Worship
To join the church zoom room go to: saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Each Sunday we offer 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.
April: What Does It Mean to be a People of Becoming?
In the month of April we are exploring what it means to be a people of becoming. A people who know where we have been and are open to the journey ahead of growth and transformation. Soul Matters describes the practice of becoming as discovering what inside of us longs to be born, and of no longer hiding. Come practice and learn with us as we deepen our faith!
April 25:“No Arriving, Just Becoming,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
May 2: “Catching Up” with Rev. Dr. James Kubal-Komoto
Rev. James left Saltwater Church five years ago this spring. This morning, he reflects on where life has led him since then, how his 16 years of ministry at Saltwater Church continue to shape him, and what a future relationship with the congregation might look like.
Flower Communion is Coming on May 9!
Please send us a picture of you with a flower for a slide show that we will share during our annual flower communion worship. Pictures can be emailed to minister@saltwaterchurch.org with “flower communion” in the subject line. The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 3. This year’s flower communion service will also feature poems about flowers. If you have a favorite poem, please email it to Rev. Kristen at the same address.
Upcoming Events
Stance for Racial Justice
Sunday, April 25, 2pm until 3pm
In person, Puyallup, WA
Rain or shine, we stand for racial justice. Join us in Puyallup at the intersection of 136th and S. Meridian (near post office and Sonic restaurant). We gather on the 4th Sunday of every month to wave our signs, show support, and increase awareness. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing while participating in this event. Contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte@gmail.com for more info.
From our Racial Justice Organizing Team
As many are aware a monumental verdict was delivered this week in the trial for the murder of George Floyd. The violent act that occurred last May has served to increase awareness and involvement in racial justice around the country. Our own community has been impacted by his death and the many lives lost before and since. It is important to remember, though the trial has given many a reason to be hopeful, there is still work to do. The organizer of our Stance for Racial Justice gatherings wishes to share her reflections of the last year. Please take a moment to read her words and consider how you too can help make a difference.
Reimagining Church Workshop
May 8, 10am – 12pm
Church Zoom Room
Join us to reimagine what church might be like this fall and into the future! The Board, Operations Leads, and Rev. Kristen will facilitate an opportunity to reflect, learn, and imagine together. As we look to the possibility of returning to in-person worship and program, we want to be intentional. Join us as we talk about questions like: What have we learned in the last year? What do we want to keep? How are our needs different now? How might we do church differently? We hope you’ll join us for this important workshop!
We Act for Justice Workshop
May 12, 7pm – 8:30pm
Church Zoom Room
Join the Board for an evening of connection, reflection, and song! This is the last workshop in our Living into our Mission series. Together we will explore what it means to “Act for Justice” grounded in our values. Facilitated by Anjali Lopez, Karin Leisy, Lauren Crowder, and Rev. Kristen Kuriga.
From the Board and HCT
Congregational Budget Information Sessions
Saturday, May 15, 10am – 11:30am & Sunday, May 23 after church, 11:45am – 1pm
Church Zoom Room
Join members of the Board, the Finance Team, and Rev. Kristen for an informational meeting about the proposed budget for the upcoming 2021-2022 church year. This will be an opportunity to learn about the financial health of the congregation and ways we are adapting to the financial challenges posed by the pandemic. The presentation will focus on changes to income and expenses and copies of the detailed line-item budget will be provided. The presentations will be the same, offered at two different times.
From Our Pledge Team
Our Pledge Drive has come to an end. There are a few pledges we have yet to receive. Keep in mind you can declare your pledge by mailing in your card or submit your pledge electronically via the church website. If you have any questions or experience any difficulties, please contact our Pledge Team or our Office Administrator. ***artist Miriam Woito
Congregational Meeting
June 13, 11:45am – 1pm Church Zoom Room
During the Congregational Meeting, we will vote on our new “Covenant of Right Relations”. If you have any questions, please contact any team member or our Office Administrator.
UUA General Assembly—Registration is open!
June 23-27, 2021
The Unitarian Universalist General Assembly will be all virtual this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to worship and learn alongside UU’s from throughout the country. The cost of registration is $200. You can find more information here: https://www.uua.org/ga/registration. If you are attending General Assembly, we also invite you to consider being a delegate. At the next Board meeting, we will determine the process for selecting delegates from Saltwater Church to represent the congregation.
Growth and Learning
Saltwater Pen Pal Project
Do you suffer from Zoom fatigue? Consider joining the Saltwater Pen Pal Project to exchange snail mail (or email) correspondence! Each month you would be paired up with someone from the group to exchange your thoughts about the monthly Soul Matters theme. Contact Joanne at JoanneStonebraker@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.
Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate for April: Living Well Kent
Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of April will be shared with Living Well Kent: https://livingwellkent.org/. You can make a donation to share the plate 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.
Sound Alliance – Listening Sessions
Various opportunities during April and May
Church Zoom Room
How has the pandemic impacted you, your family, people you care about, and community? Sound Alliance invites you to attend one of our small group listening sessions. Listening meetings guide us in focusing on what is most important to you and our community. By sharing our stories and concerns we are guided to focus on issues of greatest concern. Sign up now for one of the 4 remaining sessions. We anticipate each session will be approximately an hour long. The dates and times are: Mon 4/26 at 1pm, Thurs 4/29 at 5pm, Sun 5/16 at noon, and Wed 5/19 at 7pm. If you have questions, contact Kathy Linnell, kelizlinnell@comcast.net or Lucia Faithfull, lfaithfull@comcast.net
Saltwater Climate Action Now! (SCAN!)
