Spiritually Open, Intentionally Inclusive since 1958
510 N Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4492e
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E-News for August 4th, 2022 - August 11th, 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, August 7, 2022, at 10 a.m.
“An Infinitely Expanding Universe”
ALL ARE WELCOME! You BELONG at Beacon. Spiritually open and intentionally inclusive since 1958.
Buddhist scripture states, “... there are thousands of suns, thousands of moons, thousands of inhabited worlds of varying sorts.” Popular imagination and government funding of scientific studies are illuminating the idea that we are not the only intelligent life in the universe. If true, it would be exciting, frightening, and challenging within the living tradition of our faith. Rev. Patrice Curtis, preaching, with Worship Associate Andy Hogg and music from Andrez Alcazar.
Our Guest Minister Today:
Rev. Patrice Curtis is the Transformational Interim Ministries Director on the UUA Ministry and Faith Development team. Patrice collaborates with and supports interim ministers and religious professionals, in amplifying diversity, equity, and inclusion within congregations, and in disrupting unhealthy cultural patterns that make Beloved Community difficult to realize. Patrice is currently the Affiliate Minister with UUCP. Patrice interned at First Unitarian in Portland, OR, and has served the congregations of Clearwater, Florida; Washington, DC; and the Church of the Larger Fellowship.
Rev. Robin will be away on Study Leave and back in the pulpit on Sunday, September 4. In the meantime, August at Beacon will continue with a great line-up of worship services with social hour to follow:
- Sunday, August 14: Andy Hogg’s Beatles-themed Rock n’ Roll service
- Sunday, August 21: Rev. Anthony Mtuaswa Johnson, Sedona UU Fellowship
- Sunday, August 28: Janine Gelsinger, Exec. Director of UU Justice Arizona
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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:
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, 2022, Choir Rehearsals will be held on TUESDAY nights at 7 p.m.
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RESULTS OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
HELD ON SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2022
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On June 19, 2022, we held a well-attended and successful Annual Meeting. Several bylaw changes and the budget for 2022-23 were approved. The new Board of Trustees, Ministerial Search Committee and Leadership Succession Planning Team were all voted in unanimously.
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Board of Trustees: Lynda Dorweiler, President; Dennis Spurlin, VP; Paul Beier, Secretary; Barry Brenneman, Treasurer; Members at Large: Tom Barberic, Kim Angelo, and Holly Taylor.
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Ministerial Search Committee: Cheryl Austin, Katy Grant, Andy Hogg, lore dickey, Char Tarashanti, and Collin Weller.
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Leadership Succession Planning Team: Wendy Bruun, Jeremy Young, Theresa DeBoer, Mary Poore, and Bill Towler.
Thank you to all leaders who have served and will serve in the coming fiscal year.
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BEACON'S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2022 THROUGH 2025 |
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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.
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SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD
June 27, 2022
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As the newly elected Board president, I do want to keep the congregation aware of what we are doing. The minutes are available on the web site, but a short summary each month will hopefully let you know what is going on.
We met 27 June 2022 and agreed to proceed with an auction this year. A Personnel Committee was recruited, and as we prepare for a new minister, the Board wants to invigorate the Congregational Vitality Committee. This requires volunteer work, so we will be asking people to step forward to help and lead the committee.
The Board is beginning an exploration of the 8th Principle which the UUA feels is vital to our commitment to social justice.
Each month we recognize congregants who have been especially helpful. Linda Ochi gave a meaningful talk on abuse and is always alert to the nurturing of children. Dennis Spurlin was very helpful in making sure all Board members can access the Beacon drive and has given many hours to the security of our website. Thank you.
In covenant,
Lynda L. Dorweiler, Board President.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
RU a UU? will resume meeting in the Fall. 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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CHEAP LUNCH BUNCH IS BACK! |
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The Cheap Lunch Bunch convenes for lunch at various local eateries on a weekday every two to three weeks. Eating outside prevents the spread of covid, and eating at 11:30 a.m. should beat the lunch rush and afternoon rain. The group recently met on Friday, July 29th at Kachina Kitchen, which opened its outside seating area. ALL ARE WELCOME! To opine on the time and location of the next gathering and to be included in all the group's future emails, please email Anne at wittke.anne@gmail.com.
