We offer worship in two ways: in-person multi-platform service held in our sanctuary and online in our Church Zoom Room at 10:30am. Doors and Zoom open at 10:15. To join the Church Zoom Room go to: saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/. You can find more information about how to connect through Zoom towards the end of our Saltwater Church Newsletter. Our newsletter also provides ways to connect and live our values through both in-person programming and via our Church Zoom Room.

Worship

Live multi-platform worship in the sanctuary and online through Zoom!

Theme for April: The Gift of Interdependence

Rev. Alison writes, “Like fractals that maintain a similar form at any level of magnification, interdependent webs are part of every aspect of life — our families and communities are interdependent webs, embedded in ecosystems that are interdependent webs. Noticing the webs of relationship, from the microscopic to the galactic, including the human and more than human, leads me to wonder at the incredible complexity of life on this airy, watery rock. It is in that space of wonder that I find the presence of the Sacred.”

Worship Services in April

April 7 Peace, Salaam, Shalom – Rev. Alison Sutherland-Duren (remotely)

The 6th Unitarian Universalist Principle calls on us to affirm and promote, “the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all,” and the proposed UU values statement “declare[s] that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness.” Rev. Alison will share how her commitment to peace and non-violence has shaped and been shaped by her Unitarian Universalism.

April 14 Joyful Community: One Interdependent Web – Rev. Alison Sutherland-Duren (in-person)

As our pledge drive comes to a close, we celebrate the many ways we weave the web of community, and we take time to imagine a future that we can only create together, where our mission to Practice Love, Foster Connection, Nurture Spiritual Growth, and Act for Justice has come to pass.

April 21 Earth Day: Honoring our Blue Boat Home – Rev. Alison Sutherland-Duren (in-person)

Rev. Alison and participants in Saltwater Climate Action Now! (SCAN!) share a multigenerational service to inspire people of all ages to care for the lands, waters, and fellow creatures of our Earthly home.

April 28 Steering in a Tornado: A Field Guide – Liz James (guest-speaker)

(Services at BOTH Saltwater Church and Seabeck Retreat) Liz James from the UU hysterical society returns! She writes: I recently overheard one of my teenagers saying “In my day…” to his younger brother.  Well, in my day, you had to be old enough to shave before you got to say “in my day.” But the world is changing at a breakneck pace. How do you steer when everything is shifting all the time?  Join us for a humor-based, fun, practical look at navigating modern life.

Upcoming Events

To view our complete calendar of events, click here.
If you wish to schedule an event, click here to fill out a request form.

Everything is Heavy – Find Joy with Mayda
Sunday April 7, following service
In Person – Welcoming Room

Take a 20-30 minute vacation from all the heaviness in your life. Mayda will provide time and space to show folks how to move from possible or existing heaviness about the world to releasing and creating connection with each other, an act of lightening the load and finding joy together.  There will opportunities for movement like hand dances, using your breath and voice; like circle toning and bigger body stories for those who are so moved. Join us in our “Joyful Community” interplay-inspired activity sponsored by our Pledge Team.

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States – Book Study
Continues Tuesday April 9, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Faith Formation Zoom Room

The Saltwater UU Racial Justice Team invites you to join a book study of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States (Youth Edition) by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortez. The 2-hour sessions began March 26 and meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of April, May, and June. Worksheets and suggested resources will be provided for each session. The depth of
your study will be up to you. To sign up or if you have questions, please contact: Miriam Woito – miriamwoito@gmail.com or (208) 890-6074

Annual Spring Leadership Convening
Saturday April 13, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Multi-Platform – Church Main Building & Church Zoom Room

If you are a leader in our church community, or want to be involved as one, come to the Spring Leadership Convening on Saturday, April 13, 1-3 pm. This is a hybrid event; you can come in person or Zoom in.

As a community, our mission is to practice love, foster connection, nurture spiritual growth and act for justice. The Leadership Convening is our chance to check our course. Are we on the same page? On track? What’s next? Let’s be creative together!

Community Potluck
Sunday April 14, following service
In Person – Welcoming Room

Church-wide potluck on April 14, Yummy! Please bring a generous dish to share. Kindly mark ingredients if not clearly visible (dairy, soy, etc.). No nuts, per Saltwater Policy. We will also need folks to step up and help us set up before church and take down after church.

