Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter. 
Caleb Alexander, Beacon Office Manager
~ Sunday Service, July 15 ~ 
"Primates and Beings of Light"
With Andy Hogg

"Primates and Beings of Light," Andy thinks that human beings are both primates and spiritual beings of light. He will offer some humorous examples of ways that we are like chimpanzees and gorillas. He will share his thoughts about how we seem to be beings of spiritual energy too. The contradictions between those two ways of being - biological and spiritual - are the essence of the human experience. 

~ Touchstone Theme: Liberty ~ 
~ Recognition of Gratitude ~

Special thanks goes out to Roz Clark and Terry White for their Political Activity Proposal; Holly and Carl Taylor for the stewardship letters; and Dennis Spurlin for his past year of service as the Board President.

Beacon Board
~ Mark Your Calendars! ~

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Info Meeting: The Beacon Building Project
Sunday, July 22, 2018, at 11:30 am, Beacon Sanctuary
Learn the latest on the Building Project from the Repair, Expand, Improve Campaign team Sunday, July 22 after service.

Special Congregational Meeting: 
Vote on the Building Project Revision
Sunday, July 29, 2018, at 11:30 am, Beacon Sanctuary
Cast your vote on July 29 in regard to the REI Campaign plan revisions.
~ Volunteer Opportunity ~

Flagstaff Family Food Kitchen Service Day
Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at 3:30 pm, 1903 North 2nd Street
We're seeking six Beaconites and friends to lend a hand at the Family Food Kitchen in Sunnyside for our monthly service day. Please contact me if you are interested. 

Thank you,
Sue Strobel
~ Repair, Expand, & Improve Campaign News ~
 
Five Issues That the Building Project Will Fix
The Building Expansion Team has identified five primary issues that will be addressed by the congregation's selection of a project plan on July 29. If you have other priorities, please contact Theresa deBoer, Project Manager, at tadeboer@outlook.com. The committee wants to hear your concerns.
  1. Upgrades Needed - Our home here at Beacon is in need of upgrading. Previous building expansions failed to provide sufficient foundational support, which accounts for seasonal heaving of the floor and issues with the doors. Engineers have identified structural issues that will need to be addressed.
  2. More Space Needed - The congregation needs more program space. In addition to the crowded conditions in the foyer, activities and events are limited by our current floor plan. Increased footage will allow for more RE classrooms, community functions, congregational gatherings, ceremonies, meetings, rentals, and other purposes not currently thought of or possible.
  3. Accessibility Issues - Beacon should be more accessible. Provisions for those with disabilities have not been properly addressed. Simply having the ability to enter and leave through the front door does not satisfy the need for safe egress of the sanctuary or the offices in the event of an emergency. The minister's office is located up a steep flight of stairs. We need to provide improved access to storage areas, offices, and rear and side entrances.
  4. Better Acoustics Needed - Acoustics need to be improved. The low ceiling in the rear of the sanctuary dampens the sound of the speakers and choir. Removal of the loft above will open up the space and improve the acoustics and feel of the room. 
  5. Welcome Environment - Our home needs to be more welcoming. The cramped foyer makes it very difficult to greet friends and visitors, and to navigate the spaces that flow from it. Access to the coffee is limited. People sometimes even have to line up at the door to enter or leave the building.
In community,
Theresa deBoer and Carleton Sheppard
~ Beacon Summer Retreat Day ~

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Beacon Summer Day Retreat with Char Tarashanti & Rev. Kevin
Saturday, August 4, 2018, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, No Fee
Brown Bag Luncheon

9:00 am - 9:30 am Gathering
9:30 am - 11:00 am Small Group Breakouts:
~ QiGong with Kayla Smith in the Sanctuary
~ Nature with Paula Beier, Location TBD
~ Rock'n'Soul with Char Tarashanti in the Kitchen
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Brown Bag Lunch / Open Time
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Large Group Activity with Amy Huntereece in the Sanctuary
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Small Group Breakouts:
~ Brain Gym with Christina Boyd in the Sanctuary
~ Stories & Meaning with Rev. Kevin in the Purple Room
~ Games & More with Caleb Alexander in the Kitchen
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Group Closing & Ice Cream Social!
~ Social Justice Allies (SJA) ~

SJA Meeting
Sunday, July 15, 2018, following service at about 11:15 am
Social Justice Allies will meet this Sunday, July 15, following the service. Beacon members, friends, and visitors are welcome to join us to learn what's in the works. Furthermore, we need your best thinking about how to most effectively and efficiently roll out Beacon's recently approved Political Activity Policies and Procedures!

