~ 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.)

FLOWER COMMUNION

SUNDAY, MAY 12TH, 2024

AT BEACON

At 10:00 A.M.

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

This Sunday we will celebrate Mothers’ Day, as we often do at Beacon, with the Flower Communion, a service originally created by Norbert Čapek in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in June 1923, and later introduced to Unitarian congregations the United States by his widow, Maja Capek, who also served as a Unitarian minister. Please bring a flower to Beacon on Sunday to represent a person or cause that you want to recognize. If your garden, like mine, has not yet produced flowers, we will provide some. With Worship Associate Nancy Paxton and musical accompaniment provided by Simon Cunningham.

“HOW ACCEPTING IMPERMANENCE CAN LEAD TO

GREATER INNER PEACE”

with Ron Paul

SUNDAY, MAY 19TH, 2024

AT BEACON

At 10:00 A.M.

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

Everything changes and eventually goes away. So how do we find meaning in life? Ron Paul is a therapist at Inner Journey Counseling. He was an active member at Unity church for many years and is now a practicing Buddhist. Ron will share his ideas about how to live our lives so that we can say we had a great ride. He will be joined by Andy Hogg, Kim Angelo, and Lynda Dorweiler. Living this life is a gift.

KIDS AT BEACON - ALL ARE WELCOME!

Children and youth are always welcome in worship!

There are activity packets available for children during the service.

If you are bringing children for a Sunday service and would like childcare provided, please contact Linda Ochi at (619) 607-1623 or by email: Lindaochi31@gmail.com

~ THIS WEEK AT BEACON ~

"SPRING SING" JAM SESSION/SINGALONG

Thursday, May 9th, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

via Zoom

FLOWER COMMUNION

Sunday, May 12th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

in the Beacon Sanctuary

Upcoming Events:

BEACON TOWN HALL on Sunday, May 19th, 2024

Annual Beacon Yard Sale on Saturday, June 1st, 2024

Pride Parade Poster-Making on Sunday, June 2nd and Sunday, June 9th, 2024

Beacon in the Pride Parade on Saturday, June 15th, 2024

UUA Virtual General Assembly, June 20th-23rd, 2024

Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 23rd, 2024

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. 

The Beacon Choir will resume rehearsals in September under the direction of Simon Cunningham with accompaniment by Pete Garcia.

IN THE BEACON SPOTLIGHT:

SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD

Beacon’s Board met on 24 April 2024 and recognized Eric Burns for his diligence in drafting next year’s budget and Roz Clark for her work with SJA. Thank you.

The quarterly Endowment report was reviewed with the proposed new member for the coming three years - Lise Breakey. Rich Clark will continue as leader. The Board approved a job description for a summer accompanist, which will involve interaction with the Worship Associates committee for music selection. 

At the time of the meeting, stewardship was at $109,000. Linda Ochi and Dru Monroe proposed the hiring of a Life Ministries Director. Primary discussion during the meeting was on the budget for the coming fiscal year, which will be brought to the congregation for discussion on 19 May at the Town Hall meeting.

ATTIC RAILING PROJECT

At the B and G meeting on Sunday, April 21st, Anne Wittke donated some scrap lumber she had in her garage to the B and G committee to construct a railing in the attic over the Social Room to eliminate a serious hazard that has existed since the building expansion project was completed.

Dan Davis, Skip Brimlow, and Dennis Spurlin volunteered to do the work. They spent nine hours on Tuesday, April 30th, completing the project. Several hours were spent prior to Tuesday preparing for the project. In addition to donated time and materials, Dan is owed $24 for hardware used for the project. He provided all the tools needed to do the work and his professional meticulous craftmanship and scrupulous guidance. Skip and Dennis applied their experience and knowledge to complete the project at the lowest possible cost.

CORE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (CLC) MEETING

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22ND, 2024, AT 6:30 P.M.

VIA ZOOM

The next Core Leadership Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, (this is a change!) at 6:30 p.m.   Contact Dennis Spurlin if you have any questions. 

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.

THE BEACON ANNUAL YARD SALE

SATURDAY, JUNE 1ST, 2024

Remember the yard sale is on June 1st. We need stuff. Hang on to big stuff as long as you can, but we don't want to miss out.

