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.

Worship

Theme for May: Creativity

Throughout the month of May we are exploring the spiritual theme of creativity. Peggy Taylor writes: “Creativity is our ability to dream things up and make them happen.” What do you want or need to create? What do we collectively imagine for our community and our neighborhoods? How can we co-create our dreams into reality? Join us to explore and learn together!

Services

Live multi-platform worship in the sanctuary and online through zoom!

May 28: “Let the Waves Crash,” Rev. Crystal Zerfoss, Guest Minister

Moving through the stages of grief following the death of a loved one, the ravages of a global pandemic, transitions within our faith community, or the changes to our lives that bring their own kind of loss can often leave us wishing the pain and disruption would simply go away. We may wish to rush through the grieving process to get to better days. Join us on this Memorial Day Sunday as we explore the downs and ups associated with grief and loss and where we go from here.

Rev. Crystal Zerfoss serves the Inland Northwest Unitarian Universalist Community in Spokane, WA.  She currently resides in Bremerton, WA with her feline companion, Ella.  When she’s not in the pulpit or donning one of her many ministerial hats, she can be found kayaking on a local lake or putting together a large jigsaw puzzle as part of her spiritual practice.

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.

Celebration of Life for Frank Billington
Saturday June 3, 10:00am Multi-platform

Saltwater Church Sanctuary: 25701 14^th Pl S, Des Moines, WA 98198
Church Zoom Room: https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Join us to celebrate the life of Frank Billington. All are welcome to come together as we share memories and offer care to Frank’s family, friends, and community. A reception for those who are in-person will follow the service in the welcome room.

Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 11, at 11:45am, multiplatform
In Person – Sanctuary & Church Zoom Room

Join the Board after service on June 11 for our end of year Congregational Meeting. Vote on nominees for for the Board and the Nominating Committee. Learn what our Operating teams have been up to, what the Board has accomplished over the past year, and hear a review of the budget and our finances.

We look forward to seeing you there!

From Our Leadership

Your Delegates for UU General Assembly June 21, 2023

The Board would like to announce the delegates to represent our community at General Assembly in June. According to the GA Agenda this year’s delegates will be voting on an assertive Climate Justice business resolution, revisions to Article II, our new UUA president, as well as many other leadership positions. Your delegate is the voice that will speak, and vote, on behalf of the congregation. This year’s delegates are:

• Dick Burkhart, dick2burk@gmail.com
• Kathy Jorgensen, kathyjorgensen57@gmail.com
• Mayda Taney, merrydancer@comcast.net

Pledge Update – We Exceeded Our Goal!

Thank you for all of the ways you give of your presence, time, energy and resources to help this community thrive! We are excited to share that we have exceeded our pledge goal for the upcoming church year. We named an ambitious goal of $235,000, which was an 8.5% increase from last year. And our total has come in at $240,361. This is amazing. Thank you!

A Letter from Rev Kristen: Gratitude and Transition

Rev. Kristen wishes to share with you a special announcement. Please read her letter by following this link. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b_vztpjZZRLSXZdZq93CfVdd2oSyvBLb/view?usp=share_link

You may also download a copy by clicking the button below.

Job Openings

Ways to Volunteer

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 Leanne (anna57.5@gmail.com), our volunteer coordinator, if you’re interested & need to get training/ orientation. For job details click here.

Facilities Team
SPECIAL JUNE DATE, 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 FRIDAY June 2. _{^{***Image credit: Bubba}} 

Saltwater Church Safety Taskforce
Monthly on the 2^nd 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 June 8.

Ways To Live Our Values

Share the Plate for May
Meals on Wheels

Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of May will be shared with Meals on Wheels https://soundgenerations.org/senior-centers/

Established in 1967, Sound Generations, previously known as Senior Services, supports almost 54,000 people annually in King County. They provide food security, transportation, health & wellness, and assistance services to underserved and marginalized populations. This month we are supporting Sound Generations Meals on Wheels which accepts King County, WA residents aged 60 or more, who have difficulty shopping or cooking. Clients can order up to 14 meals each week and choose from 30 menu items that meet their individual nutritional needs. Staff and volunteers pack and deliver the meals, ensuring their food needs are met.

Meals are delivered once per week by a friendly driver. The drivers provide contact with Seniors who are often isolated. The meals arrive frozen and packaged in trays to be heated in a microwave or conventional oven. Low sodium, low fat, low cholesterol, vegetarian and vegan are options as well as Kosher and Halal certified.

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.

Climate Message of the Week

Due to the climate crisis, wildfires have a longer season, can start easier, and can burn hotter.

We’ve had an unprecedented amount of wildfire smoke in the Puget Sound area in the last few years. Learn what to do when wildfire smoke moves in, especially if you or someone in your family are in the group of people most at risk: children, pregnant women, people over 65, people with heart and lung issues, and smokers. For a list of tips for how to deal with wildfire smoke, visit the Tacoma/Pierce County Wildfire Smoke Safety site at https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-homes/outdoor-air-quality/wildfire-smoke. To check on current air quality conditions go to https://pscleanair.org/.

Are there topics or questions you’d like to see covered in future Climate Messages? Email suggestions to Sheri Jacobson at sheridjacobson@yahoo.com. ^{***image credit: 9 news}

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 
Now In Person
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Our meditation group meets in person in the Saltwater Church Sanctuary. 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 (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 June 3.

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

Paint n’ Sip
On Hiatus
4^th Mondays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
All ages welcome! Bring any size canvas. No experience required. All paints and supplies provided. Childcare is being provided. RSVP to Jessica Alexander at jazz.itup@live.com.

Pair Sharing by Zoom
Janeane’s Zoom Room https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82327295157?pwd=c3Q5QXdUekR6YXBCWmg4N21WYWs1dz09
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. Our next meeting will be Sunday June 4. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janeane Weprin at jghonore@yahoo.com.

Creative Hands
In Person – Welcome Room
3^rd 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 June 20. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Joanne Loeliger (206) 870-1939.

Quarterly Meetings

After Service Potluck
In Person : Welcome Room
Coming in August
Church-Wide Potluck, Yummy! 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 deberavalpey@gmail.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 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

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.

Tabletop Family Game Night!
Saturday June 3, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Welcome Room

Members and friends of all ages will attend the churchwide Game Night sponsored by SUUSC. Participants will play old classics or introduce new board or card games to the community.

Register for Camp Blue Boat
July 16 through July 21
Lazy F Camp & Retreat Center, Ellensburg, WA

It’s time to register for this year’s Camp Blue Boat. This is a Unitarian Universalist summer camp immersion experience for youth from rising 6th-grade to 12th-grade graduates, with age-specific housing and programming. Campers, counselors and staff will spend time exploring being in relationship with one’s self, others, and the wider world. At camp, youth learn about community, spirituality, justice, equality, and also have a ton of fun! For additional information and the link to register go to: https://www.uua.org/pacific-western/youth-ministries/events/pnwd-camp

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/

Parents Support Group 

Our support group will not be meeting this month.

Childcare for Church Events & Services 

Childcare may be requested for any church activity at least one week in advance. As our Director of Faith Formation position is in transition, at this time all requests for childcare should be directed to our Office Administrator via email at administrator@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 1pm. 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 administrator@saltwaterchurch.org or use the website form (click here).