Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492
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- This Sunday at Beacon -
November 15th, 2020
Virtual Service
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"Democracy, A Dream Deferred"
When I first heard, years ago, that the word Democracy was nowhere in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence I was startled. This could not be true. Our government is a Democracy! As it turns out, our Founding Founders actually feared democratic rule. The Founders preferred the word “Republic.” My sermon will share the truth about the differences between the two and offer one way that our democratic dream may be realized.
Rev. Anthony Mtuaswa Johnson preaching. Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker hosting, with music from Roomie Wood and Rebecca Prizznick.
Anthony Mtuaswa Johnson, Mississippi born, and Chicago bred, is a Minister, speaker, writer, poet, producer, soldier, teacher, mentor and Elder. His Poetry CD, entitled Spirit Talk, is as AJ says, “Spoken Word for the Rest of Us, That Speaks to the Best in Each of us”. Mtuaswa, his African name, is a Practicing Diviner in the African Spiritual Tradition of Burkina Faso as taught by Malidoma Some’, one of the world’s most famous Shamans, whom some refer to as the real Wakanda.He is the former Director of Congregational Life at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix and Minister of the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Bayside, California.
No Worship Watch Party this week we will resume November 22th!
~ Please join us after the service ~
Post-Service Gathering
we're bringing a little more structure to our time together on Sundays at 11 AM. Will we still schmooze? Yep. We'll start with some socializing and checking in, move on
"live Joys and Sorrows" you can share (using your HOPE stone, if you have one*
and then a centering question related to the service.
This week's question: What do we need to do to protect our democracy (even as corrupted as it has become)?
Passcode: 968647
Or call +1 669 900 6833 and enter Meeting ID: 733 037 2039
Next Sunday
November 22th - "Home Never Closes"
We’ll be having a virtual Bread Communion during the worship watch party and the post-service gathering. Choose a bread you love
and cut some small pieces to partipcate in our shared ritual.
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker Preaching with Worship Associate Kim Angelo
Music from Roomie Wood and Rebecca Prizznick.
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Please note: We recommend that you donate to Vanco directly from a bank account to save us the fees associated with credit and debit card donations. More for us to sustain our congregation.
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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. Please send these to Rev. Robin by Thursday night each week at minister@beaconuu.com Or,be in touch and we can record a short Zoom- recorded snippets to include in the service.
Only first names will be used. Or, you can share your joys and sorrows live at our
Post-Service Zoom Gatherings, Sundays at 11.
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Porch Visits with Rev. Robin
Who is that masked minister in her "Soul" mobile? It's Rev. Robin! - ready to
come by for a socially-distanced
visit on your porch, patio, or deck.
Trailhead meet-ups and easy hikes, we could even meet at a park, or walk in your neighborhood. You decide! Just give a shout-minister@beaconuu.com
or 978-505-7245
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Spotlight this Week
NAAR's Fall Food Drive!
Sunday, November 15th
10am to 2pm
NAAR's outreach committee is hosting a one day food drive for the Family Food Center. For more information and to learn where the drop off locations will be
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Caring and Connected Team Calling!
We have created a "Caring and Connected" Team to keep us in touch during this time of virtual church and physical distancing. Members and friends of Beacon will be receiving a phone call and/or an email from one of our team leaders to chat about how you've been these past months and share some news about upcoming plans and activities in the "Zoom Room" at Beacon. As always, Rev. Robin is here to talk with you, come by for a masked porch visit, and help you with pastoral or practical needs. minister@beaconuu.com or call 978-505-7245.
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Beacon Buzz's next date is:
December 6th 12 noon
Join Rev. Robin and Board President Wendy Bruun on the first Sunday of the month at 12 noon to ask questions, voice concerns, offer ideas, and learn more about
Pass code: 968647
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Small COVID- Safe Soiree Circles starting soon Sign up now! |
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Remember Circle Suppers - the popular program offered at Beacon where each circle was semi-randomly assembled, and the members took turns hosting the gatherings?
We are now offering a new version that we call "Soiree Circles."