Beacon Political Activity: Policies and Procedures
On June 27, 2018, Beacon's Board of Trustees unanimously approved (1) Policies for Political Activity and (2) Procedures for Political Activity for Beacon UU Congregation. Policies (Section 1 below) are adapted from the UUA publication, The Real Rules: Congregations and the IRS Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying and Election, ( updated October 2016). Procedures for Collecting Petitions Signatures ( Section 2) are based on discussions within the ad hoc Political Activity Committee (PAC) in consultation with Beacon Social Justice Allies (SJA) in May and June 2018.

Roz Clark, Dora Harrison, Terry White, Rev. Kevin Lawson, and Dennis Spurlin,
Ad hoc Political Activity Committee (PAC)

Introduction
Religious individuals and groups have played a prophetic role in public life throughout history by calling attention to oppression, demanding change, and holding leaders and institutions accountable for their actions and policies. While this is still true in the United States today, too  many people are under the false impression that religious organizations cannot have a voice in the public policy arena as a result of the Constitutional separation of church and state or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. In reality, there are many activities that any religious group can do without jeopardizing its nonprofit tax-exempt status. There are restrictions on certain kinds of political actions, but the range of what is acceptable is wide enough to exhaust the time and resources of any congregation without crossing any regulatory lines.
The Real Rules: Congregations and the IRS Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections, Introduction, page 2; UUA, October, 2016.


Roz Clark
SJA Journalist
~ Religious Exploration ~
 
On Sunday we will gather in thanks and continue our work with the Gather in Spirit curriculum. This is a multi-generational program about being good water stewards. 

We are looking forward to:
OWL (Our Whole Lives) Class coming this fall! This curriculum for the K-1st (or five to seven year old children) class provides developmentally appropriate information to support parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies, relationships and families. Some of the goals of this class are to strengthen and support each child's sense of self and self-esteem, to help children appreciate their bodies as good and beautiful, private and special, and to help children gain understanding and accurate information about human sexuality, reproduction, and gender identification. 

If you are interested contact Mary Poore at m8c8p8@aol.com or (928) 699-8266. For more information check out the OWL program on the Beacon Website. 

Sunday, August 5, 2018 
School starts for many in less than a month! Be sure to bring your school backpack to church on Sunday, August 5 for a special blessing to kick off the new school year.

Amy Huntereece
Director of Religious Exploration
~ Community Action Committee ~
 
Beacon's community partner for July 2018 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.


Lynda Dorweiler
Community Action Committee
~ Upcoming Events ~
 
Service and Potluck Luncheon in the Park  
Sunday September 2, 2018 - Labor Day Weekend
All Members and Friends are invited to this annual gathering for Food, Fun and Fellowship. This year the Worship Associates and the Board of Trustees have selected to gather during Labor Day weekend. We have reserved the Community Ramada at Bushmaster Park, where we have gathered the past two years.  See you in the Park! 
~ Joys & Concerns ~
 
Andy G. shared joy for seeing the film, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" He also shared concern for seeing the hatred of those that demonstrated outside of funeral of Mr. Rogers. (Editor's Note, for more info, see this 2014 New Yorker article.)

Kevin P. shared joy for the monsoon rains as well as joy for his 27th wedding anniversary to Joanne this past week.

Anne shared the concern that Barry was diagnosed with cancer of the sinuses. They will be going to Tucson for a doctor's visit. 

Linda O. and her family joined us from San Diego and her son joyfully attended Chalice Camp. However, she shared concern for her son who broke his left arm in two place as well as his collarbone while attending a 4th of July park event. 

lore shared joy for the ongoing rescue of the boys team stranded in a cave in Thailand. 
~ Beacon Calendar ~
 
REI Listening Circle
Thursday, July 12
6:30 pm
Core Leadership Council
Wednesday, July 18
5:15 pm
Board Retreat Day 
Saturday, July 14
9:30 am
Kadampa Buddhist Teaching
Wednesday, July 18
6:30 pm
RE Committee
Sunday, July 15
8:30 am		 Building Expansion Team Meeting
Thursday, July 19
5:30 pm
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, July 15
10:00 am
Flagstaff Folk Project
Friday, July 20
7:15 pm
SJA Meeting 
Sunday, July 15
11:15 am
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, July 21
10:00 am
Yoga Practice
Tuesday, July 17
11:00 am & 5:00 pm		 Info Meeting: Building Project
Sunday, July 21
11:30 am
QiGong
Tuesday, July 17
6:30 pm		 QiGong
Tuesday, July 23
6:30 pm
Listening Circle Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 18
3:30 pm
 Chalice Circle Meeting
Tuesday, July 23
7:00 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 

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: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Tues:  1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Or by appointment 
  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
Office Phone (928) 779-4492
~ Website Members and Friends Access ~

Interested in accessing the most up-to-date directory and board documents?  Register on the website by clicking here!  Once  you've done so, the "Members" menu item will appear on the website navigation bar, Directory and Board Minutes will be among the options there.   Email Caleb ( 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 Caleb, our Office Manager, at  office@beaconuu.com.