Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492e
E-News for June 9th -16th, 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.)
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2022

There will be NO LIVE SERVICE AT BEACON on June 12th

On June 12th at 10:00 a.m., please join us for Beacon's ANNUAL LABYRINTH WALK SERVICE at the Flagstaff Community Labyrinth. All are welcome! Please wear sensible walking shoes. Children are welcome to walk the labyrinth with a spirit of reverence or, under the supervision of their parents, to visit the nearby Sawmill Park. Unfortunately, the labyrinth is not currently wheelchair-accessible. Three parking options and a google map can be found here on the "Where Is It?" page of the Flagstaff Labyrinth website.

Perched on the edge of a small cliff, the Flagstaff Community Labyrinth, is composed of 15 tons of lichen-covered lava boulders. The path is quarter of a mile long. For photos and much more information, click here.

COME TO THE OPEN HOUSE AFTERWARDS AT PAUL AND MARYANN’S HOUSE
Following the walk service, you are welcome to mingle with other Beaconites on Maryann and Paul’s fully-enclosable deck just across the canyon from the labyrinth at 140 E Paseo del Rio, Apt 1. You can park on the street at the corner of Paseo del Rio and Calle Contenta. Or, instead of driving, you can walk down into the canyon below the labyrinth, head east on the FUTS for about 300 feet, and ascend the stairs built into the south canyon wall (on your right); the meeting place atop the stairs will be well marked.

If you're unable to join us for the Labyrinth Walk Service, consider dipping into our Beacon YouTube library (link below) or watching the livestream of the 10:30 a.m. UU Congregation of Phoenix service. The worship Zoom link can be found on their home page: https://www.phoenixuu.org/
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:
A NEW CHOIR DIRECTOR!

We’re thrilled to announce that Andrez Alcazar will be joining us as Choir Director in September. Andrez is a student at NAU, an avid singer who directs the male acapella group on campus. Andrez will be with us this summer as accompanist/musician until Austin Shaw returns in mid-August. 

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. 

Beginning September 6th, Choir Rehearsals will be held on TUESDAY nights at 7 PM. 
BEACON SPOTLIGHT:
IMPORTANT MEETING TO ATTEND
We need your input.

Please plan to attend the Annual Congregational Meeting:

Date & Time:  11:30 AM on Sunday June 19, 2022 (after the Service),
Location:     In person at 510 N Leroux St., Flagstaff
Purpose:
  1. Vote to approve the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
  2. Vote on proposed changes to the Beacon bylaws.
  3. Vote to approve Board members for Fiscal Year 2022
  4. Vote to approve members of the Leadership Succession Planning Team for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
  5. Vote to approve members of the Ministerial Search Committee.

Proxy Voting: If you cannot attend the June 19 meeting in person, you can ask another Beacon member to serve as your proxy voter. A member can serve as proxy for only one other Beacon member. The Directory on the Members-only section of our website lists all members as of mid-February. When someone agrees to serve as your proxy, please state this in an email to paul.beier@nau.edu (Beacon’s Secretary) and CC your proxy. 

For the AgendaProposed Changes to Beacon bylaws, and Brief Bio Sketches of Nominees for Board Officers, the Leadership Succession Planning Team, and the Ministerial Search Committee, please click here.
BEACON'S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2022 THROUGH 2025
The Beacon Board of Trustees has developed a long-term strategic plan to promote Beacon's mission in five important areas:
·       Ministry
·       Congregational Vitality
·       Leadership
·       Stewardship
·       Community Impact. 

To view the plan, please click here.
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.
A BIG BEACON ¡BIEN HECHO!
TO ALL THE YARD SALE VOLUNTEERS
“Great job” getting all the donated items down from the attic and the upstairs storeroom, setting up all the tables and easy ups, arranging more donated items than we have ever put up for sale, and assisting buyers with information and pricing for our first ever two-day sale. 

Beacon received $2904.98 from the annual back yard sale this year. We had $1045.00 from this year’s online yard sale and another $500 from other sources this year for a total of $4449.98. 

The real benefit was the opportunity to gather in the back yard, to swap stories and talk to old friends and newcomers. The good time we spent together with live music by Barry and Jim soothed the aches and pains of all the work. May future yard sales be more good time and less hard work. Thank you all for supporting Beacon.
Dennis, Yard Sale Coordinator
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
DRU AND STEPHANIE’S YEAR IN REVIEW!

Thank you to Stephanie, Dru, and Alexei! For summaries of our this year's remote RE classes as well as feedback from the youth, please click here.

We’ll be meeting this summer to plan Religious Exploration programs for children, youth and adults, beginning in the fall. 

Click here to check out our RE programs from years past.
OWL WEEKEND IS COMING JULY 29-31
The Beacon Religious Exploration program is excited to announce Our Whole Lives (OWL) Weekend will be held July 29-31, 2022, for youth who completed grades 8-10 this school year. (A detailed schedule will follow.)

Required parent orientations will be held on Sunday, July 24 from 12 to 2 p.m. or Wednesday, July 27 from 6 to 8 p.m

For more information, visit here (our website). To sign up and/or to ask questions, please email edrumonroe@gmail.com.
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.
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.

RU a UU? will resume meeting in the Fall. Please stay tuned for notices about future adult education offerings.
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 June 5th, 2022

Theresa expressed gratitude for the congregation's hard work for the annual yard sale.

MaryLynn S. is lamenting the closing of the Glendale UU Church after 38 years.

Kim A. shared that she has given away bags of toiletries to the homeless, and they were well-received.

