Worship
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.
November: What does it mean to be a People of Healing
In the month of November we are exploring the theme of healing. Healing: to make whole, to reconcile, to repair. Not as a destination, but as a process that happens on an individual and collective level. In a time of great uncertainty, we will look to our ancestors for wisdom and strength. In a time of great suffering, we will embrace practices that help heal our bodies, minds, souls, and relationship with the earth. In a time with so much division, we will go deeper into what it means to “practice love” as Unitarian Universalists. Join us to explore and experience healing!
November 15: “Harvesting Justice,” Sheri Jacobson, Lay Leader
November 22: “We Practice Love,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
November 29: “How Deep is the Wound,” Quinn Rose, Lay Leader
Upcoming Events
Getting to Know Each Other Gathering
The Membership Development Team invites visitors, friends and members to the next “Getting To Know You” session scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2020. The purpose of our time together is to meet others in our church community and for all of us to get to know each other better. We will share information about the many opportunities available for you to get involved in our fellowship and there will be time for you to ask questions about our church. This will take place in a breakout room immediately following the worship service on Zoom. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us!
Introduction to Pair-Share Work
Sunday, December 6, 2020, 11:45 to 12:45 pm, Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/7434659479
There is healing power in telling truth and bearing witness. Facilitator Janeane Weprin will be offering an Introduction to Pair-Share Work, the spiritual practice of deep listening. Join her after the Sunday Service on December 6. Questions, contact Janeane Weprin (jghonore@yahoo.com)
From the Membership Team
Membership Book Signing
Are you interested in becoming a member of our church? If yes, arrangements can be made for a mutually agreed upon date, following the worship service, in a breakout room on Zoom. This is an opportunity to officially join our church community. 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 would like more information about the membership process or are ready to move forward, request an application for membership from Bev Ross; email: mrs_ross1@yahoo.com or from Rev. Kristen; email: minister@saltwaterchurch.org.
Completed applications need to be returned before the Book Signing date. Once received, a book signing page will be forwarded to you to be used on the date scheduled. PLEASE NOTE: Anyone wishing to vote in Congregational Meetings, MUST be a member.
Supporting Our Saltwater Community
Winter Bazaar
This year our Winter Bazaar Fundraiser is online at: www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeWithDove For the month of November, we are having a special event where 100% of the sale price on all items goes to Saltwater! This special event features beautiful mask gift sets, handmade by Tawney CF. Handmade cards and original music recordings by Joanne Stonebraker are also available as part of the fundraiser. Thank you for your support of our beloved community!
Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate
The Share the Plate program is looking for more organizations that we might potentially support! What is Share the Plate? Share the Plate is the practice of sharing a portion of the undesignated funds in the Sunday collection with a worthy organization that shares UU values and principles. Any church member may nominate a nonprofit organization to receive offerings from this program by submitting a nomination form to Rob Maurus at rmaurus@gmail.com. The criteria for selection are: 1) The organization must be approved by the IRS as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, 2) Preference will be given to South King County organizations, 3) The organization’s mission must be in alignment with UU values and principles. You can find the nomination form on the church’s website under the “Justice” tab and then scroll down to “Share the Plate”.
Share the Plate for November: Hospitality House
Half of all undesignated basket donations received in the month of November will go to Hospitality House. You can learn more here: https://hospitalityhousesouthking.org/. You can make a donation to the basket 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
Rain or shine, show up for racial justice in November! Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. 11/1 in Des Moines from 2pm-4pm. Intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack- in- the Box and Arco gas). 11/22 in Puyallup from 2pm-4pm. 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 meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. https://zoom.us/j/7434659479
SCAN! (Saltwater Climate Action Now!) (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 1st Sunday noon – 1:30 pm.
Climate Message of the Week: Sometimes the challenges of climate change seem overwhelming. As the author, therapist, and Holocaust survivor Edith Eger wrote “It takes courage not to be discouraged”. And yet, there are always opportunities to act. To act effectively for the climate, learn how to use your political power. There are many good online guides like “How To Participate in Politics” at https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-participate-in-government. To learn how to engage in Washington state legislative issues go to the Washington State Legislature site “A Citizen’s Guide to Effective Legislative Participation” (https://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/EffectiveParticipation.aspx). Or ask a member of SCAN! (Saltwater Climate Action Now!) for some tips on being involved in environmental issues. Many SCAN! members have a wealth of experience in successfully lobbying 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 homeless adults is providing important support to our local community while practicing social distancing. Currently the most items most needed are: 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.
Growth and Learning
Ongoing Opportunities for Racial Justice Education https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/ongoing-opportunities-for-racial-justice-education/
From the Board & HCT
Office Administrator Search
The job description for the Office Administrator
position at Saltwater UU Church has been posted. Please share this announcement
with your networks. You can find the full job description here: https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/hiring-for-office-administrator/
Ways to Connect
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
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 a 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
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/