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 December: The Gift of Mystery

Mystery is all around us, even in the places where we think we have certainty. Unitarian Universalism affirms that our own experience of mystery is a primary source for our religious understanding. So this month, as we explore the gift of mystery, I want to encourage us to hold what we think we know lightly and leave space to encounter the mystery all around us.

Worship In December at Saltwater Church

December 31 Change is Coming, What Do We Need to Imagine? – Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland (remote)

As the calendar turns to a new year, Rev. Alison will encourage us to imagine the future we wish to create in the year ahead.

Worship In January at Saltwater Church

January 7 The Liberating Love of Universalism – Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland (remote)

Rev. Alison explores our monthly theme “Liberating Love” drawing from our Universalist ancestors who believed that God loves us too much to condemn us to hell.

January 14 Finding Liberating Love in Christianity – Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland (in-person)

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, like Black American Christians before and after him, found in the Bible the seeds of their liberation from oppression. Rev. Alison will help us look beyond the ways Christianity has been used to oppress and find the message of liberating love that inspired Dr. King, Harriet Tubman, and countless other Black American liberators.

From Our Board and Minister

December Congregational Meeting
Sunday December 31, 11:45am – 12:45pm
Saltwater Sanctuary and Church Zoom Room

Join us for our December Congregational Meeting after the worship service this Sunday, December 31. This will be multiplatform, so you may attend in person or on Zoom. The Board is going to present a brief recap and reflections of the year so far. We are also going to kick off an exciting second part of the church year. Snacks will be provided. Childcare has been arranged so those who are parenting may attend the meeting.

Final Proposed Article II Revision Text Released

The Article II Study Commission has released a revised draft of the proposed changes to Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association bylaws, incorporating the amendments passed at this year’s General Assembly. Find their final proposal here: Article II Revision

As UUs, we actively participate in the decision making of our denomination by informing ourselves on key issues, engaging with opportunities to provide feedback to the denomination (surveys, listening sessions, etc), and voting at General Assembly. As part of this active participation, Saltwater Church focused our December Faith Formation Sunday on the Article II proposal. Rev. Alison is looking forward to leading our community in this conversation again remotely on Wednesday, January 3 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Find more information about the event in the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter.

Minister’s Messages

Rev. Alison posts weekly messages to our community through our church website. In this week’s message, Rev. Alison shares an opportunity to participate in last week’s Winter Solstice celebration from afar, and contemplates the way that we co-create our future together. You can find Rev. Alison’s message via the home page of the church website or here: Minister’s Messages. Rev. Alison’s next in-person visit to Saltwater will be Sunday, January 14-21.

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

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.

New York New Years Eve (Eve)
Saturday December 30, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
In Person – Saltwater Church

Join the fun and celebrate the New Year a day early, on New Year’s Eve Eve! Our celebration will be on East Coast time so that all can join us and be back home at a reasonable hour. Karaoke, Music, Dancing, and Hors d’oeuvres will be offered. A family friendly event (alcohol free)! This offering is from Anjali Lopez and Saphronia Young as a fundraiser that is part of Our Next Chapter fundraiser. Tickets – $20 per adult, children and youth are free. FREE also for 2023 Saltwater Church visitors and newcomers!! Please RSVP to Anjali or Saphronia now so that we have an accurate headcount to purchase food. To purchase tickets, click this donate button and write NYEE in the memo/comment section. Or you may email Anjali at anjalijl@gmail.com or Saphronia at saphroniayoung2016@gmail.com for tickets.

Online Adult Faith Formation Event – Our Past and Our Future
Wednesday January 3, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Minister’s Zoom Room

Earlier this month, Saltwater Church focused our in-person December Faith Formation Sunday on the past and future of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Rev. Alison is looking forward to leading our community in this conversation again remotely on Wednesday, January 3 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. In a space of community, we will delve into the newest proposed revisions to Article II, our own core values, and how they have been reflected in the UUA bylaws throughout our history. We will be considering what has pulled us toward this Unitarian Universalist community and what we hold most valued in our principles. This will be a time to look inward as well as outward toward our future together. Please CLICK HERE for the handout we’ll use during the session. You can read it online, print it out, or download a copy to your computer. If you weren’t able to join us in-person earlier this month, we hope to see you there.

Multi-platform watch party
“Congregational Life with Dr. Ramon Selove”
Wednesday January 17, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Sactuary and Faith Formation Zoom Room

Rev. Alison will be hosting a watch party for “UUA Neurodivergence Skill Up: Congregational Life with Dr. Ramon Selove”. We will be streaming the presentation both in the sanctuary and on zoom, in the Faith formation Zoom Room. https://zoom.us/my/saltwaterfaithformation

This is a presentation from the UUA Neurodivergence Skill Up series. Dr Ramon Selove has useful insights on neurodivergent life in our UU faith family. On January 21st, during our extended Faith Formation Sunday, we will be exploring this topic with our own panel of neurodivergent members and friends. As we learn from each other through a practice of listening and thoughtful questions, we will find ways to co-create a space of belonging for all neuro pathways.

