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.
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour this Saturday evening, October 31, so you can join us for worship on Sunday morning!
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 1: “Wisdom & Strength of our Ancestors,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga & Melinda Einander
November 8: “Collective Healing,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
November 15: “Harvesting Justice,” Sheri Jacobson, Lay Leader
November 22: “We Practice Love,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
November 29: “Title TBA,” Quinn Rose, Lay Leader
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/
Upcoming Events
Samhain Celebration: A Dinner with our Ancestors
November 1, 2020 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Saltwater Church zoom room.
Join the Saltwater CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans) Chapter for an online ritual that will focus on celebrating our ancestors that have passed to the other side and ringing in the Pagan New Year. You are invited to bring a photograph, keepsake, or talisman of your beloved ancestors and since this will take place during the dinner hour you are invited to bring your dinner including a setting and a serving for those that have passed on that you wish to invoke and celebrate. For inspiration try to prepare a favorite dish of theirs. Everyone will be invited to share something about their ancestors – who they were, what they mean to you, what you would say to them, or ask them if you could.
Spiritual Grounding for Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 7 am-7 pm
UU Ministers are gathering from around the country to offer a space for respite, positive energy, peace and spiritual practice on Election Day.
We will gather on Tuesday, November 3 on Zoom at this link:
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/99553231971?pwd=azZDRERZVURURzBjNU11SjMwUTNjUT09
Meeting ID: 995 5323 1971
Passcode: 954636
You may join at any time during that day to find a space for spiritual practice. Different UU ministers will be leading every 15 minutes.
For more info: https://fb.me/e/evXtPUGbp
Open Sanctuary
Wednesday, November 4, 7-8:30 pm, Church Zoom Room, https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Join Rev. Kristen on the evening after the election to come together in community. This will be a space for reflecting, grounding, and supporting each other. Feel free to drop in or come for the whole time
Post Election Vigil & Community Gathering
Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 5 PM- 6:15 PM PST
Hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Association & Side with Love
Save the Date: No matter the results of the election this year, we know we will want to gather in community. Please save the date and join the UUA, UU the Vote, Side with Love, and UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray for this event. Hosted on Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube. Connection details available soon.
We Practice Love Workshop
Tuesday, November 10, 7-8:30 pm, Rev. Kristen’s zoom room: https://zoom.us/j/7434659479
Join the Board for an evening of connection, reflection, imagining, spiritual practice, and song! Last year we adopted a new mission statement: At Saltwater Church we Practice Love. Foster Connection. Nurture Spiritual Growth. Act for Justice. Join us for a collective exploration of the first part of our mission: what it means to practice love. Facilitated by Anjali Lopez, Karin Leisy, Lauren Crowder, and Rev. Kristen Kuriga.
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!
Seeking Graphic Design Volunteers for Creative Project
Do you have an eye for design? Do you know the secret to making a big impact at a glance? Does finding the perfect font fill you with glee? Saltwater Church is excited about our new mission statement, and we want to create a graphic version of the mission that could be used for banners, posters, letterhead, and on the website. We are seeking input from any members or friends of the church who have experience or interest in graphic design, printing, or working with vector graphics. We hope to create a design that will highlight everything that makes Saltwater Church special. If you are interested in participating in this project, contact Lauren Crowder at lauren.crowder@outlook.com for more information.
The Pledge Team is looking for support!
We need people of all kinds to help us focus our energy for the 2021 Pledge campaign. This church is generous and has been overwhelmingly financially supportive of our work here and in the wider world. Still…each year we use the pledge campaign to renew our commitment to this faith community, our core values, morals, ethics, and beliefs. To get us there in strength and hope, the pledge team creates a unifying theme, together with the artwork, music, and celebrations in support of that theme. Will you join us? It is fun, creative, energizing and at the very heart of our collective vision. Please contact Saphronia @ saphroniayoung2016@gmail.com or (253) 632-9553 to offer your energy and ideas. THANK YOU!!!
Growth and Learning
Racial Justice Organizing Team Education Discussion Group
“Protesting, Rioting and Looting in 2020” Saturday, November 7, 2020, 10AM to Noon, https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Your Racial Justice Organizing Team (RJOT) has been meeting regularly since June. We focus on three projects…Racial Justice Education, forging ties with Racial Justice partner organizations, and Racial Justice actions we can all take.
The RJOT Education subgroup has been researching and practicing ways to engage the congregation in learning about Racial Justice. Our goal is to make folks more comfortable talking about race. In September we held our first SUUC Racial Justice Education Discussion Group, about Systemic Racism. Our second Discussion Group is Saturday, November 7, 10AM to Noon. Our topic, “Protesting, Rioting and Looting in 2020.” Please register with susanaigner@comcast.net so we know how many breakout rooms we need.
Ongoing Opportunities for Racial Justice Education https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/ongoing-opportunities-for-racial-justice-education/
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. (The November meeting has been cancelled; the team will meet next in December.)
Climate Message of the Week: Have you already voted? If so, great! If you haven’t voted yet, use your vote to support candidates who will work to fight climate change. Voting is only the first step though. Make a to-do list of things you can do to be involved in local and national climate actions. Why not start by joining our Saltwater Climate Action Now! (SCAN!) group at our meetings on Zoom at noon on the first Sunday of every month? Or email Bill Adams to say that you’d like to be on the SCAN! email list to get updates and actions on climate issues. Stay in touch with politicians who represent you about climate issues and thank them when they support climate-friendly policies. Talk with your friends, family, and neighbors to let them know that a healthy climate is important to you and encourage them to take action too.
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.
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/