Paul Beier is the organizer. Gatherings are COVID-safe due to their small size and will be held outdoors. If you want to laugh together, share stories, deepen old friendships,
make new friends who share your principles and experiences, this is a great way to do it! face-to-face and not on zoom.
To learn more about how we intend to organize and host these gatherings and sign up using the online form, click on the links below.
So far we have had 11 families sign up for the program. Members of all ages are welcome to participate. See Flyer here
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The Leadership Succession Planning Team (LSPT) will be recruiting to fill Beacon leadership positions. Next year’s vacancies on the Board and LSPT will be determined and announced soon. Anyone interested in becoming a Beacon leader should contact the
LSPT Chair, Dennis Spurlin.
The LSPT met in October to discuss options for recruiting Beacon leaders and
sustaining congregational vitality.
The report of the meeting can be seen by clicking HERE.
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Religious Exploration
We encourage Beacon families to continue Religious Exploration at home!
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Our Imaginative and Inspiring Religious Exploration Programs
We're excited to have formed a Religious Exploration collaboration with the Granite Peak UU Church in Prescott, AZ which is going wonderfully well. Read the update in this column. You can learn about both of the programs we're offering, CartUUns and The Fifth Dimension below, on our website, and on the program website here.
Religious Exploration for Children
~Beacon at Home~
Religious Exploration Update
October 25th, CartUUns consisted of 11 kids (8 Beacon, 3 Granite Peak), and 7 kids joined us for 5th Dimension (5 Beacon, 2 Granite Peak). Bev, the DRE in Prescott, says that she has gotten quite a bit of positive feedback on both programs from families at Granite Peak, so that's always nice to hear.
The kids were quite engaged in both groups, which led to great discussions. In CartUUns we talked about pranking and when it might be inappropriate or mean-spirited
to prank others and then completed some fun crafts
In 5th Dimension, we discussed greed, karma, and when knowing what the future holds might be positive or negative. The youth also explored ways that knowing the future might promote greed but might also benefit humanity, scientists, and food production.
It was a great conversation and Stephanie, Dru, and Robert all
enjoyed hearing their ideas.
Cartuuns
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For our younger kids (K-5, and younger as appropriate), we have chosen CARTUUNS, which explores UU values and principles through Disney and Pixar short films, such as the award-winning "La Luna." We are screen sharing through ZOOM with families from both churches. 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM twice a month on Zoom.
Upcoming classes:
11/22 Toy Story Toons: Small Fry
12/13 Olaf's Frozen Adventure
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Religious Exploration for Middle/High School Youth
The Fifth Dimension
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For Middle School/Junior High(and older or slightly younger, as appropriate), we are collaborating on another Imagine-RE program called The Fifth Dimension. Through classic Twilight Zone episodes (created by Unitarian Rod Serling), we are exploring social and political issues relevant to youth. Students become deeply engaged in the topics and engrossed in the storytelling and "sci-fi" twists in episodes like "Eye of the Beholder" and "Enough Time At Last." We are screen sharing through ZOOM with families from both churches. The lessons are stand-alone and can be joined from week to week. Please take a look at the link and let us know if you'll give it a try.
5th Dimension 11:30 am-12:45pm
Upcoming classes:
November 22- "Four O'Clock" (Season 3, Episode 29)
December 13- "The Night of the Meek" (Season 2, Episode 11)
Passcode: 510
"No preparation for the class is required! Youth can just join the meeting at the scheduled time and you are ready to go!"
Pacific West Region Youth Events for 2020-2021
We still have one more Fall Youth Conference in November. The first two have been fabulous! Next year's slate is a bit tentative with the ongoing pandemic, particularly summer camp, so please check it each quarter to see if our schedule has evolved with the changing times. As always, I'll add registration links directly to this doc as they go live,
so feel free to check back with regularity. Thanks so much for your ministry during these difficult days. Towards interdependence... In faith and the spirit of love.
