Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland is Saltwater’s contract minister for the 2023-24 church year, operating in a hybrid/remote capacity from her home in Southern Oregon and onsite at Saltwater one week per month.
Spiritual midwifery recognizes that each and every birth is the birth of the Christ child–Ina May Gaskin On Christmas Eve morning, Rev. Alison brings lessons from her midwifery study and practice to explore the miracle and mystery that are present at every birth.
We gather on a dark winter night to tell stories, sing carols, and light candles honoring the promise of peace and love that was born with one little baby over two thousand years ago. To accommodate the regular Sunday evening worship service of the Haitian Christian United community with whom we share our space, our … Continue reading Christmas Eve Eve Candlelight Service
In late November of 1991, HIV/AIDS activists Ibrahim Farajaje and John Paul Hammond lost a dear friend to AIDS and struggled to imagine facing Thanksgiving without him. Out of their pain and love, Thanxgrieving was born. Rev. Alison will share the history of the Thanxgrieving observance and explore its continued relevance in the 21st century.
In her first sermon as Saltwater’s minister, Rev. Alison will explore the ways that congregations, and especially this congregation, are important sites of giving and receiving. From acts of community care, to the mutual promises of covenant, we hold and are held by the generosity of beloved community.
