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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, January 12, 2020
Sermon
"Conflict Geometry 101: Of Circles, Triangles, and Dialogue"
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker
When it comes to communication, the triangle is an irksome shape. Within a
congregation, triangles, with their inherent rigidity and their sharp, pointy angles, can be
bruising. Often, triangles provide us, like Paul's mirror, with only a dim and obscured
view of one another. Yet, when we sit face-to-face in dialogue -- in fellowship, in affinity
groups, in Committee meetings, Circle dinners, or Thanksgiving lunch, talking to one
another rather than about one another, we can become known. This Sunday, come
explore with Rev. Robin how circles offer us this powerful gift of trust-building
connection, even in conflict. We'll also sing a series of "rounds," led by our music
director, Gabe Hernandez.
Religious Exploration
"Horton Hears A UU: Life Lessons From Dr. Seuss"
Grades K-5,
beginning January 12, 2020.
Join in anytime.
Although they were written to young children, Dr. Seuss' books contain powerful messages and important themes. In this creative, 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.
"Building Bridges
"
All Middle School youth (grades 6-8) are invited to join us this Sunday, January 12, at Beacon at 10am to learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism). We will be visiting a Mormon church later this month. Attendance on Sunday will enrich your experience when we visit the church. If you have questions please contact Dru Monroe at
edrumonroe@gmail.com
.
Following the Service
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. BRING A BAG LUNCH. Help Rev. Robin
prepare by letting her know you will be attending by January 10th.
minister@beaconuu.com
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Authority and Leadership ~
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Spotlight this Week!
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.
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Robin's Bird's-Eye View
January 2020
Like any optimistic, but all-too-human minister, I believe in trial and error (and deep breathing!) when it comes to getting organized. Years ago at a Minister's meeting, a colleague recommended an approach called "the block system" and I thought, "I'm saved!" I even recommended it to my son. Sam, (a high schooler at the time) as a method for him to get organized, too.
Here's how the block system works. It's the antithesis of "multi-tasking" - that scourge of modern life. I read this definition of multi-tasking in an article: "Immerse yourself in your immediate task but put the many tasks that remain to be done in a queue in your head." They might as well say: "Multi-tasking leads to madness. Have a nice day."
In the vaunted block system, you divide your day into "blocks" of time and assign activities, chores, and such to each block and then you focus. What a concept. Lots of my colleagues use this system (or at least, they say they do; hmm, I wonder): mornings for administrative tasks, afternoons for pastoral visits, an entire day off, another solely for writing, and so on. Goodness, that sounds tidy. My heart palpitates.
So, I sat down to ponder how I would carve up my professional and personal schedule if I adopted this seemingly life-enhancing system. Here's what I came up with: the Universe pondering block, the sermon research block, the scribbling ideas on napkins block, the filling up the dog's water bowl block, the coffee drinking block, the returning emails block, the unexpected funeral block, the NYT or NPR news check-in block, the ever-popular run-to-the-store-for-whatever is needed block, the pastoral visit followed by a dash to a meeting block, the handout copying block, the "I really should go to yoga" block, the "multi-tasking might not be so evil after all" block, the break for dark chocolate block, the "why is the furnace making that jet-engine noise?" block, the "I wonder what my daughter is up to on Facebook" block, the preaching block, and the always-bracing "is it really time to write my newsletter column again??!" block.
As you might imagine, I'm keeping the block system on ice for now. I may be a bit of a blockhead, but I don't think it's my "thing." I'll just keep balancing structured time management and intuitive flow as best I can. I wholeheartedly recommend you do the same. But, right now, I've got to dash -- the furnace is making that noise again!"
Here's to blessing the blend in the New Year!
In faith,
Rev. Robin
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~ Community Connections ~
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SoulCollage
January 11, 9am-12pm
An intuitive process for self-discovery and community building With Char Tarashanti, trained facilitator Using the SoulCollageĀ® process everyone becomes an instant artist. Stir together the ingredients of your imagination and intuition with a few powerful cut-out images and you can create your own deck of very personal wisdom cards to help you explore the wholeness of your Being.
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Social Justice Allies (SJA)
Join us at Beacon UU to watch a live stream of the launch event
introducing UU the Vote! Sunday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m.
Progressive people of faith can be powerful and prophetic without being partisan. We can engage our neighbors, educate our communities, mobilize voters, rally around ballot initiatives, and more broadly shape the public discourse with values-based framing, rooted in our theology and principles.
