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Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492
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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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- This Sunday at Beacon -
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Sermon
"The Perfect Imperfection of Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree"
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker
For more than 50 years, a "Charlie Brown Christmas" has graced our TV screens. In it, Charlie falls in love with the most despised little tree on the lot. "This little green tree needs a home," he says. "I think it will be perfect. I think it needs me." The animated classic offers us the opportunity to consider how an unwanted and unloved tree symbolizes the transforming power of universal love that accepts our imperfections, too. This worship for all ages includes theatrical vignettes, acted by our Worship Associates, special music, and carols from the film.
Worship for All Ages - Charlie Brown's Christmas
Following the Service
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Compassion ~
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Spotlight this Week!
"Blue Christmas"
Vespers, Soup and Sharing circle with Rev. Robin
December 22,
6:30 p.m.
The holiday season is expected to make us "merry," but it can create fresh memories of our loss and a fresh experience of grief. The thought of facing another holiday season causes some people to wish they could sleep from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving until January 2nd. Join Rev. Robin to feel supported during the season. We'll start with a contemplative service of reflection, reading and music, followed by a simple soup meal and a sharing circle.
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~ Community Connections ~
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Chalice Circles
December 22, 2019 at 11:30 am
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.
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.
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Social Justice Allies (SJA)
A shift in SJA structure and process?
On December 15, a dozen people gathered to explore changing the way SJA does
business. That wonderfully mixed-experience group included:
4 longtime SJA "regulars"
3 "on sabbatical" from SJA monthly meetings (who joined us with a bit of extra
pushing by the interim chairperson)
1 newbie to SJA who frequently attends Beacon services
2 newbies to Beacon
and SJA
1 part-time Beacon person "friend" and full-time member of another church (and
devoted social justice advocate)
1 minister (yes, Rev. Robin!)
(Thank you to Faith Moore, Terry White, Myra and Ross Strand, Margie Goulden, Nash
Al-Ghanim, Rich Clark, Connie Bullis, Dorothy Rissel, Becky Hipsher and Rev. Robin
Zucker for opening your heads and hearts to new organizational possibilities!)
The focus of Sunday's meeting was a proposal to shift our modus operand, i.e. re-
envisioning SJA as more of a 'Mobilizing Task Force" than a monthly meeting group.
We talked about goals for such a transition, as well as potential components that would
be required, structure-and-process steps we need to take and what success might look
like.
The goals of such a transition?
- Enhance collaboration with other groups that hold similar values;
- Provide Beacon members, friends and visitors with information about a broad scope of social justice-focused organizations, activities and events;
- Enhance social justice activism among Beacon members and friends;
- Enhance Beacon's image as a collaborative center for social justice activism.
And...?
As participants shared their ideas and reactions, they posted sticky notes on wall charts
to provide a record of the conversation.
So...?
- This group liked the concept of mobilizing activism and will move forward with guidance from a small steering committee (at this point Roz and Rich Clark, Faith Moore and Rev. Robin), and
- We are in the early stages of this transition and will keep CLC, the Board of Trustees and the congregation apprised of our progress.
And, on another topic...
...watch for details about a Watch Party Sunday afternoon, January 12 at Beacon to
launch UUtheVote!
The UUA National UUtheVote Team will host a nation-wide Zoom call "...bringing our
passion to the polls through issue-based advocacy, voter registration, outreach, and
organizing around the 2020 elections to #VoteLove an #DefeatHate."
We intend to collaborate with partners (see the first goal in the article above) to mobilize
voters, counter voter suppression,...engaging in spiritually grounded, values-based
issue conversation with voters in our community.
Put it on your calendar!
In community and service,
Roz Clark, Interim SJA Chair
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December will be full of fun, creativity and many
worship experiences for
all ages
at Beacon.
December 22
will be super fun with a service taken from A Charlie Brown's Christmas, with theatric vignettes and lots of singing. We'll even have a replica of Charlie's lovable
little tree with the single red ornament. Rev. Robin will offer a homily called "The Perfect Imperfection of Charlie Brown's Tree". This is a Worship for all Ages service. Childcare is available for the youngest.
