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in order to be included in the newsletter.
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Sunday Service, April 14 2019
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Holy are the Places of Change and Pain
With Rev. Kevin Lawson
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Rev. Kevin shares the message this morning, reflections upon the blessings we might find wherever we are. "Blessed is the ground upon which we stand," writes Rev. M. Killoran in our reading for this morning. Join with us to explore Unitarian Universalist Wholeness and Salvation.
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Monthly Touchstone Theme: Wholeness / Salvation
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~ From the Minister's Desk ~
On March 24 our guest speaker Rev. Lisa McDaniel-Hutchings, with UU Justice Arizona (UUJAZ), shared in her message with us the importance of relationships and coalition building. This one component of full spectrum justice that she and the UU Congregations and Fellowships in Arizona have been working to develop. That afternoon, during the SJA meeting that followed our morning service, an idea was originated. When might we next support our coalition partner Somos America with a donation drive for food, funds to support those immigrants who are unceremoniously dumped off at bus stations in the greater Phoenix area.
The idea emerged that we would ask for awareness the next few weeks and then on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 we would invite the congregation to bring in small food items, or cash to share with our direct advocacy partner Somos America. I suggested this date as this month we are exploring UU Salvation and or Wholeness. I believe a key tie in to our month's spiritual theme with a modification to the reference shared by Rev. Lisa that morning in her message:
"If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s Often attributed to Lilla Watson
If we understand liberation to be a key element to salvation and wholeness, then we truly see the interconnectedness of all. If your wholeness, or perhaps if your understanding of salvation is tied up with direct help and aid to those most vulnerable, those travelers in a foreign land, who don't have resources for food and drink. If you have been seeking a direct action, an intentional opportunity to be of positive, helpful caring compassion to those caught up in the immigration concerns in our borderlands then Easter Sunday at Beacon is your opportunity.
Join with our outreach coordinators, Dorothy and Roseanne and let us all make Easter Sunday our day of caring. Please bring donation items that can make a significant difference in the lives of our unknown yet fellow journeyers. Please see more information that is detailed in the direct outreach flier from Somos America, for the items in greatest need. We will have tables and totes set up to receive your donations on the front walk. Let us all make Easter Sunday 2019 a day of caring support and outreach to those in need. Together we will, and Yes, we can!
Grateful to be on the journey with you,
Rev. Kevin
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~ Somos America Donation Drive ~
- Boxed tuna or chicken salad with crackers
- Peanuts in SMALL bags
- Small packets Ritz crackers or similar
- Granola bars - hard or soft
- Applesauce cups or fruit cups
You can get more for your money at discount stores such as Dollar General, 99cent, etc. - supplies are used up quickly!
Somos America works in tandem with Arizona volunteers who offer direct assistance to asylum seeks. Somos coordinates donation drives for travel size food to disburse to volunteers to give to mother/child or father/child on their travels to family in United States to continue the immigration process.
Somos America is a Phoenix area 509a2 (Charity Tax Status), not-for-profit activist organization. Financial donations are deductible. Checks may be made out to Somos America. Po Box 1178, Scottsdale AZ 85252
Contact [email protected]
for presentation on asylum seekers and border updates. Anywhere in AZ and any size audience of people with good conscience and compassion. Follow us on FB: Somos America Coalition.
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~ News from the Committee on Shared Ministry ~
Today's the Day!
Today, all members of Beacon will receive a message by separate email from the Committee on Shared Ministry which will include a live link that will connect you to the questionnaire that we have created and posted on Survey Monkey. We want to hear from you so we can include your impressions and comments about Rev. Kevin's work at Beacon this church year (July 2018 to June 2019).
The survey will close next Sunday, April 21, so please complete it as soon as possible. We will summarize the information and examples that you provide in the report that we are preparing for the Unitarian-Universalists' Fellowshipping committee as part of Rev. Kevin's final credentialing process. We will also summarize this information in our brief annual report to Beacon's Board of Trustees and to the congregation in June 2019.
