~ 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.)

SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, JULY 23RD, 2023, AT 10:00 A.M.

“CLIMATE REFUGEES - A PLEA FOR RESPONSIBILITY”

with Stefan Sommer, PhD

ALL ARE WELCOME! You BELONG at Beacon - Spiritually open and intentionally inclusive since 1958.

As we barrel on towards 1.5°C warming in 2028, what can we say about the effects this is having on our fellow humans and other fellow inhabitants of planet Earth? How are they being affected and what is our responsibility? Is it a “sin” if we drive another species to extinction? Since we all have our individual carbon footprint and are part of the overall collective carbon footprint, where does our responsibility lie?  Stefan Sommer preaching with Worship Associate Char Tarashanti; music by George Murphy with Simon Cunningham, accompanist; and Social Justice Witness from Larry Spade of Servants at Work (SAWs), an ecumenical nonprofit that builds wheelchair ramps for those who cannot afford them. Following the service, there will be an Estate Planning Seminar sponsored by the Beacon Endowment Board of Governors and presented by local attorney Alexandra Shroufe.

Stefan Sommer, Ph.D., is a Science Communicator, film producer, author, and public speaker as well as Founding Board member and speaker for the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance and Founding Board member and speaker for NAU’s Sustainable Ambassadors Program. Sommer writes for the Arizona Daily Sun as author of the column “Spotlight on Climate” and has served as executive producer of four award-winning PBS documentaries on biodiversity and habitat conservation.

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR

FOLLOWING THE SERVICE

On Sunday, July 23, 2023, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Alexandra Shroufe, a Flagstaff attorney who practices real estate and elder law, will join us to provide information and answer questions regarding Estate Planning. This session is sponsored by Beacon’s Endowment Board of Governors, who hope you will find it to be both informative and helpful to you and your family.

KIDS AT BEACON - ALL ARE WELCOME!

Children and youth are always welcome in worship!

There are activity packets available for children during the service.

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION IS BACK IN THE BUILDING!



There will also be weekly in-person Religious Exploration for young children (newborns to fifth grade) in the Rainbow Space during the service. See the longer article below about Religious Exploration.

~ THIS WEEK AT BEACON ~

Looking Ahead:

On Sunday, July 30th, Khara House (Lived Black Experience Project and Southside Community Association) will be the guest speaker.

See details for all events here in the e-news.  

You can keep up with future Beacon events by checking out the Beacon calendar!

MAKING MUSIC AT BEACON

Lift up your voice… All are welcome to join the choir. And it’s a great way to introduce friends who like to sing to Beacon. 

Choir will resume in September under the direction of Andrew Schroeder, our new Choir Director, and with Pete Garcia, our new Accompanist. More details about rehearsal times will appear in early September.

It's going to be another fabulous year for music at Beacon!

UUA HONOR CONGREGATION

Every year, each congregation in the Unitarian Universalist Association is asked to give a financial contribution to support the wider movement and sibling congregations across the UUA. This contribution supports the Annual Program Fund, which is the single largest source of income for the work of the UUA and strengthens the covenant among us. During the past fiscal year, Beacon gave the full amount requested to the Annual Program Fund, resulting in the designation of Honor Congregation for honoring the covenant among and between our congregations.  CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU!

Please click on the links to view the certificate and accompanying letter. 

CORE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (CLC) MEETING

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16TH AT 6:30 P.M.

IN THE BEACON RAINBOW SPACE

The next Core Leadership Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, August 16^th, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rainbow Room.  There will be snacks in the Social Room 15 minutes prior to the meeting.  If you are interested in attending but unable to do so in person, please contact Dennis Spurlin for a Zoom link. Dennis has changed the meeting format in order to inform and engage more Beaconites.

The Core Leadership Council (CLC) supports the organization primarily by facilitating communication between all the committees of the congregation with the Board and is chaired by the Board Vice President. All are welcome, and there should be at least one representative from each committee. More information about the CLC can be found here and here.

