~ Monthly Worship Theme ~ 
Where are we going?
Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter. 
Thanks! 
Heather Thornton, Beacon Office Manager
Brown Bag Budget Town Hall!

Sunday, May 7 at 11:30 am 

This is your chance to get all your questions answered.  As part of our beloved Fifth Principle:  "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large", you, the members, vote on the budget.  And then, as part of our by-laws, the Board only has the authority to change 2% of the budget during their year, and the minister has no authority to change it.  That is why it is important that you participate in our rare Town Halls and yearly Congregational Meeting... b ecause much as we love our fifth principle, it gets darn inconvenient when the congregational meeting is  s-l-o-w-e-d down by individuals asking nitty-gritty questions that could be answered at this Town Hall!!

Child care is provided.

See you Sunday!
 ~ A panel conversation ~

"People of Color, living in a Blue city, within a Red State."  

 Sunday, May 7 - 1:30 - 3:30 pm.  

Please join Rev. Kevin, Sakenya, Pia, and Cassie in a panel conversation with the following very special guests!


Coral Evans, Mayor of Flagstaff
Bernadine Lewis, Director Undergraduate Programs, Franke College of Business, NAU,
Tylor Brown, NAU Student
Astraea Abrol,  Performance Improvement & Quality Management at Health Choice

(Light snacks will be provided: with several special events, it will be an unusually long Sunday).  
~ Ministers Musings ~
Greetings,

The traveler has returned! Gary and I had a wonderful two-week adventure in Central America, and through the Panama Canal.  The beauty of the countries visited was outstanding.  The human condition for so many is heart opening to the will of spirit to survive, to offer gracious welcome and to create art and beauty.  I look forward to speaking and sharing of our adventures in the coming weeks as we might cross paths.
            ~ ~ ~
A reading on white supremacy culture from the Rev. Karen Quinlan, a white minister in Wisconsin:

"The Quaker activist and songwriter, Carrie Newcomer, sings these words of encouragement: 'Come on and look inside you--it's the best place to start.' The greatest revolution is a simple change of heart.' We think we have to change all those things that are happening out there, and that change can happen as a direct result of our actions. And sometimes this is true. Especially in the arena of social change, where we need to very intentionally build momentum to create more just conditions.
But more often, I'm learning, true change happens only when we take the time and the risk of sitting with something hard. True change in the world is intimately related to our internal transformation, which is intimately related to our presence to our selves.
Culture is simply everything that's around us. At some point in our lives, we learn that there are other ways of being. Our human tendency is to think that ours is better than theirs. When we are white, thinking that ours is better is supported by the fact that our social and political systems have been built through the same frame through which we're looking.

We learn that our way is the right way and the best way. Simply put, this is white supremacy culture."

I hope many of you will make plans to support Beacon and our very special event this coming Sunday, May 7th, 1:30 - 3:30pm.  We will answer the National UU Call for racial awareness with a white supremacy teach-in.  Here at Beacon we are so very fortunate to have invited guests panelists: Mayor Coral Evans; Bernadine Lewis, Franke School of Business NAU; Tylor Brown, NAU Student; Astraea Arbol, Community Member; and our own Sakenya McDonald.  Together our guests will speak and share, "People of Color:  Living in a Blue City within a Red State,: A conversation."
 
Our Teach In event will be 1:30pm to 3:30pm after the morning service and our community budget town hall.  Refreshments will be offered. On behalf of the planning team for this special event, Cassie Dakan, Pia Driessen-Knittle, Sakenya McDonald and I, we look forward to sharing this opportunity with Beacon and community friends and guests.

Lastly this week, during the coming month of May, I will be sharing additional materials from our sister congregations as well the UUA on the recent calls for racial awareness as well materials from the candidates for the upcoming national UUA President.  The election will be historic, as all three candidates are female and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations will have its first elected female President in leadership of our national affairs.  Please look forward to informational stories and links to get to know the candidates better in the coming weeks.

Blessed Be,
Rev. Kevin
~ Upcoming Services ~  
 

May 7
Rev. Kevin
Justice Can't Wait
This morning's sermon a conversation, Rev. Kevin and Sakenya McDonald will speak and share on recent concerns and ongoing aspects of cultural and racial tensions within Unitarian Universalism. Please note this Sunday we will also have community event 1:30 to 3:30, "White supremacy Teach-in" as called for UU Congregations by Black Lives of UU's.

May 14
Rev. Kevin
Justice Couldn't Wait
A historical reflection upon Mother's Day - when the rising voices of mothers and all women who brought forth the call, the demand for equal justice and recognition under the law. Rev. Kevin frames our fifth principle in action, "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large," lessons with teachings still for us today.

