Worship
Church zoom room go to saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Each Sunday we are offering online worship through zoom at 10:30 am. For any of our worship services or meetings, you can join by computer or by calling in on your telephone. You can find more information about how to connect through zoom towards the end of the newsletter.
August 30: “The Journey of Collaboration”
Rev. Nancy Reid-McKee, Northlake UU
Rev. Zackrie Vinczen, Cedars UU
Rev. Christopher Wulff, Westside UU
Rev. Kristen Kuriga, Saltwater UU
Over the past two months our congregations have joined together to lend support and explore new possibilities for worship and community building. As our journey together draws to an end, we offer this service as a collective time to reflect on the things we have learned from one another.
Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate for August: UU the Vote Partner Organization
Half of all undesignated basket donations received in the month of August will be shared with the UU the Vote partner Center for Common Dreams and their Reclaim Our Vote initiative. You can learn more about the campaign here: http://centerforcommonground.org/main/index.php/campaigns/reclaim-our-vote. You can make a donation to the basket through the donate button on our website: https://saltwaterchurch.org/stewardshipstewardship-overview/stewardshipdonate/ or mail a check to the church office with “basket” in the memo line: Saltwater UU Church, 25701 14 Pl S., Des Moines, WA 98198.
SUUC Racial Justice Education Discussion Group:
Please join us for a discussion group hosted by the Saltwater Racial Justice Organizing Team. Topic: Systemic Racism in America Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 from 7 to 8:30 pm
in the Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Room – https://zoom.us/j/7434659479 Please let us know if you plan to attend with an RSVP to Susan Aigner susanaigner@comcast.net
Living our Values through UU the Vote
Around the country, Unitarian Universalists are organizing to #UUtheVote, working to increase the participation of millions of disenfranchised eligible voters-especially people of color. UU the Vote (uuthevote.org) is a national campaign working with the non-profit Center for Common Dreams. Their Reclaim our Vote initiative is engaging voters who are prevented from exercising their electoral rights through voter suppression and voter list purging. Volunteers inform and mobilize voters in the six most affected states, to make sure they are registered, and they know how to get a ballot and vote. We can live our UU values by working to ensure that all voices are heard in the democratic process, and that we work for policies that increase love, not hate.
Weekly Reclaim our Vote phone banking
Training provided for volunteers each Monday afternoon. Learn more and sign up here:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/reclaim-our-vote-signup
Voter Turnout Postcard Campaign
Are you willing to write 20 postcards to ensure our democracy? UU the Vote is working to engage voters in key states, so they know how, where and when to vote. You’d receive training, script, cards, and postage. Kits will be distributed weekly at the Stance for Racial Justice or can be delivered if needed. Please reach out to Amanda, acradak@gmail.com if you are willing to take on 20 postcards.
If you would like to learn more about getting connected with UU the Vote, you can also contact Susie Dong: susiepoetdong@gmail.com, Amanda Radak: acradak@gmail.com, and Mary Neysa Peterson: maryneysapeterson@gmail.com
Stance for Racial Justice
Show up and shine bright for racial justice every Sunday in August! Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
8/30 in Puyallup from 2pm-4pm. At the intersection of 136th and S. Meridian (near post office and Sonic restaurant). Contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte @gmail.com for more information.
Federal Way Day Center Donations Needed
The Federal Way Day Center for homeless adults is providing important support to our local community while practicing social distancing. You can park in front of the Day Center and call (253-893-7895) and someone will come out to pick up the donations. 33505 13 Pl S behind the Multi-Service Center.
Climate Message of the Week
Use cold water to wash your clothes. They get just as clean with today’s detergents. But hot water washes use five times the energy—and create five times the emissions. This could save you nearly $100 a year.
Sound Alliance (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday 10:00 – 11:30 am
SCAN!(Saltwater Climate Action Now!) (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 1st Sunday noon – 1:30 pm
Ways to Connect
Community Team Meeting (church zoom room)
Thursday, September 3, 7 – 9 pm
If you are or have been or want to be part of Saltwater Church’s Community Team, we are meeting in the Zoom room Sept. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. We will focus on how we can create new ways to connect with each other, new members, and the wider community. Your ideas and energy are so needed right now!
Please call Saphronia if you have any questions. THANK YOU!!!
Getting to Know You Gathering (right after service in the zoom room breakout group)
Sunday, September 20
The Membership Development Team invites visitors, friends, and members to the next “Getting To Know You” session scheduled for Sunday, September 20. The purpose of our time together is to meet others in our church community and for all of us to get to know each other better. We will share information about the many opportunities available for you to get involved in our fellowship and there will be time for you to ask questions about our church. This will take place in a breakout room immediately following the worship service on Zoom. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us!
Al-Anon Support Group (church zoom room)
Mondays, 6:30-7:30 pm
Creative Hands (church zoom room)
Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 pm
We will support one another in our creative ventures, as well as discuss ways that we can help our communities during this time.
Meditation Group (church zoom room)
Tuesdays, 8-9 pm
Join the meditation group on zoom to help nourish your spirit. The group will have a teaching, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and an opportunity to share.
Writers Group (church zoom room) All writers are welcome!
