Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492
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"Come, come whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. Ours is no caravan of despair. Even if you've broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come." - Rumi 

Friends,
 
The safety guidelines presented by the coronavirus threat pushes us out of the ordinary and out of our comfort zones to create a framework for doing church differently. Even for those who have a disdain for technology (or feel clumsy with it) and those who avoid social media might look more positively on the opportunities these tools offer us for meaningful "virtual church" - worship, social gatherings, religious exploration of youth and adults, resource sharing, pastoral care, and communication. 
 
Our Beacon team has pulled together to bring us through this time (however long it lasts)  with as much connection as possible. Our office manager, Ben Jefferies, will be working his usual schedule. He is reachable at office@beaconuu.com and 928-779-4492

I ask, as your minister, that you participate in our Beacon virtual church to both give and receive support and presence during this challenging time for our community and our planet.  If you need assistance with technology, we are here to provide it (and there are some links below to get your started). 

"Our is no caravan of despair. Come, yet again, come." 

Preparation:
In order to prepare for Beacon Virtual Church, please take a moment to make these connections: 

Technology - 
  • Bookmark the https://www.beaconuu.com  website on your browser for easy access. Sign up there for the weekly e-news if you have not done so already. (if your browser is limited, we recommend downloading and using Google Chrome) 
  • Go to "Beacon UUC" YouTube Channel   Video recordings of worship services will be posted here beginning March 22, 2020. 
  • Be prepared to receive links for Zoom video chats and groups. Invitation links will be posted and you only need to click on that link to be connected. However, it is best to connect early in the event that you need to download the application at zoom.us before being connected. (see tech tips below for Zoom) 
  • We will also use "Google Hangouts" - you will receive links to the hangouts to click and join. 
  • Facebook - I know some folks avoid Facebook. That said, our "Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation" page will have many resources posted there. You can adjust privacy settings to whatever extent feels comfortable for you. If you join Facebook or already have Facebook, please "like" our page and even invite others to like it. This increases our visibility in the community. 
Tech tips for Zoom: 
Here is a YouTube video on how to join a Zoom meeting.
Zoom support also has a video on how to join a meeting.
If you prefer, here is an illustrated text explanation that you can print out.
 
Virtual Worship:
  • Our Virtual Worship team - Rev. Robin, Gabe Hernandez (our Music Director), Rebecca Prizznick (our Accompanist) and Kim Angelo ( Worship Associate) will be recording a service each week on Thursday evening. It will be posted to our YouTube channel prior to Sunday morning. 
  • Beginning March 22, 2020, recorded videos of a weekly worship service will be posted on our YouTube channel (Beacon UUC). You can watch at the regular time (Sundays at 10 AM) or on your own schedule. 
  • A sermon description will be posted in all the usual places - Facebook, website and e-news. Links for this recording and a sermon transcript will be available on the "Sermons" page of our website the following week.  
  • A virtual social hour will take place either on Zoom or Google hangouts (we will determine which works best) on Sundays at 11 AM. Invitation links will be posted. Please join early if you need to get your technology in order. 

Preparing for Virtual worship:
  • Review the technology preparation tips above. 
  • Download and print the virtual worship order of service . This will be the same from week to week. If you cannot print a copy, we will have some paper copies in the office for you to pick up or have sent to you.  The hymns lyrics and all other liturgical elements will be consistent and can be found there.  PDF or Word
  • Chalice at home - we will be lighting chalices together and reciting some unison words. You can light a real or battery candle and even make a small chalice if you wish. The easiest is to glue a small clay flower pot to a clay flower pot tray. These can be personalized with craft materials. Here are some simple instructions: https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/welcome/session14/119827.shtml
  • Virtual offering -  Supporting Beacon financially during this time apart is especially important. We are installing the Vanco application on our website for secure virtual donations to the offering plate. A "Donate" button will be on the Beaconuu.com homepage. We ask that you trust this application (100's of churches use it) and open an account for this purpose. Another option is to send a check to Beacon for the offering plate and write "offering" in the note. 
  • Virtual Social hour will take place at 11 AM on Sundays on either Zoom or Google Hangouts (links will be posted on the beacon calendar, Facebook, YouTube, and webpage)

