SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022, AT 10 A.M.

“Peak Experiences: What are they? Why are they important? Where do they come from?” 

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

With guest speaker Allen B. Atkins and Worship Associate Mark James. Music from Andrez Alcazar and Austin Shaw. 

Allen B. Atkins moved to Flagstaff in 1998 to work at Northern Arizona University (NAU) as a professor of Finance. He has been interested in meditation since first learning Transcendental Meditation (TM) in college. He sits a retreat of at least a week or so almost every year. Allen taught yoga and meditation in Texas from 1979-1983. He has also taught a six-week beginning Vipassana course each semester at NAU since 1999. The course is currently being taught with Cathy Small. His other main hobbies include music, singing, and cycling.

~ 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:

SIMPLY PRAY, A SPIRITUAL RETREAT WITH REV. ROBIN

Simply Pray is the first in a series of SATURDAY SPIRIT Saturday morning Spiritual Growth “retreats” that Rev. Robin is offering this year.  On Saturday, October 29th, from 10 a.m. to Noon, participants will create a beaded “mala” and learn a meditation/prayer practice free of specific religious expression based on the book by the Rev. Erik Wikstrom.

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. 

BEACONSTOCK

THE 2022 BEACON AUCTION

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

One night of fun and fundraising - Please come dressed in your best Beaconstock/Woodstock fashions.

The Auction is just around the corner! We need your donations ASAP!  

• Live Auction items: themed dinners, services (eg. dog sitting, yard work), experiences, hikes, etc. 
• Silent Auction Items: jewelry, artwork, material items, etc.
• Raffle Prizes: $25-$50 gift cards, gift baskets.
• Door Prizes:: under $25 gift cards, items, etc

Please have donations submitted by Monday, October 31.  

If you wish to donate an item to the Beacon Auction, please use the following link:

Auction Form Link

For questions regarding the Auction or if you are interested in volunteering for the event (very much needed!!!), please e-mail auction@beaconuu.com.

Also...

Please consider providing yummy finger food for the Auction!

Here are some of the particulars:

We need appetizers and desserts that are easily handled by hand and can be served on a tray; 20-30 items. Plant-based options welcomed!

I will happily pick up your food donation if you're unable to drop it off between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. on the 12th! 

If you are able to contribute, contact Donna Engleson:  Flagdonna@yahoo.com or text/call 928-600-1639.

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.  A date for an official congregational vote will be decided soon. 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 the Michael Servetus/ International Conference on Anti-racism (October 28-30) and Rev. Anthony Johnson’s Love In Action program (starting November 9).

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.

As our congregation considers the proposed 8th principle of our UU faith, our youth will be discussing it as well. On November 6th at 11:15 a.m., Steph and Dru will highlight two episodes on racial profiling in this country and introduce the 8th principle for the group's reactions.  

Episode summary: We are blending two shows from the early 1990s. One is from Family Matters titled "Good Cop, Bad Cop" and the other from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air titled "Mistaken Identity." These shows review two incidents of racial profiling by the police. We will explore how they are the same or different from what is happening in 2022.  

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 on Sunday,

Steph van Belle

Linda Ochi

Dru Monroe

Beacon Religious Education Teaching Team

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS

PATH TO MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

STARTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 11:15 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

Three Sundays: November 13, December 11, and January 8, 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.

COOPERATIVE BOOK GROUP: LET'S READ AND REFLECT!

A Monthly Cooperative Book group launching at Beacon on November 16. 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 16 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. 

• Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. to Noon. Mindful Eating:  Just in time for the holidays! 

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 OCTOBER 23RD

Lynda is grateful to the Search Committee for the Beyond Categorical Thinking seminar.

Angela shared that her husband Chris had a small stroke on Tuesday.  He is still at FMC and will be moved to a rehabilitation facility for 10-14 days.  He should have a full recovery with time. 

Jeremy is back from a month in England.  His brother chose to be removed from life support after a fire in his home.  The experience served as a reminder that it is all about LOVE.

Kim fondly reminisced that she first came to Beacon four years ago, how the congregants shared food and how wonderful that was. She, too, enjoyed yesterday's BCT workshop. 

CHEAP LUNCH BUNCH

The next Cheap Lunch Bunch get together will be at Beacon on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 11:30 a.m.  ALL ARE WELCOME!  Please bring a bag lunch.

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

Midterm elections are all about turnout, and handwritten letters have proven to be an effective way to encourage voters to participate in our democracy. We're writing voter turnout letters now to send to voters in October.

Getting started with Vote Forward is easy:

1. Visit votefwd.org/dashboard to complete your Vote Forward registration. If you need help, take a look at our instructions.
2. When your account is approved, log in at votefwd.org.
3. Choose a key state or district letter writing campaign, and “adopt” voters on your Vote Forward dashboard.
4. Download, print, and prepare your letters.
5. Keep your finished letters somewhere safe.
6. Mail your letters on October 29—right before Election Day when they’ll have the greatest impact.

MICHAEL SERVETUS/

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM (MS/INCAR)

OCTOBER 28TH THRU 30TH, 2022

You are cordially invited to participate in the Unitarian Universalist Multiracial Unity Action Council of Chicago's Michael Servetus/InterNational Conference Against Racism, a hybrid event--in person in Geneva, Switzerland, and via Zoom--from Friday, October 28th through Sunday, October 30th. The event's theme is "the vital role which Multiracial Unitarian Universalism as an embodiment of the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, especially the Fourth Principle, can play in the struggle against racism in all its forms from Afghanistan to Zambia." Registration is $150 per person. More information can be found here as well as on the UUMUAC website. 

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.

FFFC 30TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER & FUNDRAISER

The Flagstaff Family Food Center has proudly been serving free meals to the Flagstaff community uninterrupted since December 25th, 1991, thus fulfilling the FFFC mission of "Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, Every Day." 

FFFC will be hosting a celebratory evening of dining and dancing, musical entertainment, and a live & silent auction on November 5th, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Coconino Community College, Lone Tree Campus.

Tickets:  hotfood.org/tickets

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!