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Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492
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- This Sunday at Beacon -
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Sermon
The Path #4 - "On The Green Path - Ecology and Spirituality"
Guest Speaker: Sakenya McDonald
The Spirit of the Goddess inspires creativity, unity, and healing. The ancient goddess wisdom encourages us to explore our connection to nature where we may experience her essence as it has existed since the beginning. Our lives are enriched when we learn to walk the labyrinth of the goddess and discover ways to nourish and nurture ourselves, our communities, and the natural world.
Sakenya McDonald is currently completing her doctorate degree at Prescott College and, as former DRE at Beacon, she recognizes that spirituality can provide a motivating force for transformation; in this talk, she will share some of her insights about how her recent travels in Crete have deepened her understanding of ecology and spirituality.
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Generosity ~
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Spotlight this Week!
Flagstaff Folk Project featuring Avtar Khalsa
Friday, February 21st - 7:00 pm @
Beacon
Avtar Khalsa, a long-time Flagstaff musician and resident, and FFP
favorite, has returned from the California coast.
Avtar's musical influences include Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson
Browne, John Hartford, Nanci Griffith, Stephen Stills, Sarah McLachlan,
Steve Earle, and Ramblin' Jack Elliot, to name just a few. We're sure
that you will enjoy Avtar's return performance at the Folk Project.
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Beacon Stewardship Events
Save the Dates
Beacon is launching our annual stewardship pledge campaign again soon.
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 mark your calendars. Sign up electronically below, on a paper sign-up sheet found at social hour or in the Beacon office, or you can email [email protected].
- Leap Day Family Breakfast on Saturday, February 29th - 9:00 am ~sign up here~
- Wine Tasting party on Saturday, March 7th - 7:00 pm ~sign up here~
- High Tea on Sunday, March 22nd - 3:00pm ~sign up here~
- Celebration Potluck on Sunday, April 5th after the service ~sign up here~
Dennis Spurlin
Stewardship Co-chair
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REI Building Project Update
The offices have been inspected by the city, and we have been given our certificate of occupancy!
Before:
Rev Robin is happily settling into her new office!
Our Beacon Construction Crew has done a beautiful job on the offices and foyer. Many, many thanks to Barry Brenneman, Bill Owen, Skip Brimlow, Dennis Spurlin, and Norm Lowe. Also to Dan Davis for restructuring the countertop in the old kitchen/foyer. We still have some smaller projects to do, but the majority of the interior work is finished and approved. The backyard will be up next, and we are already bringing in materials for the new fence, thanks to Anne Wittke and Dan Davis. I foresee planning meetings in the near future!
Theresa deBoer, REI Building Project Manager
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Social Justice Allies (SJA)
Activate at Beacon for Progressive Candidates
Sunday, March 15th at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Social Justice Allies and Rev. Robin will host a presentation (and share the UU The Vote toolkit) along with representatives of other local groups invested in the Elections of 2020. We will also be joined that morning by Janine Gelsinger, Executive Director of UUJAZ, who will be preaching. The intention for the event "Activate for Progressive Candidates in 2020" is that it bring together Beacon UU, Indivisible, Swing Left, LWV, Together We Will (Northern AZ), Vote Forward, and other like-minded groups to merge our resources and energy in this crucial election year. If you are a member of one of the groups mentioned or wish to be part of this effort, please be in touch with me at [email protected]
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Religious Exploration
February 23rd, 2020 ~ "The Lorax"
We'll explore why we need to protect the Earth. We'll work together to make Truffula Trees Mural and join in a "How I Can Help the Earth" Activity
March 1st, 2020 ~ Worship for All Ages
March 8th, 2020 ~ "The Sneetches"
We'll talk about inequality and judging others. We'll write a poem together about fairness, Watch the 12 minute Sneetches video and Make Self Portraits!
(This RE lesson was scheduled for February but will be repeated due to low attendance)
Religious Exploration for Middle Schoolers - Building Bridges
.
Building Bridges will not have a mosque visit this month. Our next lesson is on Sunday, March 8th at 10:00 am at Beacon. Stay tuned for the religion focus for that class!
