~ 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.)

"A TIME SOMEONE MADE ME FEEL WELCOMED"

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2023

AT BEACON

AT 10:00 A.M.

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

We will continue exploring our holiday theme of "A Home for the Holidays, You are Family Here" with a collaborative service that asks Sunday attendees to share a time that someone made them feel welcomed. So please be thinking of a very short story of 1 to 2 minutes of feeling welcomed somewhere. It could be a church, a home, a camp, a group of friends, etc. that you may want to share during the service. We will also be officially welcoming new members and friends to the congregation this Sunday. Musical interludes will be provided by accompanist Pete Garcia, and hymns will be led by Kim Angelo.

COOKIE WELCOME RECEPTION

Following the service, we will have a cookie reception to welcome new members and new friends. If you can, please bring a dozen cookies to share.

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 ~

"A TIME SOMEONE MADE ME FEEL WELCOMED"

Sunday, November 19th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

in the Beacon Sanctuary

COOKIE WELCOME RECEPTION

Sunday, November 19th, 2023, after the service

in the Beacon Social Room

BOARD MEETING

Monday, November 20th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

via Zoom

BUILDING AND DISTRIBUTING HOLIDAY BOXES

Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, at 8:45 a.m.

at the Flagstaff Family Food Center Warehouse

(3805 E. Huntington Dr.)

CHOIR PRACTICE

Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.

in the Beacon Sanctuary

VOLUNTEERING

Wednesday, November 22nd 2023, at 3:00 p.m.

at Flagstaff Family Food Center Kitchen

(1903 N. 2nd St.)

ALL AGES THANKSGIVING POTLUCK LUNCHEON

Thursday, November 23rd 2023, at Noon

at Beacon

A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - YOU ARE FAMILY HERE

We have a number of activities coming up in the life of the congregation for the holidays. We hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate this special time of year.

Tuesday, November 21st – Building and Distributing Holiday Boxes with Flagstaff Family Food Center at their Warehouse (3805 E. Huntington Dr.) – 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Contact Rich Clark at (928) 255-2515 to reserve your spot in this very special holiday event. 

Thursday, November 23rd – All Ages Thanksgiving Day Potluck Luncheon at Beacon – noon to 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us for a holiday potluck. If you haven't received an Evite, please email Angela at angelahansen13@gmail.com.

Sunday, December 3rd – Holiday Potluck at Beacon at 11:15 (following the service)

As we celebrate the holidays and remember the joy we felt as a child experiencing the wonder of the season, please bring a favorite dish to share from your childhood. 

Sunday, December 10th – at 10:00 a.m. – A Special LGBTQ and Allies Service at Beacon Our own lore dickey will be sharing how to be more supportive, welcoming, and understanding of transgender individuals with a discussion to follow after the service.

Sunday, December 17th – at 11:15 a.m. – Following the service, led by the Social Justice Allies, all are welcome to assemble bags of items to be distributed to the unsheltered persons in the community.

Sunday, December 24th –



• Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 p.m. All ages are invited to join us for an evening of singing, a Christmas Eve message, and holiday fellowship. (No Sunday morning worship service on the 24th.)

• Christmas Eve Cookie Exchange and hot cider- following the Christmas eve service We will have a chance to swap and eat cookies and drink some hot cider and hot chocolate!

Sunday, December 31st – at 10:00 a.m. – New Year's Eve Service

Burning Bowl Ceremony - Please join us as we say good-by to the things we are ready to let go of and say hello to a New Year full of promise.

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, under the direction of Andrew Schroeder and with accompanist Pete Garcia, rehearses each Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Beacon Sanctuary.

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

BEACON SPOTLIGHT:



ARTICLE II 

In 2020, the UUA Board proposed a review of Unitarian Universalist Principles as written in Article II of the Bylaws. The purpose was to develop a document that was relevant and a powerful force for spiritual and moral growth, healing and justice. A study commission was formed and the first revision was presented at GA in 2023.

At GA 2023, several amendments were proposed, and these have now been published for review by UU congregations. A final version will be voted on at GA 2024. Please click on this link and absorb what it means to you. A discussion of Article II will be held on 14 January following the service.

BEACON AUCTION



The Beacon Auction on November 4th was a night filled with music, great food, and fun. Thanks to all who helped with set-up and clean-up and who played a role during the evening.

Our initial accounting shows we made around $5900. Invoices have been sent out.

Please submit your payment in Check or Cash by Sunday, November 19th. Either submit your Check with "AUCTION" in the Memo Line or Cash in one of 3 ways:

• In Person - to Eric Burns, Auction Administrator, at Sunday services.
• By mail - To the 510 N Leroux St address listed on your invoice.
• Collection Basket - at any Sunday service (noting AUCTION on the envelope).

