Submissions must be submitted by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to [email protected] 
in order to be included in the newsletter. 

~ Sunday Service, January 20 2019 ~ 
Life Calls Us On
With Rev. Kevin Lawson
  It's stated, the only constant is change. What are the spiritual principles and values which guide us in ever changing times? Rev. Kevin welcomes the new year and share reflection on the changes in life.

~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Grace ~ 
~ From the Minister's Desk ~
Jan 17, 2019

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     With consideration of our January theme for Grace, I invite and encourage reading of the Touchstones monthly theme newsletter. Please see the link usually in the first or second informational box of the weekly Enews.  As always, there are thought provoking stories, articles and ideas to support our understanding about the monthly theme.  Read more.
In Community,
Rev. Kevin   
~ Religious Exploration ~

On Sunday we will continue our work with the curriculum called  Miracles .

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Miracles designed for a wide age span, provides a prolonged encounter with awe and wonder with frequent opportunities for scientific exploration. Through stories from our Unitarian Universalist Sources and hands-on activities, children engage in defining and discerning the miraculous and discover their own agency for miracle-making. 
Find out more details about what is happening  for this coming Sunday   in the  Religious Exploration blog.
Coming Up:
  • January 18-19 Coming of Age retreat.  Eight youth and their mentors and teachers who are enrolled in our Coming of Age curriculum will be attending a special retreat at Beacon.  We could really use some help!  Are you a night owl? Do you make great mac and cheese?   Please click here to see how you could contribute to this great experience for these youth!  Thank you!
  • January 27, RE service with Nancy Paxton and Amy Huntereece
  • February 1-2 MUUGS in Amado, AZ.  All Middle School Youth are invited to attend a special overnight gathering with other UU Middle school kids.  Let Amy ([email protected]) know if you are interested!
  • February 2, 2:00-8:00 p.m.- High school OWL. See details and registration instructions here
  • February 3, FIRST SUNDAY FUN DAY. Join Linda Ochi in the purple room during service.
  • March 1 Parent Learn & Leave, Kids Stay & Play.  Details coming soon!
  • March 3 Celebration Sunday, Worship for All Ages
  • March 16-17- Spring High School Con in Chandler, AZ
Amy Huntereece
Director of Religious Exploration 
~ This Month's Share the Plate Partner~

Beacon's community partner for January 2019 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 experiencing homelessness.
In 2014, FSS became a year-round shelter serving those in need every night of the year, providing personal and behavioral crisis response, and helping clients move from crisis toward self-sufficiency. 

Congregational members can nominate an organization to be a community partner.  Please complete this form and give it to the greeter on Sunday or contact a member of the committee with supporting documentation for your nomination.    Members of CAC are Joanne Parkes, Sue Strobel, Susan Patrick, Steven Patrick, and Lynda L. Dorweiler.

~ Winter Chalice Circles ~

Touchstones Chalice Circles are designed to meet our needs for belonging (intimacy) and meaning (ultimacy) by building friendships and providing opportunities to ponder life's questions, small and large, with others who share the common values of our UU Principles.  

The Chalice Circle Schedule Will Continue with New Circles in January
4th Sundays, January to April, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Starting January 27 
OR 4th Tuesdays, September to December, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Starting January 29
 
Please contact Char Tarashanti for more information and to register.

(507) 990-3888
~ Social Justice Allies ~

Calendar reminder
When we shifted our SJA meeting calendar to accommodate the January 13 focus on our ministerial transition, we overlooked that our proposed new meeting date was on the Martin Luther King (long) weekend, a situation we try to avoid.

Therefore...SJA friends (and potential friends), please adjust your calendars one more time: Our next meeting will be after the service January. 27 (NOT the 20th)***.
And, while you're at it...the SJA meeting after that will be Sunday, Feb. 10 following the service.
Meantime, please think about whether you are interested in participating in UU Day at the Legislature (DATL) Mon., Feb. 18 (Presidents' Day)! Sponsored by UUJAZ (UU Justice Arizona) network*, this day-long event at the capitol in Phoenix is part rally/songfest, part education (with the remarkable Anne Schneider's presentation on expected legislative activity**), and part opportunity to meet with our specific legislators. When SJA meets January 27 we will begin to put together our carpool plans.
*For more information about UUJAZ, go to uujaz.org/home page.
**Dr. Anne Schneider, a member of Valley UU Congregation is a retired ASU political science professor. She examines Arizona state legislative activity then writes and distributes the Arizona Legislative Alert, "shining a bright light for social justice". Send me your email address if you would like to receive this enlightening summary of and commentary on legislative develop- ments.
***Check out next week's E-News for agenda items for the January 27 SJA meeting.

Roz Clark
SJA Journalist  
~ REI Building Project Update ~

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We will be meeting with the contractor and architect next week to discuss the contract, insurance, and the construction schedule.  This week's meeting was cancelled due to weather.

Our next steps will be to clear out the attic and move everything to a storage unit until construction is complete.  This will happen in a couple of weeks. This will not impact any church operations. We will also be planning to remove the playground equipment in the next month, as the construction equipment will begin to arrive soon.  As soon as we have a firmed up schedule from the contractor, we will plan for that.
 
~ Violins of Hope ~

This educational opportunity is centered around music played on instruments recovered from the Holocaust.  The music is surrounded by the lessons learned from the tragic outcomes of all types of hate crimes, ranging from bullying to genocide.  Read more.   

~ Joys and Concerns~
 Sunday, January 13, 2019
 
Wendy B. - Expressed joy that NAU is getting involved in helping students and community members in need.
Grace D. - Was happy to returned from Washington where she enjoyed meeting her new niece. 
Ruth R - Shared her feelings of loss for her sister on Christmas eve.  She was able to be with her when she died and appreciates the support from the Beacon community.  Her daughter, Maryalee was very compassionate and brave.  Ruth was very proud of her.
Vince - Shared a joy that he and his wife Stephanie are expecting and his sorrow for the loss of a friend on Christmas Eve. 
~ Beacon Calendar ~

Stewardship Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 17
6:00 pm
Chalice Circles
Tuesday, January 22
7:00 pm
Choir Practice
Thursday, January 17
7:00 pm
Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 23
7:00 pm
Flag Folk Project 
Friday, January 18
7:15 am
Choir Practice
Thursday, January 24
7:00 pm
Coming of Age Retreat
Friday, January 18, 5 pm - 
Saturday, January 19, 5 pm
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, January 27
10:00 am
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, January 20
 10:00 am
SJA Meeting
Sunday, January 27
 11:00 am
Yoga Practice
Tuesday, January 22
11:00 am
OWL Parent Orientation
Sunday, January 27
11:30 am

 
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!
~ Beacon Office Hours ~
Minister, 
Rev. Kevin  Lawson 

Tues: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thurs: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Or by appointment
Director of RE, 
Amy Huntereece

Sun: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wed:  8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Or by appointment 
  Office Manager, 
Volunteer

Tues: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Or by appointment
Office Phone (928) 779-4492
~ Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles ~

Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out these Principles within a "living tradition" of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from  sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.  Learn more at beaconuu.com!


~ 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 our Office Manager, at  [email protected].