Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492
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- This Sunday at Beacon -
E-news for December 17-31
Please note that this newsletter covers a two week period. The e-news will not be published on December 24
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December 20th Service
"The Sustaining Power of Music"
Throughout history and across cultures, music has inspired compassion, courage, and connection to people in good times and in bad. So how will we find light and joy at Christmas this year, when group caroling is not safe? Why, through music, of course! Come join Rev. Kellie Walker Hart in new ways to make music, find peace, and stay connected this holiday season.
Rev. Kellie Walker Heart preaching, Rev Robin hosting. Music By Roomie Wood and Rebecca Prizznick.
No watch party for December 20th
~ Please join us after the service ~
Post-Service Gathering
we're bringing a little more structure to our time together on Sundays at 11 AM. Will we still schmooze? Yep. We'll start with some socializing and checking in, move on
"live Joys and Sorrows" you can share (using your HOPE stone, if you have one*
and then a centering question related to the service.
This week's question: How has music sustained your life?
Passcode: 968647
Or call +1 669 900 6833 and enter Meeting ID: 733 037 2039
Christmas Eve
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Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve!
3:00 PM Come for an outdoor gathering in the Beacon backyard. Weather permitting, let’s gather to in community. We’ll hear a few words and sing a few songs and share some safe (masked and socially distanced) cheer.
5:30 PM Christmas Eve service: “Blessings, Come”
Comforting carols, our Beacon Choir and musical guests raising their glorious voices, readings to inspire, and a homily from Rev. Robin called “Blessings, Come.” How has 2020 shifted our understanding of the blessings in our lives, large and small, and how might we carry that awareness and our gratitude into 2021?”
We’ll pause during the watch party to light candles for the blessings in our lives and sing Silent Night, in community.
Sunday December 27th Service
“Your Future Self: Turning Towards Your Awakened Heart and Mind,”
with renowned Buddhist teacher Tara Brach. She writes: “ Our lives are shaped by our evolutionary past - the fears and wants that arise from a separate self sense - and the pull of our evolutionary potential - our awakened heart and mind.” Excerpts from this Dharma talk (originally given in 2016) explore the power of these pulls, and the teachings and reflections that make us most available and responsive to the calling of our future self. This service will include a virtual burning bowl ceremony.
Hosted by Rev. Robin, with music from Roomie Wood and Rebecca Prizznick.
No watch party for December 27th
~ Please join us after the service ~
Post-Service Gathering
we're bringing a little more structure to our time together on Sundays at 11 AM. Will we still schmooze? Yep. We'll start with some socializing and checking in, move on
"live Joys and Sorrows" you can share (using your HOPE stone, if you have one*
and then a centering question related to the service.
This week's question: What intention do you hold for 2021?
Passcode: 968647
Or call +1 669 900 6833 and enter Meeting ID: 733 037 2039
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Please note: We recommend that you donate to Vanco directly from a bank account to save us the fees associated with credit card donations. More for us to sustain our congregation.
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Share Your Joys and Sorrows- Chime In!
One way we can sustain connection during this time apart is by sharing our personal joys and sorrows. These can be small things or large things that effect your life. Please send these to Rev. Robin by Thursday night each week at minister@beaconuu.com Or,be in touch and we can record a short Zoom- recorded snippets to include in the service.
Only first names will be used. Or, you can share your joys and sorrows live at our
Post-Service Zoom Gatherings, Sundays at 11.
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Porch Visits with Rev. Robin
Who is that masked minister in her "Soul" mobile? It's Rev. Robin! - ready to
come by for a socially-distanced
visit on your porch, patio, or deck.
Trailhead meet-ups and easy hikes, we could even meet at a park, or walk in your neighborhood. You decide! Just give a shout-minister@beaconuu.com
or 978-505-7245
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Spotlight This week
We’re hiring!
Part-time Office Manager position to begin as soon as possible. Please pass on the posting and job description to potential interested candidates.
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Caring and Connected Team Calling!
We have created a "Caring and Connected" Team to keep us in touch during this time of virtual church and physical distancing. Members and friends of Beacon will be receiving another phone call and/or an email from one of our team leaders in Early December to connect with you again, and there will be information about plans for Christmas Eve. As always, Rev. Robin is here to talk with you, come by for a masked porch visit, and help you with pastoral or practical needs. minister@beaconuu.com or call 978-505-7245.
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Beacon Buzz's next date is:
January 3rd 12 noon
Join Rev. Robin and Board President Wendy Bruun on the first Sunday of the month at 12 noon to ask questions, voice concerns, offer ideas, and learn more about
Pass code: 968647
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Small COVID- Safe Soiree Circles starting soon Sign up now! |
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Remember Circle Suppers - the popular program offered at Beacon where each circle was semi-randomly assembled, and the members took turns hosting the gatherings?
We are now offering a new version that we call "Soiree Circles."
Paul Beier is the organizer. Gatherings are COVID-safe due to their small size and will be held outdoors. If you want to laugh together, share stories, deepen old friendships,
make new friends who share your principles and experiences, this is a great way to do it! face-to-face and not on zoom.