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION FOR KIDS

IN-PERSON RE FOR NEWBORNS TO 5TH GRADE

TAKING THE MONTH OF JULY OFF

We will not have in person religious exploration classes for the month of July. If you need childcare for Sunday services, please contact Linda Ochi at (619) 607-1623 or by email: Lindaochi31@gmail.com

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (GBU):

RE FOR 5TH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH

GBU has concluded for the summer and will resume in the fall. Details will be forthcoming in August.

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS

CALLING ALL FACILITATORS! Would you like to lead an Adult Education program? Bring it On! Contact Rev. Robin to discuss your idea and scheduling possibilities.

SHARE YOUR JOYS AND SORROWS - CHIME IN!

One way we can sustain connection 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 office@beaconuu.com to be shared.

JOYS AND SORROWS FROM JULY 16TH

The congregation thoroughly enjoyed the Annual Labyrinth Walk.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP AT BEACON

Linda Ochi will be leading a non-denominational grief support group for people who have experienced loss in their life. Whether it be the loss of a close family member, friend, job, divorce, change in life, or move, we hope this group will provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process.

The group will meet the following Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Beacon July 20th, August 3rd, and August 10th.

If you would like to sign up for the group, have questions, or need transportation, please contact Linda Ochi at 619-607-1623 (call or text) or email: Lindaochi31@gmail.com

CHEAP LUNCH BUNCH HAS MOVED TO TUESDAYS!

The Cheap Lunch Bunch will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25th at Over Easy, 2500 S. Woodlands Village Blvd. (near Staples).

Starting in July, please plan on doing a bag lunch on the second Tuesday of each month and then having lunch at a local restaurant on the fourth Tuesday. Doing this at standardized times should make it easier on everyone's calendars, and only doing a restaurant once a month should make it easier on our pockets.

To opine on the time and location of future gatherings and to be included in all the group's emails, please email Anne at wittke.anne@gmail.com. 

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2023 SHARE THE PLATE PARTNER

Beacon’s community partner for July - September 2023 is

INDIGENOUS CIRCLE OF FLAGSTAFF 

Beacon will Share the Plate with the Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff for the months of July through September 2023. The Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff was founded in 2015 as an Indigenous-led, community-based inter-tribal group.  

Priorities for the group are as follows: 

1. Show respect for sacred lands. This involves halting the expansion of the Snowball area.  
2. Establish an Indigenous community cultural center for local and distant Native nations. The cultural center is to be a place of education and to save the culture.
3. Provide for unsheltered and unsafe relatives. 
4. Conduct an economic contribution study of the indigenous to the community.  
5. The Indigenous thought is “Earth is life,” and is not for extraction, waste, to be destroyed or polluted.  

Undesignated contributions to the Sunday service offerings above $300 will be presented to the Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff. 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. 

READ THE FULL ARTICLE II TEXT

On January 29th, Rev. Robin preached about Article II: the revised language reshaping our Principles.



The full text of Article II can be found here.

ACTIVATE AT BEACON WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLIES!

The Social Justice Allies meet on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss issues and actions. If you wish to join them, contact the convener Paul Beier.

FLAGSTAFF AND SUSTAINABILITY 

On April 2, we were fortunate to have Genevieve Pearthree from the Sustainability Office of the City of Flagstaff offer a Social Justice Witness in our service. She recommends that folks check out this website to become more involved in climate action here.

8TH PRINCIPLE

On November 20, 2022, Beacon UU Congregation proudly adopted the 8th Principle. Further information about the 8th Principle can be found here.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE HOMELESS

So many more shower needs during this hot weather ! ! ! Many of our unsheltered relatives utilize and appreciate the Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff (CATS) Bus services, especially the shower and toilet.

