 |
|
Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter.
Caleb Alexander, Beacon Office Manager
|
|
~ Sunday Service, November 25 ~
"How to Find More Sanity this Holiday Season"
With Jack Doggett and Worship Associate Nancy Paxton
|
The upcoming holiday season can leave us frantic, both in our daily activity and in our minds. Guest Speaker Jack Doggett will explore some ways to use mindfulness and concentration to find more peace and ease over the next month or so. Let's start with something different - please leave your 'electronic device' either at home or in your car when you come to church.
|
~ Upcoming Sunday Service, December 2 ~
"On Islam & Gratitude"
With
Dr. Mohamed
Mohamed and Rev. Kevin as Worship Associate
|
Guest Speaker Dr. Mohamed Mohamed will speak on Islam and Gratitude.
Dr. Mohamed is a Professor in Sociology, and Graduate Program Coordinator with
the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Northern Arizona University. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Mohamed once again to our community, please join with us for this informative and caring presentation of interfaith interest and respect.
Rev. Kevin will be our service leader.
~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Gratitude~
|
|
~ Minister's Musings ~
|
|
Happy Thanksgiving and Season of Gratitude,
As I shared on Sunday during service, the writing of Rev. Richard Gilbert provides awareness and reflection for this time:
~ ~ ~
Thanks Be for These
For the sound of bow on string, Of breath over reed, Of touch on keyboard;
For slants of sunlight through windows, For shimmering shadows on snow,
For the whisper of wind on my face;
For the smooth skin of an apple, For the caress of a collar on my neck;
For the prickling of my skin when I am deeply moved,
For the pounding of my heart when I run, For the peace of soul at day's end;
For familiar voices in family rites, For the faces of friends in laughter and tears,
For the tender human arms that hold me;
For the flashes of memories that linger, For the mysterious moments that beckon,
For the particularity of this instant;
For the silence of moon-lit nights, For the sound of rain on my roof,
Of wind in dry leaves, Of waves caressing the shore;
For the softness of summer breezes, For the crispness of autumn air,
For dark shadows on white snow, For the resurrection of spring,
For the faithful turning of the seasons;
For angular, leafless trees, For gentle hills rolling in the distance,
For meandering streams seeking an unseen sea;
For cornstalks at stiff attention, And brittle plants bristling past their prime,
For unharvested gardens returning plants to enrich the soil;
For the sight of familiar faces, The sound of our spoken names,
The welcoming embrace of outstretched arms;
For the ritual of friendship, Reminding us we matter:
Thanks be for these.
~ ~ ~
In friendship and in community, let us hear from one another our messages of thanksgiving.
Here are the thoughts and feelings shared this past Sunday during service, the voices of Beacon and the chorus of Gratitude:
- For ability to run and dance, a loving spouse and children, wealth to share;
- For my 91 year old mother;
- For the love of my children, the solace of nature;
- For being able to travel with hubby to see many family members (healthy parents) this holiday season;
- For family who are all able to get together at Thanksgiving, now over 30 folks;
- For family, for Beacon;
- Gratitude for Beacon and Northland Family Health Center, Music, Friends and Family;
- For Family, Friends, Health and Peace;
- Grateful for Beacon and all the friends Beacon has brought into my life, my wife and children;
- For my parents who have passed, my journey to health and finding a great doctor, and for community;
- For my husband, my fellow Beacon congregants (this community), that our daughter and son-in-law live here in town;
- For peace in my relationships, community of friendships in my life, my joy;
- For getting to know my cousin in S.D. for the first time, being with my sweetheart, my centering circle at school, Beacon congregation, building support for my serenity garden;
- For having lost weight as well as for my spouse, our kids, grandkids, and for Arizona Democrats elected;
- For good - if not perfect - health, and for a precious wife;
- For finding UU and finding love here;
- For a warm woodstove to make my house cozy, friends that happily tolerate and love my wild children;
- For being a vegetarian, and grateful my sister is cooking the turkey;
- For family that is traveling to me instead of me packing up nine kids to go see them;
- For being healthy, having loving family, and great friends;
- For friends and family (LOVE), for my caring wife who is helping me with aging parents;
- For my family because I could not survive without them, also for all my friends;
- For smoke-free air, beautiful children in our presence;
- For my wonderful family and friends;
- For this spiritual community and all the opportunity it provides for growth and socializing;
- For my spouse who shares our spiritual journey with courage and wisdom;
- For my husband and partner, to live in such a beautiful place, and to be a part of this community;
- For our grandson's unexpected visit yesterday, for being so warmly accepted by my husband's family, for music that raises the spirit;
- For all the doers and movers who make Beacon function and thrive and flourish;
- For Beacon, Friends who are there when you need them and when you think you don't;
- For my Girl Scout co-leaders because we all work together so no one had to do-it-all!;
- For our Beacon community, it has been a very difficult year, and the support from our friends here at Beacon has kept me sane and centered;
- For our Beacon community, my wonderful husband, our family, and friends;
- For the people who are bringing to light the problems with our voting systems, for my children who welcome me when I come to visit;
- For the new love in my life, for joy that transcends circumstances;
- For family;
- For all the people of this church, family and friends;
- For a moment of clarity of intention in a haze of ambiguity of purpose;
- For my mom's presence in my life;
- For the abundance in my life: life, love, friendship, health, and home, as well as God leading my life better than I do;
- For this church, its service, and I like coming;
- For safe travels and graceful aging; and
- For family and friends in Maine and Arizona, the blue wave and the prospects for a better tomorrow.