Special Event

Saltwater Church RETREAT 2024
Friday April 26 – Sunday April 28
Off-Site – Seabeck Conference Center

The Saltwater Retreat is coming up quick. If you haven’t registered, contact Saphronia Young at saphroniayoung2016@gmail.com and see if you can have one of the 3 remaining rooms! Remember, you can also attend for the day events without needing to stay overnight. Our annual retreat is a time for rest, reflection, and fun…and they feed you! We hope you’ll join us for this treasured annual event, with guest speaker Liz James of the UU Hysterical Society. Don’t miss this great escape from the day-to-day hubbub. Join your Saltwater family at Seabeck.

From Our Leadership

Minister’s Messages

In this week’s message, Rev. Alison contemplates the many interdependent webs that we are a part of, including the web that is Saltwater UU Church. She writes, “Practicing interdependence by participating in congregational life here at Saltwater Church is one way to challenge wrong-headed notions that anyone can make it in this life alone. Thank you for welcoming me into this interdependent web with you, alongside our neighbors of many faiths, the cedars and the trillium, the birds and the waters of the Salish Sea.” You can read Rev. Alison’s full message through the home page of the church website or here. _{***Image Credit: Pixabay}

Rev. Alison will be in-person at Saltwater Church between April 14 and April 21.

Ways to connect with Rev. Alison
Phone (voice only): (206) 627-5119
Email: minister.swuuc@gmail.com
Online Meeting Scheduling: https://calendly.com/minister-swuuc

Social Justice Announcements

UU the Vote Postcard Writing
Now through Thursday May 9

It is not too late to support Saltwater’s UU the Vote postcard writing efforts. Postcards won’t be mailed until April 22. We are writing postcards to registered underrepresented voters in Georgia providing them nonpartisan information about voting in their Congressional primary election. Postcards need to be mailed between April 22 and May 9. Let me know how many postcards you want (in multiples of 20, please) and I will give you the postcards and all the info you need (scripts, directions, etc. You provide stamps.)
Susan Aigner—for your Saltwater Racial Justice Organizing Team: susanaigner@comcast.net, (253) 569-8156

UUA Condemns Violence Against Gaza, Urges Immediate and Total Ceasefire

On February 14, the UUA released a new statement regarding the events in Israel and Palestine. In keeping with the desire to keep the congregation informed of what our Unitarian Universalist Association has to say about these events, here is a link to that statement: 
– https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/uua-condemns-violence-urges-ceasefire

Additional resources and statements from the UUA on this issue can be found here:
– https://www.uua.org/international-justice/uua-statements-palestine/israel/resources-engaging-palestine-israel
– https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/catastrophe-gaza-and-israel

Save the Date

Our Next Chapter – Live Auction
Saturday May 11, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
In Person – Saltwater Church

We’re having a party and a live auction to celebrate Our Next Chapter! Church members will offer opportunities and experiences such as a week in a vacation home or extraordinary art pieces. We will also be conducting a fundathon to fund a special project for the church. Come celebrate and support our church home!

Congregational Meeting
Sunday June 9, 11:30am – 1:30pm
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary

Come to the June Congregational Meeting to hear about the coming year’s budget, and to elect two members to the Board and two members to the Nominating Committee. Celebrate a wonderful year together! If you will need childcare, please contact Jessica Nash at faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org by June 2.

Ways to Share Our Gifts

Be a Part of Welcoming New Members
Join our Welcoming Team

The Welcome Team is seeking long-time Saltys to revive our tradition of pairing new members with folks who know the community well and can help answer their questions about getting involved. If you are interested in being a mentor or buddy to our newer Saltys, please contact Rev. Alison at minister@saltwaterchurch.org.