Coffee & Care with a Lay Minister
Sundays January 14 and 28, 11:30am
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary

After the service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays in January (1/14 & 1/28) 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. _{****image credit: Jack Sparrow}

New Member Class
Saturday January 20, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
In Person – Welcoming Room

Are you ready to become a member of Saltwater UU Church? Have you been visiting the church and wanting to learn more? Our new member class is a necessary step to membership, offered in-person by Rev. Alison on January 20 in the Welcoming Room, and online on Sunday, February 4 in the Church Zoom Room from 1-3pm. RSVP to minister.swuuc@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Stop the Bleed Training
Saturday January 27, 10:00am – 12:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary

This free 2-hour class, originally intended as a follow up to the basic First Aid training, is now open to anyone in our congregation! Learn what you can do to stabilize a situation after traumatic injury, until the experts arrive. Please join us. In times of fear and trauma, your actions can save a life. If you plan to attend, please fill out this form just so we have an estimate of how to set up. There is no charge.

Volunteer Opportunities

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.

Facilities Team
3^rd Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:pm
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 January 17. _{^{***Image credit: Bubba}} 

Ways To Live Our Values

Share The Plate for December
Duwamish Tribe

Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of December will be shared (and matched) with the Duwamish Tribe: https://www.duwamishtribe.org/
The Duwamish serve as the host tribe of Seattle.

Each Sunday we acknowledge the land of the indigenous peoples of the Duwamish Tribe. In 1983, after more than 100 years of broken United States treaty promises, the Duwamish Tribal Services established a non-profit 501[C]3 organization to provide social and cultural services to the Duwamish Tribal community.

The Duwamish Tribe currently has around 600 enrolled members. Many more people have Duwamish (dxʷdəwʔabš) ancestry but have chosen to enroll with federally recognized tribes, in order to obtain health and other human services.

In the absence of federal recognition, funding, and human services, Duwamish Tribal Services has struggled to provide numerous social, educational, health, and cultural programs during the past 35 years. We are pleased to support their efforts.

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}

Pajama Making Party
1^st Tuesdays, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
In Person – Welcoming Room

Please join Sally Caldwell and others to Sew for Social Justice. We make pajama bottoms and receiving blankets for local charities including Hospitality House and the Pediatric Interim Care Center. If you have a sewing machine, please bring it. Everything else will be provided. Don’t have a sewing machine or know how to sew? Please feel free to join us to cut out patterns and help with other tasks. Our next meet up will be January 2. _{****Image credit: Evg Kowalievska}

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

The next meeting will be on January 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.

Sound Alliance
Now on 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 January 13.

Stance for Racial Justice
2^nd & 4^th Sundays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
In Person – Des Moines & Puyallup

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 January 14 in Des Moines at the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack in the Box and Arco gas).

We will meet again on January 28 in Puyallup from 2pm until 3pm 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

The 2024 Washington State Legislative Session begins on January 8 and lasts only 60 days. Here are the three items that state climate groups are focused on during the session–the Washington Recycling and Packaging (WRAP) Act, 100% Clean School Buses, and defending the Climate Commitment Act. Learn more about what’s coming up and how to make a difference at sessions like the one from Front and Centered, January 4, 12:30-1:30 http://tinyurl.com/y6cv5hwd. Commit to telling your legislators that you support these policies and that you want a clean, just, healthy climate. _{****image credit: John Callery}

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.

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 January 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.

Monthly Meetings

Movie Night
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary
2^nd Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Join us at the movies! January 10 is our next movie night. Bring a snack to share. All are welcome, no need to RSVP. Send questions to Robert at snipes@affectreality.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 January 10. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact susanaigner@comcast.net.

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 January 21. Lunch will be provided. Questions? Contact Director of Faith Formation, Jessica Nash, at faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org. _{***Image credit: Jessica Nash}

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 January 16. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Joanne Loeliger (206) 870-1939.

Paint n’ Sip
In Person – Welcoming Room
4^th 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 January 22. 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.

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 at the Tabletop Family Game Night on January 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.

Elementary Faith Formation
3^rd Sundays, 10:30am – 2:00pm
In Person – Lighthouse Large Room

Join us on Faith Formation Sunday during and after the worship service for fun, growth, and belonging with our Director of Faith Formation, Jessica Nash. Our next meet up is Sunday, January 21, after the service and lunch.

During our extended portion of the day we will be creating fun ways to stay busy while sitting in the sanctuary. Do your children enjoy coloring? Legos? Puzzles? Books? Toys? We will be expanding our idea of what it looks like to be sitting with the adults. We want to tickle all the neurodiverse pathways and find ways to keep our minds and bodies present while all we want to do is wiggle our way to the playground. _{****Image credit: Jessica Nash}

Middle and High School Youth Faith Formation
3^rd Sundays, 10:30am – 2:00pm
In Person – Lighthouse Youth Room

Our Youth Group meets on Faith Formation Sunday during and after the worship service. Youth Group discussions and activities are tied to the monthly Soul Matters themes. Come find some community and conversation around January’s theme of liberating love. Our next Youth Group is Sunday, January 21. Lunch will be provided.

Parenting Youth Support Group
Date and Time TBD
In Person – Saltwater Meeting Room

Those parenting Youth (grades 6-12) are invited to join Director, Jessica Nash, in conversation. We will connect with each other through the Soulful Home curriculum, supporting one another on our shared journey of parenting. Our next meet up is TBD. _{****Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio}

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.   

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 the website form (click here).