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 September: Welcome 

Throughout September we are engaging with the theme of welcome. What can we welcome within ourselves to elevate our wholeness? How can we welcome others more meaningfully? What does it mean to welcome as opposed to assimilate others? Join us as we ponder what it means to be truly welcoming.

Worship In September at Saltwater Church 

September 17  Welcoming the Sacred Wild – Saphronia Young, SWUUC Member

Join us for a lay-led service to explore welcoming the Wild Sacred through poetry. Three Saltwater poets will share their poems in that theme, and we will write short poems at the end of the service. Those poems volunteered to be shared will be gathered into a “Saltwater Prayer Book” to be shared with all.

September 24  Welcoming Mara to Tea – Quinn Rose, SWUUC Member

In the final trials to enlightenment the Buddha is beset by the great demon Mara, who attempts many methods of diverting him from his peace. The Buddha responds by inviting him to have tea; showing that our greatest enemies are best met with loving acceptance. In the ways we speak about the enlightenment we seek it is easy to slip into language of “overcoming” or “conquering” our fears and vices. But our flawed humanity is not something to surpass, but to warmly welcome into a deeper relationship with. In today’s lesson we will discuss the benefits of welcoming your own personal demons.

To view our complete calendar of events, click here.
If you wish to schedule an event, click here to fill out a request form.

Community Potluck – Welcoming Reception for Jessica Nash
Sunday September 17, following service
In Person – Welcoming Room

Welcome to Saltwater our church’s new Director of Faith Formation. Sunday, April 17, stay for the Community Potluck after church and meet Director Jessica Nash. She joined us in August and is doing amazing work! Come and introduce yourself, she’d love to meet you.
The Faith Formation Team is providing cake for the Potluck. Fewer dessert donations required!

First Meeting – Church Retreat 2024
Wednesday September 27, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Church Zoom Room

Please join us for the first meeting of the 2024 retreat team! Those who have been know that this is an amazing experience to deepen our connections with each other, and to build a collaborative event with input from a lot of passions, talents, skills and We especially want to focus this year on ways to raise scholarship money to help ALL of the Saltwater families afford this amazing experience. It is spiritual, it is also creative and fun. Please join us by zoom in the church zoom room on Wednesday, September 27th at 7:00 p.m. for a ONE hour meeting. What could be easier? _{***image credit: Miriam Woito}

Federal Way Community Caregiving Network – Souper Supper
Friday October 6, 5:30pm – 8:00pm
33645 20th Ave S Federal Way

Fundraiser dinner to support our mission of helping families stay in their homes, stave off hunger, and provide some of the necessities that most people take for granted. Enjoy SOUPS, salad, and rolls, catered by Cafe Pacific. Cake also will be served. For tickets go to fwccn.org or contact Jackie Blair at  253-435-8108.

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, if you would like to try out facilitating, if you 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, we will discussing what is involved in this role. Connect with other others and your own spiritual needs through our Circles. 

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

NOTABLE EVENTS

Special Announcement from Sue & Nelson Schmitz

Sue and Nelson Schmitz, former members of SWUUC, who moved to Raleigh South Carolina have a request for us. We are saddened to say their son Evan Schmitz died earlier this week. For those of you who may remember, a few years ago while still in our community, they lost their son Andrew. 

They ask for our Saltwater Community to hold them in our thoughts. Cards, messages, or even phone calls would all be appreciated. Their phone number is: (425) 444-7494 Their email is: ntschmitz@comcast.net Their mailing address is:
3613 Long Townsend Ave
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Celebration of Life – Julie Dickinson
Saturday October 7, 1:00pm
Saltwater Sanctuary & Church Zoom Room

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Julie Dickinson. Please read her obituary by following this link: https://www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Julie-Dickinson The family is making arrangements, and more details will be in future newsletters.

From Our Leadership

Message from The Board

To submit a newsletter article, click on:
https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/calendar-request/
– Fill out the required fields (your name, email & the article’s title)
– Scroll down to check the type of publicity you want, and write your announcement/ article.
– Click “submit”
– Submit it by noon Wednesday to get it in that Friday’s newsletter.