Please direct all inquiries about the Beacon Auction to auction@beaconuu.com.



Donor Letters will be sent under a separate email. 

CORE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (CLC) MEETING

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH AT 6:30 P.M.

VIA ZOOM

The next two Core Leadership Committee meetings will be via Zoom: Wednesday, December 20th, 2023, and Wednesday, January 17th, 2024, both at 6:30 p.m.   If you are interested in attending, please use the Zoom link provided in the invitation to be sent on Wednesday before the meeting. Contact Dennis Spurlin if you have any questions. He 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

BUILDING BRIDGES

INTERGENERATIONAL BUILDING BRIDGES VISITS AT BEACON

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. 

Three Building Bridges participants greatly enjoyed our November visit to a Quaker meeting. We were welcomed, experienced a silence meeting with an introductory reading, and participated in a potluck after the service. Such a heartwarming and thought provoking experience!  

For the rest of 2023, our schedule looks like this: 



December 10, 2023: At 10 a.m., join the Building Bridges group for Mass at San Francisco de Asis Roman Catholic Church, 1600 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. This will be the 2nd Sunday of Advent in preparation for Christmas. We are lucky to have Angela Hansen attending the service with our group! Angela was a long time Catholic before joining Beacon and can help you understand the faith from her real life perspective! Plan to be outside the church at 9:45 a.m. for a short "what to expect during the service" discussion with Angela. Also, the youth director at San Francisco has provided us with a guide to Mass attendance for beginners. If you are interested in the guide, please let Dru know at edrumonroe@gmail.com and an electronic copy will be sent.

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 NOVEMBER 12TH:

The congregation truly enjoyed the Diwali presentation and music.

BEACON UU HOLIDAY JAM SESSION/SINGALONG

SATURDAY,DECEMBER 9TH FROM 3 TO 5 P.M.

Calling all music lovers! Bring your instrument/voice and let’s play! 

This time we'll be featuring holiday tunes.

We are hoping to have more gatherings. If you can’t make this one, please email Kim Angelo to let her know that you are interested. 

CHEAP LUNCH BUNCH

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

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

Please plan on having lunch once each month at a local restaurant 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. 

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023 SHARE THE PLATE PARTNER

Beacon’s community partner for October - December 2023 is

THE FLAGSTAFF FAMILY FOOD CENTER

For October-December 2023, Beacon UU is sharing the plate with Flagstaff Family Food Center. Serving around 63,000 daily meals per year in their location on North Second Street, the Center also provides a children’s reading room, delivers to the Flagstaff Shelter Services an evening meal for those who might be staying the night, and provides Back Door and Mobile Sack Lunches. They have a food rescue program from local grocery stores and distribute food no longer good for human consumption to local farms and ranches so there is zero waste. 

Undesignated contributions in this quarter’s offerings above $300 will be presented to the Flagstaff Family Food Center. Nominations for 501c3 agencies can be made through a form located in the Beacon office.  

CAC members are Katy Grant, Susan Patrick, and Lynda L. Dorweiler.

ACTIVATE AT BEACON WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLIES!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 2023

VIA ZOOM

The Social Justice Allies (SJAs) typically meet on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. However, the December meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 11th. If you wish to join the meeting, please contact the convener Paul Beier.

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

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:

• MEN'S Jeans and Pants-all sizes
• Sleeping Bags
• Cold Weather Clothing (e.g., sweatshirts, base layers, hoodies, warm coats, gloves, beanies)
• MEN'S underwear (medium and large)
• MEN'S socks
• Belts
• Hiking Boots

As well as,

• TRAVEL SIZE Body wash, shampoo, and/or lotion
• disposable shavers/razors
• Swifter Wet Jet Mopping Pads
• BATH MATS (washable, fabric)

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

You can get updated project and goals information and donate online (and obtain a tax deductible receipt) via the CATs website. CATs also has a Facebook page. 

~ Beacon Connections ~

Volunteer At Flagstaff Food Center With Beacon!

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR

NOVEMBER 22ND AND 29TH.

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 dates are Wednesday, November 22nd and Wednesday, November 29th 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 date, please use the following Beacon-specific link within the Flagstaff Family Food Center website: https://hotfood.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/Beacon (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

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

• "Let's Gather and Give Thanks," Thanksgiving Celebration at Camp de Benneville Pines, November 23-26, 2023
• UU Senior High Winter Camp, December 27, 2023, thru January 1, 2024
• “Promoting Justice: Amplifying Voices,” the Pacific Southwest District Service Area Assembly, April 26-28, 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

~ 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: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Wed: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Thurs: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Hours may change. 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

Submissions for the next newsletter need to be emailed to office@beaconuu.com by noon on Wednesday. Thank you!