Religious Exploration

Youth: 
  • On-site Religious Exploration for children, OWL, and Building Bridges will be on hiatus.  
  • Horton Hears A UU: Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss" will continue! Each week, we'll post on the "RE News" page on the website with videos, craft activities, and reflective questions you can explore at home.   Other creative links will be posted there, such as Chalice coloring pages and other UU-related activities. 
Adults: 
Meetings: 
  • Committee and leadership meetings will take place on Zoom or Google hangouts. Invitations links will be sent in advance.  If you wish to schedule a meeting, send the details to the office manager. If you need help with the technology set-up, please ask. 
Pastoral:
  • As always, Rev. Robin is available for pastoral care or just plain old conversations. We can meet "virtually" through zoom, facetime, or by phone. 
  • A minister's discretionary fund exists to assist congregants with life needs - funds for food, heat, etc. 
  • Please fill out this resources and needs survey so we can support the community and each other. https://forms.gle/68Kp433JJCcVvUvq9

We are Beacon-Always Connected! 
Even though we are apart,
Conversations will not be cancelled.
Relationships will not be cancelled. 
Love will not be cancelled. 
Self-care will not be cancelled.
Spirit will not be cancelled. 
Hope will not be cancelled. 
We will not be cancelled. 
May we lean into the good stuff that remains. 

In faith and affection,
Rev. Robin 

- This Sunday at Beacon -
Sunday, March 22, 2020


Virtual Sermon  
"Waiting For The Ice Cream Truck - On Living Deliberately in a Random World"
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker

Do things really happen "for a reason?" In a message, tailor-made in the wake of the fabled Ides of March and a global pandemic, we'll explore the challenge of living deliberately in an often-random world. When our lives tilt in directions we had not expected and fault lines open under our feet, how might we strive to loosen our grip on the "shoulds" and embrace the "real" with as much humor, courage, and grace as we can muster?

Tune into the Service via the "Beacon UUC" Youtube Channel.

~ Please join us after the service ~

Virtual Social Hour on Google Hangouts at 11:00 am
click this link to join:  meet.google.com/ite-muaz-rmx
  

~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Forgiveness ~ 

Beacon will be organizing Virtual Chalice Circles.  Stay tuned for more details.
Joys and Concerns

While Beacon maintains our Social Distance, please email Reverend Robin if you would like any Joys and Concerns shared with the congregation.  Please submit the Joys and Concerns to minister@beaconuu.com by Thursday at 12:00 pm for inclusion in that Sunday's worship.

Supporting Beacon Financially

Beacon is working hard to get an online "offering" system up and running.  In the meantime, we encourage members and friends to still make plate donations and pledge donations to Beacon however possible.  One great way is to send a check with "offering" in the memo.  If you would like assistance or other suggestions, please reach out to Ben, the office manager at office@beaconuu.com or (928) 779-4492.
Religious Exploration

We encourage Beacon families to continue Religious Exploration at home!  For March 22nd, we have created a great lesson continuing the  "Horton Hears A UU: Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss" theme.


Religious Exploration for Youth 
Beacon At Home 
"Horton Hears A UU: Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss" 
March 22, 2020 - "Gertrude McFuzz"


First things first -  Consider these questions: Did you ever want something that turned out to be a lot of trouble once you got it? Can you remember a time when you wanted more than you needed?

Watch the video on youtube:
  • Hear the story read with full illustrations: https://youtu.be/rMR8qEZl5gk
  •  Watch this Gertrude McFuzz clip from the musical "Seussical" https://youtu.be/jVweoiqv3Xo
  •  Talk about the story and explore these themes: How could things have been better if Gertrude had not been so greedy? Was she really prettier with all of those feathers?
  • Discuss our first principle - The inherent worth and dignity of all people. And our second principle - Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. 
Craft activity: 
  • Use paper plates, construction paper, feathers, playdough or other materials to make a "Gertrude" 
 



Religious Exploration for Middle Schoolers
"Building Bridges"

Building Bridges programming is postponed until further notice.  Please continue to check our website and newsletters for more updates.