Facilities Team
3^rd Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Church Zoom Room

Our Facilities Team helps organize the maintenance of our buildings and the upkeep of our grounds. We are looking for volunteers to help contact contractors, manage coordinating repairs, and assist with volunteer events. Our meetings are monthly, and your time commitment is quite flexible. Discover how you can help support our community by attending our next meeting on April 17. _{^{***Image credit: Bubba}} 

Your Community Needs YOU!
Volunteer Now

We invite you to take part in creating the kind of community that you want to be part of! We need volunteers of all skills and ages. Opportunities include:

Sunday Morning Opportunities: Contact Bubba (administrator@saltwaterchurch.org) if you’re interested & need to get training/ orientation. For job details click here.

Ways To Live Our Values

Share The Plate for April
Hospitality House of Burien, WA

Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of April will be shared with Hospitality House: https://hospitalityhousesouthking.org/#

In September 2000, Hospitality House was founded by twelve sponsoring churches. Saltwater UU was one of the founding churches. Several of our members continue to volunteer, make a meal and provide supplies.

Hospitality House is a transitional shelter and 90-day program for homeless women. It can accommodate a maximum of nine women at one time. Each client’s objective is to find permanent housing and financial stability but how this is achieved is based upon the needs of the individual client. Case managers support clients throughout the program.

Due to the generosity of a matching donor, the total amount of all undesignated funds in the offering basket will be donated to Hospitality House AND half of what we collect will go toward Saltwater UU’s general operating fund.

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. _{****Image credit: Kindel Media}

Racial Justice Organizing Team (RJOT)
1^st Fridays, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Church Zoom Room

The next meeting will be on April 5. Our Racial Justice Organizing Team meets monthly to discuss more ways to support our community in our anti-racism efforts. We share ideas, provide support, learn about additional opportunities, plan events for our members, and work together to advance our commitment to Act for Racial Justice. _{****image credit: Diva Plavalaguna}

Sound Alliance
2^nd Saturdays, 10:00am – 11:30am
Church Zoom Room

The Sound Alliance team works on multiple issues in alignment with our commitment to Social Justice. The issues we focus on change from year to year, depending upon the concerns voiced by members of the congregation. All members and friends of Saltwater UU Church and Bet Chaverim are most welcome to join us in our conversations and Act for Social Justice. Our next meeting will be on April 13.

Stance for Racial Justice
2^nd & 4^th Sundays
In Person – Des Moines at 12:30pm & Puyallup at 2:00pm

Rain or shine, we Stand for Racial Justice two Sundays a month.  Join us as we stand together in solidarity with our signs for justice. Our next gathering will be on April 14 in Des Moines from 12:30pm – 1:30pm at the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack in the Box and Arco gas).

We will meet again on April 28 in Puyallup from 2:00pm – 3:00pm 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.

Climate Message of the Week

A good resource for recent extreme weather information as well as specific types of events like wildfires is the Yale Climate Connections Climate Change and Extreme Weather web page found here. Prepare now for possible heat and wildfire smoke this summer.

Are there topics or questions you’d like to see covered in future Climate Messages? Email suggestions to Sheri Jacobson at sheridjacobson@yahoo.com.

Ways to Connect

If you are planning to host an event in the Church Zoom Room please contact our Office Administrator (administrator@saltwaterchurch.org) the day before your scheduled event. They will need to verify your device has been registered to use the Church Zoom Room.

Weekly Meetings

Al-Anon Support Group
Private Zoom, contact saphroniayoung2016@gmail.com for link
Mondays, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Meditation Group 
Church Zoom Room
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
For the fall and winter months we will be meeting over Zoom. 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. Would you like to join our group? Contact Jean Spohn jeanspohn@centurylink.net or (206) 200-7524.

Writers Group 
Church Zoom Room
Wednesdays, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Do you like to write? Would you like to share and receive feedback on your writing? We welcome all writers at all levels! For more information, contact Janeane Weprin (630) 824-8343 or jghonore@yahoo.com.

Lunch Bunch 
In-Person – Location Varies
Wednesdays, 1:00pm
We meet weekly for an informal lunch together. The restaurant location varies week to week. Email Diane Dobrowolski at ddobrowolski@earthlink.net to find out where to meet us. All are welcome!

Twice a Month Meetings

Game Night Sponsored by Saltwater UU Social Club (SWUUSC)
In Person – Welcoming Room
1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Join our Saltwater community for an evening of fun. Friends and visitors are welcome. We play all types of board games (ranging from lighter games like Clue to more complex games like Pandemic.) Our group also plays thematic games, card games, and party & social games. Almost anything is possible! Bring your favorite game and let us know about it. Our next meet up will be April 6.

