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. 

- This Sunday at Beacon -
Sunday, November 24, 2019



Sermon 
"Praise It!"
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker
Have you ever noticed how often criticism or judgment gets in the way of our gratitude? In this sermon in anticipation of Thanksgiving, we'll explore how we might soften the critical impulse and free ourselves from the tyranny of judgement and the suffering it creates. We'll ask: As we go through our daily rounds, how can we increase opportunities to "praise it" rather than raze it? How could this expand our capacity for joy and deeper connections?    

Religious Exploration

Following the Service
All Congregation Potluck
Chalice Circle
  

~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Mission & Vision ~ 


Spotlight this Week!

Bring-A-Friend & Potluck
Sunday, November 24

Bring a Friend or Bring Back A Friend Sunday! Let's fill the sanctuary with new and old friends for our gratitude themed service on November 24 which will include a new member welcome. A festive Thanksgiving-themed potluck to follow.   

       
      
             Please plan to bring a dish to share! 
~ Community Connections ~
Men's Group Gathering
November 21, 2019 at 6pm

All adult men are invited to gather in friendship and conversation at Mountain Top Tap Room on Thursday, Nov 21 at 6pm. It's at 10 E Route 66 in the old State Bar and Rickety Cricket location.  Hope to see you there. 928-856-1364
  Social Justice Allies (SJA) 

This Saturday morning, November 23, 10-12:00, there will be a League of Women Voters (LWV) Advocacy Training workshop in Camp Verde.
The Greater Verde Valley chapter of the LWV, an experienced, active chapter, has supported the recent launch of the Flagstaff chapter. Now they have arranged for the state level LWV Advocacy Chair to facilitate this two-hour training, and Flagstaff LWV and potential LWV are invited to join them!
 
Effective legislative advocacy for the League requires only a few things:
  • Education and background on issues (you do not need to be an expert)
  • How to analyze issues using League positions
  • How to determine where the League stands on an issue
On Saturday we will learn more about:
  • LWV positions on issues
    • LWV priorities and legislative action
    • AZ Legislative Bill Process
    • AZ Legislative "Request to Speak" system
Especially with the onset of the election season, sending even a small Beacon delegation to participate will help us prepare for our non-partisan work. I plan to go and would love to have company for this promising experience. I plan to drive; we will leave
about 8:45 and arrive back in Flagstaff about 1:30.
PLEASE email Robyn Prud'homme-Bauer, LWV Greater Verde Valley at lwvgvv@gmail.com if you would like to attend; AND copy me so we can plan transportation.
 
The next SJA meeting will be Sunday, December 15, following the service.
Rev. Robin, Rich and I have met and explored an assortment of structural shifts in how we do our SJA work, e.g. meeting days/times, communication system, determining priorities.
We know that for many of Beacon's members and friends, social justice is a central feature of your continuing goal of living your values. Whether or not you have been active in SJA, we welcome your good heart and creative thinking as we continue to move forward. You are welcome to meet with us Sunday, December 15!
 
In community and service,
Roz Clark, Interim SJA Chair
Chalice Circles
November 24 & 26 
  

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. 

For further information contact Char Tarashanti or Lynda L. Dorweiler at  ChaliceCircles@Beaconuu.com
Men's Astronomy Evening
December 4, 2019 at 7pm
Contact Steve Zeldes
All adult men are invited to gather the evening of Wednesday, Dec 4 at 7 pm for an evening of  astronomy and comradery. We'll gather at my house (2675 E Hemberg Drive) and hope for a clear evening. Jeff Pickens will bring his 120mm refractor telescope and a mounted binocular set. The moon will be about half full, so less than ideal for deep sky viewing. But, I'm told we should see some star clusters and planets. Ask Jeff about his recent filming of the transit of Mercury across the sun.
I'll have some "refreshments" and perhaps a few snacks. A heads up if you plan to come would be nice, so I'll know how many to expect. 
Hope to see you then.
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. (No December meeting) See  you on January 5.

UUJAZ Updates & Events

Climate Strike
Save the date for Dec. 6th, the next Climate Strike with our partners Sunrise Movement and AZ Youth Climate Strike. Join us at Phoenix City Hall,200 W Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003, from 2-6pm.

--
In community,
Janine Gelsinger
Executive Director of UUJAZ
Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona Network
REI Building Project Update


The project continues! This is the Beacon member phase, with most of the work being done by Beaconites.

We successfully reassembled the playground equipment, and didn't have too many extra parts left over! We still need to attach the slide, complete the playground perimeter and fill with wood chips. Please stay off the equipment and out of the backyard while we try to make the back more useable. Thanks to Barry Brenneman, Bill Owen, Anne Wittke, Barry Malpas, Dennis Spurlin, and Theresa deBoer (and Lucy the dog) for being the playground team!


Work on the inside is also continuing. Norm Lowe built a beautiful cabinet for the greeter supplies in the foyer. He also completed, with Carl Taylor's help, the glass panels in the foyer. They really look beautiful. The glass panels were generously donated by Lynda Dorweiler. Thank you Norm, Carl, and Lynda!!


Barry Brenneman and Bill Owen are just beginning construction on the new minister/RE offices. And the staining of the sanctuary beams was also started on Wednesday. In addition, we hope to finish getting the playground and the fence completed before the ground freezes.


Theresa deBoer, REI Building Project Manager
Contact me at bgcommittee@beaconuu.com
 
Check out the blog for pictures, videos, and info: https://www.beaconuu.com/category/rei-building-project/
 Religious Exploration For All Ages 

If you are curious about what is planned in RE, you can check the RE blog for information about what is happening this coming Sunday.

This Sunday, November 24, all are encouraged to:
  • Bring a Friend to service!
  • And...at 11:00 AM, attend the family potluck and movie.
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



      November Share the Plate Partner  


For October and November, Beacon UU is sharing the plate with Flagstaff Family Food Center. Serving around 63,000 daily meals per year in their location on N. Second Street, the Center also provides a children's reading room, delivers to the Flagstaff Shelter Services an evening meal for those who might be staying the night, and provides Back Door and Mobile Sack Lunches. They have a food rescue program from local grocery stores and distribute food no longer good for human consumption to local farms and ranches, so there is zero waste. 

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
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
Please Note - 

Rev. Robin will be away from Wednesday, November 27 to Tuesday, December 3, celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family in Pittsburgh. She is available, as needed, through email and phone.


Beacon is Hiring
Please share with your community

There are two positions currently available:   
  • Office Manager, 15 hours per week
  • Custodian, 5 hours per week
~ Beacon Calendar  ~


Choir Rehearsal 
Thursday, November 21, 2019
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
All Congregation Potluck
Sunday, Nov 24, 2019
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Men's Group Gathering (offsite)
Thursday, November 21, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Chalice Circle
Sunday, Nov 24, 2019
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Starting Points with Rev. Robin
Saturday, November 23, 2019
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Chalice Circle
Tuesday, Nov 26, 2019
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Youth Breakfast
Sunday, Nov 24, 2019
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Family Food Center
Wednesday, Nov 27, 2019
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Worship & Religious Exploration
Bring A Friend Sunday
Sunday, Nov 24, 2019
10:00 am - 11:00 am


 
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!
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) 
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.
  Office Manager,
April Yax

 No office hours at this time, but happy to hear from you at:

 

~ 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!


Website Updates ~
 
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
~ Beacon Google Group  ~

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