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JULY-SEPTEMBER 2022 SHARE THE PLATE PARTNER
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Beacon’s community partner for July-September 2022 is
Northern Arizona Interfaith Council/Northern Arizona Interfaith Institutions for Community Leadership (NAIC/NAICL).
For July-September 2022, Beacon UU will Share the Plate with Northern Arizona Interfaith Council/Northern Arizona Interfaith Institutions for Community Leadership (NAIC/NAICL).
NAIC/NAICL is a non-partisan interdenominational organization dedicated to building leadership for civic participation across lines of race, class, age, and religion. NAICL organizes in support of issues that advance the common good, e.g. promotion of the proposed City housing bond, presentation of a pre-election Accountability Session with candidates for local elections, getting out the vote, and supporting immigrant families.
NAICL’s goals are as follows:
- To build relationships across our community based on trust and a willingness to listen to each other.
- To equip our members and leadership with skills and practices to get results.
- To achieve change on concrete issues, as part of our common call to justice.
Undesignated contributions to the Sunday service offerings above $300 will be presented to NAIC/NAICL. Nominations for 501c3 agencies can be made through a form located in the office manager’s office. CAC members are Katy Grant, Susan Patrick and Lynda L. Dorweiler.
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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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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ACTIVATE AT BEACON WITH 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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BEFORE YOU DIE:
A POETIC EXPLORATION OF REFLECTING ON DEATH
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You are invited to join this four-week online study group which explores Maranasati, the Buddhist daily practice of reflecting on one's own death.
The group is hosted by Brian Lesage of the Flagstaff sangha and begins on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 6 p.m. For more information and to register, please click here.
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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:
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Visit votefwd.org/dashboard to complete your Vote Forward registration. If you need help, take a look at our instructions.
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When your account is approved, log in at votefwd.org.
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Choose a key state or district letter writing campaign, and “adopt” voters on your Vote Forward dashboard.
- Download, print, and prepare your letters.
- Keep your finished letters somewhere safe.
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Mail your letters on October 29—right before Election Day when they’ll have the greatest impact.
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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 NEEDED FOR AUGUST 24th AND 31st.
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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-6pm. The dinner service is at the FFFC Kitchen (1903 N 2nd Street). Beacon's next volunteer dates are August 24th and August 31st from 3:00-6:00 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.
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2022 UU Summer Break Camp for Adults
at Camp de Benneville Pines
Angelus Oaks, CA
Friday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Attend Summer Break—a summer camp for adults — where UUs and like-minded friends commune with nature and each other. Base price: $540 per person includes lodging, programming and all meals. For more information, please click here.
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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, August 7th, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.
“An Infinitely Expanding Universe”
in the 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. If you shop at all at Fry's grocery, you can either sign up for your own VIP account (identifying Beacon UUC FE392 as your beneficiary) or use the church phone number (928-779-4492) to get any available discounts AND earn some money for Beacon. Currently, there are 8 households signed up, and Beacon earned $15.30 for this quarter.
If you want to take advantage of Fry's gasoline discounts, you'll want your own VIP account. You can create or edit an existing individual account at www.frysfood.com/account/create/ (Alt ID is typically your phone number.) Within your account settings, just click on Community Rewards and search for FE392 (Flagstaff's Beacon UU) to set Beacon as your beneficiary.
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? Please leave them on a card in the bin in the lobby, or send them to Rev. Robin.
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~ BEACON OFFICE HOURS AND 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)
Get to know Rev. Robin at
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RE Team
We have an incredibly strong team leading our RE this year. You can direct your RE questions to Linda: lindaochi31@gmail.com
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Office Manager
Paula Czernicki
she/her/hers
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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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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