Last year, some of you asked why CoSM was requesting that you sign your names to this questionnaire; Sarah Millspaugh, our advisor from the UUA Pacific Region, encourages all UU congregations to avoid anonymous questionnaires for this type of review. We know that your responses may include private personal experiences and comments, and we promise to respect your privacy. Knowing your name will allow us to contact you to answer any questions you raise. We will summarize the impressions, examples, and concerns that you express, but we will not disclose your names to our minister or anyone else at Beacon. We are committed to follow the suggestions we presented in "The Anatomy of Trust" workshops that we offered last year and in the listening circles; as we see it, asking you to sign your name after presenting your comments about our minister's work is one way to practice trust. Last year over 60% of our members responded to the Survey Monkey questionnaire; we hope to hear from all of you this year. We thank you in advance for your time and thoughtful consideration.
If you have questions, please contact Collin Weller, Maryann van Drielen, Nancy Paxton, Mark James, or Beacon's office manager, April Yax during Beacon's office hours, at 928-779-4492.
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~ Religious Exploration ~
First Sunday Fun day in April was filled with Spring crafts, egg dying, and smiles!
Thank you to Linda Ochi for making this possible!
What were the numbers last week
?
Total = 35!
This pie chart represents all child and family interactions related to Religious Education from 4/1 - 4/7
Director of Religious Exploration
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~ Circle Suppers ~
SIGN UP Time for Circle Suppers at Beacon
Break bread with a few other Beaconites
How it works:
- Any Member or Friend of Beacon signs up (with your partner and family, if you wish) by Tuesday April 30. You are signing up to participate in 3-5 potluck Suppers (or brunches or whatever) during May-September. Each Supper is held in the home of one member of the Circle; nobody hosts more than 1 Supper. Hosting is not required, so you can sign up even if your home too small to host 8 people.
- Paul Beier assembles participants into "Circles" of ~6-8 adults (plus kids in kid-tolerant groups), notifies you of the Circle to which you have been assigned, and assigns one person to be the Ringleader of each Circle.
- The Ringleader of each Circle works with Circle to set the date for the first Supper at the Ringleader's home. At each Supper, the Circle selects a date & host for the next Supper. Continue until all hosts have held events.
"A Beacon tradition for 30 years"
What to do:
By Tuesday, April 30
, use this
online form
to provide your name, email, phone number, and the names of other adults and names & ages of kids who will participate with you. The form will also ask if your home can accommodate babies (<36 months) and kids (3 years and older), and will allow you to provide other information, such as "my house is too small for me to host" or "I will be gone all of September" or "please put me in a circle with Barack" or "please don't put me in a circle with Paul."
*OR*
Find the clipboard (carried by Paul or Maryann or Dora or Carleton) at a Sunday service during April and fill out the information by hand.
If you can't remember if you already signed up for Circle Suppers, just sign up - I will find the duplicates.
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~ 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 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
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Social Justice Allies (SJA)
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SJA will meet this Sunday, April 14, following the service (about 11:15).
As always, Beacon member, friends and visitors are welcome to attend. Snacks will be provided.
Alert: Change in timeline for consideration of placing KFFT (Keep Families Free and Together) Ordinance on City Council agenda.
Approval of such an ordinance is particularly important because it is primarily Flagstaff Police Department officers who arrest immigrants, who are then placed in the county jail to serve their respective sentences. Upon their release-by direction of the County Sheriff-these immigrants are held while ICE is contacted, aka "ICE detainers". Undocumented immigrants are then picked up by ICE.
The update
: the KFFT Ordinance was removed from the April 9 agenda due to a new procedural rule. Repeal Flagstaff and Keeping Flagstaff Together (KFT) are currently working with Council members to have it restored to a future agenda. In the meantime-as part of Beacon's commitment to support families of undocumented immigrants-SJA encourages Beacon members and friends to contact our Mayor and City Council members in support of the Keep Families Free and Together Ordinance. For contact information:
Google Flagstaff City Council,
Mayor and Council,
Speak to your City Council (for email contact information)
We will supply updated information as we receive it.
In community,
Roz Clark, SJA Journalist
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~ REI Building Project Update ~
The backyard construction zone is about to become very active. The gas company will be finishing up the gas line relocation this week, and some of us Building & Grounds (B&G) and Building Expansion Team (BET) peeps will be dismantling and storing the playground equipment in the next couple of weeks.
The construction contract wording is being worked out, and the contract should be signed soon. The tentative construction start date is May 6, and if all goes well construction should be completed in about 14 weeks. After that, B&G and BET and anyone else who wants to help will be painting the interior, installing a fence, and re-assembling the playground.