 
"OUR WHOLE LIVES"  at BEACON UU CONGREGATION 
Real World Sexuality Education for Young People 

Please read an update letter from Beacon's OWL coordinators below:

Dear Our Whole Lives attendees and registrants,

In order to support our community's health, we have opted to postpone Our Whole Lives classes this Spring to a future date. 
We still want to move forward with the OWL curriculum (we're SO excited to share this delightful and educational program with you!) and will likely resume classes in late April, if the contagion has passed at this time and social gatherings become advisable. 
Due to the instability of the situation, we cannot reschedule the program to specific dates at this time. Please stay tuned for more information regarding updated OWL dates this Spring. 
Dee and I are available to answer any questions you may have. You may e-mail us here at  OWLFlagstaff@gmail.com  or call my cell at 480-406-7484.

Warm wishes and we wish you health!

Grace Ditsworth
Our Whole Lives Co-Coordinator, Spring 2020
Our Caring Connections

Please complete this Survey to let Beacon know how we can help and/or what you can offer to members of our community during this difficult time.

Confidential Pastoral care is available to all members and friends, new and longstanding. Our Caring Circle works with our minister to offer support, practical assistance, and companionship. Please let us know (through our team, staff, musical or affinity groups) of needs for a listening ear and caring connections. Contact Rev. Robin or Dorothy Rissel at  dorothy.rissel@gmail.com
Beacon Stewardship
Social Distancing Plan

Beacon's annual stewardship pledge campaign is still going on.  However, the remaining events have been postponed indefinitely.  Members and friends of Beacon will be receiving a pledge form in the mail. If you have any questions contact Dennis at President@beaconuu.com or Ben at office@beaconuu.com . Stewardship and fundraising supports everything that a faith community does and calls us into deeper connection with each other. Stewardship is more than just planning our congregation's annual finances and budget.  It is rooted in our faith principles and inspires our generous support of Unitarian Universalism, as well as our commitment to Beacon as our congregational home and the place where we seek our vision of a welcoming and loving community.  Be sure to watch for your pledge forms in the mail.  

Dennis Spurlin
Stewardship Co-chair
~ Beacon Connections ~
Spotlight this Week!

Beacon's First Virtual Worship
Sunday, March 22nd ~ 10:00 am

You can watch the sermon at the "Beacon UUC" YouTube Channel here.  Download the Order of Service to follow along here: ( PDF or Word)

Don't forget to join the Virtual Social Hour at 11:00 am by clicking the following link:   meet.google.com/ite-muaz-rmx

Chalice Circles
*** Due to Beacon's concern for congregants health, Chalice Circles will be held at a later date in a "virtual format".  Please continue to check Beacon's E-newsletter and website for more updates.

All are welcome!   The theme for March is Forgiveness. This month's Touchstones journal link can be found here.

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.

Chalice Circle continues to meet on the 4th Sunday & Tuesday of each month. 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. 

For further information contact Char Tarashanti or Lynda L. Dorweiler at  ChaliceCircles@Beaconuu.com
UU Volunteering at Flagstaff Family Food Center

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 3:30 pm

Beacon Volunteers are still invited to volunteer at the Flagstaff Family Food Center this coming Wednesday.  The FFFC has already seen an increase in clients and is still giving out food boxes as well as meals.  However, meal service has transitioned to a "To-Go" format for public health reasons.  

The FFFC is recommending that senior volunteers stay home for the next 30-60 days to minimize human-to-human contact.

What the FFFC needs:
  • Healthy volunteers who have not recently traveled. Our most urgent needs for volunteers are: Emergency Food Box Program (Tues.-Sat. from 9am-1pm) and Sandwich Making (daily from 10am-2pm). Volunteers can sign up at www.hotfood.volunteerhub.com or call us at 928-526-2211.
  • Monetary donations. While we have emergency funds to respond to crisis situations like this, we know that our resources will continue to be strained as the outbreak continues and more people see their hours cut or completely eliminated. Monetary donations will help us purchase additional food to keep our hunger relief programs running, and pay additional staff to run these programs as our volunteer base continues to decrease. 
  • Canned food donations. We are running very low on canned and non-perishable food for our Emergency Food Box Distribution. Donations can be dropped off at 3805 E. Huntington Mon.-Fri. from 8am-4pm.
Please email the FFFC at volunteer@hotfood.org  or call  928-526-2211 with any questions.
UUA General Assembly
 Providence, RI. June 24-28, 2020

Rooted, Inspired & Ready! 
We are in touch with our theological roots, we are engaged in transforming our faith and we are fired up to take action in the wider world.  Featuring Naomi Klein, 2020 Ware Lecturer.