Bailey (accompanist) shared her joy from being with us and her sorrow that today was her last day.

Mark thanked Barry M. and John G. for their guitar performances during the yard sale.

Bob B is glad to be here. He has been coming to Beacon on and off for 25 years.
April-June 2022 Share the Plate Partner
Beacon’s community partner for April-June 2022 is
Northland Family Help Center (NFHC).

For April-June 2022, Beacon will Share the Plate with Northland Family Help Center (NFHC), whose mission is to provide safe haven, advocacy, counseling, and education to promote and restore healthy relationships. 
 
Northland Family Help Center became a merger of Northland Crisis Nursery and Women’s Resource Center in 1991. In 1999, House Haven for Advocacy (H.A.L.O) and Women’s Resource Center opened two separate shelters for women and children with 36 beds.

  • NFHC'S Domestic Violence Shelter provides safe shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, counseling, and life skills training to those affected along with support for sexual assault and sexual trafficking (Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking)   
  • NFHC's Youth Shelter has 15 beds and offers shelter and respite care which is gender inclusive for unaccompanied children and youth. 
  • NFHC provides out-patient professional counseling services free of charge for eligible individuals, assistance in developing a personal plan, a healing environment, education in life skills, and toiletries, clothing and food.  
  • NFHC provides community education in sexual violence prevention including safe dates and training for alcohol-serving staff on interventions.   

Undesignated Sunday morning offerings above $750 per quarter (above $250 per month) are presented to the chosen organization each quarter.  

Beacon members are encouraged to nominate organizations and can fill out a nomination form located in the CAC folder in the office manager’s office. CAC members are Susan Patrick, Katy Grant , and Lynda 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 deductions,” 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.
ANNUAL UU GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Annual General Assembly will take place June 22-26, 2022, in Portland, OR. The GA is multi-platform with all sessions available on line. Grace Ditsworth and Lynda Dorweiler will be serving as Beacon UU's GA delegates.

Learn more about GA at http://www.uua.org/ga The site also includes information about housing if you chose to attend in person.
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
THE BIG SEND IS BACK!
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.
Side with Love Action Center

The work that we do together to build a world in which all of us are free and thriving is interrelated. When we ground our spirits, grow our skills, and act strategically for justice in deep relationship with each other and our Movements, we choose to Side With Love.

Action Center is a place where we unite in work towards a world where we all thrive. Together we take action, Side With Love, and make deep impacts in this critical moment. Links for various action areas such as Democracy, LGBTQ and Gender Justice, and Climate Justice.

Dive into the Side with Love’s annual 30 Days of Love here:
~ Beacon Connections ~
Volunteer At Flagstaff Food Center With Beacon!
Volunteers Are Needed for June 22nd.
The Flagstaff Food Center is doing small group volunteers for their dinner service! Beacon is looking for a group of five (5) to seven (7) volunteers. Volunteers are needed the 4th & 5th Wednesdays of every month, from 3pm-5pm. The dinner service is at the FFFC Kitchen (1903 N 2nd Street). Beacon's next volunteer date is June 22nd from 3:30-5:45 p.m.

It's now a hybrid operation with To-Go meals and Dine-in service.

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.
UU Upcoming Events
2022 UU Family Summer Camp
at Camp de Benneville Pines
Angelus Oaks, CA

Sunday, July 24 – Saturday, July 30, 2022
 
Family camp is a wonderful time to come together in community and celebrate. Registration fees range from $400-$500 per person.
UU Youth Camping Opportunities
at Camp de Benneville Pines
Angelus Oaks, CA



Elementary Camp (completing 2nd- 5th grade)
Sunday, July 3–Saturday, July 9, 2022 $699 per person

CIT Program (14-18 years old)
Sunday, July 3–Saturday, July 9, 2022 $500 per person

Junior High Camp (completing 6th-8th grade)
Sunday, July 10–Saturday, July 16, 2022 $699 per person

Senior High Camp (completing 9th-12th grade)
Sunday, July 17–Saturday, July 23, 2022 Register online to get a spot on the waitlist.

 To learn more, go to http://www.uucamp.org
UU Youth Camps in the West
through Pacific Western Region UU Youth Ministries
Both camps are open to Middle & High School Campers! Click on the links for more information.

QUUest Camp - Our week-long, residential camp in the mountains. July 3-9, 2022, Casper, Wyoming

Camp Blue Boat - Our week-long, residential camp in the Pacific Northwest. July 17-22, 2022, Ellensburg, WA

Other Events in Arizona
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.
This Week at Beacon ~
No In Person Worship Service at Beacon
Annual Labyrinth Walk Service at the Flagstaff Community Labyrinth
Sunday, June 12th, 2022,
at 10:00 a.m.
You can keep up with future Beacon events by checking out the Beacon calendar!
Everyday Ways to Support Beacon
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.
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.comOnce 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? Pleae leave them on a card in the bin in the lobby, or send them to Rev. Robin. 
Beacon Office Hours & 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 www.uurobinzucker.com
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: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 3:00 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. 
These are not from her! The emails received ask the recipient to purchase gift cards. Please do not respond to or act on these emails. Rev. Robin will only email you from minister@beaconuu.com or rzflowingforce@gmail.com

As a personal habit, always check the sender's email address before responding.
Avoid this scam!
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. 

~ Beacon Google Group ~
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:
Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News

Newsletter submissions must be submitted by Wednesday at 4:00 pm 
to office@beaconuu.com in order to be included in the newsletter.