• 1st Saturdays are all-ages. Bring a game your whole family will enjoy! 
• 3rd Saturdays, childcare will be available upon request. Please rsvp for childcare at least 1-week in advance to Jessica Nash at faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org.

Coffee & Care with a Lay Minister
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary
2^nd and 4^th Sundays, 11:30am
After the service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, one of our lay ministers will be available in-person in the Sanctuary to talk one-on-one with anyone who needs some support. Get your coffee or tea in the Welcoming Room, and then peek into the Sanctuary. If the lay minister has an open chair, please come in, sit down, and receive the benefit of compassionate listening from a trained lay minister. Join us next on April 14.

Monthly Meetings

Online Caregiver Support Circle
Caregiver Support Circle Zoom Room
1^st Saturdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Are you caregiving for a significant other in your life? Having a parent, partner, or adult child experiencing physical, neurological or mental health challenges requires so much from the caregiver — YOU need care and support too! Join Rev. Alison and other caregivers in our Saltwater UU Community to share the joys and sorrows of caregiving and to give and receive support with others who are also in this essential and tender role of caregiver. Our next meet up will be April 6. Contact Rev. Alison at minister.swuuc@gmail.com with any questions.

Quiet Connections
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary
1^st Sundays, 11:30am – 12:00pm
If the Welcoming Room is too busy for you, or you are enjoying the conversations that start there, but would like to deepen them, the Newcomer and Visitor Team is offering “Quiet Connections” in the Sanctuary to welcome both new folks and longer-term members. We want to get to know you, invite you to get to know us, on a bit quieter, deeper, and more intimate level. A few snacks and drinks are provided. Join us on April 7.

Paint n’ Sip
In Person – Welcoming Room
2^nd Mondays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
All ages welcome! Bring any size canvas. No experience required. All paints and supplies provided. Our next meet up is April 8. RSVP to Jessica Alexander at jazz.itup@live.com. If you would like childcare, send a request at least 1-week in advance to Jessica Nash at faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org.

Saltwater Genealogy Club
Church Zoom Room
2^nd Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Do you love to talk about your family history and research? Saltwater Church has a Genealogy Club! We are not experts; we just share stories and research ideas. Our next meeting will be April 10. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact susanaigner@comcast.net.

Speculative Fiction Book Group
In Person – Office Conference Room &
The Speculative Fiction Book Group Zoom Room
3^rd Saturdays, Special April Date
Our next meeting is April 13 at 3:30pm. Our scheduled reads for the rest of the church year are:
April: All Systems Red and Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
May: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin
June: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

Creative Hands
In Person – Welcoming Room
3^rd Tuesdays, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Join us for an afternoon of visiting and working on our creative projects. Bring your knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, or whatever with you. We gather to foster connection through sharing our creative processes. We also support the Saltwater community with small craft projects throughout the year. Our next meet up will be April 16. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Joanne Loeliger (206) 870-1939.

Faith Formation Sunday
In Person – Saltwater Church
3^rd Sundays, 10:30am-2:00pm
Join us for fun, growth, and belonging as we delve deeper into the monthly Soul Matters themes our worship is built on. Faith Formation Sunday includes worship, lunch (sometimes potluck), then age-specific programming (adults, youth, and children). Our next gathering is April 21 and lunch will be provided. Questions? Contact Director of Faith Formation, Jessica Nash, at faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org.

Pair Sharing by Zoom
Janeane’s Zoom Room
One Sunday a month, 1:00pm – 2:15pm
Discover the healing power in telling truth and bearing witness. Pair Sharing is the spiritual practice of deep sharing and listening. If you would like to attend, please contact Janeane Weprin at jghonore@yahoo.com.

