SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2022, AT 10 A.M.

“Yes, And…Improvising A Life” 

ALL ARE WELCOME! You BELONG at Beacon. Spiritually open and intentionally inclusive since 1958.

The ideal topic for us freethinking UUs. How do we get the balance right between practical planning and necessary routines in our lives and some creative space for spontaneity and improvisation? How can practicing improvisation lead to more creative thinking and better communication? Come and explore this theme with Rev. Robin and the “Shawtet” Jazz Combo – Austin Shaw on drums, Kai Natseway on bass and Alec Wilkes on piano. Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker, preaching. Social Justice Witness from Khara House.  

~ THIS WEEK AT BEACON ~

See details for all events here in the e-news.  

You can keep up with future Beacon events by checking out the Beacon calendar!

BEACON SPOTLIGHT:

BEACONSTOCK

THE 2022 BEACON AUCTION

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 6-9 P.M. @ BEACON

THE BEACON AUCTION IS THIS SATURDAY!

We'll see you all in costume at Beacon on Saturday, 11/12, starting at 6 p.m.

For a preview of live and silent auction items, take a look at the catalog.

Note: Some of the live auction events are split into two bidding sessions. If an event has more than 6 slots, it breaks things up and keeps the pace going to auction fewer slots at a time.

We'll also have fantastic door and raffle prizes. Bring some cash for raffle tickets!

If you can't attend Saturday's festivities, ask a friend to be your proxy. Just let them know what you'd like to bid on and what your spending limit is.

See you there!

Questions? Email us at auction@beaconuu.com

MAKING MUSIC AT BEACON

Lift up your voice…It's going to be a fabulous year for music at Beacon! All are welcome to join the choir. And it’s a great way to introduce friends who like to sing to Beacon. 

Choir Rehearsals will be held on TUESDAY nights at 7 p.m. 

Questions? Email our Choir Director Andrez Alcazar. 

THE 8TH PRINCIPLE PROJECT AT BEACON UU

On October 23, we held a well-attended and lively forum about the proposed 8^th UU Principle. The official congregational vote will be held on Sunday, November 20th. Learn more about the 8^th principle, including some comprehensive FAQs, here.

In support of the anti-racism work inherent in the 8^th principle, please see the listings and links below in the Social Justice Allies section of this e-news for such activities as Rev. Anthony Johnson’s Love In Action program (starting November 9).

SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD

The Board met on October 26, 2022, and recognized Anne Wittke for her donation and installation of a new router, which improves security and allows for a guest entry into the internet.

Paul Beier has resigned from the Board to focus on Social Justice issues and to begin organizing Circle Suppers. LSPT contacted Diana Roy, and she will assume the role for the rest of Paul’s term.

Becky Hipsher will join the Congregational Vitality Team along with Holly Taylor, Roz Clark, Angela Hansen, and Rev. Robin.

The Board is in the process of drafting the contract and compensation with the Search Committee for the new minister.

November 20th was set for a special Congregational Meeting to vote on adoption of the 8th Principle. A forum was held on October 23rd, and FAQ can be found in the e-newsletter plus information about the meeting and notifying Diana of a proxy if you are unable to attend.

Please contact members of the Board if you have concerns or questions.

In Covenant,

Lynda L. Dorweiler, President

SIGN UP FOR BEACON CIRCLE SOIREES

SHARE TIMES WITH A FEW OTHER BEACONITES

“A BEACON TRADITION FOR 40 YEARS”

Circle Soirees are a great way for us to connect, in the tradition of the Circle Suppers that Beacon has held for decades. The new name (swah-ray: gathering, typically in a private location, for conversation or music) can include hikes, picnics, or other events that allow more social distancing than a traditional “supper.” 

Why sign up? You want to laugh together and share stories. You want to deepen old friendships and make new friends who share your principles. You need a hug. The reasons are many …

Any Member or Friend of Beacon can sign up (with your partner and family) to participate in 3-5 events, each with a group of 6-8 adults, during December-March (4 full months). You will be semi-randomly aggregated into small groups (Circles). The hosting duties will rotate among the family units, each hosting one event. Your group decides when to meet, where to meet (home, park, etc.), and whether a meal (typically a potluck) will be included. Soirees continue through March, until all persons who can host have done so. Hosting is not required, so you can sign up even if your home too small to host 8 people. Paul will assign signees into circles (crochet the soiree) by Nov 30. If you can’t remember if you signed up, just sign up.

By Monday November 28, use this online form to provide your name, email, phone number, and the names of partners or family members who will participate with you. Your info helps me assemble your soiree circle. The form also lets you provide other information, such as “Please put me in a circle with Barack.” If you have questions, please email paul.beier@nau.edu or text me at 928 699 3578.

Always connected,

Paul Beier, the Soiree Crochet Bouquet Communique Authoritay  

BEACON BOOK SALE

There will be an ongoing book sale in the corner of the Social Room until we deplete the supply of books left over from the yard sale. This is part of the yard sale fundraiser. We will be adding a new selection each week, so be sure to browse through and leave a donation for whatever books you’d like!