Religious Exploration for Adults
Brene Brown's Daring Greatly: How The Courage to Be Vulnerable
Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead"
Six 75 minute "lunch and learn" sessions, led by Rev. Robin Zucker, Minister at Beacon UU, Flagstaff. Thursdays, 12-1:15 (or 1:30 as the group chooses) PM (Arizona time)
On these dates: November 5 and 19; December 3 and 17; January 7 and 21.
A complete workbook/journal is available to download as a pdf from the beaconuu.com website Adult RE page You may participate in this program without reading the entire book, as the exercises in the workbook include excerpts. Other materials will be provided to download from Rev. Robin. If you require us to print a copy of the workbook for you, please let us know. We'll share our reflections from the text and workbook and have small group confidential discussions in breakout room.
Chalice Circle Meeting will be announced later in the month through the links below.
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: Spirituality ~ |
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Touchstone Chalice Circles
To be announced.
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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.
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.
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Social Justice Allies
Anti-Harassment Training
Hollaback is a nonprofit on a mission to end harassment - in all its forms. They provide free trainings throughout the year to give people the resources to respond to, prevent and intervene in instances of harassement. If you are interested in participating in a training or learning more, please visit the following link:
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Upcoming UU the Vote Events: |
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·No Matter What: Reckoning and Resilience in a Post-Election World November 14th, from 11 am-12 pm and 1 pm-3 pm Join us for two sessions of learning, unlearning, feeling, and sharing about our differences; moving us toward creating change - in ourselves and the world around us. “It is not our differences that divide us, it is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.”- Audre Lorde. Facebook Event page. Register here.
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Love & Justice: Abolition and Alternatives to Policing UUs proclaim that no one is outside the circle of love, therefore, our goals are also abolitionist goals. Join UUJAZ every first Wednesday of the month in actively resisting the systems of policing and incarceration while building relationships and community with other passionate UUs in Arizona. Register for our next meeting on December 2nd here.
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Book GroUUp Friday, November 20th, 12-1:30 pm Join Rev. Tina Squire the third Friday of each month at noon for a justice-centered book discussion from the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist values. This Friday we'll be discussing Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Register for the meeting here.
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Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Janine NEW DATE: Thursdays at 10 am Join UUJAZ Executive Director Janine Gelsinger any Thursday morning for a casual "office hours" on Zoom. Bring your questions, chat about the social justice news this week in AZ, or suggest what programming you'd like to see UUJAZ do next. Register here.
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A Special Message from Rev. Robin about BIPOC Allyship
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Dear Beloved Community,
America is on fire with rage, weary from a pandemic, and aching with despair. Along with the rest of our country, we've read and heard so many devastating accounts over the past week, the most heart-rending from people of color coping with another case of murderous systemic racism in our country. I do not need to (nor, am I entitled to) add anything to their experiences or parse what they have to say about racism. They live it.
...To read the full message on our website, please click here
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.
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Camp De Benneville Pines Fundraiser |
De Benneville Pines has captured the hearts of thousands of campers for nearly 60 years. it is a place of kindness, friendship, and beauty. Now they need your help to keep their doors open because of Covid-19 pandemic.To donate click Here
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Worship
Sunday, November 15th, 2020
10 am - 11 am
"Democracy, A Dream Deferred"
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Post-Service Gathering
Sunday, November 15th, 2020
11:00 am
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CLC Meeting
Monday November 16th, 2020
7pm
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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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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.
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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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~ Beacon Office Hours & Contacts ~
Office Phone (928) 779-4492
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Minister,
Rev. Robin Zucker
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)
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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,
Yeximar L Cramer
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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You no longer need to forward your spam emails to spam@uce.gov, because the Federal Trade Commission is now collecting spam through a honeypot, which is an online trap. This change makes it more efficient for the FTC to collect spam that is deceptive or violates the CAN-SPAM Act. This change saves tax dollars, your time, and helps the FTC collect deceptive and illegal spam. If you lost money to a scam that started with an email, please report it at ftc.gov/complaint. There, you can also report spam you receive. Read more about how to limit spam, phone calls, and mail.
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If you are not on Beacon's dedicated 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
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Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News
Newsletter submissions must be submitted by Wednesday at 4:00 pm
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