Starting January 12, 2020 at 2 p.m. and beyond, UU the Vote will support congregations to form volunteer teams (or empower current justice leaders) to lead the work in ways that make sense for your community. Learn more:
https://www.uua.org/justice/vote2020
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Chalice Circles
January 26 & 28
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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Religious Exploration
January 12, 19, and 26, 2020 - 10 a.m.
Children go directly to Religious Exploration in the Multipurpose Room.
Grades K-5,
beginning January 12, 2020. Join in anytime.
"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, 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.
Building Bridges: All Middle School youth (grades 6-8) are invited to join us this Sunday, January 12, at Beacon at 10am to learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism). We will be visiting a Mormon church later this month. Attendance on Sunday will enrich your experience when we visit the church. If you have questions please contact Dru Monroe at edrumonroe@gmail.com.
Rev. Robin plans to talk with the kids in January about what they have been learning in Building Bridges. The hope is that this will develop into a service with Rev. Robin where the kids share their thoughts and feelings sometime this spring. Stay tuned for
details
as they unfold. Happy New Year, Dru Monroe (
edrumonroe@gmail.com
)
OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL) IS COMING IN MARCH AND
APRIL for our 7th and 8th graders. Stay tuned for details about the parent information session and scheduling for the program (4 Saturdays from 12:30-5 p.m.)
OWL is a widely- acclaimed sexuality education curriculum, developed jointly by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. OWL provides accurate, developmentally- appropriate information for youth. Topics include self-respect, relationships, gender identity,
sexual orientation, healthy sexuality, consent, and cultural influences on sexuality. Classes are facilitated by dedicated Beacon members who have received training and certification through the UUA. Parents are the primary sexuality educators for their children, and this is a way our faith community supports parents in that effort, serving as a catalyst for healthy conversations at home. OWL is open to the broader Flagstaff community (parents are required to attend an information session. Although developed
by two progressive religious organizations, Our Whole Lives contains no religious references or doctrine.
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REI Building Project Update
It has been a lot quieter around Beacon during the last couple of weeks, but we are still working on some of the volunteer projects. Barry Brenneman, Bill Owen, and Skip Brimlow have been hard at work creating the new Minister and Religious Exploration offices. Things have been put on hold until the new fire alarm is installed next week, then once the drywall is completed we will be asking our resident painters to answer the call to paint once again! Soon after we will hire movers to move all of the furniture downstairs into the new offices, and finally Rev Robin will be able to unpack!
The backyard will remain a sloppy mess for a while, until we are able to get out and do something with it after it thaws. We are tentatively planning a backyard party in the late spring/early summer to celebrate the completion of the project. Yay!
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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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Joys and Concerns
January 5, 2020
Paul B. shared the happy news that his granddaughter was born.
Roz C. celebrated her 39th birthday for the 40th time (according to Rich!).
Wendy reported that her father successfully had his shoulder replaced.
Theresa expressed gratitude to Barry and Anne for a very fun game night on New Years Eve - 25 people attended.
Linda lifted up a memory of her home church's banner.
Steve Z. shared that a fellow counselor is suffering with cancer.
"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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January Share the Plate Partner
Beacon's community partner for January 2020 is The Literacy Center. The Center aims to increase the basic English language and literacy skills of adults, teens, and families in order to improve the quality of personal, economic and community life for all. Programs offer one-to-one tutoring, drop-in tutoring, classes at the center and in the community, and Partnership for Literacy Rehabilitation (jail program). The Center serves 250-300 adults, teens, and families.
Beacon's Share the Plate presents undesignated Sunday morning offering money beyond $350 to the approved community partners.
Members are encouraged to nominate an organization and can pick up an application form in the CAC folder located in the office.
The Community Action Committee (CAC) is composed of Susan Patrick, Steven Patrick, Joanne Parkes and Lynda Dorweiler.
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
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Volunteer Opportunity
The Flagstaff Sustainability Leaders Program is a ten-week training course that will meet once a week on Thursday evenings, where participants can learn about climate change, climate justice, and behavior change!
Applications are open at
flgsustainabilityleaders.org
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, January 09, 2020
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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UU The Vote Launch
Sunday, January 12, 2020
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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Soul Collage
Saturday, January 11, 2020
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Stewardship Planning Meeting
Monday, January 13, 2020
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Worship & Religious Exploration
Sunday, January 12, 2020
10:00 am - 11:00 am
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Worship Associates Meeting
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
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Conflict Zen Workshop with Rev. Robin
Sunday, January 12, 2020
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
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CLC Meeting
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
6:00 pm - 7:30 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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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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