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 our Office Administrator for additional information administrator@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
Toska Rodriguez: toska_r@hotmail.com
Jean Spohn: jeanspohn@centurylink.net

Multigenerational Faith Formation

Questions about Children’s and Youth Programming? Contact our Director of Faith Formation, Jessica Nash: faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org. To join the Faith Formation Zoom Room go to: https://zoom.us/my/saltwaterfaithformation

Middle and High School Youth Group Game Night
1^st Saturdays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
In Person – Welcoming Room

Join us for Youth Group Game Night on April 6. Youth are encouraged to come hang out and play some games! Bring a favorite game to share. If you wish to try out a new game, we have a wide selection that will leave your brain and belly tired. Laughter and popcorn provided.

Adults of Youth Support Group
Saturday April 6, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
In Person – Saltwater Church

Those parenting Youth (grades 6-12) are invited to join Director, Jessica Nash, during the first hour of Youth Group Game Night. We will connect with each other through the Soulful Home curriculum, supporting one another on our shared journey of parenting. After the meet-up, join the game night for more fun and connection. _{****Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio}

Faith Formation Sundays – Elementary and Youth
3^rd Sundays, 10:30am – 2:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Church

Join us the 3rd Sunday of every month for an extended day of fun, growth, and belonging tied to our monthly Soul Matters themes. Faith Formation Sundays include elementary and youth programming during and after worship with lunch in-between. Our next meet up is Sunday, April 21 where we will explore the theme of Interdependence. We will be exploring boundaries through stories and even spend some time with our adult friends as we practice boundaries in community. Soup and Sandwich lunch will be provided. _{****Image credit: Jessica Nash}

Saltwater Church RETREAT 2024
Friday April 26 – Sunday April 28
Off-Site – Seabeck Conference Center

The Saltwater Retreat is coming up April 26 – 28. If you haven’t registered, contact Saphronia Young and see if you can have one of the 3 remaining rooms. On Saturday April 26 at Seabeck, Rev. Alison and Jessica Nash will be leading special programming for our younger friends. I know there will be POTATOES!!!!!! Adults will be with the amazing Liz James from the UU Hysterical Society.

Camp Blue Boat – Youth grades 6-12
Sunday June 30 – Friday July 5
In Person – Camp N-Sid-Sen in Harrison, Idaho

Get ready for an unforgettable summer experience at Camp Blue Boat at Camp N-Sid-Sen in Harrison, Idaho! This year, registration includes a bus from Denver, so no need for a second registration. Don’t forget to look for the discount if you’re not taking the bus. And the sibling discounts return. Registration deadline is June 1.

This summer camp is perfect for youth from rising 6th-grade to 12th-grade graduates. It offers age-specific housing and programming, where campers, counselors, and staff will explore being in relationship with oneself, others, and the wider world. The camp is based on four basic pillars, including community, spirituality, justice, and equality. After attending, youth will be able to articulate beliefs grounded in UU theology and values, develop spiritual discipline, engage in social change, and build personal and religious resilience. There are plenty of fun activities such as field games, crafts, hikes, swimming, bonfires, and more. Come join us! Register here: Camp Blue Boat in the PNW | Pacific Western Region | UUA.org

Why are we moving?  Because our old site wants to use their camp for their campers, so we get to go back to N-Sid-Sen, where Camp Blue Boat started.

Support for Children, Youth, & Families

Parents Facebook Group 

Connect with other Saltwater Church families with children and youth for support through the Parents Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SUUCFamilyMatters/

Childcare for Church Events 

Childcare may be requested for any church activity at least one week in advance by contacting our Director of Faith Formation, Jessica Nash, at faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org. We will do our best to make accommodations whenever possible.

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 Bubba:  administrator@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 our Office Administrator: administrator@saltwaterchurch.org

A quick guide for our Zoom room can be found here. Feel free to download the file to keep a copy readily available at your fingertips.

Saltwater Church Building

The church building has opened for in person gatherings. If you wish to plan an event, please use our online request form: https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/calendar-request/.  All gatherings are asked to follow the current COVID-19 guidelines. If you have questions about the guidelines or need assistance, our Office Assistant is on-site Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 2pm. If you need on-site assistance outside of their regularly scheduled hours, email administrator@saltwaterchurch.org to schedule an appointment.

Donations to Saltwater Church

When making a donation on the church website (click here), 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 have questions, email or call our Treasurer, Gaye Greeves at gnatfw@aol.com or 253-508-3961.