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Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492
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Please click on the links below to read more about Beacon's Action Plan:
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- This Sunday at Beacon -
June 7th, 2020
Virtual Service
"We Will Make Them Feel Us: On Allyship to People of Color"
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker preaching
with music and poetry from Gabriel Hernandez, Rebecca Prizznick and others
The COVID-19 virus, the killing of George Floyd, dog whistle politics, deadly racism and tribalism, a nation in despair. What does it mean to be an "ally" to people of color in an America enflamed by fear, fury and division? We will listen humbly to their voices and reckon with the honest replies we hear within our own hearts and minds.
Lyrics and Unison readings will be visible in the service recording.
~ Please join us after the service ~
Virtual Social Hour on Zoom at 11:00 am
Or call +1 669 900 6833 and enter
Meeting ID: 675 489 291
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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.
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A Special Message from Rev. Robin
Dear Beloved Community,
America is on fire with rage, weary from a pandemic, and aching with despair. Along with the rest of our country, we've read and heard so many devastating accounts over the past week, the most heart-rending from people of color coping with another case of murderous systemic racism in our country. I do not need to (nor, am I entitled to) add anything to their experiences or parse what they have to say about racism. They live it.
One of my ministerial colleagues, whom I respect greatly, suggests that that last thing needed right now is "another statement by well-meaning white liberals." I grasp her point, while still offering these words as a message of solidarity, consolation, hope, and conviction that we can be part of the healing.
Since our founding, Unitarian Universalism has promoted justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. In fact, the word "justice" appears twice within our 7
UU Principles. We've stood on the frontlines for marriage equality, reproductive rights, and racial justice.
However, the voices of people of color were not preferenced until the formation of Black Lives UU, founded in 2015 to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within the denomination and to provide support and resources for justice-making and liberation through our faith. The BlackLivesUU Collective has drafted an 8
th
principle and is urging it's adoption. It reads: "We, the member congregations of the UUA, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying towards spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and other institutions."
In addition to considering the adoption of this 8
th
UUA principle, what we can do as a mostly white and privileged congregation, is to educate ourselves about "allyship." Back in the mid 1990's, I participated in one of the UUA's first anti-racism programs, "Journey Towards Wholeness." I've attended many such workshops since then. Yet, I still have much to learn. As minister of Beacon UU, I am committed to humbly joining you and taking an active role in this learning. Allyship to people of color requires listening to their
voices and respecting their
leadership and sharing our resources and social privilege, whenever possible.
That is why I am preaching a sermon on June 7th entitled: "We Will Make Them Feel Us: Allyship to People of Color." Even if you are not a UU or a regular Beacon attendee (or, in this moment, Youtube viewer), please watch this service on our channel (Beacon UUC), and download and study the resources I've included at this end of this message. The sermon text will also be accessible on our website on June 8th. Regularly scheduled follow-up Zoom meetings will take place to discuss these resources on allyship and how we can activate them in partnership with others in our community.
In this spirit of allyship, I cede my voice to one of the most respected African-Americans in the world, Michelle Obama. She writes:
"Like so many of you, I'm pained by these recent tragedies. And I'm exhausted by a heartbreak that never seems to stop. Right now it's George, Breonna, and Ahmaud. Before that it was Eric, Sandra, and Michael. It just goes on, and on, and on.
Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can't just be on people of color to deal with it.
It's up to all of us-Black, white, everyone-no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own.
It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets. I pray we all have the strength for that journey, just as I pray for the souls and the families of those who were taken from us."
With the support of Beacon's Board of Trustees, I ask that we join in this prayer and rallying cry. May we rise humbly and bravely together to the challenges before us.
In faith,
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Spotlight this Week!
"Just Mercy" ~ Free Film and Discussion Group
Warner Brothers, the producers of "Just Mercy" have made the film free on all digital platforms (Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc), as the message about systemic racism is important, especially now. I encourage you to take the time to watch and join a Zoom discussion of the film with me (Rev. Robin) on Thursday, June 11 at 6:00 PM.
Meeting ID: 733 037 2039
Password: 968647
One tap mobile +16699006833
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Religious Exploration
We encourage Beacon families to continue Religious Exploration at home!
Lifespan Religious Exploration Resources for Learning About and Responding to Racism
~ For Children and Adults ~
This painful moment in time calls us to focus our learning and reflection on allyship to people of color, understanding white privilege, and reflecting on how we can part of a systemic sea change and solution in our society.
For the next few weeks, Beacon will be providing resources for all ages addressing how we as individuals and as communities can learn about and respond to racism. For the full list of resources, activities and community meetings, visit Beacon's Religious Exploration pages.
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Annual Congregational Meeting - Sunday, June 14, 2020
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Beacon Stewardship
There are members of our congregation especially impacted by this coronavirus pandemic. While we wait to see if we're touched by the virus, other health concerns are put at risk. Some of us have lost income, and others are providing financial support to family members and others who have lost income. A stewardship campaign to solicit pledges for next year's Beacon budget may not register high on a list of priorities for some of us.