Wednesdays, 9:30 am- 12pm
Support Circle (church zoom room)
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 pm
Over Eaters Anonymous (church zoom room)
Fridays, 5-6 pm
Support Is Available
Do you need support? Please let us know, we want to help. Are you feeling lonely or isolated? We can connect you with a lay minister or another member of the congregation. Are you in a higher risk group and do not want to venture out to the grocery store? We may be able to connect you with someone in your neighborhood to help you get the supplies you need. If you have lost income from being sick or unable to work, or do not have enough money to buy extra food and supplies, the Minister’s Discretionary Fund is available for one-time emergency support for members and friends of the church. Contact Rev. Kristen: minister@saltwaterchurch.org. Do you need to go to work but don’t have childcare? Are there other needs that your family has? Please be in touch with Melinda at melinda@saltwaterchurch.org.
If you are in need of emotional or spiritual support, you can reach out directly to a Lay Minister:
Debra Valpey: debravalpey@gmail.com
Mike Yanega: bowfinboy@gmail.com
Lynn Crow: lynncrow1@gmail.com
Toska Rodriguez: toska_r@hotmail
Growth and Learning
Beloved Conversations: Virtual
The UUA has made their Beloved Conversations curriculum virtual! You may have heard Westside Church talk about their congregation’s participation (in person) in this program at a Sunday service. Growth and Learning urges anyone interested to engage in this experience, from the comfort of your own home.
The curriculum includes specific lessons for individual work, including strategies to connect and reflect with both your personal past as well as with small groups of other learners in your area and/or across the nation.
Register in September. Course work, individual and group, runs October through December. Exact schedule and time commitment is yet to come.
Cost: $150 per individual. Partial and full scholarships are available.
https://www.meadville.edu/fahs-collaborative/fahs-curriculum-catalogue/beloved-conversations/
Please contact Susan Aigner susanaaigner@comcast.net if you are interested.
Opportunities for Racial Justice Education
Webinars and videos of Racial Justice related resources from the UUA
Taking a Collective Breath (Side with Love, UUSC) Led by Black organizers, this series is meant to deepen support for the current uprisings in defense of Black lives. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tItjyMKZTD69ZQW3K3LomQ?emci=3eb91d06-2ed8-ea11-8b03-00155d0394bb&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=5499766
Webinars and Online Courses (Side with Love) Videos of past webinars, 2015, 2016 https://sidewithlove.org/ssl-webinars
Unfinished Business (Side with Love) A political education series about the reconstruction era post-slavery, after the end of the civil war. It is available online for individual and group use. https://sidewithlove.org/unfinished-business
People of the Land (A series of conversations with the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas.) https://uusc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_chvcz-loQXii3Z17at2qeQ
Support for Children, Youth, and Families
Family Ministries Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/2349227683?pwd=aG4yL3RRb240UjJyWUR1Y2p2V0lQUT09
Religious Education Class for Kids and their Grown-Ups
(Note the class address.)
Sunday mornings at 9:30 a https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Junior and Senior High Youth Group
(Note the class address.)
Sundays at 12 pm, https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Family Support Circles
First & Third Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm
Family ministries zoom room
All Ages Movie Nights
Saturdays, starting at 7 pm
Kid-friendly movies, all ages invited. Join us!
Family ministries zoom room
Parents Facebook Group
You can also connect with other Saltwater Church families with children and youth for support through the Parents Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SUUCFamilyMatters/
The Saltwater Church Family Ministries Library Wants to Visit Your Home!
Have your children run out of books to read, with school and public libraries closed? The Saltwater Family Ministries library has books to share! Contact melinda@saltwaterchurch.org to borrow books. And I’ve just created a wish-list so that folks in our congregation can donate books to make our collection more diverse and justice-focused. Check in out: https://www.thingstogetme.com/71791a4d564
From the Board & HCT (Healthy Congregation Team)
HCT Guidelines for Having Difficult Conversations
https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/healthy-congregation-team-guidelines-for-having-difficult-conversations/
Upcoming Events
Social Distancing Grounds Work Parties!
Work at your own pace on your own schedule! For more information see https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/social-distancing-grounds-work-party/
We need help to maintain the property. We need to weed and water and clip overgrowth from the trails. Please come out to enjoy our beautiful campus on your schedule, using social distancing protocol. It’s a beautiful place in need of your loving touch.
Ongoing Fundraising Opportunity
Purchase handmade cards by Joanne Stonebraker. Find more information here:
https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/fundraiser-for-suuc/
General Information
How to Access the Church Zoom Room
To access Zoom, go to saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
and click on “To join a meeting-click here.” Or from the main church webpage, select Zoom Room from the drop down menu under “news and events” on the top menu bar. If this is your first time using Zoom, follow the prompts to download the application to your computer.
If you would prefer to join by phone, dial 1-669-900-6833 and enter Meeting ID: 736 142 4210 when prompted. You may need a password. If you do not have the password, please contact Melinda: melinda@saltwaterchurch.org
If you have a smartphone, you can download the Zoom app and join with Meeting ID: 736 142 4210 for video and audio connection. You will need a password. If you do not have the password, please contact Melinda: melinda@saltwaterchurch.org
Saltwater Church Building
The church building is closed to all in-person programming, groups, and meetings. Staff are working from home. Staff members will be going by the property to collect the mail and to check on the campus. Planting Flowers has resumed providing essential childcare support to families.
Please Note: Additions to the newsletter must be received by noon Wednesday to be included in that week’s newsletter. Send your submissions to administrator@saltwaterchurch.org or use the website form at https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/calendar-request/