Please don’t send info some other way – like by phone, by email, by chatting to someone. It won’t make it into the newsletter unless it goes through the online form. The volunteers who will be creating and posting the newsletter will be able to pull your articles from that form.

If you forget where to find the form, here’s an easy way to remember it:
– Go to the church website
– Click “news and events” at the top
– Then click on “calendar & publicity request” and follow the directions.

Your thoughtfulness in how you convey information can help make the best use of the precious resource of time of staff and volunteers, while also keeping our community informed. ***image credit: Yelena Odintsova

The Saltwater Church Board thanks you for your consideration!

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 Thursdays, 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 September 21. _{^{***Image credit: Bubba}} 

Ways To Live Our Values

Share The Plate for September
Federal Way Community Care Giving Network

Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of Sept will be shared with Federal Way Community Care Giving Network http://www.fwccn.org/

The FWCCN provides help with partial emergency gas and bus vouchers, and 2 free meals a week. The meals are provided at Christian Faith Center and at Church of the Good Shepherd and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The organization also operates 2 large gardens which provide food for the free meals, the Federal Way Senior Center, the Federal Way Food Bank, and Shag apartments.

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.

Engage In Racial Justice
Complete a UNIAT Survey

Have you witnessed or been a victim of bias and hate?

United Indians of All Tribes is a member of the Coalition Against Hate & Bias which is supported by the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice. UNIAT has called on Sound Alliance to support this community-led initiative to address hate and bias incidents in communities that experience racist and bigoted treatment and all forms of oppression. _{***image credit: cdr.kingcounty.gov}

Coalition partners administer the Hate and Bias Incident Response Survey to collect data from communities affected by hate and bias. If you have witnessed or experienced hate, bias or oppression we urge you to complete the anonymous and confidential survey. No personal information is collected. This tool provides data to allow the coalition member communities to begin to address the impacts by providing resources, support and education on how to address such incidents.

If you have had experiences or have witnessed incidents of bias and hate please contact us to get a survey. If you have questions contact Lucia Faithfull at lfaithfull@comcast.net or Diane Dobrowolski at ddobrowolski@earthlink.net.

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 September 24 in Puyallup from 2pm until 3pm at the intersection of 136th and S. Meridian (near post office and Sonic restaurant)  We will meet again on October 8 in Des Moines at the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack in the Box and Arco gas). Contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte@gmail.com for more information.

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

The next meeting will be on Tuesday September 26. 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.

Saltwater Climate Action Now! (SCAN!)
Monthly on the 1^st Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Church Zoom Room

Please join us on Sunday, October 1 to see how you can help make an impact on our current climate crisis. Contact Sheri Jacobson at sheridjacobson@yahoo.com for additional information. It’s never too late to Act for Climate Justice.

Climate Message of the Week

Stand for the Climate!

Join the Rally To End Fossil Fuels this Sunday, September 17 at Seattle Center, Harrison Street from 2 pm-4 pm. The Seattle Rally will be one of many events held around the world. You can register at https://fossilfueltreaty.good.do/global-march/seattle/.

Additional information: PSARA, 350/Seattle, Stop the Money Pipeline and others from the local climate, labor and justice groups, have pulled together a local supporting rally here in Seattle for this Sunday, September 17. Please plan to come and please also spread the word. The Rally will be held at Seattle Center greens by Broad Street, starting at 2pm. There will be an art activity and speakers from as many environmental groups as can make it. Very family friendly.
_{***image credit: jtalliance.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.

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 Church Zoom Room
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
For the fall and winter months we will be meeting over Zoom. 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. Our next meet up will be on September 16.

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.  They will meet the first Tuesday in September. Please bring a sewing machine if you have one. Materials, designs, and guidance will be provided. Our next meet up will be on September 19.

Monthly Meetings

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.

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 September 19 . 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
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

Middle and High School Youth Group (grades 6-12)
Sunday September 17, after potluck
In Person – Saltwater Youth Room

Monthly youth group begins again this September. We will be discussing how often we meet and other details at our Youth Opening Night listed above.

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).