"OUR WHOLE LIVES" at BEACON UU CONGREGATION
Real World Sexuality Education for Young People
OWL is a widely acclaimed lifespan sexuality education curriculum, developed jointly by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC). OWL provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information for all ages about a range of topics, including relationships, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality. The course does not adopt a specific religious perspective Classes are facilitated by dedicated Beacon UU members who have received training and certification through the UUA. You can learn more about our program at Beacon here:
https://www.beaconuu.com/our-whole-lives-owl/
and
read all about OWL on the UUA website,
www.uua.org/re/owl
.
All 7
th
and 8
th
graders in Flagstaff are invited to participate in the program. Regular attendance is expected. Because of the nature of the program materials, a parent orientation is a requirement for ALL participants.
Attendance at one Parent Orientation is REQUIRED
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Sunday, February 23, 12 noon - 2 PM.,
OR
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Tuesday, March 3, 6:00-8:00 PM
Our OWL program for 7
th
and 8
th
graders will be held from 1:00 - 5:30 PM on
All meetings will be held at Beacon UU Congregation, 510 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff, Az 86001
Requested sliding scale donation for the 7
th
/8
th
grade class materials
$75-$125 (Beacon members), $100-$150 (non-members)
Questions or additional information? Contact [email protected]
~ Volunteering for Beacon's Religious Exploration Program ~
The RE program for children ages 0 to 12 is up and running for the new year. We have a few very dedicated volunteers already signed up to assist us in the classroom on Sunday mornings. We could still use a few more to complete our schedule through May, 2020. The only requirement is that you show up and offer to supervise as a responsible adult in the room. Very little teaching is required of you as we have a regular teacher in the classroom to lead the lesson. You may be asked to hold or read to a child or help them with a task.
If you haven't already done so, you will be asked to give information to us so that we can do a simple background check on you. Otherwise, all you need to do is pick a date or two and, if you don't mind, fill out our volunteer form which you can download from a link here and return it to Rev. Robin, Linda Ochi, or Kay Johnson. Or send us an email regarding your willingness to help out. Thank You.
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Chalice Circles
Sunday, February 23 11:30am - 1:00pm
Tuesday, February
25 7:00pm - 8:00pm
All are welcome!
The theme for February is Generosity. 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
[email protected]
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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. Featuring Naomi Klein, 2020 Ware Lecturer.
Early Bird registration by Feb 29. 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
San Luis Obispo, CA. April 24-26, 2020.
"The Climate of Justice"
We have funds to help defray the cost of registrations for both Assemblies. Contact Rev. Robin,
[email protected]
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Joys and Concerns
February 16, 2020
Becky H. shared the joy of surviving a successful cardiac ablation.
Terry W. shared the joy of seeing Mary Jo at the service.
John shared the sorrow of his son getting into a ski accident which broke his jaw and will require further surgeries.
"Let us remember that everyone is fighting their own private battle. We don't always know what it is, but because we're human we know it to be true. May we be kind, compassionate, flexible and forgiving with one another." - 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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Febr
uary Share the Plate Partner
Beacon's community partner for February is Sun Sounds of Flagstaff. Sun Sounds of Flagstaff is a not-for-profit organization that provides audio access information to people who cannot read print because of a restricting disability, making creative use of technology and talent to ensure that every disabled person has the opportunity to access the current and local information necessary to a self-directed, productive life. The Flagstaff affiliate has about 400 listeners. Congregational members can nominate an organization to be a community partner. Please pick up a form from the CAC folder in the Beacon administrative office or contact a member of the committee and provide supporting documentation for your nomination. Members of CAC are Joanne Parkes, Susan Patrick, Steven Patrick, and Lynda L. Dorweiler.
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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
[email protected]
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Rivers of Change, Prophecy and Possibilities
Biennial Conference of the Association for the Study of Women and Mythology
March 13-14, 2020
Tamaya Resort, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico
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Book Discussion Group
The Christian Gospel for Americans
- David Griffin
Tuesday, March 17th - 6:00 pm @ Beacon
Opportunity to read and discuss a new book by David Ray Griffin, author and Professor of Religion and Theology.
