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.
Worship
June: What Does it mean to be a People of Play?
Throughout the month of June we are exploring what it means to be a people of play. A people who explore their bodies, minds, spirits and the wider world with a sense of curiosity. A people who sing, move, laugh, and learn together. Soul Matters describes the practice of play as remembering we can write our own rules, using escape to restore our freedom, and returning to joy. Join us as we play and deepen our faith together!
June 13: “A Peaceable Kingdom: Our Spring Music Service,” LEA Morris, Guest Musician and Speaker, with Tom Burt, Music Director. Join us to be blessed by the powerful and beautiful music of LEA Morris. Through music and words we will reflect on: Does life have to be a competition? Do only the fit survive? Or is it possible that we all can win?
June 20: “Improvising Our Way,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga. Explore how play and improvisation can help us to be flexible, creative, and find new ways together.
June 27: “UUA General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship,” led by the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis. This Sunday we will join with thousands of Unitarian Universalist from all over the country in Sunday morning worship! We will watch the service together in the Saltwater Church zoom room.
Summer Worship Collaborative
This summer, in July and August, we will be worshipping together with Northlake UU and Tahoma UU over zoom. We will be using the Saltwater Church zoom room, and you will have the opportunity to connect with local UUs from other congregations. More details coming soon!
Upcoming Events
Congregational Meeting
June 13, 11:45am – 1pm
Church Zoom Room
Greetings all! Please join us via Zoom for our very important annual business meeting. The meeting will follow Sunday’s church service (rumored to be a stupendous music service) and will be both informative and productive. A copy of the agenda (click here) is now available and includes information about the nominees (click here) to fill positions opening in July. We will also be voting on the proposed “Covenant of Right Relations” (click here) and approving the minutes from last year’s meeting (click here). This, and the need for quorum in order to do business, should inspire you to want this meeting included in your afternoon activities. If you have any questions, please contact any member of your Healthy Congregations Team or our Office Administrator. See you there!
Stance for Racial Justice
June 13, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
In person – Des Moines
Rain or shine, show up for racial justice. Join us in Des Moines from 2pm until 3pm at the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack- in- the Box and Arco gas). We gather on the 2nd Sunday of the 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 the Board and HCT
Announcing Saltwater’s Delegates for General Assembly
This year the Board received eight applications to serve as Saltwater’s Delegates at the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly. The Board has nominated Rachel English, Topher Benum, Mary Paynter, and Neysa Peterson to serve. Rev. Kristen Kuriga and Melinda Einander will also attend and participate as Religious Professional delegates.
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.
Membership News
Have you been telling yourself, “I want to join the SUUC family.”? Is the time right for you to take the steps necessary to join our church? Members should be in alignment with the mission, vision, values and covenant of our church and Unitarian Universalism. Members are asked to make a pledge to support the church financially within their means (waivers are available) and to seek ways to share their gifts by volunteering and/or serving our community. If you answered “yes” to the above questions, you are encouraged to request an application for membership from Bev Ross; email: mrs_ross1@yahoo.com OR from Rev Kristen; email: minister@saltwaterchurch.org. Once completed applications are received, a book signing page will be forwarded to you and arrangements made to have you sign it.
Growth and Learning
Racial Justice Common Read Breathe by Imani Perry
4th Tuesdays – June 22nd, July 27th, & August 24th, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Minister’s Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/7434659479
Please join the RJOT Racial Justice Organizing Team as we participate in the UU Common Read Breathe by Imani Perry. Saltwater RJOT has purchased some copies of the book to make available to participants. Please contact our Office Administrator, to arrange to receive a copy!
This will be a three-part monthly series over the summer. We would love to see you at one, two, or all three sessions.
6/22 Session 1: Breathing, We will discuss through page 50.
7/27 Session 2: Aren’t We All Human?, We will discuss through page 118.
8/24 Session 3: Claiming or Reclaiming Joy, We will come together and discuss the whole book.
(Click image for details about the book)
Our first two dates will have two discussion groups: one for white participants and one for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) participants and those parenting BIPOC. Please RSVP, including which discussion group best fits your identity, to: susanaigner@comcast.net.
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 June: Des Moines Food BankHalf of all undesignated donations received in the month of June will be shared with the Des Moines Food Bank: http://www.myfoodbank.org/. You can make a donation to share the plate through the donate button on our website 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.
Racial Justice Organizing Team (RJOT)
Monthly on the 3rd Tuesday, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Room
Saltwater’s RJOT will not be meeting in May but encourages you to join them in June 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.
Sound Alliance – All-Alliance Annual Meeting & Action Assembly
June 23, 6pm – 8pm
RSVP for Zoom Link
Recently the Saltwater’s Sound Alliance Group sponsored a series of listening sessions. On June 23rd they will be sharing what they learned and meeting with all of Sound Alliance to identify the action steps for the upcoming year. You are invited to attend and participate in the disucssion. Follow this link: https://www.soundorganizing.org/june_action_assembly to register for the event. Please Click here for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Lucia at lfaithfull@comcast.net.
Sound Alliance Team Meeting
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, June 26.
Saltwater Climate Action Now! (SCAN!)
July 18, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Church Zoom Room
SCAN! We’re taking the rest of June off. We will not meet on July 4. We will meet on July 18. We’ll take all of August off and resume our 1st Sunday of the month meetings Sep. 5. Yes, I know that’s right in the middle of Labor Day weekend but we’ve done this before and it’s worked out quite well. Have a happy summer everyone. See you on the 18th of July. Stay safe. Please join us in the church zoom room starting at 12. Bring a friend too. You’ll be most welcome.
Climate Message of the Week:
June is Orca Action Month and even though the month has already started, it’s not too late to get involved. Although no animal predators kill Orcas, they’re an endangered species due to declining chinook salmon numbers, harm from oil spills, accumulation of contaminants in their bodies, and noise from boat traffic, which disrupts Orcas’ ability to use echolocation. Learn more at the Orca Alliance site (http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/). The Alliance also has a page devoted to Orca Action Month at https://www.orcamonth.com/. Some of the challenges Orcas face are detailed in a recent excerpt in the Seattle Times from a new book by Lynda V. Mapes, Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home (https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/were-changing-the-habitat-for-the-orcas-and-salmon-and-not-for-the-better/). ***image credit Adam Ernster
Ways to Connect
Pair Sharing
(Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Roomhttps://zoom.us/j/7434659479)
Sundays, twice a month 11:45am – 1:00pm
The next meeting will be on June 6th. The second meeting in June will take place on June 27. 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, 5:00pm – 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, June 16. Questions? Contact Lynn Crow at (206) 429-2005.
Saltwater Genealogy Club
(Church Zoom Room)
2nd 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 July 14. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact susanaigner@comcast.net.
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, 9:30 am – 12:00pm
Weekend Writers Group
(Church Zoom Room)
Sundays twice a month, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
The next meeting will be on June 13.
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
Cards for Bridging Youth
This year’s bridgers are Gustavo Finney-Sanchez and Jared Bjornson. You are encouraged to write a card or note of encouragement and congratulations for each of our bridgers. Cards may be dropped off at or mailed to the church or mailed directly to the bridgers’ families. Please contact Melinda Einander with questions: melinda@saltwaterchurch.org. ***image credit Quang Anh Ha Nguyen
Religious Education Class for Kids and their Grown-Ups
(Note the class address.)
Sunday mornings at 9:30am https://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
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.
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.
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 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.
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).