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 October: Heritage

In the month of October, we are engaging with the theme of heritage. Each of us is part of a sacred chain, receiving our heritage from our forebears and contributing to the heritage of those who come after us. In addition, there are the lineages of church, spiritual, community, and other groups that we are each a part of. Join us in considering and honoring the various heritages we are part of.

Worship In October at Saltwater Church 

October 8 Saltwater: Past, Present, and Future – Neysa Peterson, SWUUC Member

Come join us for a fun multi-generational service. Worship will be in the form of a short play written by Rev. James Kubal-Komoto and updated by Neysa Peterson. “Saltwater ~ Past, Present, and Future,” a celebration of the character of Saltwater Church through characters of Saltwater Church. Come join us as we watch our church come to life through the changes and growth in SWUUC.

Neysa Peterson (she/her), long time member of Saltwater Church, and CUUPS. She is a lifelong writer, pagan, artist and passionate advocate for many causes. A disabled Navy Veteran, she lives in Federal Way along with her adult daughter Jessica and two fur family members Tango, her emotional support dog and Topaz the hamster.

October 15 Inherent Mirth and Dignity – Liz James

What do you do when the life you’d imagined for yourself is stuck in committee? Join us for the story of the UU Hysterical Society—a 200,000-person group on Facebook. It’s a story of feeling lost, finding yourself, and a practical joke gone right with UUHS founder Liz James.

Liz James is the founder of a 200,000-person online UU community called the Unitarian Universalist Hysterical Society (UUHS); half of The Cracked Cup podcast; and working on a book with Skinner House Press. Liz is based out of Saskatchewan, where she is building a tiny house with her own two hands. She believes in a Unitarian Universalism that is filled with meaning and joy, and that sees change as an adventure.

October 22 The Loneliness Epidemic – Rev. James Kubal-Komoto

People are lonelier than they ever have been before, and this is having devastating effects on their physical and mental health as well as on our communities. What is the role of a Unitarian Universalist congregation in addressing this?

The Rev. Dr. James Kubal-Komoto currently serves as the lead minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, but from 2000 until 2016, he served as the minister of Saltwater Church. He is the author of the recently published A Liberal Religious Path: A Short, Personal Introduction to Unitarian Universalism. He currently lives in Cary, NC, with his wife, Hiromi, and his 17-year-old son, Kai.

From Our Leadership

Great News from the Board!

By now it is widely known that we have a new minister.  In case you haven’t heard about it, I’d love to introduce Reverend Alison Duren-Sutherland to you.

Our Ministerial Search Team came to the Board with a strong recommendation for us to invite her to become our minister. When we watched her sermons, we were able to see for ourselves what the search team had observed; that her sermons are passionate and genuine and that she displays a strong intellectual rigor intertwined with a gift for touching the soul. We were happy to know about her embracing of the Goddess and Earth-Based Spirituality. We were impressed with her strong sense for social justice and her skills in conflict transformation.

People who have worked with Reverend Alison shared things like, “She is a happy spirit,” “I love her energy,” “She has a can-do attitude,” and “You can’t help loving her because she cares so much.” They emphasized how easy she is to work with and described her as team and process-oriented, productive, and solution-focused. And on top of that, when Reverend Alison learned about Saltwater, she said: “This is the kind of church I was hoping to work with.”

So, we invited her, and she agreed to join us as our minister for the rest of the church year. For now, this is a 9-month contract and our future is open with possibilities including extending our contract, if that is the way we want to co-create (more about that in next week’s newsletter).

During this church year, we will have a truly hybrid ministry. Rev. Alison will be joining us in person two Sundays per month and one week in between (mark your calendars for October 14th through the 22nd!).  She will be serving remotely from her home in Southern Oregon (where she lives with her partner and two children) the rest of the time. Unfortunately, this week she tested positive for COVID, and although she should no longer be contagious when she visits, she will plan to mask indoors to be extra sure she doesn’t get anyone sick. During her first month she will be dedicated to meeting with all of us and learning about us. She will start preaching in November. 

I want to express deep gratitude to our excellent ministerial search team chaired by Diane Schairer, with members Galen Guffy, Carol Mitchell, and Daniel Key. Much gratitude, again, to Galen and Gaye Greeves for all their work and support during contract negotiation. Many thanks to our fabulous staff and volunteers for holding the fort during this transition.

Welcome, Rev. Alison!

For the Board,
Aida Sanchez-Vela

An Invitation from Reverend Alison

Dear Saltwater Community,

I am so very honored to greet you today as your new Minister, and I am excited to get to know this community.  I have a long history in the Puget Sound Region, and becoming the minister of Saltwater feels like coming home.  As I find my place in the story of Saltwater Church, I invite you to schedule a Zoom meeting with me by visiting https://calendly.com/minister-swuuc, where we can share our stories together. Please feel free to reach out and connect with me!

In Faith,
Rev. Alison

(Please note that the emails below are the only emails I will use to contact you, and I will never email asking you to make online purchases – a common email scam targeting churches.)