Discussion group to be lead by Marcus Ford, retired NAU Professor of Philosophy and recent presenter at Beacon UU.
In
The Christian Gospel for Americans (2019), David Griffin considers the question, "is it possible to be a Christian in the 21 century and, if so, what does this entail for citizens of the US?" Answering these two questions forces one to consider a good deal of modern science, on the one hand, and a good deal of history--both the history of first century, when Jesus lived, and the last couple of centuries of American history. How should Christians understand other religions, how should they understand American foreign policy, and how should they engage in issues involving human-caused climate change and species extinction?
David Griffin is one of the most innovative and bold thinkers of our time. This book will give you plenty to think about. It might even make you reconsider what you thought you knew for sure.
Anyone interested in reading and discussing this provocative exploration of Christian belief and ideology, please join in. Contact Mark James at [email protected] with questions.
The group of interested participants will meet for six gatherings starting in mid-March, tentatively on Tuesdays, at an agreed upon time determined at the first meeting.
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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 [email protected] or call 907-322-4966. Discount for groups of 8 or more. We would love to share our Alaska with you!
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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
Ryan is in the office Tuesday - Saturday.
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 20, 2020
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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Flagstaff Folk Project
Friday, February 21, 2020
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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Beacon Construction Meeting
Friday, February 21, 2020
9:00 am - 10:30 am
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Worship, RE & Child Care
Sunday, February 23, 2020
10:00 am - 11:00 am
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OWL Parents Orientation
Sunday, February 23, 2020
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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Chalice Circle
Sunday, February 23, 2020
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
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Chalice Circle
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Volunteering at the Family Food Center
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
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 & 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
~
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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Piano For Sale
Beautiful Upright Piano for Sale
Vintage, built in 1924
$300 or best offer
Contact Theresa deBoer
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The Fall 2019 issue of UUWorld contained an article by Rev. Christian Schmidt called "Gift card scammers targeting congregation." https://www.uuworld.org/articles/church-gift-card-scam
Last year Beacon's web service provider, Dreamhost, notified the Beacon webmaster that there was malware on our site. The Constant Contact plugin we use for folks to sign up for our newsletter was infected, so the webmaster immediately removed the plugin. It was apparent that email lists in our Constant Contact online account had been compromised because several Beacon newsletter recipients received phishing emails at about the same time of the notification from Dreamhost and the article in UUWorld.
This year Constant Contact has provided a new plugin and our website is no longer infected. However, our email lists compromised last year are probably still on the market being bought by spammers and scammers. This could account for the recent spate of phishing emails sent to Beacon newsletter recipients.
Here are a few simple checks to help avoid falling victim to a phishing email.
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Verify the email address of the sender. If it doesn't match delete it. Hackers may spoof an email sender's address to look like someone you know. If the email seems unusual and purports to be from someone you know, look for inconsistencies like word choice, spelling, signature styles, etc.
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Verify every link's destination before clicking it. Hover over the link to make sure the web address is the one you want to go to. Be wary of
urgent
requests and do not click a link or reply to the email unless you have verified the request through other means of communication.
-
Be very suspicious if the email requests payment by gift card or bit coin. If you click a link that requests credit or debit card numbers or bank account numbers do not respond without verifying the destination of the web page.
If you fall victim to internet fraud visit
https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/on-the-internet
for help. In addition to phishing and spoofing, malware and scareware is used to solicit funds from victims. Ransomware is also frequently delivered through phishing emails. A spoofed email may contain a link to a bogus web page that appears to be from your financial institution requesting your login credentials and account numbers. Do
not
enter Personal Identification Information (PII) online without confirming the web address. Malware may be inadvertently downloaded from web sites linked to from an email. Most ransom emails are bogus however, ransomware that locks up your computer can be a serious matter. You can minimize your risk with antivirus software, frequent backups, and caution when using email and the web.
Welcome to the Information Age
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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] or Visit:
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/uuflag
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Newsletter submissions must be submitted by Wednesday at 4:00 pm to [email protected]
in order to be included in the newsletter.
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