We offer worship in two ways: in-person multi-platform service held in our sanctuary and online in our Church Zoom Room at 10:30 am. 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 in-person programming and via our Church Zoom Room.
December Worship
Theme for December: Wonder
Throughout the month of December we are engaging with the theme of wonder. Wonder: a marvel or a miracle. A feeling closely associated with awe. A move away from words into an experience of vastness, connection, or beauty. Wonder is often the result of paying attention and being curious: of approaching life with an open heart and an open mind. When was the last time you experienced wonder? What did it feel like? Join us to explore what it means to be on the path of wonder.
Services
Live multi-platform worship in the sanctuary and online through zoom!
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
“Star of Wonder,” Led by Rev. Kristen Kuriga
Saturday December 24, 7:00pm
Multi Platform : Sanctuary & Church Zoom Room
Join us to sing carols, engage with the story of Christmas, and sit in candlelight, connecting with the hope, love, and the joy of being together at this sacred time of the year.
Sunday December 25: Saltwater Church will be closed on Sunday, December 25th, and there will not be a worship service.
You are invited to join the Church of the Larger Fellowship for worship on Christmas Day. This service features 7 original reflections on the charge in Howard Thurman’s famous work “The Work of Christmas” and plenty of holiday music. The recording goes live on Christmas Eve in the evening and is available after that for viewing at your convenience on YouTube by following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eqericUCj4
Theme for January: Finding Our Center
January 1: “Remember, Release, Resolve,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
Join us for a New Year’s Day service where we will reflect on the past year, let go of what we don’t want to carry forward, and set intentions for the year to come. This service includes participatory rituals. If you are joining us over zoom, please bring paper and a pen/marker, a bowl of water, and a stone.
January 8: “Finding Our Center,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
Notable & 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.
Community Potluck – Everyone Welcome
Sunday January 8, following service
In Person : Welcome Room
Church-Wide Potluck on January 8 Yummy! Please mark your calendars for our first (in a long while) church potluck on January 8, right after church. Please bring a generous dish to share. Kindly mark ingredients if not clearly visible (like nuts, soy, etc.) We will also need folks to step up and help us set up before church and take down after church. Questions? contact Debra Valpey, 206-953-5704 or debravalpey@gmail.com ***image credit: Lewisburg Comm Garden
Current In-person Activity COVID-19 Guidelines
Please see our website at https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/covid19-info/ for the most up to date information. We continue to review current guidelines for King County and the state of Washington to ensure we adhere to their standards.
From Our Leadership
Church Office Closed for the Holidays
December 25, 2022 until January 3, 2023
The church office will be closed from Saturday, December 24 through Monday, January 2. 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
Our administrator, Katherine “Bubba” Miller, will return to their regular schedule on Tuesday January 3, 2023 at 9:00am. They will respond to any messages left over the holiday at that time. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Happy Holidays!
Join Us in Welcoming Our New AV Sound Tech!
Nina Watson has joined our AV Tech team as a part-time staff member. She will be with us most Sundays at the AV Desk in the back of the sanctuary. Please join us in welcoming her.
Below is a short bio:
Nina Watson is a Los Angeles native with over seven years of experience in documentary filmmaking. Most recently, Nina worked as an Associate Producer with The Concordia Fellowship in LA, where she supported diverse filmmakers in the documentary industry. Features, series, and shorts she worked on include Aftershock (2022), Time (2020), From Here to Home: American Stories about Immigration and Belonging (2019), and the four-part HBO documentary series The Defiant Ones (2017). Nina, her partner, Larry, and her daughter, Lylli, joined the Des Moines community in 2020. She looks forward to supporting Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church as the new Audiovisual & Sound Tech for Sunday Morning Worship. ***image credit: adobe stock
From Our Treasurer
Statements are going into the mail today showing contributions made from July 1, 2022 through November 30th. These are for pledge and other things such as Share the Plate, Ministerial Discretionary Fund, Giving Tree and so forth. If you have any questions about your statement please contact Gaye Greeves at gnatfw@aol.com or call/text at 253-508-3961. Thank you for your continued support of Saltwater Church.
Growth & Learning
Transforming Conflict: A Congregational Opportunity for Learning and Skill Building
What’s your relationship with conflict? Is it difficult for you? As a congregation, we want to learn how to engage with conflict in loving and covenantal ways. Join the Healthy Congregation Team and the Board for a congregational study of the book Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil by Terasa Cooley.
Over five months we will read, reflect, and learn new skills. Sessions will be offered on zoom and in-person, and we encourage learning to continue between sessions through learning pairs. You can purchase a copy of the book here: https://www.uuabookstore.org/Transforming-Conflict-P19335.aspx. There will also be copies available to borrow from the church office starting on Wednesday, September 14. See below for the schedule and join us!
