Submissions must be in by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to be included in the newsletter. 
There will not be a newsletter on December 27 due to Becaon office closure.
~ Sunday Service, December 16 ~ 
"Let There Be Peace on Earth"
With  Rev. Kevin Lawson

Rev. Kevin offers reflection upon the Taoist understanding of Peace within
ourselves to initiate the ripples of peace unto the World.


~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Peace ~ 
~ REI Building Project Update ~

construction_hard_hat.jpg
Things are happening, both seen and unseen! The contractor has completed the demolition of the cottage, and filled in the hole that was left by the removal of the foundation. The ground was compacted and is ready for paving. We are still waiting for the gas company to do the relocation of the gas line.

The application for the building permit has been submitted to the city, along with the completed construction drawings. If all goes as planned, we expect to have the final price from Loven Contracting by mid January, and a contract signed by February 1. Outside construction should begin around April 1.

Theresa deBoer
REI Project Manager
~ Social Justice Allies ~

SJA will meet this Sunday, December 16, following the service (about 11:15). Agenda items will include:
  • Continue the conversation about prioritizing our social justice efforts;
  • Scheduling online church safety modules;
  • Creating an SJA presence on Beacon's website;
  • "Teaching in Arizona," a short film, followed by a panel presentation.
Beacon members, friends, and visitors are welcome, so check us out Sunday! Snacks provided.

Pop-quiz: Do you know what it means when Beacon takes a "public stance"? It means that as a congregation we have voted to support a specific social justice effort (we have agreed in this way on three issues). More specifically, it means that any of us can say, "My faith community, Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, has taken a position--a public stance--on this matter."  One of our public stances is in support of efforts promoting non-violence.

This Friday, December 14, at 6:00 pm, we have an opportunity to express our support for reducing gun violence by attending the Sandy Hook 6-Year Remembrance at Murdoch Community Center (click here or image for flyer). The Center's remarkable mural depicting well known racial justice figures is clearly visible from Butler Ave. (near Aspen Place), but the address is 203 E. Brannen Ave. (Click for Google Maps), with parking and entrance from a block north of Butler, so it's a bit tricky. Call or email me (380-6502 or rozrich41@gmail.com ) if you need specific directions. And please see the flyer with more information.

In community and service,
Roz Clark, SJA Journalist
~ Religious Exploration ~

hands_together_sand.jpg
Find out more details about what is happening on Sundays 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. 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! Here is more information about the Appreciate Inquiry model that I used. 

Did you celebrate Chalica last week? If not, it's ok! You can celebrate this week! Chalica is seven days long 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:
  • Santa Lucia DayThursday, December 13, click for more info!
  • Holiday Pageant: Sunday, December 23 during service: We need you to come to church on that day! No rehearsal necessary! 
  • Christmas Eve Services: Monday, December 24 at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Remember that there are two services on Christmas Eve this year, both at Beacon this year!
Amy Huntereece
Director of Religious Exploration
~ 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.
  
(507) 990-3888
~ Peace and Joy Holiday Yoga ~
December 21 and 22, 9:30 am to noon at Beacon

female_doing_yoga.jpg
In the midst of the holiday season, with its ups and downs, quiet and hectic moments, give yourself the gift of yoga to help you stay balanced, flexible, strong, open hearted, and true to yourself.

What: Peace and Joy Yoga mini-retreat, Beginning 
And intermediate yoga practice
WhenPEACE on Friday, Dec. 21 and JOY 
On Saturday, Dec 22.  9:30 am to Noon - Attend one or both days
Where: Beacon Sanctuary
With: Cassie Dakan
Why: Self care and celebration!
Cost: By donation 

Each day includes mindful meditation and gentle postures. No yoga experience necessary. A yoga mat is suggested. Open to you, your friends, and the community. Share and spread the spirit and light of yoga! 

Namaste 
Cassie
~ 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.
 
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. See SJA article above for more details.

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!

frosty-branches-header.jpg
~ Joys & Concerns ~
As recorded December 9, 2018 
With a Special Message from Former Music Director Adrianne Anning

Rev. Kevin shared awareness for Roseanne F. who fell and broke her hip Thursday night. She has had surgery and is recovering well and is now at Flagstaff Rehabilitation Hospital. If you wish to visit, please contact  Dorothy R. beforehand.  

Linda O. went back to work after twelve years. She is working assistant teaching with middle school students. 

Theresa d. was very sad that she Caleb is leaving us. He got a great job with the City, though. 

Terry W. shared that she invented "Terry's Taxi" for the auction and was able to take Adrianne Anning Christmas shopping Saturday.

~ ~ ~

A note from Adrianne Anning, former Music Director at Beacon UU:
Dave and I are so full of appreciation for the help, support and COMFORT everyone in Beacons caring circle offers.  We are continuing our Tuesday evening physical therapy appointment at Summit just for the next two Tuesdays.  The happy and sad news is, we bought a house in the town my daughter and granddaughter live, Cedar City, UT.  (where I used to live before Flagstaff )  We close on Dec 27th and will begin to move then, listing our Flagstaff house mid-January.  I am happy when I imagine time to make more memories with my daughters and granddaughter.  The "town" itself is standing at the ready, able to assist with on going/long term care as it becomes necessary.

I am so so sad to be leaving my friends here.  Beacon friends, most especially, have shown such a tremendous level of care, attention and true help during this intense experience. 
  • Thanks for filling me, body and soul with food, Theresa, Holly, Mary, Dorothy, Dora, Carlton, Char.  Did I miss anyone?
  • Thank you Connie Buros for cleaning my floors and bathrooms and taking me for walks.
  • Thanks to Paul for keeping me upright and singing.
  • Thanks to Grace for sweet sweet company and FUN.
  • Thanks to Katie and Eric for the gift of Terry White - chauffeur.  Terry and I spent a morning together shopping for Christmas gifts.  I could not have done it without her help!
  • Kim Angelou and the healing circle for beaming me healing energy and sending sound files of the Beacon choir.
  • Char...  Thank you.  You've soothed my misfiring nerves, been a confidant and a shoulder to cry on.  
  • Beacon family, unnamed, for continued support and friendship. 
I want to let you know what a significant difference you have made in our lives.  I will miss you.  We plan to attend one of the 24th events to make connections and give proper hugs. 

Until then, thanks from the bottom of my heart.    
Adrianne (and David) Anning

notebook_coffee.jpg
~ Beacon Calendar ~
Note: There will be no newsletter on December 27 due to office closure. 

Healing Circle
Thursday, December 13
5:30 pm
Core Leadership Council
Wednesday, December 19
5:15 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Saturday, December 15
10:00 am
Beacon Board Meeting 
Wednesday, December 19

7:00 pm
Sanctuary Rental
Saturday, December 15
12:30 pm
Healing Circle
Thursday, December 20
5:30 pm
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, December 16
10:00 am
Choir Practice 
Thursday, December 20
7:00 pm
SJA Meeting
Sunday, December 16
11:15 am
Yoga Peace & Joy Mini-Retreat
Friday, Dec 21 & Saturday, Dec 22
9:30 am each day
Blue Holiday Service 
Sunday, December 16
6:00 pm
Flagstaff Folk Project
Friday, December 21
7:15 pm
Yoga Practice
Tuesday, December 18
11:00 am
Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, December 23
10:00 am
QiGong
Tuesday, December 18
6:30 pm
Christmas Eve Worship
Monday, December 24
4:00 pm & 6:00 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: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wed:  8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Or by appointment 
  Interim Office Manager,
Dennis Spurlin

Hours to be Determined 

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  office@beaconuu.com.