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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, March 1, 2020
Sermon
"Living Churches"
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker
In this sermon to kick off Beacon's "20/20 Visions" Stewardship campaign, we'll explore one of the strangest passages in Hebrew Scripture. The prophet Ezekiel comes upon a valley of dry bones and Yahweh (God) asks him a profound question: "Can these bones live?" The story is full of metaphors for us to ponder as we explore the lifeblood, the sinew, muscle and breath that animates our congregation. How might we answer our callings and arise from whatever "dry valleys" we encounter as good stewards of a "living church?"
This Sunday is worship for all ages. Childcare for children under 5, all others in the Sanctuary this morning.
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Forgiveness ~
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Spotlight this Week!
Leap Day Family Breakfast
Saturday, February 29th ~ 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Beacon's Stewardship Committee is hosting a breakfast for families this Leap Day. Come meet and eat with Rev. Robin and other UU families with children from little ones to high school-aged. Waffle-making, real maple syrup, fruit, pastries, and bagels will be provided along with fun and creative projects for kids.
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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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Activate at Beacon for Progressive Electoral Values
Hosted by Swingleft.org
Sunday, March 15th at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Attendees will be representatives from Flagstaff groups that are focused on electoral issues from a progressive perspective. These will include - Swingleft.org, Fairvote.org, Indivisible.org, The League of Women Voters, Democrats of Coconino County, Voteforward.org, and others. Each organization's speaker will highlight what the group does best and how locals can activate and mobilize. A town hall style discussion will follow about ways to connect between groups, organize, and plan future forums and meet-ups. An information table for materials will be available.
Janine Gelsinger, Executive Director of UU Justice Arizona will preach in the service at Beacon UU that morning at 10 a.m. (with Rev. Robin Zucker assisting). about our own "UU The Vote" effort and how it intersects with other electoral initiatives. Light refreshments will be served at the forum. Please share this information within your groups, Facebook friend circle and other venues.
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Social Justice Allies
Immigration Awareness Series at NAU
NAU No More Deaths, in collaboration with Latin American Studies and (STAC) Student Activities Council, is sponsoring a number of powerful
Immigration Awareness Series events during the month of March.
As noted below, most events are in the Liberal Arts building, Room 120, however Friday, March 27 events are in other locations. Please see link for further details about all these events.
- Tuesday, March 3, at 5:30 PM in the Liberal Arts 120, Jeremy Slack, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Texas, El Paso, presents, "Deported to Death."
- Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 PM in the Liberal Arts 120, screening of Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra's new film, The Infiltrators (2019).
- Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 PM in the Liberal Arts 120, screening of Alex Rivera's award-winning film, Sleep Dealer (2009).
- Tuesday, March 24, at 5:30 PM in the Liberal Arts 120 journalist Todd Miller reads from and presents his new book, Empire of Borders: The Expansion of the U.S. Border around the World (2019).
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Friday, March 27, ALL DAY LONG, in du Boise Center Aspen A, B, C & Juniper Room, an interdisciplinary conference:
Critical Approaches to Migration, Bordering, Diversity & Justice-From Analysis to Action
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Friday March 27 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm at MOCAF (555 Blackbird Roost #5): Borderlands, Mixed Media Art event exploring how front line communities are experiencing, reflecting and engaging with social injustices of the Borderlands.
For more details on these events, please click
here.
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Religious Exploration
"Horton Hears a UU: Life Lessons from Dr. Suess"
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, March 22 11:30am - 1:00pm
Tuesday, March
24 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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
[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"
Registration is now open. 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 23, 2020
Ivana shared the joy that Jeff proposed!
Alisa A. shared the joys of being here at Beacon and able to have lunch later with her son who is getting straight A's in his first semester at NAU.
Jeff shared the sorrow that his mother is in the ER.
Sakenya M. shared the joy of being at Beacon with so many folks she knows.
"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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March
Share the Plate Partner
Beacon's community partner for March 2020 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.
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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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.
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Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 27, 2020
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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Leap Day Family Breakfast
Saturday, February 29, 2020
9:00 am - 10:30 am
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Worship for all Ages & Child Care
Sunday, March 1, 2020
10:00 am - 11:00 am
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Q & A on Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, March 1 2020
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
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OWL Parents Orientation
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Worship Associates Meeting
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
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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
~
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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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.
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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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