Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492e
| |
E-News for September 29th - October 6th, 2022 | |
~ SUNDAYS AT BEACON ~
WE’RE BACK IN THE SANCTUARY FOR WORSHIP! PLEASE JOIN US.
Masks are optional. (Special seating area for mask wearers is available.)
| |
|
SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2022, AT 10 A.M.
“Anger, Fear and Compassion: Navigating the Seas of Emotion”
ALL ARE WELCOME! You BELONG at Beacon. Spiritually open and intentionally inclusive since 1958.
Anger flares quickly and can undermine our highest intentions. Awareness and practice help to foster skillful actions and a chance to change hearts and minds. Come explore this topic with Mark James, who is preaching, with music from Andrez Alcazar and Austin Shaw.
| |
KIDS AT BEACON - ALL ARE WELCOME!
Children and youth are always welcome in worship! There will be activity packets available for children during the service.
| |
Beacon UU – YouTube sensation! 15 months, 63 recorded and edited worship services that you can tune into anytime you’d like for a first viewing or a re-viewing. Share our channel with friends you’d like to introduce to Beacon. See our virtual service history on the "Beacon UUC" Youtube Channel You can also view past sermon descriptions and PDFs on our website here.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
It’s time to do some painting and yardwork!
Painting Day: Friday, September 30th, 9 a.m. until noon
B&G Workday: Saturday, October 1st, 9 a.m. until noon
If you love to paint (and who doesn’t?), please join us Friday to paint the south side of the building. All paint and supplies will be provided, so just wear your favorite painting clothes!
Saturday, October 1st will be a regular B&G workday. The usual fun-filled day of weed pulling, weed-wacking, and gutter cleaning. Also a little indoor cleaning, such as spider web patrol and windows.
Bring your gloves, hat, water, and energy. Double your fun and join us for both days!
Breakfast goodies and coffee will be provided on both days.
Thanks and see you there!
Theresa deBoer, B&G Chair
| |
|
THE BEACON AUCTION IS BACK!
SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2022
After a two-year break during Covid, the Beacon Auction Team is happy to announce that we will be holding our annual fundraiser auction this year! Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 12. And for the first time, we will hold the auction at Beacon now that we have the space to do so. We'll have both our live and silent auctions, along with raffle and door prizes. It's not too early to start thinking about what you'd like to offer for the auction. If you're interested in volunteering, please email the Auction Team at auction@beaconuu.com
If you wish to donate an item to the Beacon Auction, please use the link below:
Auction Form Link
| |
|
BEACON SPOTLIGHT:
SONG OF LIGHT WITH VOX LUMINA
HERE AT BEACON U.U. ON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH AT 7 P.M.
| |
Song of Light is a beautiful performance ritual featuring nine “dreamsongs” woven throughout Vox’s soulful and poetic narrative re-telling the rich ancestry of her land and people and invoking a collective re-connection to the natural world. This ancient story, told by Vox Lumina (Queen of Orga, Land of Organically Generated Sound, Time & Form) takes us back to the beginning of Orga’n time, and tells of the origin of the elements as Sky, Earth, Sun, Moon, and River. Brooke Smokelin aka Vox Lumina is currently on a cross-country tour making and carrying vibrational medicine for bodies of water, especially the Snake River in Idaho, the 2nd most endangered river in the US and home of a native salmon population nearing extinction. Our rivers need our support! Learn more about Brooke’s healing practices and performances here.
suggested donation $15/no one turned away/all ages welcome
| |
SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD: THE 8TH PRINCIPLE | |
|
1n 1997, the General Assembly voted to commit to intentionally becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural institution. Yet, 25 years later, we continue to fall short of our commitments and promises. Since 2013, a group of Unitarian Universalists advocated, to more specifically address racism and oppression, for the adoption of an 8th Principle, which states as follows:
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
In 2017, the UU Church of Mt. Airy, of Philadelphia was the first to adopt the 8th Principle, at its annual meeting, and today, over 200 churches have done so. The 8th principle is calling us to do deeper work within all areas of congregational life. It’s not a social justice project, it’s a call to think about the ways we become the beloved community we dream about.
Beacon’s Board began discussion of the 8th Principle and has chosen to move forward with its adoption:
On Sunday, October 9th, Rev. Robin will reintroduce the 8th Principle in her message.
On Sunday, October 23rd, we will conduct a forum with discussion on the 8th Principle.
A congregational meeting will be scheduled to vote on the adoption of the 8th Principle.
With Rev. Robin’s talk and the forum, we hope to address your questions and concerns.
A formal notice of the Congregational Meeting will go out at least 15 days prior to the meeting. For those who want to explore on their own, further information from the UUA can be found on this UUA website and within this FAQ document.
