Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492e
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E-News for May 13 - 20, 2021
Please note that this is a Weekly Newsletter
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Virtual Worship for May 16, 2021
“Celebrating Life, Informed By Death” As fellow travelers on this life journey, we are each charged with the challenge of preparing for our certain death. In gently holding that awareness, we may find a clearer appreciation for, and expression of, our living. This presentation explores how we might meet this event with intention and creativity. Mark James, preaching. Hosted by Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker, with music from Stephanie Galloway, and recorded selections.
Come to the Post-Service Gatherings at 11!
Come to the Post-Service Gatherings on Zoom at 11 am to connect, share joys and sorrows, and reflect on the service. The Zoom link can be found in our e-news on the Beacon website. Sign up to receive the e-news directly!
~ Please join us after the service ~
Join our post gathering discussion by clicking the link below
Passcode: 968647
Or call +1 669 900 6833 and enter Meeting ID: 733 037 203
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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 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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SUMMER IS A’COMIN! ARE YOU?
Summer Sunday Service plans shaping up at Beacon!
Please read: We’d like feedback from you!
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Good news—we will be getting together this summer! We are tentatively planning to begin in-person services outdoors in Beacon’s backyard on Sunday June 20th. Rev. Robin is planning services that are shorter and more casual – a “summer meeting” style. We won’t be singing, although we’ll hear music and can hum to some familiar hymns and songs.
Outdoor services will begin at 9:00AM instead of 10:00AM in order to reduce the impact of sun, wind, and monsoon. We also encourage you to plan and dress for the weather, such as bringing a hat and water. Building entry will be allowed for use of the rear restroom only. Childcare and children’s programming are to be determined.
We will be taking precautions by remaining masked, staying outdoors, providing hand sanitizer, and not providing refreshments. This is possible because of the availability of COVID vaccines and the protection provided by universal masking and Mother Nature’s ventilation system.
However, to help us plan, we would like to know from you:
1. Are you likely to attend outdoor services this summer? (How many in your household?)
2. Do you expect to be fully vaccinated by June 20th? (How many in your household?)
Note: Being vaccinated is NOT a prerequisite for attendance. Being masked IS.
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Porch Visits with Rev. Robin
(Weather Permitting)
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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Beacon Buzz from The Board |
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Greetings fellow Beaconites! The Board continues to attend to important church matters, whether fiscal health, staffing changes, updating policy, or developing guidelines for summer Outdoor services.
Two important upcoming dates we would like you to mark in your calendars:
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Budget Town Hall
Sunday, May 16th
11 am on Zoom
At this meeting, we will present the initial 2021-22 budget (anticipated income and expenses), answer any questions, and gather feedback.
Meeting ID: 756 535 1859
Password: beacon510
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Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 13th
11 am on Zoom
At this meeting, we will elect Board members and members of the Leadership Success Planning Team, vote on the budget, vote on any proposed Bylaw changes, and more.
Meeting ID: 756 535 1859
Password: beacon510
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Building and Grounds Workday
May 15 at Beacon UU
9am-12pm
Come and help clean and prepare our backyard in preparation for outside services in June! Bring your gloves, hat, water, and snacks.
Work will be done outside, but please bring a mask in case of close encounters. Hope to see you there!
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Beacon UU's highly anticipated Yard Sale is returning! And we need your help to make it just as great as it can be!
Donations are still being collected, and we're happy to take anything you, your family, and/or your friends are willing to part with! That quarantine purchase that's just taking up space? The remaining boxes from spring cleaning? The baby dolls your kids have long grown out of? We're happy to take it! Contact yardsale@beaconuu.com about dropping off your boxes. There are volunteers available if you need pickup services! The office manager or Dennis Spurlin can get you in contact with these volunteers for scheduling.
Want to volunteer? We are still looking for helping hands! If you are able to help with setup on Friday, June 4th, or with tasks on the Saturday of the sale, contact Dennis Spurlin (yardsale@beaconuu.com).