December 22:
"Blue Christmas" Vespers, Soup and Sharing circle with Rev. Robin Zucker. T
he holiday season is expected to make us "merry," but it can create fresh memories of our loss and a fresh experience of grief. The thought of facing another holiday season causes some people to wish they could sleep from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving until January 2nd. Join Rev. Robin to feel supported during the season. We'll start with a contemplative service of reflection, reading and music, followed by a simple soup meal and a sharing circle. 6:30 p.m.
December 24
is our festive family Christmas Eve services with readings and carols and candlelight. The theme of our service this year is "Joy to the World". Two services at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. This is a Worship for all Ages service. Childcare is available for the youngest.
Members of the congregation are invited to
bring Christmas cookies and goodies
to the two Christmas Eve services, 4:00 pm and 6:00pm. We will be serving apple cider and hot chocolate with the cookies and goodies before and after each service.
December 29
: Burning Bowl and the Four Directions, led by Char Tarashanti.
This is a
Worship for all Ages service
.
Childcare is available for the youngest.
December 31: New Year's Eve Game Night at Beacon. 6-10pm. For more information, email Anne W.
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Religious Exploration, Grades K-5, beginning January 12.
Horton Hears A UU: Life Lessons From Dr. Seuss
Although they were written to young children, Dr. Seuss' books contain powerful messages and important themes. In this creative and interactive program, we'll explore life lessons such as protecting the planet with "The Lorax," honoring differences with "The Sneetches," generosity and greed with "Gertrude McFuzz," cooperation with "Yertle The Turtle," and regret/apologizing with "Bartholomew and the Oobleck." Children will hear stories, watch videos, engage in art projects and reflective conversations about each story. Join in any time!
Religious Exploration for Middle Schoolers - Building Bridges continues. Join us as we explore and learn about the world religions and then visit different houses of worship in the Flagstaff area. On January 12th we will begin discussing the LDS (Mormon) Church.
Save the Date for the upcoming Conflict Zen workshop with Rev. Robin - Sunday, January 12, 11:30-1:00
"Conflict" is an inevitable aspect of human interactions and relationships, but many of us avoid all conflict or stumble around in it with any guideposts. This workshop will explore the landscape of conflict, ways to sit out the "conflict dance," and how to use various frameworks for resolving conflict thoughtfully.
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Connect with Rev. Robin
First Sunday of the Month
On the first Sundays of the month, grab your coffee and come back into the Sanctuary to connect with Rev. Robin, talk about Beacon and your own journey. See
you on January 5.
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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.
Early Bird registration by Feb 29. We have funds designated to help send Beacon congregants to GA!
Speak to Rev. Robin.
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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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December Share the Plate Partner
Beacon's community partner for December 2019 is Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS). Established in 2006 by concerned citizens, business owners, and faith-based organizations, FSS provides critical shelter, food, and access to resources for Flagstaff's most vulnerable people. Regardless of faith, mental health or sobriety, the shelter serves any adult experiencing homelessness. In 2014, FSS became a year-round shelter serving those in need every night of the year, providing personal and behavioral crisis response, and helping clients move from crisis toward self-sufficiency. Undesignated contributions in this month's offerings above $350 will be presented to the Share The Plate partner. Nominations for 501c3 agencies can be made through a form located at the top of the stairs in the CAC folder, or contact Office@beaconuu.com
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Our Caring Connections
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
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Please share with your community
!
There are two positions currently available:
- Office Manager, 15 hours per week
- Custodian, 5 hours per week
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 19, 2019
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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Blue Christmas
Sunday, December 22, 2019
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, December 22, 2019
10:00 am - 11:00 am
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Tuesday, December 24, 2019
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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Chalice Circle
Sunday, December 22, 2019
11:30 pm - 12:30 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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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,
April Yax
No office hours at this time, but happy to hear from you at:
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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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Dear Members and Friends,
Public users of the Beacon website see only the public facing information. There are many pages of additional information available to those who have registered and are assigned the role of "Member" or "Friend" by the webmaster. To get started click register.
Be sure to record your username and password somewhere safe. If you are listed in the Beacon directory send an email to
webmaster@beaconuu.com to set your role for access to information about what the leadership is up to, minutes of meetings, decisions of the Board, projects planned by the Core Leadership Council, as well as contact information for members and committee chairs. Your Beacon website is the place to go for copies of the bylaws, policies, and other documents that establish the business of Beacon.
Webmaster@beaconuu.com
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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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