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.
May: What does it mean to be a People of Story?
In the month of May we’re exploring what is means to be a people of story. Stories are a way that we make meaning in our lives. Stories shape how we understand our past, our present and our future, both individually and collectively. Soul Matters describes the practice of being a people of story as living by narratives of our own making, reclaiming memory, and re-membering ourselves. Join us as we explore and deepen our faith together.
May 16: “The Power of Story,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
May 23: TBA
May 30: “We Act for Justice,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
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
Congressional Budget Information Sessions
Saturday, May 15, 10:00am – 11:30am & Sunday, May 23 after church, 11:45am – 1:00pm
Church Zoom Room
Join members of the Board, the Finance Team, and Rev. Kristen for an informational meeting about the proposed budget for the upcoming 2021-2022 church year. This will be an opportunity to learn about the financial health of the congregation and ways we are adapting to the financial challenges posed by the pandemic. The presentation will focus on changes to income and expenses and copies of the detailed line-item budget will be provided. The presentations will be the same, offered at two different times.
Continuing the Conversation: Facilitated Discussion around UUA Tensions
Saturday June 5, 9:30am – 11:00am
Church Zoom Room
Join the Board and the Healthy Congregation Team for a continued conversation about tensions related to the direction of the UUA. The first session, called “Listening to Understand” took place on Saturday, May 1, prompted by conversations on the SUUC Listserve. The session was facilitated by Quinn Rose, HCT, and Mayda Taney, Board Vice President. At the session Quinn offered an overview which you can read here, along with the opening and closing words. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR7Ie6JdH1xBCs4oVc7ZzTnSZwij0sKnHhNSQ4JAhHDoDX12p-MT_R1EkbmHV_V7A78cQ4RGVDBiA_C/pub.)
We then asked the questions:
What are the central issues from your perspective?
Why does this matter to you?
How do we have contentious conversations in constructive ways?
At the next session, on June 5, we will have an opportunity to talk in small groups. Join us to continue the conversation, in person over zoom, so we can listen to understand.
From the Board and HCT
Re-imagining Church Follow-Up: Recruiting Volunteers
On Saturday, May 8, over 30 members and friends of Saltwater Church met to reflect on the past year, assess our needs moving forward, and to explore possibilities for stages of reopening in-person programming. It was so important to hear about what is nourishing people and what is important in this next phase of church life. We would like to hear from as many people as possible. Would you be willing to make phone calls to members and friends who weren’t able to be with us? If you are, please email: minister@saltwaterchurch.org.
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). 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!
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Anyone wishing to vote in the June 13th , 2020 Congregational Meeting, MUST be a member by May 23rd. We look forward to welcoming you to our fellowship!
UUA General Assembly
Registration is open! Apply to be a delegate!
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.
If you are attending General Assembly, we also invite you to consider being a delegate to represent Saltwater UU Church. You can apply to serve as a delegate by submitting the application online or filling out a printed copy and returning it to Mayda Taney by May 19. We want to ensure finances are not a barrier to participation as a delegate. Please contact Ray Valpey, Board President, or Rev. Kristen Kuriga if you would like to request financial aid to cover the cost of registration.
New Celebratory Art in the Saltwater Sanctuary
The Executive Committee of the SUUC Board suggests that Bet Chaverim Synagogue proceed with their desired plan to install a “Tree of Life” display adjacent to the Aron Kodesh (Ark of the Covenant). The purposes of the display are to celebrate the longstanding relationship that the Synagogue has with the Church, to be a Bet Chaverim story symbol, to honor the memory of one of the Synagogue’s founding members, Jack Kornberg, and to acknowledge gifts from donors to the Synagogue. The proposed “Tree of Life” would be approximately 7 ft. tall (not to extend above the wood cross-piece which is there) and up to 5 ft. wide. Click the linksfor a depiction of its placement on the South wall, approximate shape of the wooden tree, and the shape and size of the brass donor leaves. The quilts that hung in that location were requested back by their owner earlier this year. Please feel free to contact any one of us (Ray Valpey, Mayda Taney, or Rev. Kristen Kuriga) if you have questions or concerns.
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. This will be a three-part monthly series over the summer. Saltwater RJOT has purchased some copies of the book to make available to participants. Please contact our Office Administrator, Katherine Miller at administrator@saltwaterchurch.org to arrange how to get a copy! If you wish to purchase your own copy, please consider a BIPOC owned store like Estelita’s Library: https://bookshop.org/books/breathe-a-letter-to-my-sons/9780807076552. You may also try your local library or a free online application like Overdrive.com. For more information about the UUA Common Read for this year as well as previous years please visit The UU Common Read | UUA.org. We hope you will join us!
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 May: Birth to Three Developmental Center
Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of May will be shared with Birth to Three Developmental Center in Federal Way: https://www.birthtothree.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.
Sound Alliance Listening Session
Sunday, May 16, 12pm & Wednesday, May 19, 7pm
Church Zoom Room
How has the pandemic impacted you, your family, people you care about, and community? Sound Alliance invites you to attend one of our small group listening sessions. Listening meetings guide us in focusing on what is most important to you and our community. By sharing our stories and concerns we are guided to focus on issues of greatest concern. Please sign up (click here) now for one of the 2 remaining sessions. We anticipate each session will be approximately an hour long. The remaining dates and times are: Sun 5/16 at noon, and Wed 5/19 at 7pm. If you have questions, contact Kathy Linnell, kelizlinnell@comcast.net or Lucia Faithfull, 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, May 22.
Stance for Racial Justice
Monthly on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, 2pm-3pm
In person
Rain or shine, show up for racial justice every other Sunday. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. We will gather on 5/23 we will gather in Puyallup from 2pm until 3pm at the intersection of 136th and S. Meridian (near post office and Sonic restaurant). On 6/13 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). Contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte@gmail.com for more information.
Saltwater Climate Action Now! (SCAN!)
“Monthly on the 1st Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Church Zoom Room
SCAN! will meet again Sunday, June 6. Please come and join us for our monthly meeting. We will be discussing what our next environmental challenges will be and the results of the most recent legislative session. So, please come, join in, and bring a friend too. You’ll be most welcome.
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.
Climate Message of the Week: According to oceanographer David Gallo, if the Earth was the size of a basketball, all of its water would fit inside a ping pong ball (and almost all that water would be undrinkable saltwater). Our clean water must be protected and conserved. A quart of motor oil can pollute up to 250,000 gallons of water. A leaky toilet wastes over 20,000 gallons of water per year. Learn ways to stop water pollution and waste. Keep toxic waste out of storm drains. Scoop up your pet waste. Dispose of unused medicines correctly. Let your legislators and representatives know that you support strong clean water laws and regulations.
Ways to Connect
Pair Sharing
(Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Roomhttps://zoom.us/j/7434659479)
Sundays, twice a month 11:45am – 1:00pmThe 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, May 19. Questions? Contact Lynn Crow at (206) 429-2005.
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)
Alternating Sundays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
The next meeting is May 23.
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
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
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
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).