In covenant,
Lynda L. Dorweiler, Board President
| |
|
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (GBU):
RE for 5th grade through high school youth
Hi, GBU Families,
On October 2 at 11:15 a.m., Steph and Linda will lead you in discussion of an episode of Community. Please join us to consider whether this The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (GBU) episode has relevance for youth today.
Beacon Zoom Meeting Link:
Please join us by connecting to this Zoom link.
Meeting ID: 865 1117 5263
Passcode: beacon510
Hope to see everyone on Sunday,
Steph van Belle
Linda Ochi
Dru Monroe
Beacon RE Teaching Team
Community is an American comedy series on NBC from 2009-2015. The show is about the lives of students at a community college in the fictional city of Greendale, Colorado.
Community, Season 1, Ep 13 "Investigative Journalism" summary:
The dean appoints Jeff as editor of the student paper where Annie is working on a story that could expose the dean as a racist. The gang decides not to let an obnoxious student from their Spanish class into the study group.
Topic: Popularity - Leadership - Loyalty
| |
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS
| |
|
R U a UU?
One Sunday a month – Just after the service. Have you been one without even knowing it? So many questions?! Grab a coffee and meet with Rev. Robin after the service on the following Sundays for a one-hour conversation about Unitarian Universalism and your own spiritual journeys to the door of Beacon.
The next RU a UU? session will be held on Sunday, October 16th.
Please stay tuned for notices about future adult education offerings.
| |
Please note: We recommend that you donate to Vanco directly from a bank account to save us the fees associated with credit card donations. More for us to sustain our congregation.
| |
When you make donations by check or cash to Beacon, please be sure to designate whether the donation is PLEDGE or PLATE. Thank you for your continued support! | |
SHARE YOUR JOYS AND SORROWS - CHIME IN!
One way we can sustain connection during this time apart is by sharing our personal joys and sorrows. These can be small things or large things that effect your life. These are spoken during service every Sunday, or you can send them to Rev. Robin by Saturday night each week at minister@beaconuu.com to be shared.
| |
|
JOYS AND SORROWS FROM SEPTEMBER 25TH
Mike is celebrating his daughter's recent marriage.
Pia and Theresa, who coincidentally both just returned from trips to Germany, are grateful for safe travels.
Andy is elated to be singing with the Beacon choir.
Dora, with her upcoming departure for Florida, is both Roz's joy and sorrow.
| |
|
September 28, 2022
Dear Members and Friends of Beacon,
I cannot find words to tell you how honored I was, and am, by your “going -away” gathering for me last Sunday. Far beyond any expectation. So many kind words! Thank you. In fact, I was known to have said “what if you throw this party for me and no one comes?”
I am so sorry to leave, even though it was my idea. I will miss Beacon more than I can express. Last Sunday when we were singing I realized it was my last Sunday with you and the tears started to flow. You have been my friends, co-workers, helpers, and my refuge, as well as the hosts of some great auction parties, dinners and circle suppers. Such fun!
Love is truly the spirit of Beacon, and I will always remember you. You do great work for the church and in the community.
And just in case you decide to come to Florida – maybe not in hurricane season – my new address is 946 Highland Avenue, Unit 49, Dunedin, FL 34698. Phone number and email will remain the same as it is now. Just in case you don’t have that on the tip of your tongue, phone is 928-699-9020, and email is dhharrison@aol.com. Yes, I do have a gmail address but don’t use it.
Again, many thanks for your kindness and taking time to send me off! I have felt this warm glow all week.
Much love, Dora
P.S. Many people have asked if my new home was hit by the hurricane. Originally it was in the direct path, but once the storm turned east, my area just had wind and rain. I have not heard if there was any damage, but my heart hurts for those who did receive, and are still in the middle of some awful weather and circumstances.
| |
|
The next Cheap Lunch Bunch get together will be at Beacon U.U., on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. Bring your bag or takeout lunch, heat it in the microwave if necessary, and if the weather is beautiful, we can picnic in the back yard, and if it's not, we can meet in the Social Room or The Rainbow Space. 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 APPROVED
The Board was very pleased to see so many of our members in attendance at the congregational meeting on April 24, 2022, where we discussed and approved Beacon's new Endowment Plan. This plan was developed by Rich Clark, Mary Poore, and Holly Taylor. It was then circulated to all our members and revised in response to their comments. In spring 2022, it was reviewed and enthusiastically approved by Beacon’s Board. Forty-eight members attended the congregational meeting, far exceeding the quorum of 23 members that is currently required for Beacon to conduct official business. Rich Clark presented the Endowment Plan, and Mary Poore and Holly Taylor answered questions. Carl Taylor proposed two minor changes in the wording of the plan which were immediately accepted by the Endowment Committee. The plan was then approved unanimously, with all 48 members voting in favor. The Endowment’s Board of Governors: Rich Clark, Mary Poore, Holly Taylor, Barry Brenneman, and Steve Zeldes, was then unanimously approved, thus marking an important step to ensure that Beacon remains a strong and vibrant congregation in the years to come.