As we often sing,
For all that is our lives, we lift our hearts in praise, for all life is a gift, which we are called to use, to build the common good and make our own days glad
...
This week of Thanksgiving, please make time to reflect upon the gifts and the blessings present in our lives. In these days of tumult, anxiety and uncertainty there is a constant, and that is: You are a child of the universe, and there is a love holding us, each of us, and may we rest in this love with grace and gratitude. May it be so...
Blessings to all our Beacon community this Thanksgiving; safe travels to those who will journey away from home, peaceful gatherings for all who will welcome family and friends into their homes. May we always seek to hold an attitude of gratitude for all the Blessings, Lessons, Mercies, and Protections in our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Rev. Kevin and your Beacon staff,
Amy Huntereece, DRE
Asia Kumnog, RE Assistant/Childcare
Caleb Alexander, Office Manager
Gabriel Hernandez, Acting Choir Director
Mikayla Rogers, Accompanist
|
|
~ Fall 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 experience enriches our community as we speak from the heart and listen deeply to one another in a safe and sacred environment of acceptance and caring. There is still space in both Sunday and Tuesday meeting groups!
Schedule
4th Sundays, September to December, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
OR 4th Tuesdays, September to December, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Actual Sunday Dates: Nov. 25 and Dec. 23
Actual Tuesday Dates: Nov. 27 and Dec. 18
~ December's session will be on the third Tuesday due to Christmas.
Please contact Char Tarashanti for more information and to register.
(507) 990-3888
|
|
~ Community Action Committee ~
Founded in 1911 by Dr. Henry Poore, the Poore Free Medical Clinic offers free medical and dental care to low income, uninsured individuals and families living in Coconino County. The majority of patients are the working poor who qualify because they live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Attending to patient's medical and dental needs enables them to better their lives. The clinic earned the title of Flagstaff Organization of the Year in 2013. Services offered are Primary Care, Chronic Illness Care, Acute Illness Care, Children's Health, Sports Physicals, and Dental Care. Dental services offered include full dental exam with x-rays, filling cavities, simple dental extractions, and dental cleanings by a hygienist.
Community Action Committee Chair
|
|
~ Religious Exploration ~
Coming up:
Bring a Friend Day
Sunday Worship, November 25, 10:00 am
First Sunday Fun Day: Trip to Starlite Lanes!
Sunday, December 2, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Amy Huntereece
Director of Religious Exploration
|
|
~ Upcoming Events ~
Sunday December 2 and Monday, December 3 in the Beacon Sanctuary.
Mark your calendar for the upcoming December Listening Circles with Nancy Paxton.
Save the Date: Christmas Eve Services
Monday, December 24, at Beacon at both 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Join us at Beacon for one of two Christmas Eve services! We will not be at Coconino Center for the Arts, this year. Mark your calendars now!
|
|
~ Joys & Concerns ~
As recorded November 18, 2018
Jan & Jack shared joy for being with family in Santa Fe. Their group has grown from two all the way to thirty-two!
Nash shared thanks for all those helping and giving to food drive and from their pocketbooks at the Safeway on Cedar.
Jack shared joy for visiting family and friends in Central California, but also concern about the air quality and smoke from fires. Jack also shared joy for singing in Messiah.
Nancy W. shared concern for loss of friend Lea of her book club in San Antonio.
Dora shared sorrow that her cousin Arnold lost his daughter. Her service was Sunday afternoon.
Teresa shared that she was grateful for all the help at church Building & Grounds clean up on Saturday.
Maryann gave thanks to Theresa and all the work she did on Saturday.
|
|
~ Beacon Calendar ~
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, November 25
10:00 am
|
RE: Coming of Age Retreat
Friday, November 30
5:00 pm
|
Chalice Circle
Sunday, November 25
11:30 am
|
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, December 2
10:00 am
|
Yoga Practice
Tuesday, November 27
11:00 am
|
Newcomers' Orientation
Sunday, December 2
11:30 am
|
RE Committee Meeting
Sunday, November 27
5:00 pm
|
Listening Circle
Sunday, December 2
5:30 pm
|
QiGong
Tuesday, November 27
6:30 pm
|
Listening Circle
Sunday, December 3
5:30 pm
|
Chalice Circle
Tuesday, November 27
7:00 pm
|
Stewardship Meeting
Monday, December 3
6:00 pm
|
Family Food Center Service Day
Wednesday, November 28
3:30 pm
|
Yoga Practice
Tuesday, December 4
11:00 am
|
Kadampa Buddhist Teachings
Wednesday, November 28
6:30 pm
|
QiGong
Tuesday, December 4
6:30 pm
|
Beacon Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 28
7:15 pm
|
Worship Associates
Wednesday, December 5
5:30 pm
|
|
Healing Circle
Thursday, November 29
5:30 pm
|
Kadampa Buddhist Teachings
Wednesday, December 5
6:30 pm
|
|
Choir Practice
Thursday, November 29
7:00 pm
|
Healing Circle
Thursday, December 6
5:30 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 ~
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,
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
|
|
~ 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