Monthly on the 1st Sunday, 12pm – 1:30pm
SCAN! will resume meeting Sunday, May 2. In the meantime, the team has identified an important action we can all take to show our support for climate justice. Please review SB 5141 Healthy Environment for All. This Act addresses racial justice, social justice and climate justice all wrapped in one. It is what SUUC truly stands for. Thanks to your help it has passed the House of Representatives and is now before the Senate. We need to keep up the momentum. Legislators have been hearing from polluters who are trying to chip away at key elements of the bill. We need environmental justice decision-making to be guided by communities most burdened by pollution, not corporate polluters. Help empower our legislators by filling out the Take Action Form and stop the environmental health disparities that greatly impact our community. The form is short and simple, but the impact is great and far reaching. Thank you for all your efforts.
Sound Alliance
Monthly on the 4th Saturday, 10am – 11:30am
Church Zoom Room
The Sound Alliance team works on multiple issues. The issues we focus on change from year to year, depending upon the concerns voiced by members of the congregation. Currently we are working to address and prevent homelessness, protect immigrant rights, and ease social isolation during the pandemic through the Social Connection Project. All members and friends of Saltwater UU Church and Bet Chaverim are most welcome to join us and act for Justice! The next meeting will be Saturday, May 22.
Racial Justice Organizing Team (RJOT)
Monthly on the 3rd Tuesday, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Room
Join Saltwater’s RJOT meeting to discover more ways to support our community in our anti-racism efforts. Share ideas, provide support, learn about additional opportunities, and work together to advance our commitment to racial justice. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 15.
Climate Message of the Week: Be a climate activist by choosing plant based protein instead of supporting the heavy toll that meat and dairy production have on our planet. Some plants provide a protein punch equal to animal products: One cup of cooked soybeans contains about as much protein as a quarter-pound hamburger. And a cup of cooked green peas contains as much protein as a cup of milk. Other good plant sources of protein are tofu, lentils, beans, nuts/nut butters and seeds, amaranth and quinoa to name a few.
Ways to Connect
Pair Sharing (Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/7434659479)
2nd and 4th Sundays, 11:45am – 1:00pm. The next session will be April 25.
There is healing power in telling truth and bearing witness. Pair Sharing is the spiritual practice of deep sharing and listening. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janeane Weprin at jghonore@yahoo.com.
Al-Anon Support Group (private zoom, contact saphroniayoung2016@gmail.com for link)
Mondays, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Creative Hands (Church Zoom Room)
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 5pm – 6:30pm
Please join us to learn or practice hand work (knitting and crocheting, sewing, drawing, jewelry making or?) along with fun conversation and a supportive atmosphere. Pour yourself a favorite beverage, grab a snack, and join in the fun. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 5. Questions? Contact Lynn Crow at (206) 429-2005.
Meditation Group (Church Zoom Room)
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
We follow a UU modified Zen practice that includes lighting a candle, chiming a singing bowl, sitting & walking in silence, listening to words of wisdom, sharing tea and conversation, now all virtual via Zoom. Questions? Contact Jean Spohn jeanspohn@centurylink.net or (206) 200-7524.
Writers Group (Church Zoom Room)
Wednesdays, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Weekend Writers Group (Church Zoom Room)
Alternating Sundays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
The next meeting is April 25.
Support Circle (Church Zoom Room)
Thursdays, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Over Eaters Anonymous (Church Zoom Room)
Fridays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
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. If you have been affected by the pandemic financially, 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.
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
Toska Rodriguez: toska_r@hotmail.com
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 9:30amhttps://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Junior and Senior High Youth Group
(Note the class address.)
Sundays at 12:00pm https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Jr./Sr. High Youth Group Game Night (Joint with Northlake UU)
3rd Friday of each month, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
We will be using an online game platform as one of the options for games (boardgamearena.com – free account is plenty), so if possible, please let Margaret know if you plan to attend so we can get set up ahead of time. We hope to see you there!
https://tinyurl.com/CRE-NUUC
Meeting ID: 309 145 529
Password: NUUC
If you are interested in having your youth (and/or yourself) receive reminder texts directly for game night and Sunday youth group, you can sign up for them by clicking this link and entering the information: https://www.remind.com/join/nuuc-6-12
Contact Margaret Rogers for more information: dre@northlakeuu.org
Family Support Circles
First & Third Mondays, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
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.
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
Make Sure Your Zoom is Up to Date
It is a good idea to update your zoom software from time to time. If you are having difficulties with zoom, such as not being able to hear sometimes, or not being able to be heard, it may be time for an update. Updating zoom will occasionally also provide new helpful features. To update your zoom, click on your user icon on the desktop client, or login to your zoom account at www.zoom.us This video has helpful instructions for updating Zoom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7zERcVLUBM Contact Melinda Einander or Robert Snipes if you need additional help.
Donations to Saltwater Church
When making a donation on the church website, please indicate where you want your donation to go. After entering the amount of your donation, if you select “Donate with a Debit or Credit Card” you will see a line which starts with a pencil and has “add special instructions to the seller.” Please click on those words to specify “pledge” or your desired purpose. It will help our treasurer get money into the right places if that line is filled in. If you would like a statement of your donations for calendar year 2020 for tax purposes to email or call our treasurer Gaye Greeves at gnatfw@aol.com or (253) 508-3961.
Saltwater Church Building
The church building is closed to most in-person programming, groups, and meetings. Staff are primarily working from home. Staff members will be going by the property to collect the mail and to check on the campus regularly. Planting Flowers has resumed providing essential childcare support to families. Haitian Christians have resumed in-person gatherings with a limited capacity on Sunday evenings.
Please Note: Announcements, updates, and 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.