Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492e
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E-News for May 12th - 19th, 2022 |
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- 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.)
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Service For Sunday, May 15th, 2022, at 10 a.m.
“The Dangers of Radical Secularism”
All are welcome!
We hear a lot about the dangers of fundamentalist Christians, militant Hindus, and, of course, Islamic extremism. Each of these movements poses some dangers, but the greatest danger facing us today is secularism--the view that nothing is sacred and that moral norms are baseless. Contrary to what we are told by our leading intellectuals and mainstream media, the fate of the earth depends on us seeing the world in religious terms.
Our guest speaker this morning is Marcus Ford, a long-time resident of Flagstaff, a retired professor of humanities, and the co-founder of Flagstaff College along with Sandra Lubarsky. Rev. Robin will host the service, with music from Jason Drahos and Bailey Cunningham.
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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.
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MAKING MUSIC AT BEACON!
The choir rehearses at 7 p.m. on Mondays.
All are welcome to join the choir. Masks are optional.
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BLESSING BAGS FOR THE HOMELESS |
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Until May 22nd, you are encouraged to sign up to donate items for blessing bags for the homeless. Please note your donations on the donation sign-up sheet in the Social Hall. Suggested items include socks, protein bars, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, disinfecting wipes, deodorant, combs, bus passes, shave cream, and disposable razors.
After the May 22nd service, using the donated items, we plan to assemble blessing bags, which will be distributed directly to the community's unsheltered individuals through interested Beacon UU congregants.
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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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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.
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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.
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ANNUAL BEACON YARD SALE
JUNE 3RD AND 4TH, 2022
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Spring has arrived, and the 2022 Annual Beacon Yard Sale is just weeks away! The Annual Beacon Yard Sale is scheduled over two days: from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 3rd and from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 4th in the Beacon Backyard.
We will have lots of sale items and will need lots of help getting ready. If you are interested in volunteering and/or you have something to donate, please do let Dennis know. This is a great opportunity to work with members of the congregation to raise money for our annual budget. Thank you for supporting Beacon!
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The 2020-2021 year Religious Exploration classes were a great success. We are so grateful for the dedication and creativity of our Beacon teachers, Dru Monroe and Stephanie Van Belle and their counterparts at Granite Peak UU in Prescott.
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Kids at Beacon- All are welcome!
Children and youth are always welcome in worship! We do ask that children over 3 years old wear a face mask while in the church building. There will be activity packets available for children during the service.
YOUTH RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
For now, classes will remain virtual. We appreciate your support in volunteering for RE!
K-5th CartUUns
2nd and 4th Sundays
10am-11am
During each class, we watch a Pixar short; discuss values, thoughts, and feelings about the themes presented; and complete some related crafts and activities. Please join us on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82261886552?pwd=ZnNuY1lSVGxiVTRVREMzYldUaURTdz09
Meeting ID: 822 6188 6552
Passcode: beacon510
May 22:
We will celebrate the close of our RE year by playing some virtual games and holding a small ceremony to recognize each child's unique personality and their invaluable contributions to our CartUUns class this year.
Middle School D'oh God
2nd and 4th Sundays
11:30am-12:45pm
Please join us on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83157068793?pwd=TEhDWE9KUlYzeEp0MlhIV2tManEwQT09
Meeting ID: 831 5706 8793
Passcode: beacon510
May 22:
For our final class of the year, we will celebrate with a recognition of the unique contributions each student brought to our D'oh God discussions and play some really delightful virtual games! Please join us for some fun and heartfelt thanks from your teachers!!
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS
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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.
2022: June 5th (with sessions resuming in September 2022)
Please stay tuned for notices about future adult education offerings.
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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. 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.
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Joys and Sorrows from May 8th, 2022
Tom expressed his appreciation for the concert by Austin at NAU.
Gini reminded all of the plight of the homeless within the community and encouraged each congregant to donate to bags for the homeless.
Jason is celebrating his graduation from NAU with a Master's degree.
Grace is sorrowful and concerned about a neighbor's recent mental break.
Roz cherished the recent memorial service for Mary Jo Rybolt.
Bob was elated by the spontaneous pro-choice rally in town in the past week.
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April-June 2022 Share the Plate Partner |
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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 $250 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.
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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.
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Activate at Beacon with the Social Justice Allies! |
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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
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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:
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Volunteer At Flagstaff Food Center With Beacon!
Volunteers Are Still Needed for May 25th.
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The Flagstaff Food Center is doing small group volunteers for their dinner service! Beacon is looking for a group of six (6) 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 May 25th.
Currently, there is no indoor dining. All the dinners are distributed in to-go containers through a walk-up window. Volunteers are needed to portion meals into to-go containers, hand food out through our walk-up window, and wash serving pans.
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.
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Book GroUUp Spring 2022
3rd Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Join UUJAZ each month for a justice-centered book discussion from the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist values.
Purchasing your books from the UUA Bookstore, InSpirit, supports the work of our faith tradition.
Book GroUUp is free to all our monthly sustaining donors. If you wish to join but aren't a donor, you can contribute a suggested donation of $10 per group. If you aren't financially able to donate, join us anyway!
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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 $350-$450 per person if registered by May 31st.
The 2022 Rainbow Family Camp is sold out! However, you can still get on the waitlist.
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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 $649 per person if registered by May 31st
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 $649 per person if registered by May 31st
Senior High Camp (completing 9th-12th grade)
Sunday, July 17–Saturday, July 23, 2022 Register online to get a spot on the waitlist.
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UU Youth Camps in the West
through Pacific Western Region UU Youth Ministries
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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
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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/
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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
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Lifespan Religious Exploration Resources for Learning About and Responding to Racism |
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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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Worship Service
Sunday, May 15th, 2022
10:00am
“The Dangers of Radical Secularism”
Beacon Sanctuary
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You can keep up with future Beacon events by checking out the Beacon calendar!
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Everyday Ways to Support Beacon |
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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? Pleae 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
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)
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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
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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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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!
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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:
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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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