Spread the word! Tell everyone about the sale so we can have a successful year. The sale will be Saturday, June 5th, 2021, from 7am until noon in the Beacon backyard. There will be crowd control and social distancing, and we please ask that you wear a mask while perusing the treasures to keep everyone safe.
Hope to see you there!
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Sign-Ups For Circle Soirees at Beacon! |
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Circle Soirees are a great way for us to connect, in the tradition of the Circle Suppers that Beacon has held for over 30 years. The new name was adopted at the outset of covid to emphasize that the gatherings could be hikes, picnics, or other events that allow more social distancing than a traditional “supper.”
If you want to laugh with friends, experience socialization outside of Zoom, or just want to see your Beacon pals again, consider signing up to host or participate!
Sign up with this online form by Monday, May 31st to be included in a Soiree! Sign-up includes 3-4 meetings with 6-8 people over the course of June to September. Each semi-randomly aggregated group will individually decide what to do, where/when to meet, and if a meal will be included (commonly potluck style.) There is an option in the form for dates you are unavailable and any placement or other requests you may have. Sign-ups open to any friend or member of Beacon!
Please respect the wishes of the most Covid-cautious person in your circle. Over the past year, each of us has had huge swings in how we perceive risk, appropriate behavior, and whether our community will reach herd immunity. Doubtless these perceptions will continue to evolve in the next 4 months, so it’d be pointless to specify a rigid set of rules. Instead, let’s all use the latest information in making requests, and most importantly, let’s all respect each other.
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Religious Exploration
We encourage Beacon families to continue Religious Exploration at home!
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Meet Our Wonderful Teachers in the colorful presentation of words and pictures– Stephanie Van Belle and Dru Monroe of Beacon and Bev Bostrom and Robert Shegog from Granite Peak in Prescott. What are their favorite colors and movies. Did you know Dru loves sea lions and munching on popcorn and Stephanie is always up got family road trips and Mexican food? These fine folk have shepherded our children and youth through the pandemic with love, wit, dedication and creativity. Learn more about the programs we’ve been offering, too, and some memorable moments from our successful collaboration. Click "Check it out!"
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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.
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Religious Exploration for Children
~Beacon at Home~
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:
May 23rd “Partly Cloudy”
Theme: Friendship and Loyalty
There will also be an awards ceremony on May 23rd, the last day of the session.
Meeting ID: 963 8007 4881
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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:
May 23, 2021 the class will celebrate their final session with games and an awards ceremony.
Meeting ID: 756 535 1859
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!"
Religious Exploration for Adults
New Programs Coming Soon
“Daring Greatly” was a success and a meaningful experience for participants. Thanks to all who attended. Rev. Robin is working on choosing a new resource for a similar type of reading and reflection format to begin in the Fall. Details and dates to come.
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Thursdays - 7:00 pm with Katherine Kruse
Meeting ID: 997 2737 0395 | Passcode: 001050
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New York Center For Nonviolence
The Online Compassion Course 2021
The Compassion Course is a comprehensive, online, one-year educational program that makes the skills of compassionate living available to anyone, regardless of economic and time constraints. Through our unique global format, participants can enjoy a meaningful sense of connection and expanded learning while preserving personal space and time.
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Start off your school or work week with a musical oasis of serenity and beauty!
Justin Furnia, UUCR's beloved staff pianist, will offer a 30-minute music meditation each Monday night from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Eastern) live-streamed on UUCR's public Facebook page. (Church Website)
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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: ~ Acceptance
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Touchstone Chalice
Circle
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May Theme - Acceptance
Chalice Circle Meeting
Tuesday, May 25th at 7 Pm
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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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All Virtual UUA General Assembly – June 23-27, 2021
2021 Theme is “Circle ‘Round for Justice, Healing and Courage”
Register Now and Consider being a Beacon Delegate! Funds available for registration costs. All the details can be found at https://www.uua.org/ga You can learn about the programs for children, youth and adults, workshops, worship services, social justice initiatives, singing in the virtual choir!, and meaningful experience of representing your congregation on resolutions and other matters. We are certified for two delegates. Nancy Paxton will serve as one of them; if you are a member, please consider serving as the other delegate. Let Rev. Robin know. There are funds to cover the $200 registration cost and also for youth registrations.
