Beacon Weekly News for December 6, 2018

Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter.

Caleb Alexander, Beacon Office Manager

~ Sunday Service, December 9 ~

"Holiday Joy: Music and Worship"

With Rev. Kevin Lawson

Carol Singing, Poetry and Readings to invoke the season of renewal, rebirth and light in the darkness. Rev. Kevin will be our service leader.

~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Peace ~

Click here to read December's Touchstone Journal.

~ From the Beacon UU Board of Trustees ~

The Beacon Board would like to share special appreciations to

Steve Z for researching and setting up the process for the donation of securities for the capital campaign and stewardship campaign.

Katie G, Jeff P, and Eric B for organizing and running the auction, as well as to the entire auction team and its cast of thousands that made the auction a success!

~ From the Office of Beacon UU ~

After just over a year in this position and just under a year and a half with this community (first coming on for custodial duties), I will be moving into a new position. I have been offered and accepted a position with the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority. I'm excited for this change and the stability it will bring me, but am sorry to be stepping away from this role. It is hard to go a week without receiving kind words from at least one of you and that has felt just incredible.

In this position I have aimed to encode my learning process, build resources for smooth work flow, and provide feedback strategies to help me. I hope that this will ensure an easy transition to whoever comes on board next. I am grateful that you were willing to support me and provide guidance along the way. I want this community to receive the administrative support to complement the incredible spiritual, interpersonal, and community care you provide.

My last day as the Office Manager will be Friday, December 14.

Thank you,

Caleb Alexander

Office Manager

~ 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 final 2018 Circles will be Sunday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 18.

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.

Char Tarashanti

biobalance240@charter.net

(507) 990-3888

~ Religious Exploration ~

Find out more details about what is happening on Sundays in December in the Religious Exploration blog.

As part of an assignment for my PhD studies, I am looking at needs of modern families related to spiritual development. I am interested in what parents need to feel supported in the task of educating their children in faith development. I would really appreciate your feedback. I used the Appreciate Inquiry model. Your participation will help me with my studies as well as help me plan and bring more of what resonates with you and your family to the RE program at Beacon. Click here to fill out the form! Thank you so much!

Are you celebrating Chalica this week?

Chalica is seven days long and runs from the first Monday in December through to Sunday. Each day represents a different Unitarian Principle, a chalice is lit each day and we say why we light the chalice for that day. Click here to find out more about this special UU celebration. Be sure to check my blog daily for updated information as well!

Coming up:

December 9: Parents' Afternoon Out! 1:00-5:30 pm. So exciting, and it's free! We've got the kids, no worries. Babysitters will be High School UU youth. More details in my blog! Email me with questions.
December 23: Pageant in a paper bag during service. We need you...to come to church on that day. No rehearsal necessary!
December 24: Remember that there are two services on Christmas Eve this year, one at 4:00 pm and one at 6:00 pm, both at Beacon this year!

Amy Huntereece

Director of Religious Exploration

~ Community Action Committee ~

Sun Sounds of Flagstaff is a not-for-profit organization that provides audio access information to people who cannot read print because of a disability. By making creative use of technology and talent, Sun Sounds ensures that every person with a disability has the opportunity to access the current and local information necessary for a self-directed, productive life. Volunteers read aloud from over 200 current local and national newspapers, even grocery ads. This helps establish that the inability to read print will no longer be a disabling condition. The Flagstaff affiliate has about 400 listeners.

Congregational members can nominate an organization to be a community partner by picking up a form from the CAC folder at the bottom of the stairs or contact a member of the committee and provide supporting documentation for your nomination. Members of CAC are Joanne Parkes, Sue Strobel, Susan Patrick, Steven Patrick, and Lynda L. Dorweiler.

Lynda Dorweiler

Community Action Committee Chair

~ Upcoming Events ~

Sandy Hook 6-Year Remembrance

Murdoch Community Center, Friday, December 14 at 6:00 pm

Come together to remember the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their lives or been injured due to gun violence since the Sandy Hook school shooting tragedy and learn ways to end gun violence. The event is sponsored by Save Our Children, Newtown Action Alliance, and Moms Demand Action - Flagstaff.

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 December 2, 2018

Anne W. shared joy that her husband Barry finished his chemotherapy and radiation and is back home. He is doing well and regaining strength and energy.

Cynthia S. shared the joy of reminded friendships. Having come across a note from her student exchange friend of many years ago, in the back of a gifted cookbook, having not read through the whole book previously. A forty year removed "thinking of you" note of friendship.

Collin W. shared his joy of being a part of the Beacon Community. Dr. Mohamed's message today of gratitude, spirituality and interfaith respect, touched his thoughts and reasons for being so glad there is Beacon.

We celebrate with Jan R. who came forward for December birthdays. Happy Birthday Jan!

~ Beacon Calendar ~

Healing Circle Thursday, December 6 5:30 pm	Committee on Shared Ministry Monday, December 10 5:15 pm
Choir Practice Thursday, December 6 7:00 pm	Yoga Practice Tuesday, December 11 11:00 am
Building Expansion Lunch Meeting Friday, December 7 11:30 am	QiGong Tuesday, December 11 6:30 pm
SoulCollage with Char Saturday, December 8 9:00 am	Coming of Age Class Tuesday, December 11 6:30 pm
Worship & Religious Exploration Sunday, December 9 10:00 am	Kadampa Buddhist Teachings Wednesday, December 12 6:30 pm
Leadership Succession Team Meeting Sunday, December 9 11:15 am	Worship Associates Meeting Wednesday, December 12 6:30 pm
RE High School Youth Meeting Sunday, December 9 11:30 am	Healing Circle Thursday, December 13 5:30 pm
RE Family Event: Parents / Kids Sunday, December 9 1:00 pm	Choir Practice Thursday, December 6 7:00 pm

For the full calendar of events at Beacon, you can find that on our website!

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: 8:00 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

~ 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 ~

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.