The same session will be offered each month in two different modalities:
1st Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Church Zoom Room &
3rd Sundays, 12:00pm – 1:30 pm, In Person – Church Welcome Room
January 4 & 15: Conflicts about Race
& Creating a New Culture of Learning
February 1 & 19: Tools for Change
& The Courage of Creative Imagination
Questions? Contact a member of the Healthy Congregation Team: Bev Ross, Quinn Rose, Debra Valpey, or the Board Liaison to the Healthy Congregation Team, Aida Sanchez-Vela.
Ways To Live Our Values
Share the Plate for January
Federal Way Day Center
Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of January will be shared with The Federal Way Day Center https://ccsww.org/get-help/shelter-homeless-services/federal-way-day-center
Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of January will be shared with Federal Way Day Shelter. With the active involvement of SUUC, the Federal Way Day Center opened in December 2016. It provides a welcoming space to adults who are homeless and vulnerably housed. The Day Center offers showers, laundry, computers, phones, mail reception services, space for meal preparation, and access to health care and social services. Case Management services and Family-Only hours are also offered. Remember, our funds are matched so your contribution is doubled!
You can make a donation to share the plate through the donate button on our website
https://saltwaterchurch.org/stewardship/donate/ 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
Monthly on the 2nd Saturday, 10:00am – 11:30am
Church Zoom Room
The Sound Alliance team works on multiple issues in alignment with our commitment to Social Justice. Our next meeting will be on Saturday January 14 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.
Stance for Racial Justice
2nd & 4th Sundays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
In Person – Des Moines & Puyallup
Rain or shine, we stand for racial justice every other Sunday. Join us as we stand together in solidarity with our signs for justice. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Our next gathering will be on January 8 in Des Moines at the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack in the Box and Arco gas). We will not be meeting on December 25. Contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte@gmail.com for more information.
Racial Justice Organizing Team (RJOT)
DECEMBER DATE CHANGE: Wednesday, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Church Zoom Room
The next meeting will be on Wednesday December 28. 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.
Climate Message of the Week
Are there topics or questions you’d like to see covered in future Climate Messages? Email suggestions to Nancy Corr at corrnancy03@gmail.com.
Ways to Volunteer
Growing Sunday Morning Worship
On Sundays, we continue to grow our multi-platform service skills. We’ve had (40-60) people, average, in the sanctuary, and another (20-30) on Zoom. We’re preparing to hire a part-time AV person so we have the resources and skills to support our services. We hope this will also free up volunteers to help in other essential areas, including welcoming visitors.
We invite you to take part in creating the kind of community that you want to be part of! Consider this list of roles, and please get in touch with Leanne LaFramboise, our volunteer coordinator, at anna57.5@gmail.com if one of these roles calls to you.
If you attend church on Zoom, you can be a “Digital Usher” once/month.
Digital Usher: virtual support for multiplatform worship services, which includes being part of tech rehearsals on Sunday morning for sound check, admitting people, posting lyrics and links in the chat box, and opening break out rooms after service. Comfort with zoom is important.
Time commitment: 9:30 am-12 pm, once per month, from home
If you attend church in person, there are several roles including:
Greeter & Usher: work together as a team to open up the space, set up sign in tables, welcome people, talk with visitors, make people aware of COVID-19 protocols, count offering, and close up the space.
Time commitment: 9:45 am-12 pm, once a month, or sign up for Sundays that work for your schedule
Coffee Hour: In the coming months, we hope to restart coffee hour. There is a group of leaders working on this as a follow-up from the leadership convening in late October. Please let us know if you would like to be part of the team! Time commitment to be determined by organizing team.
Worship Associate: Help co-create worship on Sunday mornings, including leading chalice lighting, welcome, announcements, reading, and chalice extinguishing. Also assists with rituals like Joys and Sorrows, sets up the chalice table, and puts away the chalice table. Worship associate training provided.
Time commitment: 9:30 am-11:45 pm, in-person
Facilities Team
Monthly on the 1st Thursdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
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 Thursday January 5. ***Image credit: Karolina Grabowska
Saltwater Church Safety Taskforce
Monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Church Zoom Room
Our Safety Taskforce encourages members of our community to join in discussions about our facilities and community. Common topics include building safety, necessary upgrades to our facilities, and emergency planning. We are beginning multiple new projects and welcome your knowledge and skills. Join our monthly meeting to learn how you can lend a hand. Our next meeting is Thursday January 19.