To learn more about how we intend to organize and host these gatherings and sign up using the online form, click on the links below.
So far we have had 11 families sign up for the program. Members of all ages are welcome to participate. See Flyer here
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Q1 Report from the Finance Committee and a Holiday Giving Challenge for Beacon! |
On November 9, Finance Committee members Kevin Parkes and Barry Brenneman met with the Board of Trustees to review financial status from July 1 through September 30, 2020. The chart on the report below shows where we were at the end of September, and It also provides details about the Beacon Holiday Giving challenge. Please Click here to read the entire report.
Happy Holidays!
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Leaders Apply Here!!
Next June, Beacon will meet to elect new members to the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Succession Planning Team (LSPT). Beacon members will be needed to fill vacancies for Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Members at Large on the Board, and one term on the LSPT.
Members of the LSPT and Members at Large on the Board are elected for two-year terms. The Vice President is elected to serve one year as President Elect and a second year as President. The Secretary and Treasurer are elected for one-year terms. In accordance with our bylaws, no person shall serve on the Board for more than four consecutive years, nor in the same office for more than two consecutive terms.
Interested Beacon members should contact an LSPT member (Char Tarashanti, Dennis Spurlin, Dora Harrison, Jeremy Young, Lisa Skow, Paul Beier, or Theresa deBoer) if you are willing to be nominated for an opportunity to serve your Beacon congregation.
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Religious Exploration
We encourage Beacon families to continue Religious Exploration at home!
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Our Imaginative and Inspiring Religious Exploration Programs
We're excited to have formed a Religious Exploration collaboration with the Granite Peak UU Church in Prescott, AZ which is going wonderfully well. Read the update in this column. You can learn about both of the programs we're offering, CartUUns and The Fifth Dimension below, on our website, and on the program website here.
Religious Exploration for Children
~Beacon at Home~
Cartuuns
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For our younger kids (K-5, and younger as appropriate), we have chosen CARTUUNS, which explores UU values and principles through Disney and Pixar short films, such as the award-winning "La Luna." We are screen sharing through ZOOM with families from both churches. 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM twice a month on Zoom.
Upcoming classes:
12/27 La Luna
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Religious Exploration for Middle/High School Youth
The Fifth Dimension
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For Middle School/Junior High(and older or slightly younger, as appropriate), we are collaborating on another Imagine-RE program called The Fifth Dimension. Through classic Twilight Zone episodes (created by Unitarian Rod Serling), we are exploring social and political issues relevant to youth. Students become deeply engaged in the topics and engrossed in the storytelling and "sci-fi" twists in episodes like "Eye of the Beholder" and "Enough Time At Last." We are screen sharing through ZOOM with families from both churches. The lessons are stand-alone and can be joined from week to week. Please take a look at the link and let us know if you'll give it a try.
5th Dimension 11:30 am-12:45pm
Upcoming classes:
January 10th, 2021 11:30 AM Arizona
I Am the Night- Color Me Black
Season 5, Episode 27
Passcode: 510
January 24th, 2021 11:30 AM Arizona
Most Inspirational and Motivational Eight Minutes of Your Life
Passcode: 510
"No preparation for the class is required! Youth can just join the meeting at the scheduled time and you are ready to go!"
Pacific West Region Youth Events for 2020-2021
We still have one more Fall Youth Conference in November. The first two have been fabulous! Next year's slate is a bit tentative with the ongoing pandemic, particularly summer camp, so please check it each quarter to see if our schedule has evolved with the changing times. As always, I'll add registration links directly to this doc as they go live,
so feel free to check back with regularity. Thanks so much for your ministry during these difficult days. Towards interdependence... In faith and the spirit of love.
Religious Exploration for Adults
Brene Brown's Daring Greatly: How The Courage to Be Vulnerable
Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead"
Six 75 minute "lunch and learn" sessions, led by Rev. Robin Zucker, Minister at Beacon UU, Flagstaff. Thursdays, 12-1:15 (or 1:30 as the group chooses) PM (Arizona time)
On these dates: November 5 and 19; December 3 and 17; January 7 and 21.
A complete workbook/journal is available to download as a pdf from the beaconuu.com website Adult RE page You may participate in this program without reading the entire book, as the exercises in the workbook include excerpts. Other materials will be provided to download from Rev. Robin. If you require us to print a copy of the workbook for you, please let us know. We'll share our reflections from the text and workbook and have small group confidential discussions in breakout room.
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Evenings of January 9th, February 13th, and March 26th, 2021
Youth and adult participants will be led to examine different types of leadership, what it takes to be an effective leader, conflict resolution skills, ways you can help foster youth leadership in our communities, and some self-evaluation and insight into the type of leader you’d like to be. We’ll also give you resources for local, regional, and national leadership opportunities including include a panel discussion & Q&A with current UU leaders and interest focused small groups. How to lead during these surreal times and how to spiritually nourish that leadership will also be explored.
Leads: Kellie Burden, MDD youth board & Jessica Laikeman, DRE & Camping Ministries Director.