The amendment, as approved, can be found here.
A summary of the Endowment Fund amendment can be found here.
| |
LEGACY GIVING TIP – DID YOU KNOW?
You don’t have to confess your age, but if you are 72 or older, you may be required to pay federal taxes on the RMDs, “required minimum distributions,” that you now must take from certain types of your invested retirement funds. Did you know that you may be able to reduce your tax bill by contributing to Beacon’s stewardship campaign or to Beacon’s new Endowment Fund? See your tax consultant for more specific individual advice about whether you could benefit both Beacon and yourself by adopting this tax strategy.
| |
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. paul.beier@nau.edu
| |
|
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:
-
Visit votefwd.org/dashboard to complete your Vote Forward registration. If you need help, take a look at our instructions.
-
When your account is approved, log in at votefwd.org.
-
Choose a key state or district letter writing campaign, and “adopt” voters on your Vote Forward dashboard.
- Download, print, and prepare your letters.
- Keep your finished letters somewhere safe.
-
Mail your letters on October 29—right before Election Day when they’ll have the greatest impact.
| |
|
ELECTION FORUM FOR CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Just a reminder that Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is sponsoring a forum for the 10 candidates for four open seats on Flagstaff City Council on Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 9 a.m. until noon.
| |
|
ISSUES + ACTION DAY 2022
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 9am - 5pm
| |
|
Join us to celebrate at our BIG annual statewide event…back in person for the first time since 2019! Issues + Action Day brings us together as UUs from across Arizona, along with folks from our partner organizations, and visits from national UU guest speakers, in order to grow our movement for social justice, and put our faith into action.
Reserve your early-bird tickets by October 1st here.
| |
|
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. | |
|
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.
| |
|
Volunteer At Flagstaff Food Center With Beacon!
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR OCTOBER 26TH.
| |
|
The Flagstaff 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 date is Wednesday, October 26th 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, please contact Sue at 928 522-3284 (cell) or 928-526-5156 (home).
More summer volunteer opportunities can be found here.
| |
The Arizona Faith Network offers many opportunities to enroll in free webinars and sign on to many actions and initiatives across the spectrum of social justice issues.
Events include programs on “Empathy, Exhaustion and Social Change,” Circles of Hope, Healing and Humanity, and meetings of various teams addressing voting rights, criminal reform, hunger issues, racial justice, and indigenous rights. Find out more: https://www.arizonafaithnetwork.org/
| |
|
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
| |
Lifespan Religious Exploration Resources for Learning About and Responding to Racism | |
This painful moment in time calls us to focus our learning and reflection on allyship to people of color, understanding white privilege, and reflecting on how we can part of a systemic sea change and solution in our society.
Beacon has provided resources for all ages addressing how we as individuals and as communities can learn about and respond to racism. For the full list of resources, activities and community meetings, visit Beacon's Religious Exploration pages.
| |
|
WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, October 2nd, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.
“Anger, Fear and Compassion: Navigating the Seas of Emotion”
in the Beacon Sanctuary
| | |
You can keep up with future Beacon events by checking out the Beacon calendar!
| |
EVERYDAY WAYS TO SUPPORT BEACON | |
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. Until September 30th, 2022, iGive.com has a New Member promotion: For each new Beacon iGive member who signs up by September 30th and makes a purchase through iGive within 45 days, Beacon earns an additional $15 donation! 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). 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.
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.
| |
~ BEACON OFFICE HOURS AND CONTACTS~
Office Phone (928) 779-4492
| |
Minister,
Rev. Robin Zucker
she/her/hers
Mon: 10:00 am - 3:00 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)
Get to know Rev. Robin at
| |
RE Team
We have an incredibly strong team leading our RE this year. You can direct your RE questions to Linda: lindaochi31@gmail.com
| |
Office Manager
Paula Czernicki
she/her/hers
Mon: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wed: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thurs: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
| |
~ 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!
| |
Emails have been received from a false address pretending to be Rev. Robin.
As a personal habit, always check the sender's email address before responding.
Avoid this scam!
| | |
|
|
If you are not a member of Beacon's dedicated Google group, you are missing out on an important communications link within our congregation. The BeaconUU Group is useful for sharing information about goings-on in Flagstaff, especially social justice events; offering an item for sale or to give away; expressing enthusiasm about a book or movie; requesting information or recommendations -- and more! It's simple to sign up:
Email office@beaconuu.com or Visit here.
| | |
Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News
Newsletter submissions must be submitted by Wednesday at 4:00 pm
| | | | | |
