Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492
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E-News for April 8 - 22, 2021
Please note that this is a multi-week Newsletter
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Sunday, April 11, 2021:
"Let Go...Of Everything You Fear to Lose" Rev. Glenn Farley will reflect on the direction that Yoda spoke to Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars, Ep. III, and what it may mean for our earthbound lives. Rev. Robin hosts, with music from Roomie Wood and Stephanie Galloway.
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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Sunday, April 18, 2021:
"The Answer is Everything!” How do we move from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking when our lives feel stuck, we are ill or under duress, when we’ve been living a pandemic reality for 13 months, or the future looks bleak? In this sermon during the blossoming of Spring, we’ll explore with us the spiritual, physical and emotional benefits of answering “Everything” to the question: “What can I look forward to?” Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker preaching, with Worship Associate Andy Hogg, and music from Roomie Wood, Stephanie Galloway, Kim Angelo and Gabe Hernandez.
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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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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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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 received another phone call and/or an email from one of our team leaders to connect in early December. 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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Stewardship Update April 8, 2021
The stewardship campaign is close to the finish line. As of today we have received 50 pledge forms for a total of $108,385, which is 93% of last year’s pledge total. Thank you all for your incredible generosity toward Beacon. This is also a reminder for the last dozen of you who have yet to submit your pledge forms to get them in as soon as possible so that the finance committee and board can work on next year’s budget. We would like to thank those of you who volunteered to call all Beacon members and friends. For those of us who made the calls, it was a very rewarding experience. The feedback from all of you was universally positive and demonstrated an enduring commitment to Beacon and an eager anticipation of the day we can start meeting in person again.
With warm regards from your stewardship co-chairs.
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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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Small COVID-Safe Soiree Circles have formed. Signs Up still open. |
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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 the program is organized and how to host these gatherings and to 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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If you have items to donate to the Beacon Yard Sale, contact yardsale@beaconuu.com. Mark your calendars for a masked, socially distanced, annual yard sale in the Beacon back yard on the first Saturday in June (6/5/2021). Some donated items may be sold online before June. You can shop the items online here.
Dennis Spurlin
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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.
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:
April 11 “Lifted”
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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:
April 11, 2021 - "Majority Rule"
Orville, Season 1, Episode 7
Theme: The episode examines "mob mentality," the court of public opinion, and the role of social media.
Meeting ID: 756 535 1859
Passcode: 510
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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UU Encounters with the Bible
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Facililtated by Gary Ezzell, Eric Arellano, Jonathan Hohn at the UU Congregation of Phoenix. Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 pm beginning March 24th. 5 sessions. (Subject to change depending on the needs of the registrants)
Our UU tradition claims the Bible as one of our sources of wisdom, but we seldom hear references to it during Sunday service. Is any of it still relevant to us? Technology has changed, but people have not. These sessions will explore some of the stories and writings that can be meaningful to those of us who have a wide variety of religious and philosophical perspectives.
The plan is to have five sessions of about one hour each. During the first, we will primarily introduce ourselves, our backgrounds, and our interests, all of which will influence the content of the next four sessions. Potential topics: Wisdom literature from the Old Testament, e.g. Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes; and Jesus’ teachings, e.g. Sermon on the Mount and the parables. We’ll be using “Understanding the Bible” by John Buehrens, a former UUA president, as a reference. If you have questions, contact gaezzell@gmail.com.
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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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~ Monthly Touchstone Theme: ~ Mindfulness
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March Theme - Mindfulness
Chalice Circle Meeting
Tuesday, April 27 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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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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UU Justice Arizona is teaming up with Side With Love and UU The Vote for three exciting Social Justice opportunities!
If you've been wondering what all the fuss is about, but haven’t engaged yet with UUJAZs work . . . this is the time to check it out! Join us on Wednesday the 7th via Zoom to learn everything you need to know to participate in an anti-racism action with UUJAZ, Side With Love, UU the Vote, and UUs from across the country. We know you've been wanting to ACT for racial justice in partnership with BLM Metro Phoenix, Poder in Action, Mass Liberation, Phoenix Local Organizing Committee, White People Against White Supremacy, . . consider this the invitation you've been waiting for.
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As UUs we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Join UUJAZ to learn more about LGBTQ+ discrimination in employment, healthcare, youth sports, and adoptions and what will happen if Roe v. Wade falls, what anti-abortion laws are currently being proposed in the state legislature, and what laws already exist. Hear from our partners at Planned Parenthood Action AZ and Equality AZ about what you can do to defend LGBTQ+ and gender justice! Register here.
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Book GroUUp 3rd Fridays, 12-1:30 pm What legacy will you leave your beloved: your children, grandchildren, congregation, community, and/or country about how you worked to dismantle systemic racism during your lifetime? What will you bequeath to your beloved? What is your hope for their future, for Beloved Community? Join Rev. Tina Squire and Steve Kraynak on the third Friday of each month for a justice-centered book discussion from the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist values. Here we will use reading, conversation, and writing to answer these questions. April 16, 2021: Discuss BREATHE – A Letter To My Sons by Imani Perry May 21, 2021: Read aloud our own letters we've written to our Beloved. Register here.
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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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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, April 11, 2021
10 am - 11 am
Let Go...Of Everything You Fear to Lose
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Post-Service Gathering
Sunday, April 11, 2020
11:00 am
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Cartuuns
Sunday, April 11 “Lifted"
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Fifth Dimension
Sunday, April 11, 2021
11am-12:45pm
"Majority Rule"
Orville Season 1, Episode 7
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,
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!
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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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