Saltwater Church, a Unitarian Universalist congregation
An Intentionally Inclusive, Spiritually Progressive, Justice Seeking Community Serving South King County
(206) 651- 7358
administrator@saltwaterchurch.org
25701 14th Place South, Des Moines,
Washington 98198
(Located less than one mile from Saltwater State Park. See a map.)
Join us on any Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
During our Sunday morning services, we gather to enjoy the company of one another, reflect on the big questions of life, find inspiration and wisdom in words and music, and experience the solace of looking out the windows of our sanctuary onto the peaceful, forested grounds surrounding us.
Upcoming Services:
August 27: Our Creative Selves (Saltwater Writers Group)
Most creativity is a transition from one context into another where things are more surprising. There's an element of surprise, and especially in science, there is often laughter that goes along with the 'aha.' Art also has this element. Our job is to remind us that there are more contexts than the one that we're in--the one we think is reality. (-Alan Kay, computer scientist)
September 3: What UU's Can Learn From Judaism (Saphronia Young)
The Torah defines someone who is righteous not as someone who has succeeded, but as someone who has persevered. This defines Judaism, and it is the most necessary message for our times.
September 10: A Gathering of the Waters
Many UU congregations have an annual tradition of celebrating a Gathering of the Water Service early in September as a ritual of welcoming members of the congregation to a new church year. As we gather this Sunday, bring a small sample of water from one of the places you enjoyed this summer. We'll collect the water-from near and far-as a way of celebrating and returning.
September 17: In the Belly of Dilemma
As Unitarian Universalists we come from a long tradition of working for justice against what sometimes feel like overwhelming odds. And it is not unreasonable to get to the place where the heart wonders, "Will anything I do or say actually change the leviathan of state and society?" Does the arc of the universe actually bend toward justice, as Unitarian minister Theodore Parker assures us?
Groups and Activities at Other Times
Year-Round At Saltwater Church:
We have classes, groups, and activities for people with many different interests.
Learn more about our current classes as well as our ongoing groups and activities.
News You Need To Know
NYNTK is available every Sunday morning at our worship service.
For this week click here: August 20,
Click on the date for previous editions: August 13, August 6, July 30, July 23, July 16, July 9, July 2, June 25, June 18, June 11, June 4, May 28, May 21, May 14
From the Board
Dear Friends,
As you know, we have called a special congregational business meeting for Sunday, September 17, 2017 after church to vote on just ONE bylaw amendment.
I have pasted the proposed language, and the existing language, below. Please be an informed voting congregant and review this, consider the changes, and feel free to ask Board members about specific language. We will be presenting additional bylaw amendments at the December Congregational meeting.
One note: We did delete language about no staff member being able to serve, and how to deal with a vacancy, because that is already covered by "best practices" of the UUA. To review the UUA's best practices language, you can review those at: http://www.uua.org, and the Board will also post that on our bulletin board at church. We will have copies on a table in the welcome room, as well.
THANK YOU!
Saphronia Young,
Board President
Faithfully Yours in Service
PROPOSED AMENDED BYLAW LANGUAGE:
Article VIII: Minister
Section 6 Ministerial Search Team: Upon notification of an immediate or future vacancy of the Ministerial office, the Board shall call a special Congregational Business Meeting for the purpose of electing a Ministerial Search Team. The Board shall follow best practice as established by the UUA and present a slate of candidates to the congregation. A simple majority of those present shall elect the slate.
EXISTING BYLAW:
Article VIII: Minister
Section 6 Ministerial Search Team: Upon notification of an immediate or future vacancy of the Ministerial office, the Board shall call a special Congregational Business Meeting for the purpose of electing a Ministerial Search Team. The Board shall present a slate of five (5) candidates to the congregation. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. Paid staff and contractual employees may not serve on a Ministerial Search Team. If there are more than 5 nominees, voting procedures will allow each Member to vote for 5, and the top five will form the Ministerial Search Team. Should a vacancy occur on the Ministerial Search Team before its task is complete, the Board will appoint a Member to fill the vacancy.
Tea with the B!
Join your Board of Directors on the last Sunday of every month for an informal tea/coffee in the Sanctuary at 11:45am. Bring your questions and concerns so we can have a discussion! All are welcome. Join us after the service this Sunday, August 27.
The next Board meeting will be held September 5, 2017 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the church administrative offices meeting room and by Zoom room. Board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, from 7 pm to 9 pm. All are welcome to attend personally in the Meeting Room or via "Zoom Room." It is considered polite to announce your presence, such that the Board can know who is in attendance. Please contact SaphroniaYoung@comcast.net if you will attend.
Our Petal Leads for church year 2017-2018 (Who to contact for answers and direction)
Denise Yanega, Community Petal
Melinda Einander, Growth and Learning Petal
Lucia Faithfull, Social Responsibility Petal
Gaye Greeves, Stewardship Petal
Karen LaFe, Worship Petal
Programs Especially for Children, Youth, and Famlies
Our children and youth are a vital part of our shared religious community. We strive to share our shared beliefs and values with them, but even more importantly, we strive to help them discover their own values and beliefs. As the Unitarian minister William Ellery Channing once said, "The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own."
Learn more about our programs for children, youth, and families!
Who We Are and What You Will Find Here
Saltwater Church is a growing, thriving, intentionally inclusive, spiritually progressive, justice seeking community of all ages serving all of South King County since 1954.
Our members come from Seattle, White Center, Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, Federal Way, Brown's Point, Tacoma, Renton, SeaTac, Kent, Auburn, and other South King and Pierce County communities.
Our congregation is also a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
What will you find here at Saltwater Church? At Saltwater Church you will find a place where you can...
- Experience a welcoming community where diversity of many kinds is celebrated and be accepted for who you are
- Open your heart to what is inspiring, sustaining, redeeming, and transforming in life without difficult-to-believe dogma
- Engage in a free and responsible search for religious truth
- Feel belonging, feel cared for by others, and care for others
- Work with others toward a better, more compassionate, more just world for us all
- Nurture your own spirit and help heal our world
You and any member of your family are welcome to join us on any Sunday morning or at any of our activities on any other day of the week.
Learn more about what we believe as Unitarian Universalists.
A Welcoming Congregation
Saltwater Church is proud to be an official Welcoming Congregation, welcoming of the diversity of the human family, regardless of physical or mental ability, gender or gender expression, sexual or affectional orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, class, or age.