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Chalice Circle Meeting on December 22th, 2020 at 7pm AZ time. |
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Kindness~ |
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Touchstone Chalice Circles
Sunday December 22th at 7pm
Passcode: 510
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The winter solstice approaches and the hours of sunlight begin to increase. A vaccine is now being administered for Covid-19. As a new year is almost upon us, the opportunity for renewal seems more imminent. Confucius said, “Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.” In hope we can move from the past and begin by showing how kindness can connect us. Explore Kindness this month in the Chalice Circle.
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. All are welcome.
Discussion examines subjects as provided in the monthly journal of Unitarian Universalism, Touchstones. To meet the needs of the congregation, we have made attendance open.
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Social Justice Allies
Anti-Harassment Training
Hollaback is a nonprofit on a mission to end harassment - in all its forms. They provide free trainings throughout the year to give people the resources to respond to, prevent and intervene in instances of harassement. If you are interested in participating in a training or learning more, please visit the following link:
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Thank you all for an incredible year sharing the work of justice together as UUJAZ. December brings a break from our regular programming, so our team can plan for an exciting 2021. Be sure to subscribe to our emails, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and if you are inspired to do so, become a monthly supporter.
Have a wonderful winter everyone,
Phoebe
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A Special Message from Rev. Robin about BIPOC Allyship
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Dear Beloved Community,
America is on fire with rage, weary from a pandemic, and aching with despair. Along with the rest of our country, we've read and heard so many devastating accounts over the past week, the most heart-rending from people of color coping with another case of murderous systemic racism in our country. I do not need to (nor, am I entitled to) add anything to their experiences or parse what they have to say about racism. They live it.
...To read the full message on our website, please click here
Lifespan Religious Exploration Resources for Learning About and Responding to Racism
This painful moment in time calls us to focus our learning and reflection on allyship to people of color, understanding white privilege, and reflecting on how we can part of a systemic sea change and solution in our society.
Beacon has provided resources for all ages addressing how we as individuals and as communities can learn about and respond to racism. For the full list of resources, activities and community meetings, visit Beacon's Religious Exploration pages.
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Worship
Sunday, December 20th, 2020
10 am - 11 am
"The Sustaining Power of Music"
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Post-Service Gathering
Sunday, December 20th, 2020
11:00 am
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CLC Meeting
Monday December 21st, 2020
7pm
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Touchstones Chalice Circle
Tuesday December 22th, 2020
7pm
Passcode: 510
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Christmas Party
Thursday December 24th, 2020
3pm
at Beacon Backyard
Wear a Mask
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Christmas Eve Worship Watch Party
Thursday December 24th, 2020
5:30pm
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Worship
Sunday December 27th, 2020
10am - 11am
“Your Future Self: Turning Towards Your Awakened Heart and Mind,”
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Post-Service Gathering
Sunday, December 27th, 2020
11:00 am
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Everyday Ways to Support Beacon UU
1. When you go to Fry's grocery store, use the Beacon phone number (928 779 4492) as the Alternate ID when it asks for it at the beginning of checkout, and you will get shopping discounts for Fry's members, as well as donating a percentage of your expenditure to Beacon. You can also sign up for an individual account if you prefer that, or want to take advantage of the gasoline discounts. You have to pick Beacon as your beneficiary when you set up your own account.
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2. If you shop on Amazon, please use "Amazon Smile" and choose Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation (do not abbreviate UU) as your recipient. We will receive a 0.5% for every purchase and that can add up! Remember that you have to start each shopping session at smile.amazon.com for us to receive the donation.
3. Another online fundraiser is igive.com. Once again, create your own account with a user name and password, then select settings, my cause, and type in Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation (do not abbreviate UU). Then you can order from any of the hundreds of organizations listed under igive. There are also coupons listed online you can use when ordering from some organizations.
4. Basha's has a special debit card that you can charge up before shopping, and a portion of what goes through the debit card gets donated to Beacon because that card is tied to Beacon. Ask Anne Wittke for further information.
Have other ideas for our income incubator? leave them on a card in the bin in the lobby, or send them to Rev. Robin.
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~ Beacon Office Hours & Contacts ~
Office Phone (928) 779-4492
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Minister,
Rev. Robin Zucker
Mon: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Or by appointment:
978-505-7245 - talk and text (confidential line)
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Director of RE
Our engaging programs for all ages continue while we search for a new Religious Exploration Director.
Rev. Robin can answer your RE questions.
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Office Manager,
Yeximar L Cramer
Mon: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wed: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thurs: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
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~ 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!
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You no longer need to forward your spam emails to spam@uce.gov, because the Federal Trade Commission is now collecting spam through a honeypot, which is an online trap. This change makes it more efficient for the FTC to collect spam that is deceptive or violates the CAN-SPAM Act. This change saves tax dollars, your time, and helps the FTC collect deceptive and illegal spam. If you lost money to a scam that started with an email, please report it at ftc.gov/complaint. There, you can also report spam you receive. Read more about how to limit spam, phone calls, and mail.
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If you are not on Beacon's dedicated 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 office@beaconuu.com or Visit: https://groups.google.com/d/forum/uuflag
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Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News
Newsletter submissions must be submitted by Wednesday at 4:00 pm
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