However, Beacon will likely be adjusting to a new normal during FY 2020-21, to meet the needs of the Beacon congregation and the Flagstaff community. Beacon has a long
history
of support for our community on a meager budget. It has and will survive hard times as long as we remain a connected community - connected with Flagstaff and each other.
Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation
510 N. Leroux St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
OR
Thank you all so much for supporting our Beacon community.
Dennis Spurlin
Stewardship Co-chair
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Beacon's Stories Project
This week's featured writer is Gus Millor. Please follow the link to read his story, which is every more powerful in light of the recent death of Gus' beloved sister, Magda. May the stories ease your isolation and help you feel more connected to other Beacon members during this time of social distancing!
Thanks to Beacon members who responded to the call for more stories! We will keep going for a few more weeks now. For those of you out there who have not shared your story but would like to,
don't be shy about sending it in any time:
edrumonroe@gmail.com
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Circle Suppers at Beacon Update for Summer 2020
"A Beacon tradition for 30 years"
Eight households signed up for Circle Suppers for Summer 2020. All of the sign-ups were happy to have their Circle meet outdoors with appropriate social distancing; 6 of the 8 preferred outdoor meetings to virtual meetings and nobody preferred virtual to outdoor meetings. So I have organized two Circles without segregating by preference for outdoor versus virtual meetings. Each Circle will make their own plans and adjust them to changing preferences and realities. Each Circle can choose to use Beacon's big backyard (ample space for distancing, regularly cleaned bathrooms and a protocol for wipe-down after use) for any or all meetings of their Circle. Please do use Beacon if you are concerned that a particular venue might not be safe. I am especially pleased that two sign-ups are people who are relatively new to Beacon, one of whom has only attended one in-person service, namely the May 24 Labyrinth service. I hope each group will enjoy safe and real camaraderie, and will give me feedback to organize Circles again in September.
- Paul Beier
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Good and Evil ~
~If you enjoy the Touchstones Journal, here's a virtual event you may wish to attend~
Touchstone Vespers at First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY
Every Wednesday 7:00 - 8:00 PM EST (4-5 PM Arizona time)
Details and Zoom links at:
Other ongoing UU small spiritual exploration groups that will be meeting virtually are listed on the www.communitynowuu.org website, such as:
- Sanctuary Boston small group gatherings on Mondays 3:30-5:30 PM (Arizona time)
- UU Wellspring online - two hour sessions meeting every other week, beginning April 7. 4-6 PM (Arizona time)
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Chalice Circles
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 at 7:00pm
Zoom links will be posted
All are welcome!
The theme for June is Good and Evil. 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.
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.
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PLUS: Beacon has funds for 3 registration fees!
Beacon would love to be fully represented at GA this year! Rev. Robin has funds designated to pay the full registration fee ($150) for 3 Beacon Delegates!
Speak to Rev. Robin if you are interested in serving!
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Pacific Western Region
UU Virtual Youth Camp
Save the Date: July 5-12
FUUsion: 4 Districts, 1 Region, VirtUUally Together!
Join us for PWR's virtual week-long multi-faceted event for Middle and High School youth (rising 6th
- class of 2020).
Registration will open next week with fees starting at $115 with small increases for additional tracks and programming.
See you online in July!
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UU Justice Arizona Network
UUJAZ has several ongoing campaigns that we would encourage members to look into and contribute to.
Actions you can take to affirm Black Lives Matter
Raising bail funds, making calls to elected officials, jail support to folks arrested for protesting, comments at city council meetings ... even "Taco Ministry" to bring dinner to leaders on the front lines. Follow UUJAZ on Facebook and subscribe to our email list for concrete actions you can take daily. Start with donating to our fund for our partners BLM Metro Phx here:
www.uujaz.org/donate
Justice in the time of Pandemic
From the $11,000 of #ShareMyCheck funds raised in Prescott to be distributed to undocumented folks and mixed status families... to the trucks, SUVs, and vans full of supplies driven by UUs in Phoenix to the Black Mesa community on the Navajo Nation, UU's have been showing up and living our values during this pandemic! Have you taken action for justice in the past few months? Please take our two-question survey by June 13th. Links are also provided to participate now if you'd like... and then check your action off the list!
UUJAZ Book Group
Friday, June 19th at 12:00 pm
Its more important than ever to stay justice centered in our faith, as decisions made now will affect climate justice and structural inequity for years to come. Join Rev. Tina Squire the third Friday of each month at noon for a book discussion.
June will feature On Fire: The Burning Case for a Green New Deal, just in time for author Naomi Klein's Ware Lecture at this year's GA.
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Beacon is Hiring
Please share with your community!
- Office Manager, 15 hours/week. Starting August 1st. Full job description and details here
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Virtual Worship
Sunday, June 7, 2020
10:00 am - 11:00 am
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Virtual Social Hour
Sunday, June 7, 2020
11:00 am
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Finance Team Meeting
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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Just Mercy Film Discussion
Thursday, June 11, 2020
6:00 pm
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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.
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Beacon Office Hours & Contacts
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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)
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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.
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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
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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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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
.
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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
office@beaconuu.com or Visit:
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/uuflag
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Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News
Newsletter submissions must be submitted by
Wednesday at 4:00 pm to
office@beaconuu.com
in order to be included in the newsletter.
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