The Community Assistance Teams is in need of the following, in new or average worn condition:

• BATH MATS (washable, fabric)
• TRAVEL SIZE Body wash, shampoo, and/or lotion
• bandanas
• disposable shavers/razors
• belts
• MEN'S underwear (medium and large)
• MEN'S socks
• Swifter Wet Jet Mopping Pads 
• Men's Jeans and Pants-all sizes

Joan Dewey will happily deliver to CATs any items that have been placed in the large blue bin in the Beacon foyer.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! Also, a big thank you to whomever put together the individual canine food bags! Much appreciated by those living unsheltered with their canine friends! 

~ Beacon Connections ~

Volunteer At Flagstaff Food Center With Beacon!

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR

JULY 26TH.

The Flagstaff Family Food Center utilizes small groups of volunteers for their dinner service. Beacon is looking for a group of five (5) to seven (7) volunteers for the 4th & 5th Wednesdays of every month, from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. The dinner service is at the FFFC Kitchen (1903 N 2nd Street) and is a hybrid operation with To-Go meals and Dine-in service.

Beacon's next volunteer date is Wednesday, July 26th from 3:00-6:00 p.m.  If dinnertime service does not interest you, please consider helping with prep from 10 a.m. until noon or pitching in at the warehouse on Huntington.

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.

Mike Bruton is organizing monthly teams of Beacon UU volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering for the above dates, please contact Mike right away at mb312@hotmail.com.

More FFFC volunteer opportunities can be found here.

DONATION DESIGNATION



When you make donations by check or cash to Beacon, please be sure to designate whether the donation is PLEDGE or PLATE. Thank you for your continued support!

BEACON'S ENDOWMENT PLAN

The Beacon Endowment Plan, an important step to ensure that Beacon remains a strong and vibrant congregation for years to come, was approved unanimously at a Congregational Meeting on April 24, 2022. For more information about the Endowment Fund, please click here. 

A plaque is now hanging in the Social Hall to honor those who have contributed to the endowment. Your name can be there, too!

GIFTING SECURITIES TO BEACON

If you have securities held outside of a retirement account (i.e., not from your IRA, 401k, 403b, TSP, or other retirement account) and are interested in gifting some to Beacon, more information can be found here. This can be a tax-efficient way to make a gift to Beacon.

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. You can order from any of the over 2,300 stores listed under iGive with a portion of your purchase being donated to Beacon. After creating your own account with a user name and password, select settings and "my cause" and type in Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation (do not abbreviate UU). 

3. 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 Lynda Dorweiler, President.

OTHER EVENTS IN ARIZONA AND THE SOUTHWEST

CAMP DE BENNEVILLE PINES

UPCOMING EVENTS

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Camp de Benneville Pines, the UUA camp for the Pacific Western Region, is hosting the following upcoming events:

• "Uplifting Our Voices, Uplifting Our World: Upcycle!" A Summer Break Camp for Adults, August 10-14, 2023
• 2023 Summer Helping Hands Volunteer Weekend, August 18-20, 2023
• Camp Transcend, A Unique Weekend Camp Experience Designed Specifically for Families with Transgender and Gender-Expansive Kids and Youth, September 22-24, 2023
• "Let's Gather and Give Thanks," Thanksgiving Celebration at Camp de Benneville Pines, November 23-26, 2023

For more information on these and other events and to register, please click here.

Camp de Benneville Pines

41750 Jenks Lake Road West

Angelus Oaks, CA 92305

(909) 794-2928

http://www.uucamp.org

~ BEACON OFFICE HOURS AND CONTACTS~

Office Phone (928) 779-4492

Minister,

Rev. Robin Zucker

she/her/hers

Until July 31st:

minister@beaconuu.com

After July 31st:

uurobinzucker@gmail.com or (978) 505-7245

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: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Wed: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Thurs: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

(hours may change,

so please call ahead)

Office@beaconuu.com

~ 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!

Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News

In order to be included in the next newsletter, submissions need to be emailed to office@beaconuu.com by 2 p.m. on each Wednesday. Thank you!