~ Adrianne's Music Box ~

#298 Wake Now My Senses by Thomas Mikelson ... remembering Rev. Kevin's call to stay "WOKE".

#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. Who was Marvin Frey? 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 copyrighting) 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 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...

#149 Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson.  Many years ago I had the good fortune to work with Paul Smith, Director of Choral Music at Cal State Northridge, collaborating on a world music project for the American Choral Directors Association. As we were busy selecting and "trying out" songs from various cultures including, Japan, Indigenous Australian, Kurao Indian (Brazil), Polynesian songs, and music from African American Gospel/Spiritual traditions, he said, "We either approach these cultural songs as a trespasser or an invited guest.  The difference is in our willingness to learn and be open to deeper levels of connection.  We need to teach our students this!"  I take his lesson to heart still.  A second great lesson appeared when Robert DePoe, the Director of Education for the Paiute Tribe said in a multi-cultural education training class, "The best way to bridge the cultural understanding gap is through FRIENDSHIP.  Friendship is built on trust, a willingness to share and be open. - It's a two-way street.  We can forgive our friends when they make mistakes."   With these lessons in mind, we are invited to sing hymn #149 Lift Every Voice and Sing as the culmination to Sunday's important sermon/lesson.  It is known as the "Black National Anthem."

~ Social Justice Update ~ 

Beacon's Public Stances
As promised last week, this is Part Two of a series that both reviews and updates three social justice issues on which Beacon UU Congregation voted overwhelming to take a "public stance." What that means is that as a faith community we have decided to focus on these issues:
  1. Immigration, by supporting "families of undocumented immigrants" (approved 2013). Please click on this link to retrieve the review and update on this issue
  2. Non-violence , in support of local efforts toward non-violence (approved 2016);
  3. Living wage , in support of efforts toward reform that provides a living wage for local workers (approved 2016).
Yes, I skipped to issue number 3 after reading a provocative article in last week's local paper. Stay tuned for Part Three, which will be about non-violence (item 2 as listed above).

Living Wage
Early last summer (2016), when the Beacon congregation approved taking a public stance in support of efforts toward a living wage in our area, SJA thought that there would be specific actions we could take-as a congregation-to help make a living wage a reality here. After much research and deliberation about this complicated issue, we came to the conclusion that our best "action" was to provide the most accurate information possible about the two minimum wage citizen initiatives that were on the November ballot: Proposition 414 (the Flagstaff City initiative) and Proposition 206 (the Arizona State initiative). So that is what we did, creating a table that compared the two propositions, category by category.
In the election, Flagstaff city voters passed the Prop. 414 measure; the state minimum wage measure, Prop. 206 also passed. The City Council declined to accept a proposal of an organization calling itself Elevate Flagstaff (essentially the local Chamber of Commerce) to call a special election this May. The Elevate proposal, which would have basically gutted (my term) Prop. 414,  is- at this point- scheduled for the November, 2018, ballot. Then, in March, City Council voted to amend Prop. 414 (the local citizen initiative that passed last November), removing the requirement that Flagstaff's minimum wage be $2 above the state minimum wage until 2021, and adjusting the timeline and start-up amount to this July and $10.50/eventually $12 respectively. It remains to be seen whether Bridging Flagstaff, yet another citizen group will come forward with its own initiative (AZ Daily Sun., 3/22/17).
The latest update: The lead AZ Daily Sun article (April 25) with the banner: "'Dark Money' backs Elevate", reported that Elevate Flagstaff's political donations summary shows "most of its contributions coming from outside the city." Elevate..." reported raising $26,135 from January 1 through March 31...$17,812 (was) in-kind donation" from a group that (succeeds another group) run by Phoenix political consultant Sean Beaconservative billionaires and political donors Charles and David Koch."
For me, the question is whether it is appropriate for a city election. What do YOU think?