In case you missed the recent town hall, here is a link to the notes taken by our amazing Board Secretary, Diana Roy:
Theresa deBoer
REI Building Project Manager
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~ Committee Moments ~
Beacon Committees perform critical functions to support Beacon and provide valuable outreach that serves our community. During January, February, March, and April, some committee representatives will take a few moments during Sunday Service announcements to briefly describe their committee.
You can look forward to hearing from the
Finance Committee on
April 14,
and Caring Circle on April 28.
Dennis Spurlin
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~ Volunteers Needed ~
Food Center Meal Service:
4th Wednesday of each month, contact Sue Strobel for more information.
Event Coordinator for PRIDE in the Pines: Saturday, June 22, 2019 - contact Rev. Kevin for additional details
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Joys and Concerns ~
Sunday, April 07, 2019
Nancy W. - Thanks to son Paton for organizing their trip and Terry for being available to participate.
Cassie - Joy of joining the Peace Corp and getting the opportunity to spend two years working with youth in Figi.
Nancy P. - Expresses both joy and some anxiety to be presenting a paper in Geneva for work from twenty years ago.
Preston C. - Joy to have survived his surgery last week, and thanks to Dorothy, Roseanne, Char, and the many others for their help.
Susan P.
- Shared a joy at becoming a Certified Gottman Therapist, and concern that her hip replacement will be redone on April 18th
(this is a correction from 3/31).
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This Month's Share the Plate Partner
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Beacon's community partner for April 2019 is the Hozhoni Foundation.
The Hozhoni Foundation is a leading provider of services and advocacy for people with disabilities. Residential, Vocational and Educational services are provided to assist individuals in achieving their maximum potential. Ultimately every person with emotional, physical, or developmental disabilities has not only the opportunity but the right to experience life to its fullest.
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Save the Date
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May 3, 2019 -
Senior Vocal Recital for Gabriel Hernandez (Beacon Music Director)
time and location to follow (NAU Campus).
Sunday, May 19 - Budget Town Hall, (Discuss draft budget with members of the Board and the Finance Committee)
Sunday, June 9 - Rev. Kevin's last Sunday in the Pulpit with Beacon.
Sunday, June 9 - Community Potluck (finger foods, please!) Bring some small bites, brunch or snack items for community sharing as we say goodbye to Rev. Kevin.
Sunday, June 9 - Annual Congregational Meeting 11:30am - 1:00pm.
Saturday, June 22 - PRIDE in the Pines (**if event coordinator found).
Wednesday, June 19-23 - UUA General Assembly.
General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association. Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend
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Event and Volunteer Coordinator needed for Pride in the Pines 2019.
Are you looking for a small(ish) role to help support Beacon's community outreach?
We are recruiting for this years Event / Volunteer Coordinator to organize, recruit and support Beacon's participation in PRIDE in the Pines 2019. Please contact Rev. Kevin if you'd would like to serve in this role. We'll need an event coordinator prior to our purchasing booth rental space.
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~ Beacon Calendar
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Choir Practice
Thursday, April 11, 2019
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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LST Meeting
Sunday, April 14, 2019
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
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Building and Grounds Team Meeting
Friday, April 12, 2019
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
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Yoga Practice
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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Soul Collage
Saturday, April 13, 2019
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Qi Gong
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
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Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, April 14, 2019
10:00 am - 11:00 am
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CLC Meeting
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
5:15 pm - 7:15 pm
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SJA Meeting
Sunday, April 14, 2019
11:00 am - 12:45 pm
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If you would like to submit a calendar event, send an email to
[email protected]
. 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!
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Beacon Office Hours
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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
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Director of RE,
Amy Huntereece
Sun: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wed:
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Or by appointment
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Office Manager,
April Yax
Tues: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Or by appointment
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Office Phone (928) 779-4492
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Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles
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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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Beacon Google Group
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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
[email protected].
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~ Beacon Website - Now More Secure ~
The internet provider, DreamHost, provides free hosting for our
beaconuu.com website. We are now protected by their "DreamShield" malware remover and their free "Let's Encrypt" SSL Certificate Authority. You will need to use the "HTTPS" address rather than the "HTTP" address in order to encrypt the communication to and from the Beacon website. From now on, please use
https://www.beaconuu.com to connect for a more secure connection.
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