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

Worship In August at Saltwater Church 

August 6  Blessing of the Animals – Debra Valpey, SUUC Member

Join us as we honor the presence of animals in our lives, be they pets, wildlife, birds, or even benevolent bugs. Our theme will be human-animal relationships and the lessons we learn when we slow down to appreciate the natural wonders around us. Your pets are welcome to attend. If you think that being at church might cause them stress, please bring a picture or a related memento to be blessed. We will also be remembering beloved pets who have passed. All non-humans must be leashed or in a secure container. 

August 13  Why Art? – Ron Hammond, SUUC Member

Our country and our world seem to be a morass of ugliness, hate, contempt, and ill will but there is still meaning, beauty, respect, compassion, and love to be found – and it is part of our responsibility to seek it out, to revel in it, to make it part of our lives and the life of our church.

August 20  Living with Moral Injury – Rev. April Frasier, Guest Minister

Moral injury is a human condition, suffered as a part of living in a world where we, others and the earth are harmed by actions or the failure to act. How do we integrate these experiences to be able to continue to live when everywhere we look there are more reasons to cry in agony, scream in anger, or perhaps become numb? Let’s talk about what keeps us going, brings us together, and find ways for healing.

August 27  What Do You Think of When I Say “Beauty”? – Miriam Woito, SUUC Member

A time to reflect on the concept of beauty as a source of ways to see our world and each other. Is beauty really in the eyes of the beholder?

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.

The Great Ivy Eradication!
Sponsored by SCAN!
Sunday August 6, following service for 1 hour
In Person – Saltwater Church Grounds

Join members of SCAN! and the Saltwater Community in our efforts to free our majestic trees from ivy suffocation. We have made a lot of progress but there’s still more to do.  Bring yourselves, gloves and other protective wear, and favorite tools if you have them.  The church also has tools to borrow. Come make new friends, build community, and conquer the English Wilds!

The Play’s The Thing – Volunteers Needed
Sunday August 20, during service
In Person – Saltwater Sanctuary

On August 20th, during the story for all ages, Meri Murphy will narrate a story while folks of all ages act out the parts of a human and 9 different animals. Each part only has a couple of lines. Over the next couple of Sundays, our children will be working on paper plate masks on a stick for our actors to hold. On the back of each paper plate will be your lines. If you are interested, please contact Meri Murphy at tomandmeri@gmail.com. It’s going to be fun!

Racial Justice Stance … Three Years Later
Sponsored by RJOT
Thursday August 31, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Church Zoom Room

May 31, 2020, was the beginning of Saltwater’s Racial Justice Stance. Three years later community members are still showing up to remind our BIPOC neighbors they are loved and there is work still to be done. Join the RJOT team and friends for an evening of sharing personal experiences and reasons for continuing to wave their sign rain or shine. All are welcome to attend Thursday, August, 31 from 7-8:30 pm on the church’s Zoom room. If you have participated in the stance and would like to share, please contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte@gmail.com

Pajama (making) Party!
Sponsored by Creative Hands
Tuesday September 5, 12:30pm – 2:00pm
In Person – Welcoming Room

Join our Creative Hands group in sewing pajamas for Hospitality House.  They will meet the first Tuesday in August and in September. Please bring a sewing machine if you have one. Materials, designs, and guidance will be provided. This activity will be in person and take place in the Welcoming Room.

From Our Leadership

A Message from our Treasurer

Don’t forget to update your Pledge Payment for the new church year. If you have set up recurring payments for your pledge through your bank or PayPal, please be sure to update your amount to reflect your pledged commitment for the 23-24 church year.

Note: With PayPal you have to cancel the old one and set up a new one. Thank you!

Transitional Ministry Update

Transition starts with saying goodbye. This week, thanks to your generous donations, we sent our last goodbye gift: $1841 to the American Friends Service Committee/ US-Mexico Border Program— to support the work that will be the focus of Rev. Kristen’s ministry.

The next step in Transition is resting in an in-between place as we prepare to grow into our future. July’s lay-led services were such a wonderful way to rest in the present! They were well attended and many participants said “we should do this again next year!” It felt like summer camp.

Meanwhile, as we wait to find the right match, the Worship Arts Committee is scheduling guest ministers and other speakers, one month at a time. Tom, Cami and the choir will continue to provide awe-inspiring music. We temporarily increased Katherine Miller’s hours (Bubba) because they have been picking up more administrative work that the minister would have handled.

We’ve got this, Saltwater! See you in church.

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
DATE CHAGE FOR AUGUST
Thursday August 17, 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. _{^{***Image credit: Bubba}} 

Ways To Live Our Values

Share The Plate for August
WestSide Baby

Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of August will be shared with WestSide Baby https://westsidebaby.org/

WestSide Baby meets the basic needs of children to promote safety, security & healthy development. They provide essential items to keep children safe, warm and dry by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, and equipment throughout Western King County. They receive donations from the community, check and sort those donations, and distribute them directly to 100+ partner agencies, who are experts in their families, and the children they serve. These professionals get the items the children need, and WestSide Baby can focus on collecting the basic essentials.

In 2022, when families throughout our community faced unprecedented need, we distributed 2.6 million diapers to thousands of families throughout King County compared to 1.5 million diapers in 2019.

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

August is King County Eat Local Month.

Despite the fact that King County has the third largest number of farms per county in Washington State, less that 2 percent of the food and drink that county residents purchase is grown in King County. Eating more local food would be a win-win-win: less fossil fuel used to transport food, better access to fresh food, and a more resilient food system. There’s even the bonus of job growth associated with local food systems. Go to the King County Eat Local Month website for details on events, a local food finder, resources, and a chance to win prizes: https://eatlocalfirst.org/king-county/.

You can also click the above image to learn about Sow Therapeutic, a community project promoting health and well being through green care interventions, created and managed by Saltwater member, Colette DeMonte.

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 
Now In Person
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Our meditation group meets in person in the Saltwater Church Sanctuary or Welcoming Room. 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 – Welcoming 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 August 5.

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. Our next meeting is on August 6.

Monthly Meetings

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. If you would like to attend please contact Janeane Weprin at jghonore@yahoo.com.

Creative Hands
In Person – Welcoming 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 August 15. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Joanne Loeliger (206) 870-1939.

Paint n’ Sip
4^th Mondays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
In Person – Welcoming Room
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.

Quarterly Meetings

After Service Potluck
In Person : Welcoming Room
Sunday September 17
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 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

Tabletop Family Game Night!
Saturday August 5, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
In Person – Saltwater Welcoming Room

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

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.

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 & 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 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).