Thanks,

Dennis

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION FOR KIDS

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (GBU):

RE FOR 5TH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH

GBU meets remotely on the first and third Sundays of each month. The next GBU will be on Sunday, November 20th at 11:15 a.m.

Beacon Zoom Link:  

Join Zoom Meeting

Please join us by connecting this Zoom link

Meeting ID: 865 1117 5263

Passcode: beacon510

Hope to see everyone soon,

Steph van Belle

Linda Ochi

Dru Monroe

Beacon Religious Education Teaching Team

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS

COOPERATIVE BOOK GROUP: LET'S READ AND REFLECT!

A Monthly Cooperative Book group launching at Beacon on November 16th. A Lunch and Linger program…bring a bag lunch. 

Do you have a book you believe would be relevant and appealing to the Beacon community (and possible newcomers)? If so, pick a book and a month, give folks 4 weeks to read the book and lead the discussion. Check in with the office to schedule your meeting and book so we don’t have conflicts. 

Rev. Robin will start us off on Wednesday, November 16th in the Beacon Rainbow Space at 12 noon with the book Search by Michelle Huneven. The book has caused quite a stir in UU circles as it is a thinly fictionalized account of being on the Search committee for a new minister at a California UU congregation. Some say it has raised our profile in a positive way, others cringe at insulting stereotypes of congregants and ministers. If you have a copy of this book, consider loaning it to others through the Beacon office. 

CALLING ALL FACILITATORS! Would you like to lead an Adult Education program? Bring it On! Contact Rev. Robin to discuss your idea and scheduling possibilities.

SATURDAY SPIRIT

Rev. Robin is offering a series of Saturday morning Spiritual Growth “retreats” this year. 

• Rescheduled Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, from 10 a.m. to Noon. Simply Pray: Based on the book by the Rev. Erik Wikstrom, participants in this retreat will create a beaded “mala” and learn a meditation/prayer practice free of specific religious expression.

• Saturday, January 7th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to Noon. Mindful Eating:  Just in time for your New Year's resolutions! 

PATH TO MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

STARTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 11:15 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

The Path to Membership series will take place after the New Year. Are you a newcomer, visitor or current friend who would like to consider membership at Beacon? We’d love to have you!  

Three Sundays: January 15, February 12, and March 12 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Lunch will be provided. Please register with the office at office@beaconuu.com.

Led by Rev. Robin with guest Beacon leaders. Come and explore your own spiritual journey, your signature strengths and core values, the history and theology of Unitarian Universalism, and all things Beacon UU.

BEACON WIFI HAS CHANGED

Thanks to Anne W., Beacon has been gifted with a new WiFi system. If you need access to the Beacon Office WiFi, please contact office@beaconuu.com.  

JOYS AND SORROWS FROM NOVEMBER 6TH

Rich is grieving the passing of one of his poker buddies, a 30 year old, and the terminal prognosis of another.

Lise is excited because her foster son Caleb is coming to visit.

Grace is both joyful and sorrowful: She's embarking on a 4-day road trip on Wednesday to Chicago to start a new, exciting job next week.

lore is joyous that his 6 photographic entries in the AZ State Fare won ribbons and were included in the Best in Show.

Marsha is thankful for her recent road trip across the US, visiting other UU congregations.

Kim shared that Rebecca, a former Beacon pianist, recently sold 22 pieces of original music and is leaving Northern Arizona for a new job.

Paul reported that Skip and Andrea, who are moving back to Maine, say goodbye.

Andrez is celebrating the completion of his involvement in his first opera production.

CHEAP LUNCH BUNCH

The next Cheap Lunch Bunch get together will be on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., at Jitters Lunchbox, between Harbor Freight and CVS, on East Route 66.  ALL ARE WELCOME! 

Please plan on doing a bag lunch on the first Wednesday of each month and then having lunch at a local restaurant on the third Wednesday. Doing this at standardized times should make it easier on everyone's calendars, and only doing a restaurant once a month should make it easier on our pockets.

To opine on the time and location of future gatherings and to be included in all the group's emails, please email Anne at wittke.anne@gmail.com. 

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2022 SHARE THE PLATE PARTNER

Beacon’s community partner for October-December 2022 is

SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

For October-December 2022, Beacon UU will share the plate with the Southside Community Association (SCA). The Murdoch Center, intergenerational and multicultural home of the Southside Neighborhood and the SCA, regularly hosts important civic and community meetings and events. The Murdoch Center has been the setting for town hall meetings addressing such important topics as social and criminal justice, Black representation and preservation, and Black economic inclusion and impact. Additional information about the SCA, the Murdoch Center, and the history of the Southside (including the contributions of Wilson C. Riles to end segregation in Flagstaff) can be found here.

Undesignated contributions to the Sunday service offerings above $300 from October through December will be presented to Southside Community Association.

Nominations for future Share the Plate beneficiaries (501c3 agencies) can be made through a form located in the office manager’s office. Community Action Committee members include Katy Grant, Susan Patrick, and Lynda L. Dorweiler.

BEACON'S ENDOWMENT PLAN

The Beacon Endowment Plan, an important step to ensure that Beacon remains a strong and vibrant congregation for years to come, was approved unanimously at a Congregational Meeting on April 24, 2022. For more information about the Endowment Fund, please click here. 