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
Support Circle – Schedule Change
Church Zoom Room : https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
First & Third Thursdays, 12:30pm – 1:30pm, led by Rev Kristen
There will be no evening support circle in December.
Support circle is open to all members and friends and is a space for deep check-in and reflection on a question related to our monthly theme. In support circle we come to be nourished by authentic relationship, to mutually support one another through the joys and sorrows of our lives, and to create space for spiritual insight. All are welcome.
Meditation Group
Church Zoom Room
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Our meditation group has returned to zoom only for the fall & winter seasons. 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, 9:30 am – 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.
Twice a Month Meetings
Game Night Sponsored by Saltwater UU Social Club (SUUSC)
In Person – Welcome Room
1st and 3rd 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. This event will follow our current COVID-19 Guidelines. Our next meet up will be on January 7.
Weekend Writers Group
Church Zoom Room
Alternating Sundays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
There’s no time like the present to start writing that novel you have been dreaming about for years! Or maybe it’s time to share the poetry you have stashed away in your file drawer or to start immortalizing by writing down those unique memories that have been your precious life! And it’s a lot more fun if you have an audience of other writers to share them with. We welcome new members, WE WELCOME YOU! Any questions? Please phone me at 206-898-5452 or email me at mona_lee@centurylink.net.
Monthly Meetings
Saltwater Genealogy Club
Church Zoom Room
2nd Wednesday, 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 January 11. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact susanaigner@comcast.net.
Creative Hands
In Person : Welcome Room
3rd Tuesday, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Join us for an afternoon of visiting and working on our creative projects. Bring your knitting, crocheting, hand sewing, jewelry making, or whatever with you. We gather monthly to foster connection through sharing our creative processes. We also support the Saltwater community with small craft projects throughout the year. Our next meeting will be January 17. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Joanne Loeliger (206) 870-1939.
Pair Sharing
Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Room (https://zoom.us/j/7434659479)
ON HIATUS until January
one Sunday a month, 11:45am – 1:00pm
Discover the 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.
Paint n’ Sip
In Person – Welcome Room
4th Mondays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Bring any size canvas. No experience required. All paints and supplies provided. RSVP to Jessica Alexander at jazz.itup@live.com. Our next evening of artistic expression will be December 26.
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
Toska Rodriguez: toska_r@hotmail.com
Multigenerational Faith Formation
Multigenerational Faith Formation’s Zoom Room
https://zoom.us/j/2349227683?pwd=aG4yL3RRb240UjJyWUR1Y2p2V0lQUT09
Children and Youth Registration for our Multigenerational Faith Formation Program
Families are encouraged to fill out a registration form for any children and youth participating in classes and activities at Saltwater Church. This helps our staff and volunteers with planning programs, and helps us know your family better. Register online at: https://forms.gle/nNG2M6Pth3AZMgH16
Middle and High School Youth Group (grades 6-12)
Youth will meet for social events several times a month. The Youth Group works with adult advisors to plan programs which include personal sharing, discussion of religious and ethical issues, guest speakers from other religions and from the community, service projects, participation in district youth conferences, and worship. This year youth will explore the monthly church-wide themes. Contact Amanda Radak or see the church newsletter for more information.
Holiday Party
Thursday December 29, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Welcome Room
We will spend the evening playing games and there will be a gift exchange. Please RSVP to Amanda Radak.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Comprehensive sexuality education classes will be held jointly with Westside UU Church for youth in grades 7-9. The class schedule will be available soon. Contact Steve Radak for more information.
Support for Children, Youth, & Families
Family Support Circles
First & Third Mondays, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Family ministries zoom room
Are you are looking for like-minded parents to support you through the challenges of family life? Look no further than the Parent Support Group! Join us 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7:30pm in the Multigenerationl Faith Formation Zoom Room. For questions, contact Jessica Alexander at jazz.itup@live.com
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 & Services
Childcare is available upon request for any church activity if requested at least one week in advance. To request childcare, contact Jessica Alexander via email at jazz.itup@live.com. Childcare is currently being offered for the paint group 4th Mondays from 6-9 p.m. (This event is also open to youth participants.)
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: 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 Melinda: 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 1pm. If you need on-site assistance outside of their regularly scheduled hours, email administrator@saltwaterchurch.org to schedule an appointment.
Planting Flowers has resumed providing essential childcare support to families. Haitian Christians has resumed in-person gatherings with a limited capacity on Sunday evenings. Bet Chaverim has resumed events in the Welcome Room & Sanctuary while also continuing to have virtual options. Currently our facilities are closed for all rentals involving indoor activities.
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.
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 (click here).