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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, Dec. 17 ~
To Wait and To Wonder,
Rev. Kevin Lawson
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"
Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten. It wants to break open the ripe fruit when it has hardly planted the shoot." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This season of advent - of waiting, what calls forth from the depths? How to find and to hold out hope, hope a part of the continuum of wishing and optimism.
~ Blue Holiday Service ~
Dec. 17th, 6:00 pm
For Comfort & Remembrance
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~ Social Justice Allies (SJA) ~
SJA will meet this Sunday, December 17, following Service
Beacon has the opportunity to co-sponsor a monthly film series focusing on democracy and public engagement starting in January.
With the holidays fast approaching we are consulting with SJA, CLC, and the Board in jumbled order. SJA Chair Terry White awaits feedback from Beacon's Core Leadership Council. SJA is deciding at this meeting whether to participate in this project.
Click here for the suggested films.
We need solid participation in Sunday's meeting so we can make a representative decision.
Meeting with State Senator Sylvia Allen
Over twenty people met with State Senator Sylvia Allen in a very productive meeting at San Francisco de Asis and coordinated by Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) here in Flagstaff. Our friend Steve Finger of the local Quaker Meeting wrote a summary of that very productive session in collaboration with NAIC organizer Roxana De Niz and Leah Mundell:
The meeting was very productive. NAIC made a presentation of facts about DACA, then presented some brief testimonials from DACA students. Senator Allen stated that she favors a just, merciful and expedient resolution to the limbo DACA students and military service personnel are in. She has agreed to sponsor a resolution to both the State House and Senate recommending that the US Congress pass a DACA bill this year. NAIC and Sen. Allen are in the process of working out the wording to that resolution. She will personally shepherd the resolution through the hearing and committee processes. She will also contact the Board of Regents (ABOR) this week to recommend that, if DACA remains in place but the courts find that DACA students are not eligible for legal residency, ABOR establish a tuition rate for DACA students that is slightly higher than resident tuition but not as high as out-of- state tuition. Apparently, she thinks that will assuage those who oppose in-state tuition for DACA recipients. This is very good news. The meeting was very respectful and business-like on all sides, and hopeful for future interactions with our LD-6 senator.
Those present from Beacon were Roseanne Fulcher, Dorothy Rissel, Faith Moore, Becky Hipsher, Margie Goulden, Rich Clark and Roz Clark.
Roz Clark, SJA Journalist
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~
From the Minister's Desk ~
G
reetings, it has been a couple of weeks to share thoughts from the Minister's Desk.
First thought is what a great Town Hall meeting the community had on Sunday December 3, well facilitated by Roz Clark, and the Building Expansion Team. From where I sat, there was a spirit of openness, trust and honest sharing and communication all signs of a health congregation. It was good to have folks question the aspect of the terminology as stated in the Feasibility study of "concerns" within Beacon. As I shared in last Sunday's service, and Nancy Paxton had earlier shared on behalf of the Committee on Shared Ministry in an article for the Enews, Beacon has many anxiety raising concerns presently within the community, or system/organization.
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~ Blue Holiday Service ~
December 17 at 6:00 pm
The winter holiday season can be a painful time. The loss of loved ones, the anguish of a broken relationship, the insecurity of employment, the weariness of health, the pain of isolation, or the pressure of holiday preparations and activity can all make us feel alone in the midst of celebrations of the season.
Blue Holiday Service offers space and time needed to acknowledge the sadness and concern you or a loved one may be experiencing. We all need to know that we are not alone. Join us for a special time to be together to receive the words of hope that speak to us in the midst of sorrow. Join with us at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation for a special service to gather and acknowledge a "Blue Christmas."
Join with us to hear and share prayers, readings, singing, and silence. The service will be followed by light refreshments and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend.
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~ Religious Exploration ~
Dec. 16,
1:00-4:30, Parent Afternoon Out with free childcare
Dec. 17
Focus on Peace, Chalice Kids training
Dec. 18-22
Move Create Be (9 AM - 12 PM) &
Illuminate Winter Camp
(1 - 4 PM)
Just click on the event to register!
Dec. 22
Illuminate Celebration of Light 4:00 performance
and art display, 5:00
potluck and ceremony
Dec. 24 Focus on the Family (10 AM) &
Christmas Eve celebration (6 PM) at
the
Coconino Center for the Arts
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~ Community Action Committee ~
Beacon's community partner for December is Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS).
Established in 2006 by concerned citizens, business owners, and faith-based organizations, FSS provides critical shelter, food, and access to resources for Flagstaff's
most vulnerable people. Regardless of faith, mental health or sobriety, the shelter serves any adult experien
cing homelessness.
In 2014, FSS became a year-round shelter serving those in need every night of the year, providing personal and behavioral crisis response, helping clients move from crisis toward self-sufficiency.
Thanks to Beacon's commitment to "share the plate" with approved community partners, December's undesignated Sunday morning offering money-above $300 for the month*-will be presented to FSS.
If you would like to nominate an organization to be a community partner, pick up the one-page application form in the CAC folder at the bottom of the stairs. The nominator's responsibilities are described on that form.
The CAC is comprised of Joanne Parkes, Sue Strobel, Lynda Dorweiler, Rev. Kevin Lawson and Rich Clark.
With thanks for Beacon's generosity and especially for CAC members' thoughtful, persistent efforts toward living our UU Principles,
Rich Clark, CAC chair
*$300 each month becomes part of Beacon's operating income.
~ Special Notice ~
We gather in remembrance of the Newtown Shooting on this fifth anniversary of the tragedy. Join us at the Murdoch Community Center on December 14 at 5:30 in a tribute to all victims of gun violence. Be inspired by those who speak for this cause and those who present music of the heart. For the 150,000 sacrificed to this cruel epidemic, we come together to work toward an end to these senseless gun deaths.
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~ Building Expansion Team ~
Why isn't our sanctuary going to be expanded? The City of Flagstaff stipulated, per the 2013 Zoning Code, that our property allows just 1,158 square feet of expansion. The congregation voted to select the building plan that retains the sanctuary, while improving the building for our needs: moving the offices downstairs, enlarging the foyer and improving access to the kitchen, upgrading the bathrooms, and adding a large multi-purpose room. The attic will be removed, making the sanctuary seem roomier.
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~ In Community ~
Skip Brimlow shared sorrow that the UU Church of Brunswick, Maine has seen the passing of two members, Ted and Chris, since Thanksgiving.
Rev. Kevin shared the statement of Denny Davidoff's passing.
Terry White shared the sorrow of her high school best friend losing her son to a car accident.
Pia Driessen Knittle shared her expectant joy of seeing her NAU advisees walk across the stage for graduation and for all the upcoming graduates, with special note for the stress of finals!
Nancy Paxton shared the joy that is Australia's legalization of same sex marriage.
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~ Touchstones Journal: Hope ~
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~ Beacon Calendar ~
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 14
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Blue Holiday Service
Sunday, December 17
6:00 pm
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Building Expansion Meeting
Monday, December 18
5:30 pm
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Touchstone Chalice Circle
Tuesday, December 19
2:00 pm
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Worship & Religious Exploration
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SJA Meeting (Short)
Sunday, December 17
11:15 am
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 21
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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:
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Thurs:
1:00 pm - 4:00 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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~ 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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~ 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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