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Navajo Nation
continues to need our support
In the midst of snow and really cold temperatures, a heaping pickup truckload of food, cleaning, and health supplies arrived in Holbrook for our Navajo Nation neighbors at the beginning of February, thanks to the generosity and efforts of our UUCP congregation. Gratitude abounds in a situation of continuing COVID infections, lingering long-term effects, difficult infrastructure, long distances, scarcity of supplies, long lines. Many thanks to all those who were able to contribute cash, supplies, shopping to this effort. We look forward to hearing about a new effort they have begun in response to a need to improve nutrition: baking their own bread, for which we sent up ingredients. Don't we wish we could help test the results!
Many thanks for your assistance – spreading care and concern is a small way we can help provide an antidote to a spreading virus.
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Trans Inclusion in Congregations from Transforming Hearts Collective UUJAZ is thrilled to provide access to this online course on radical welcoming for all AZ UUs, thanks to a generous grant from the UU Funding panel. This course on transformational culture shift counts towards your annual Welcoming Congregation renewal. Contact us for your free login code (usually $125 per person) to explore this course at your own pace, or create a group at your congregation to take it together! If you’re interested in taking this course through UUJAZ, Janine Gelsinger is happy to schedule a time to facilitate. Contact her at uujaz.director@gmail.com.
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Keep Phoenix Together DACA Clinic A court ruling recently reinstated the DACA immigration policy, and the UUJAZ is partnering with Keep Phoenix Together to assist Dreamers with their applications. Anyone who can spare a few hours down in Phoenix on a Saturday is welcome to sign up to volunteer and help out with what can be a life-saving application for many! No special language or legal skills necessary. Held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 12-4pm at First Church UCC Phoenix.
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UU Events Across The Nation |
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#TheVUU - A UU Talk Show Want a weekly dose of UU chatting? The VUU is a weekly talk show brought to you by The Church of the Larger Fellowship. Aisha Hauser, Christina Rivera, Rev Michael Tino, Quiana Perkins, and Dawn Fortune discuss today's topics from a multicultural, anti-oppressive perspective. Episodes stream every Thursday and are archived on the CLFUU Youtube Page.
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Hatha Yoga Class Roseann Shaiman of UU Montclair is a practicing psychotherapist and certified yoga instructor doing yoga classes Tuesdays at 930am EST. There is a $10 donation, proceeds go to supporting UUMC. Classes are for all experience levels and will include gentle stretches, breath work, and deep relaxation exercises. Email officemgr@uumontclair.org to be added to the class list. Donations can be made here under 'Yoga Donations'.
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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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Healing Racism and Murdoch Center Programs and Events
Healing Racism Arizona and the Murdoch Community Center in Flagstaff have several events in the next few weeks that might be of interest to the Beacon community. Healing Racism Arizona is accessible through Facebook. The live events for the Murdoch Community Center are also through Facebook
And can be watched afterwards on their YouTube channel Tune in here.
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Worship
Sunday, May 16, 2021
10 am - 11 am
“Celebrating Life, Informed By Death”
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Post-Service Gathering
Sunday, May 16, 2021
11:00 am
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Cartuuns
Sunday, May 23
10am-10:45am
“Partly Cloudy"
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Fifth Dimension
Sunday, May 23
11am-12:45pm
Final Session - Games/Awards Ceremony
Passcode: 510
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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,
Alexei Besser-Gilbert
Mon: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 3:00 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!
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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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