It’s that time of year again… DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!!!!
A reminder that Daylight Savings Time begins at 2am this
Sunday, March 14th. Let us time travel together and spring forward
1 hour into the future.
For those of us who feel like we’re still stuck in 2019, here’s proof you’re not wrong: With overwhelming support, Washington State passed house bill HB 1196 in 2019 to set the time of the State of Washington permanently to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). However, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation regulations require that a state get permission from the U.S. Congress to make the change to PDT (versus Standard time) permanent. As you can imagine, the U.S. Congress has been a bit preoccupied as of late, so Washingtonians will remain unwilling time travelers a little bit longer. At least we are all in this together.
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.
March: What does it mean to be a People of Commitment?
In the month of March, we are exploring what it means to be a people of commitment. To commit: to dedicate ourselves to a way of being, a practice, or a relationship. Some commitments are intentional, like when we take a vow or make a promise. Many commitments in our lives go unnoticed, even to ourselves. What commitments shape you the most? What commitments define our community as a people of faith? Join as we explore and deepen our faith together.
March 14: “Loved into Being,” Unitarian Universalist Association
March 21: ‘What it Means to be a Faith of Relationships,” Debra Valpey, Quinn Rose, Bev Ross, Healthy Congregation Team Lay Leaders
March 28: “Together We Persisted,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
Upcoming Events
Celebration of Life for Leo Nalli
Saturday, March 20, 11am-1pm, church Zoom room.
https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Join us to celebrate the life of Leo Nalli. Leo was a member of Saltwater church who died on March 24, 2020. All are welcome to come together as we share memories and offer care to his family.
Gratitude Concert – featuring Oleg Dusaev
Sunday, March 21, 7pm
(Zoom link available soon)
What a year, and what amazing members we have. Please tune in to this concert, and bring your family together to enjoy, dine, and allow yourselves to be thanked for all of the hard work, persistence, and support you’ve provided to the church, each other and our communities this year.
Passover Seder with Bet Chaverim
Sunday, March 28, 6-7:30pm
(Zoom link available soon)
Bet Chaverim Synagogue has invited the Saltwater community to join together for a celebration of Passover. The seder will be led by Rabbi Jim, and Rev. Kristen will offer a brief reflection on liberation from a UU perspective. All are welcome. If you would be willing to be a reader in the service in English, please contact Galen Guffy, Worship Operations Lead: galen6886@gmail.com.
Save the Date for Upcoming Living into Mission Workshops
Seder with Bet Chaverim: Sunday, March 28, 6 – 7:30 pm
We Nurture Spiritual Growth: Wednesday, March 31, 7-8:30 pm
We Act for Justice: Wednesday, May 12, 7-8:30 pm
Growth and Learning
“The Call to Faith,” Saltwater RJOT Discussion Group
Thursday, March 18, 7-8:30pm
saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Join our Saltwater Racial Justice Organizing Team to hear again the moving words of Dr.Takiyah Nur Amin. She voiced them the first time during the Side with Love Sunday Service on February 14. We will share our answers to the questions she poses. Please pre-register at: susanaigner@comcast.net.
NEW – Weekend Writers Group
2nd & 4th Sundays, 6pm – 8pm
saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Saltwater Church now has a second writer’s group that will be meeting twice a month. Share your writing with others and receive helpful feedback. The new group will meet the 2nd and 4th Sunday each month in the evening from 6pm until 8pm. If you are interested in joining the Weekend Writers Group, or would like additional information, send an email to mona_lee@centurylink.net.
From the Board & HCT
Volunteer Opportunity – Nominations Committee
Our Nominations Committee each year is responsible for finding volunteers for two positions on the Church Board and two positions for the “NomCom” itself. Each year, the Board rotates for two new board members with a 3 year term, as their predecessors’ terms expire. This is also true for the “NomCom,” two new members are chosen as two members’ 2 year terms expire. If any of you reading this and is interested in volunteering for any of these positions, please let Nelson Schmitz know, and if you have questions thereof, they are also welcome. Nelson can be reached at ntschmitz@comcast.net or 425-444-7494. Thank you.
Office Administrator Work Hours
Our new Office Administrator, Katherine Miller will be available via email Tues – Fri from 9am until 1pm. They also plan on being available in the church office 1 to 2 days a week. Which days those will be are undetermined at this time. A new announcement will be posted to the newsletter as soon as those days are identified. Many members of our congregation may know them as “Bubba” and all are welcome to use either name. You can reach Katherine at administrator@saltwaterchurch.org.
Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate for March: Save the Weyerhauser Campus
Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of March will be shared with the non-profit Save the Weyerhauser Campus: http://saveweyerhaeusercampus.org/about/. 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.
Stance for Racial Justice
Monthly on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, 2pm – 3pm
Rain or shine, show up for racial justice every other Sunday in March! Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. We will gather in Des Moines on 3/14 from 2pm until 3pm at the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack- in- the Box and Arco gas). On 3/28 we will gather 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 info.
Racial Justice Core Team (RJCT)
Monthly on the 3rd Tuesday, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Join Saltwater’s RJCT 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. Meetings are being held in our main zoom room: https://zoom.us/j/7434659479
Saltwater Climate Action Now! (SCAN!)
Monthly on the 1st Sunday, 12pm – 1:30pm
Join our SCAN! monthly team meetings and learn how you can make a difference as far as Climate Justice for all is concerned. Meetings are held in our main Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/7434659479
Climate Message of the Week:
How would you answer the question Greenpeace posted about climate policies: “What are three things you would change about your city if you were mayor for a week?” Then think about how that question relates to other climate issues like “How can my city or county create a better recycling system?” or “What would I do to change our food system to make it more climate-friendly?” Think of the climate questions that matter most to you and use your answers to guide your actions as you work for a healthy climate.
Sound Alliance (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday 10:00 – 11:30 am
Federal Way Day Center Donations Needed
The Federal Way Day Center for unsheltered adults is providing important support to our local community while practicing social distancing. Their remarkable record of providing safe care has resulted in ZERO Covid cases. Those who were most vulnerable were admitted to safe housing sites in Kent and SeaTac. Ten long-term Day Center guests will be approved for Permanent Supported Housing at the soon to open Thea Bowman Apartments in Kent.
Your help with the most needed items can go a long way to maintaining that safety record: cup noodles, hand warmers, rain ponchos, and trash bags. You can park in front of the Day Center and call (253-893-7895) and someone will come out to pick up the donations. 33505 13 Pl S behind the Multi-Service Center. Or you may contact Lucia lfaithfull@comcast.net or Diane ddobrowolski@earthlink.net to arrange for your donations to be picked up.
Supporting Our Saltwater Community
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.
Handmade Cards Fundraiser
Send beautiful cards to foster connection, while supporting our beloved community! Your purchases from HandmadeWithDove.Etsy.com will continue to support Saltwater year round, with $5 from every item sold going to the church.
Ways to Connect
Pair Sharing
(Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/7434659479)
Alternating Sundays, 11:45-1:00 pm. The next session will be March 14, 2021.
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, 6:30-7:30 pm
Creative Hands
(church zoom room)
Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 pm
We will support one another in our creative ventures, as well as discuss ways that we can help our communities during this time.
Meditation Group
(church zoom room)
Tuesdays, 7-8:15 pm
We follow a UU modified Zen practice that includes lighting a candle, chiming a singing bowl, sitting and walking in silence, listening to words of wisdom, sharing tea and conversation, now all virtual via Zoom. Contact Jean Spohn if you have questions.
jeanspohn@centurylink.net or 206-200-7524
Writers Group
(church zoom room)
Wednesdays, 9:30 am- 12pm
Weekend Writers Group
(church zoom room)
2nd and 4th Sundays, 6pm – 8pm
Support Circle
(church zoom room)
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 pm
Over Eaters Anonymous
(church zoom room)
Fridays, 5-6 pm
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. Are you in a higher risk group and do not want to venture out to the grocery store? We may be able to connect you with someone in your neighborhood to help you get the supplies you need. If you have lost income from being sick or unable to work, or do not have enough money to buy extra food and supplies, 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. Do you need to go to work but don’t have childcare? Are there other needs that your family has? Please be in touch with Melinda at melinda@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
Lynn Crow: lynncrow1@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 9:30 am https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Junior and Senior High Youth Group
(Note the class address.)
Sundays at 12 pm, https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Jr./Sr. High Youth Group Game Night (Joint with Northlake UU)
3rd Friday of each month, 7-9 pm.
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, 7:30-8:30 pm
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
Saltwater Church Building
The church building is closed to all in-person programming, groups, and meetings. Staff are working from home. Staff members will be going by the property to collect the mail and to check on the campus. Planting Flowers has resumed providing essential childcare support to families.
Please Note: 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 at https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/calendar-request/