Email: minister@saltwaterchurch.org or swuuc.minister@gmail.com
Website: www.durensutherland.com
Saltwater Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168911169811664

Notable and 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.

Chalice Circle Orientation
Saturday October 14, 10:00am
Church Zoom Room

We are about to welcome back our Chalice Circles! We are hosting a zoom meeting for all of those interested in Chalice Circles this year. If you have wondered about what a chalice circle is, would like to try out facilitating, and/or want to learn about a new idea of Sharing Circles, this is the meeting for you! 

We will be doing an overview of our current circles and introducing a new format available. Facilitators are needed as we go into our new season of circles, and we will be discussing what is involved in this role. Connect with others and your own spiritual needs through our Circles. 

Join us in the Church Zoom Room as we explore this amazing opportunity for growth in community. Our circles will begin again in November. Contact Jessica Nash at faithformation@saltwaterchurch.org Or Susan Aigner at susanaigner@comcast.net with any questions. 

“Who We Are,” the Film
Sunday October 15, 12:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary

Your Racial Justice Team will show the award-winning film “Who We Are, a Chronicle of Racism in America” (PG13), Sunday, October 15, Noon to 2:30pm. In person. Pizza will be provided.

Jeffery Robinson, Former ACLU Deputy Legal Director, opened his film with these words from his New York City town hall event. “If you’ve ever owned a slave, please raise your hand, and there is not one hand going up anywhere in this theater. Slavery is not our fault. We didn’t do it. We didn’t cause it. It is not our responsibility, but it is our shared history.” Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGsGRSgZbXY

Then join us Wednesday, October 25, 7pm, on Saltwater’s Zoom Room for a longer discussion of “Who We Are.” Those who saw the film at Saltwater Church, and those who choose to view it at home on Netflix, are welcome.

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 Bubba (administrator@saltwaterchurch.org) if you’re interested & need to get training/ orientation. For job details click here.

Facilities Team
NOW ON 3^rd Wednesdays, 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 October 18. _{^{***Image credit: Bubba}} 

Ways To Live Our Values

Share The Plate for October
Hospitality House

Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of October will be shared with Hospitality House. https://hospitalityhousesouthking.org/#

In September 2000, Hospitality House was founded by twelve sponsoring churches as an ecumenical outreach to the homeless community in South King County. Saltwater UU was one of the founding churches. Several of our members continue to volunteer, make a meal and provide supplies.

Hospitality House is a transitional shelter and 90-day program in Burien for homeless women. It can accommodate a maximum of nine women at one time. Each client’s objective is to find permanent housing and financial stability but how this is achieved is based upon the needs of the individual client. Case managers support clients throughout the program. You can also provide support by volunteering, making a meal, shopping via Amazon, Fred Meyer and Bartell’s and donating.

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.

Now Accepting Share the Plate Nominations

As we approach 2024, it is time for a call for new nominations! We are asking that all past recipients resubmit a request for funding if you want your group included in 2024. All requests will be reviewed by our Leadership team. Deadline for submission is Nov 15th. The form is located on the toolbar under JUSTICE on the SUUC website.
Our congregation has been so generous in past years. In times of crisis, YOU have stepped up and we so appreciate it. Thank YOU! To see a list of organizations we have supported in the past, go to: Share the Plate – Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church (saltwaterchurch.org)
Any member may nominate an organization to be considered by the Leadership Team. Our criteria for selection will continue to prioritize local organizations that serve South King County but we will also accept nominations that allow us to respond with support for emergencies, natural disasters, or pressing social issues, that serve a larger area: such as offerings for the UU Service Committee or UUA disaster relief fund. Minimal requirements are:

• Organization must be a 501 (c) 3 non-profit
• The organization’s mission must align with UU values and principles
• We prioritize organizations that serve South King County

Click here to complete an online form
Click here to download a printable form

Due to our ongoing relationship to a few local organizations, we will continue to have an annual share the plate for Hospitality House and Federal Way Day Center. We will also have an annual share the plate for Duwamish Tribal Services, an expression of our commitment to live into right relationship with local indigenous communities. You do not need to submit a request for these organizations. ****image credit: Kindel Media

Engage In Racial Justice
Recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day – Invitation from Boise UU Fellowship
Monday, October 9, 6:00pm
Boise Zoom

The Boise UU Fellowship would like to invite Saltwater to join in their 5th Annual Recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. Monday October 9th at 6PM PT.

The zoom program features Wilson Wewa. The zoom link can be found on the website boiseuu.org under upcoming events listing.

Wilson Wewa has been involved with tribal language, culture and lifeways throughout his life. He was raised on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon. As a child he spent countless hours hearing the stories of his family, tribe and past lifeways as they pertained to his life. Later, Wilson traveled extensively with his family and especially his grandmother to other parts of the Great Basin where he met many other Northern Paiute elders that added to his knowledge of his people. He continues to be called upon by his people as an orator, storyteller and funerary officiate.

Wilson works for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as the Senior Wellness Coordinator, a position he has held since 1980, and is consulted by other tribes and organizations in the United States on elders’ issues. More recently, he was invited as a guest lecturer to the prestigious College of William & Mary in Virginia to speak on Native American issues that related to health, spirituality, environment and treaty rights as they pertain to water and land. He also works with the University of Oregon and Oregon State University as a consultant on Northern Paiute history and ethnobotany.

