rev. Amy Beltaine will be in the Beacon pulpit Sun. morning, Jan. 8, then in the afternoon,
1
-
4:00
-please note the time correction
-she will lead a program titled "Social Justice Conversations." As the flyer states, while there is a $15 fee per person for this afternoon session, SJA and Rev. Kevin are offering several "scholarships," 4 from the SJA budget line item and a few more from Kevin's resources.
Due to the short timeline (further shortened by Rich's and my departure on a Winter Trailering Adventure early Fri., 1/6), please follow these directions:
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Let me know if you would like to use one of the SJA scholarships so I can prepay for that,
then
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Contact the Beacon office at 779-4492 or [email protected] with your RSVP for the session Sun., Jan. 8, 1-3:00 (Heather is typically in the office 1-4:00 T, W, and Th, but leave a message if she's not in), and
finally
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Please plan to participate in the Social Justice Conversations at Beacon next Sunday,
1- 4:00!
This is an opportunity to learn Rev. Amy's approach to social justice work, and/or to share with her.
Dates for your calendar
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Sun., Jan. 15, following the service (about 11:15): Beacon SJA meeting.
Members, friends and visitors are welcome!
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Mon., Feb. 20: Day at the Legislature (DATL).
Each year, on Presidents' Day, UUs from throughout Arizona gather at the state capitol for a rally, and to meet with our respective state legislators.
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Mar. 31.- Apr. 2: "Justice District Assembly" in southern AZ.
This year's Pacific Southwest District UU gathering will be structured differently: Thirty partner organizations will offer interactive immersion experiences designed to connect us to the social, environmental and spiritual facets of immigration justice.
Roz Clark, SJA Journalist
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January Art Display
New art for the New Year!
A big thank you to Leah Mundell for sharing the portrait photography of the last 2 months. This month, we are excited to be sharing art from our very own talented volunteer, Marsha Owen!
"Sunlit Drifts"
Marsha Owen
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Greeter and Hospitality Team Refresher Training.
This
Sunday, January 8, at 11;15, we will have a brief update on our Greeter guidelines, how the hospitality team and the greeters interact, and at the end we will review how to access the electronic sign-up. Bring your phone, or Ipad, or laptop if you need help.
This will last from 30 to 45 minutes and will fit between the service and the session at
1 p.m.
with Amy Beltane.
There will be snack foods provided.
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January's Share the Plate Partner
Since 2006,
Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS)
has provided critical shelter, food, and access to resources to those most likely to die on the streets each night. Regardless of faith, mental health, or sobriety, FSS serves any adult experiencing homelessness. FSS's entire strategy is positioned around providing personal and behavioral crisis response for people in need.
Undesignated contributions to December's Sunday service offerings
above $300 (which goes to Beacon's operational budget) get presented to the Center.
Nominate your favorite Non-Profit Group or Agency!
If you would like to nominate a non-profit project or agency whose values are consistent with Beacon's for the Share the Plate Program,
please fill out a
nomination form.
They can also be found on the bulletin board in the foyer.
For more information, contact Community Action Committee (CAC) chairs
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On
Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Beacon will be offering a First Aid/
CPR
Certification Class.
The cost is $20 per person and the class is offered by LP Health Directions.
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Beacon Calendar
Sunday Worship Service
Sunday, January 1
10:00 am
Children's Religious Exploration
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Worship Associates Meeting
Thursday, January 5
5:30 - 6:30 pm
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Beacon Youth Group
Sunday, January 1
12:30-2:30 pm
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, January 5
7:00 - 8:45 pm
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~Yoga returns on January17th~
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Beacon Office Hours
Minister, Rev. Kevin Lawson:
Monday:
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Tuesday:
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Wednesday:
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
*Other times available by appointment
Director of Religious Exploration, Sakenya McDonald
Sunday:
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Tuesday -
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Wednesday:
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
*Other times available by appointment
Office Manager, Heather Thornton
Tuesday: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Wednesday:
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Thursday:
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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