Help will be appreciated. Call me, Maryann Vandrielen, at (928) 606-5115. I will arrange trucks to pick up large items. I will pick up small items.

“LOVE UNITES, STORIES IGNITE”

UUA VIRTUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JUNE 20TH – 23RD, 2024

General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. Please join us online Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23, 2024, for this 4-day immersive experience where we participate in inspirational worship services and informative workshops, reconvene with friends and colleagues, and explore our virtual exhibit hall. GA is an unforgettable experience for the thousands of UUs who participate. You’ll leave with renewed energy and innovative ideas to share with your congregation and community-at-large! Join the 63rd General Assembly this year as it is entirely virtual. Dates are June 20-23, 2024.  

The above theme focuses on the offerings through lecture, workshops, and worship. With love at the center of the Article II schematic, the assembly will focus on love as a binding force for UU’s.  

Stories will be told to unite, change, inspire compassion, and build a more just equitable world. The Ware lecture is a yearly highlight, and this year Julia Watts Belser will talk from her background as an activist for disability and gender issues. 

Registration is available at UUA.org/GA. Beacon does have a scholarship fund and can help cover the cost of registration and/or if you wish to be a delegate with voting privileges, please contact Lynda L. Dorweiler at president@beaconuu.com. 

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

BUILDING BRIDGES

INTERGENERATIONAL BUILDING BRIDGES VISIT

Our middle/high school Building Bridges world religions group has evolved into an opportunity for ALL AGES to explore the beliefs of other faith communities through visits to their places of worship. 

We just made our last visit to a faith community with the Building Bridges Program for 2023-24. I have loved getting to experience other religions by attending their Flagstaff worship services this year - with other Beacon members!

Five Beacon members attended The Bridge church on Sunday, April 28th, 2024, with Emily Morton as a most welcoming and gracious host. Emily introduced us to some of the ministers and other congregation members before and after the service and shared what she likes about the church. It was a joy to experience such a diverse faith community. The sanctuary was packed with people of all ages and ethnicities represented!  If you’d like to hear more about our experience, ask me, an Ochi family member (Alana, Nicolette, Steve) or Dan Davis next time you see us!

In community,

Dru Monroe

Linda Ochi

Building Bridges Facilitators

CALLING ALL FACILITATORS!  Would you like to lead an Adult Education program?Bring it On! Contact Lynda Dorweiler (Beacon President) 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 MAY 5TH:

Linda will be chaperoning the twenty-two FJA 7th graders all the way to Washington, DC, and back next week.

Paul reported that he recently put his bike up on Facebook Marketplace. A young man who had just gotten out of prison responded. He was so appreciative of the bike and shared that it will provide stability in his new life.

Anne recently had to put down her elderly cat. He was cranky, but she still misses him.

Simon expressed his joy at being selected as the next Beacon Choir Director.

BEACON UU “SPRING SING” JAM SESSION/SINGALONG 

THURSDAY, MAY 9TH FROM 6 P.M. UNTIL 7:30 P.M.

Calling all music lovers: Bring your instrument/voice, and let’s play on Thursday, May 9th, 6-7:30 p.m. at Beacon!

We are planning to gather on the second Thursday of each month through August. If you can’t make this one, please email Kim Angelo to let her know that you are interested.

CHEAP LUNCH BUNCH

TUESDAY, MAY 28TH AT 11:30 A.M.



The Cheap Lunch Bunch will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28th at a local restaurant (to be determined).

Please plan on having lunch once each month at a local restaurant typically on the fourth Tuesday.

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. 

APRIL - JUNE 2024 SHARE THE PLATE PARTNER

FLAGSTAFF SHELTER SERVICES

Beacon’s community partner for April - June 2024 is

Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS)

Established in 2006 by concerned citizens., business owners, and faith-based organizations, FSS provides critical shelter, food, and access to resources for Flagstaff’s most vulnerable people. Regardless of faith, mental health or sobriety, and ethnicity, the shelter serves any adult experiencing homelessness. 