Stance for Racial Justice
2^nd & 4^th Sundays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
In Person – Des Moines & Puyallup

Rain or shine, we stand for racial justice every other Sunday.  Join us as we stand together in solidarity with our signs for justice. Our next gathering will be on October 8 in Des Moines at the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack in the Box and Arco gas). We will meet again on October 22 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 information.

Racial Justice Organizing Team (RJOT)
4^th Tuesday, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Faith Formation Zoom Room

The next meeting will be on Tuesday October 24. Our Racial Justice Organizing Team meets monthly to discuss more ways to support our community in our anti-racism efforts. We share ideas, provide support, learn about additional opportunities, plan events for our members, and work together to advance our commitment to Act for Racial Justice.

Climate Message of the Week

Thank you Bubba/Katherine Miller for sharing this amazing mushroom while on vacation. Like mushrooms we are all connected. While Sheri Jacobson takes a break from our climate message this week, we welcome you to think about our friends at our feet. Often overlooked and yet are able to help sustain and take care of our planet. Even the smallest of us when joined together can make an impact.

From BBC StoryWorks. “There’s no silver bullet to address climate change, but experts are finding some solutions that are extraordinarily effective at mitigating environmental shifts. One game changer, according to leading mycologist Paul Stamets, is the humble mushroom…

…To protect the planet and ourselves, it’s crucial to encourage biodiversity through the creation of rich soils, and one easy way to do that is simply allowing fungi to grow. That means embracing decomposition—allowing dead trees to rot instead of removing them, for example—a low-lift solution leaving nature to its own devices.

“Solutions are right underneath our feet,” says Stamets. Don’t forget to look down.”

Here is the link to a quick BBC video that talks about this amazing natural wonder of Mycelium and how such a small thing can make such a large impact on our world. BBC StoryWorks “Mycelium Matters: How Mushrooms Can Address Climate Change”

Are there topics or questions you’d like to see covered in future Climate Messages? Email suggestions to Sheri Jacobson at sheridjacobson@yahoo.com.

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 
Church Zoom Room
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
For the fall and winter months we will be meeting over Zoom. 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

Pajama (making) Party! sponsored by Creative Hands
In Person – Welcome Room
1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Join our Creative Hands group in sewing pajamas for Hospitality House. Please bring a sewing machine if you have one. Materials, designs, and guidance will be provided. Our next meet up will be on October 3.

Game Night Sponsored by Saltwater UU Social Club (SWUUSC)
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. Our next meet up will be on October 7.

• 1st Saturdays are all-ages. Bring a game your whole family will enjoy! 
• 3rd Saturdays childcare will be available. Please rsvp for childcare at least 1-week in advance to
  Lisa Key. lunderhi@gmail.com

Monthly Meetings

*NEW MONTHLY EVENT* – Movie Night
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary
2nd Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Join us at the movies! Wednesday, October 11 from 6:00 – 9:00pm, in the Saltwater Sanctuary. We’ll be seeing “Jujutsu Kaisen 0.” This is a PG13 movie. RSVP to Robert at snipes@affectreality.com. If you would like childcare, send a request to Lisa Key at least one week in advance at lunderhi@gmail.com.

Saltwater Genealogy Club
Church Zoom Room
2^nd Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Do you love to talk about your family history and research? Saltwater Church has a Genealogy Club! We are not experts; we just share stories and research ideas. Our next meeting will be October 11. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact susanaigner@comcast.net.

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 October 17. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Joanne Loeliger (206) 870-1939.

After Service Potluck
In Person – Welcome Room
Sunday November 19
(No October 15 potluck. Pizza will be provided for the movie-viewing.) 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.

Pair Sharing by Zoom
Janeane’s Zoom Room
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. If you would like to attend, please contact Janeane Weprin at jghonore@yahoo.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 our Office Administrator for additional information administrator@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)
Saturday October 7, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Welcoming Room

Join us at the Tabletop Family Game Night. Youth are encouraged to come hang out and play some games! Bring a favorite game to share. Join us as we connect with each other through board games and fun times. Check back next week for more ways to engage with our group. Join Bert and Fernando as we roll the dice and enjoy a good old game night!

Youth Group Meeting
Sunday October 22, 10:30am
In Person – Lighthouse and Saltwater Sanctuary

We are gathering at 10:30 with our Youth group to discuss the movie “Who We Are, a Chronicle of Racism in America”(available on Netflix). The discussion will be on the topic so if you are able to watch the movie, we would still love to hear your thoughts! With popcorn, candy and fun connections we will delve into this deep topic. After our discussion we are planning a fun outing with details to be shared next week. Contact Amanda Radak or see the church newsletter for more information.

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/

Childcare for Church Events 

Childcare may be requested for any church activity at least one week in advance by contacting our Volunteer Childcare Coordinator, Lisa Key via email at lunderhi@gmail.com. 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, 10am to 2pm. 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).