1. If you shop at all at Fry's grocery, you can either sign up for your own VIP account (identifying Beacon UUC FE392 as your beneficiary) or use the church phone number (928-779-4492) to get any available discounts AND earn some money for Beacon. Currently, there are 8 households signed up, and Beacon earned $15.30 for this quarter.

If you want to take advantage of Fry's gasoline discounts, you'll want your own VIP account. You can create or edit an existing individual account at www.frysfood.com/account/create/ (Alt ID is typically your phone number.) Within your account settings, just click on Community Rewards and search for FE392 (Flagstaff's Beacon UU) to set Beacon as your beneficiary.

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. You can order from any of the over 2,300 stores listed under iGive with a portion of your purchase being donated to Beacon. iGive.com also has coupons you can use for additional savings. After creating your own account with a user name and password, select settings and "my cause" and type in Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation (do not abbreviate UU). 

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? Please leave them on a card in the bin in the lobby, or send them to Rev. Robin. 

ACTIVATE AT BEACON WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLIES!

The Social Justice Allies meet monthly on Zoom to discuss issues and actions. If you wish to join them, contact the convener Paul Beier.

WEAR IT ON YOUR SLEEVE

Social Justice Spotlight:

COATS FOR AFRICAN STUDENTS

Dr. Bernadine Lewis (guest speaker at Beacon on October 9th), as advisor to the NAU African Student Association, is requesting your support for the ASA students as we approach winter and the holidays:  

• The students are in need of winter coats and winter shoes/boots. (They were told not to pack winter clothing because they were heading to Arizona.)  If you'd like to donate, a Go Fund Me page has been established to purchase what they need.

• The students are also Flagstaff-bound for the upcoming holiday break. If you would like to host some students for Thanksgiving dinner on November 24th, please email Bernadine.

LOVE IN ACTION

Our social justice work centers putting our UU values into action… but what do UUs value? In 2020, the UUA commissioned a team to study the principles, sources, purpose, and values of Unitarian Universalism in order to suggest changes to the principles and sources (Article 2) in summer 2023.  UUJAZ has been following the proposed changes, and we want to hold space for a weekly conversation to explore our individual and collective values.  Learn more about the Article 2 Study commission here. To register for the conversation with Rev. Anthony Johnson in Sedona on Wednesdays Nov 9th - December 14th, 10:30am - 12pm, click here.

~ Beacon Connections ~

Volunteer At Flagstaff Food Center With Beacon!

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR

NOVEMBER 23RD AND 30TH.

The Flagstaff Family Food Center utilizes small groups of volunteers for their dinner service. Beacon is looking for a group of five (5) to seven (7) volunteers for the 4th & 5th Wednesdays of every month, from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. The dinner service is at the FFFC Kitchen (1903 N 2nd Street) and is a hybrid operation with To-Go meals and Dine-in service.

Beacon's next volunteer dates are Wednesday, November 23rd (the day before Thanksgiving) and Wednesday, November 30th from 3:00-6:00 p.m.  If dinnertime service does not interest you, please consider helping with prep from 10 a.m. until noon or pitching in at the warehouse on Huntington.

Volunteer Safety: Volunteers are required to wear a mask, closed-toe shoes, and long pants; regularly wash or sanitize their hands; and practice six feet of social distancing whenever possible. Gloves for food preparation and distribution will be provided at the kitchen to each volunteer. Plexiglass has been installed at the walk-up window as a safeguard against COVID-19. The center has enhanced cleaning protocols.

Sue Strobel is organizing monthly teams of Beacon UU volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering for the above dates, please contact Sue right away at (928) 522-3284 (cell) or (928) 526-5156 (home).

More FFFC volunteer opportunities can be found here.

UU Sr. High School Camp CommUUnity

at Camp de Benneville Pines

Wednesday, December 28, 2022 to Sunday, January 2, 2023 

Are you seeking to connect with other UU youth?

Learn More and Register

SAWUURA, THE ARIZONA UU CAMP

SAWUURA is a sanctuary, and we welcome all. We are hoping to increase youth involvement.

Find us at www.sawuura.org and like us at SAWUURA Friends on Facebook.

Thank you,

Eb Eberlein

Caretaker and campground host

YA New Series – Becoming S.A.G.E. – Spiritual Activists for the Earth

Arizona Interfaith Power and Light is excited to announce the launch of a new interview series called “Becoming S.A.G.E. – Spirited Activists Greening the Earth.” We interview the Sages among us who are engaging in faithful advocacy living out AZIPL’s mission to mobilize people of faith and conscience to care for our common home and work for climate justice. Find out more (including YouTube links) at http://www.azipl.org

~ BEACON OFFICE HOURS AND CONTACTS~

Office Phone (928) 779-4492

Office Manager

Paula Czernicki

she/her/hers

Mon: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Wed: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Thurs: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Office@beaconuu.com

~ 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!

Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News

 In order to be included in the next newsletter--November 17th thru December 15th due to Paula's absence--submissions need to be emailed to office@beaconuu.com by 2 p.m. on Monday, November 14th. Thank you!