In 2014, FSS became a year-round shelter serving those in need every day and night of the year, providing personal and behavioral crisis response, on-site health clinic, and helping clients move from crisis toward self-sufficiency.  

The shelter sees 2000 unduplicated individuals per year: 20% are vets, 40% are women (98% of the women have experienced domestic violence) and 21% are older than 55. 86% of the individuals do not return to homelessness.  

Undesignated contributions to the quarter’s Sunday service offerings above $300 will be presented to the Flagstaff Shelter Services. Nominations for 501c3 agencies can be made through a form located in the CAC folder in the office or by contacting a CAC member (Susan Patrick, Katy Grant, Lynda L. Dorweiler).

BEACON IN THE PRIDE PARADE

DOWNTOWN FLAGSTAFF

JUNE 15TH, 2024

Dig out those UU Beacon and Side with Love T-Shirts!

Beacon has secured a spot in this year's pride parade: “Iconically You!” on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 8 a.m. to Noon.

We need the following:

• artists and novices to create parade posters during group work sessions after the June 2nd and 9th Sunday services
• marchers to meet at Beacon at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th
• folks along the parade route to cheer the marchers on, meeting at the corner of Elm and Beaver at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th.

More information to follow in the next newsletter! Email Angela with specific questions.

ACTIVATE AT BEACON WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLIES!

MONDAY, JUNE 10TH, 2024

VIA ZOOM

The Social Justice Allies (SJAs) meet on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The June meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 10th, 2024. If you wish to join the meeting, please contact the convener Paul Beier.

More information about the SJAs can be found here.

~ Beacon Connections ~

Volunteer At Flagstaff Food Center With Beacon!

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024

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 typically 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, May 22nd from 3:00-6:00 p.m. (Another community group will be serving on Wednesday, May 29th.) 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 date, please use this Beacon-specific link. (If you go to the general volunteer sign-up webpage, this Beacon volunteer date and time may not show up.)

If you encounter any problems with the above link, please contact Mike 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

SUMMER YOUTH CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Camp de Benneville Pines, the UUA camp for the Pacific Western Region, is hosting the following upcoming events:

• UU Elementary Summer Youth Camp, June 30-July 6, 2024
• UU Counselor-in-Training Program, June 30-July 6, 2024
• UU Jr. High Summer Youth Camp, July 7-13, 2024
• UU Sr. High Summer Youth Camp, July 14-20, 2024
• UU Summer Family Camp, July 21-27, 2024

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

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CAMPING WITH UUs

AT SAWUURA

Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27, 2024. No fee and no crowds! 

Camp has water, composting toilets, a group kitchen, and a ramada. Bring tents, sleeping gear, and your own food. High Clearance Vehicle required

Families, children, friends all welcome! 

Information & registration at SAWUURA.org 

SAWUURA is a 100-acre property owned by UUs located in the Sierra Ancha mountains near Young, AZ.

WESTERN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST LIFE FESTIVAL

GHOST RANCH, NM

JUNE 17-23, 2024

WUULF (Western Unitarian Universalist Life Festival) is an annual week-long, multi-generational camp for Unitarian-Universalists at the Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. We are a loving community from a diverse set of age groups, backgrounds, and cultures who gather in New Mexico each year to express our appreciation for each other and our world. WUULF will be held from June 17-23, 2024.

Rev. Robin Zucker, serving as community minister for WUULF this year, will offer morning chapel services and several workshops.

More information can be found here. Registration is open!

~ BEACON OFFICE HOURS AND CONTACTS~

Office Phone (928) 779-4492

Minister

Beacon is currently

a lay-led congregation.

Contact president@beaconnuu.com

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: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Wed: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Thurs: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.



Hours may change. Please call ahead.

Office@beaconuu.com

~ UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST EIGHT PRINCIPLES ~

Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation affirms and promotes eight Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides.

Further information about the 8th Principle can be found here. The 8th Principle is being considered by other UU congregations and the UUA.

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!

If you lost money due 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. 

 webmaster@beaconuu.com 

Contribute to Beacon's Weekly News

Typically, submissions for the next newsletter need to be emailed to office@beaconuu.com by noon on Wednesday. Thanks!