Roz Clark, SJA Journalist
~ Yard Sale ~

Beacon's Annual Yard Sale: Sat., June 3!
Just four (4) weeks away: See checklist below:

  • Have identified items for Yard Sale and piled them up, inconspicuously.
  • Have put them in a container, perhaps my vehicle, to haul to the "cottage" in Beacon's back yard.
  • Have contacted Ready Rich (255-2515 or clarkrr@q.com ) to request a truck/ driver/muscular lifter to pick up items to big/heavy for me to haul.
  • Have completed calendar assignment: Sat., June 3 (Yard Sale Day) and  Fri. afternoon/evening, Set-up Party.
  • Have contacted Ready Rich or another YS Team members Geoff Pickens, Katherine Hart or Dennis Spurlin with my questions.
  • Have committed to these insider tips:
  1. Taking items that have failed to sell in one or more yard sales to my second-favorite charity, and
  1. Taking clothing to that same/another charity, since the Beacon Team believes deeply that it's too much work for the $$ raised.
 ~ 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 May 31 . You are signing up to participate in 3-5 potluck Suppers (or brunches or whatever) during June-August. 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...
"Why so soon? My current Circle won't finish until July!"  You can be part of two Circles that overlap in time, or you can wait for Fall Circles. The "Summer Circles" are popular with our snowbirds, so they really gotta start in June.  
"A Beacon tradition for 30 years"
What to do:
Before May 31 , 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.
~ Volunteers Needed for Beacon BnB ~

June Fundraising Effort
Please Join Rev. Kevin, Kay Doggett and Board President Carol Hixson as we offer a new take on an older fundraising idea! We will offer limited, one weekend/two night Flagstaff BnB hospitality to fellow UU's in the State to come north to Flagstaff for Pride in the Pines and Flagstaff Folk Festival the weekend of June 23rd and 24th.

Can you share your guest room (or two) with other UU's? Would you like to help Beacon  raise funds from outside our own pockets? Only two night's hospitality ( and the opportunity to make some new friends!) can make a big difference here at Beacon, and in the greater Arizona UU community!

Please contact the office, office@beaconuu.com, provide us with your contact info, what the guest options you have are (i.e. queen bed with a shared bath, or two twin beds and separate Bath, etc...). Your input will help us determine if this event is a real possibility! We will be in touch in early May to fine tune options and to coordinate promotion to other UU Congregations.  Thank you for your generosity and hospitality!

The Summer BnB Task Group,
Rev. Kevin, Kay and Carol

~ 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.
WordPress Training!

Beacon is excited to announce that we will be offering a free WordPress training class! This comprehensive class will cover everything from the basics to the more complicated internal workings of WordPress over a nine week period. The classes will Thursdays, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.  Join us for one class or all! 
If you are interested in joining the class, please email Dennis Spurlin at  DESpurlin@acm.org to sign up! 
Or, if you are a WordPress web master and are interested in helping facilitate the classes, email Dennis for more info!
Save the Date! 

The Beacon town hall/budget forum
Sunday, May 7th, immediately following the service.

Path to Membership Class
Sunday, May 21, immediately following the service.
 
Beacon Annual Yard Sale
Saturday, June 3rd
With the Yard Sale coming up in June, it's not too early to begin to ponder which items around your house you are ready to have live somewhere else. You can either save those things at your house or bring them to the "cottage" in the Beacon back yard. Contact Heather at the office (779-4492) Tues., Wed. or Thurs. afternoons to be sure you'll have access to cottage storage.  Please note: we don't sell clothing or electronics.

Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 11th, immediately following the service. 

Watch future Weekly News editions for details!  
~ This Month's Share the Plate Partner ~
 
The Hozhoni Foundation is a leading provider of services and advocacy for people with disabilities. Residential, Vocational and Educational services are provided to assist individuals in achieving their maximum potential.


Undesignated contributions to this month's  Sunday  service offerings  above $300 (which goes to Beacon's operational budget)  will be presented to Hozhoni Foundation. 
~ Special Notice! ~

Granite Peak UU Congregation Prescott:
1/3 time  Music/Choir Director  position available starting July 1, 2017. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the music program and conducting our enthusiastic 20-member choir.  Applications will be accepted through April 17. Please send your resume and a cover letter indicating your interest to Rev. Karla Brockie at  ministergranitepeakuu@gmail.com . Finalists will be scheduled for a one-hour interview, and a time to conduct our choir for one hour in May.
Beacon Calendar
Word Press Training
Thursday, May 4
5:30 pm
 Full Moon Heart Circle
Monday, May 8
5:30 pm
Beacon Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, May 4
7:00 pm
 Yoga
Tuesday, May 9
11:00 am, 5:00 pm
Sunday Service & Religious Exploration
Sunday, May 7
10:00 am
 Qi-Gong
Tuesday, May 9
6:15 pm
Beacon Budget Town Hall
Sunday, May 7
11:30 am
 Word Press Training
Thursday, May 11
5:30 pm
BLUU White Supremacy Teach In
Sunday, May 7
2:00 pm
 Beacon Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, May 11
7:00 pm
Committee on Shared Ministry
Monday, May 8
5:30 pm
 LGBTQI Youth Group
Friday, May 12
5:00 pm

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!
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

DRE,
 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