We have funds designated to help send Beacon congregants to GA! Speak to Rev. Robin.  For more information visit  https://www.uua.org/ga.


Pacific Western District Assembly
CANCELLED: Due to Covid-19.  As of March, 10 2010.
Wider Community Events
Camp de Benneville Pines

In response to public health concerns, UU Camp de Benneville Pines has waived their $75 non-refundable deposit for camp registration.  Camp de Benneville Pines offers a variety of family, youth and adult camps throughout the summer and fall in the mountains of southern California.

Registration for Summer and Fall of 2020 opens on April 1st.  You can register here.
WhaleCoast Alaska 2020

Have you ever wanted to visit Alaska? If so,  WhaleCoast Alaska 2020  is for you! 4 Alaska UU congregations invite you to experience our unique environmental and spiritual program this summer. See Alaska through the eyes of local UUs, with friendly homestays and unique tour activities. See wildlife, including moose, bears, caribou, whales, bald eagles, sea lions, etc. Visit Denali National Park. Experience Native Alaskan culture. Our program is truly the best way to visit Alaska! Tours led by Dave Frey, member of the Fairbanks UU congregation and Alaska travel expert. Find out more about this Alaskan trip of a lifetime. For complete info go to:   www.WhaleCoastAK.org , email dfrey@whalecoastak.org or call 907-322-4966. Discount for groups of 8 or more. We would love to share our Alaska with you!
Volunteer Opportunity

The Flagstaff Area National Monuments are recruiting Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs) to help  support a number of activities at Walnut Canyon National Monument during our busy spring break season. Volunteer activities include helping young visitors become Junior Rangers, helping to manage overflow parking, and serving as Ro ving Rangers on the trails. 

Dates : Our immediate need is March 7th - April 26th. However, once you have been trained VIPs can volunteer year-round.

Hours: Our times of greatest need are typically during the middle of the day - especially Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. We are hoping to find volunteers that can commit to durations of 2-4 hours.

Training: We will provide on-site training to volunteers. These volunteer training sessions will be set up at the convenience of the volunteer, and potentially in small groups depending on the number of interested participants.

Interested parties should contact the Walnut Canyon
lead park ranger Ryan Carpenter at 
(928) 526-3367  or at  ryan_p_carpenter@nps.gov .
Ryan is in the office Tuesday - Saturday.

Flag Friends

Anne Wittke is in charge of a group called FlagFriends, that she and another person took over from Joy Danfin. This group encourages local folks from Flagstaff to make friends with foreign students attending NAU for anywhere from a semester to 4 years, and the students have a wide range of interests, from hiking, chess, traveling, music, to you name it. 

Flagfriends.org is a website that students and hosts sign up on, so potential hosts can browse the list of students and propose matches. Students can't see anything unless someone proposes a match, so your private information is protected. The website does have some shortcomings, but I much prefer that to having to match students and hosts by hand! I just need to find more interested hosts so the students don't spend all their time here unmatched.

To sign up, go to the website, fill in the forms, and respond to the automatic email to verify your address.  We have gotten a number of new students signed up this week.
If you have any questions please email Anne at  wittke.anne@gmail.com

~ This Week at Beacon  ~


Virtual Worship
Sunday, March 22, 2020
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Virtual Social Hour
Sunday, March 22, 2020
10:00 am - 11:00 am
meet.google.com/ite-muaz-rmx
Family Food Center Volunteering
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
3:30 pm
(Tentative - check back for more details)
Beacon Board Meeting (Remote)
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
7:00 pm - 9:00 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!
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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.

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. 
~  Beacon Office Hours & Contacts  ~
Office Phone (928) 779-4492

Minister,
Rev. Robin Zucker

Mon: 11:00 am - 4:00 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) 
Get to know Rev. Robin at  www.uurobinzucker.com
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.
  Office Manager,
Ben Jefferies
 
Mon: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wed: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thurs: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm


 

~ 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!



UPDATE

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 . 

Dennis Spurlin
webmaster@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 or Visit:  https://groups.google.com/d/forum/uuflag
Newsletter submissions must be submitted by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to office@beaconuu.com  in order to be included in the newsletter.