Saltwater Church Newsletter August 1, 2020

Worship
Church zoom room go to saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Each Sunday we are offering 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.

August: What does it mean to be a people of Journey?
Throughout the month of August we are exploring what it means to be a people of journey. Where are you on you on your spiritual journey?What is our story as Unitarian Universalists? Who do we journey with? How is the journey different when we go together? Join us to explore!August 2: “Reading as a Spiritual Practice,” Rev. Cynthia Westby, Westside UU
Reading helps us live in this world, allows us to explore meaning and truths, and inspires and pushes us to engage in serious reflection about our lives.  In this challenging time reading is a shared comfort for many of us.  Our reading can inspire individual or community spiritual practice – powerful and engaging mindfulness practice.  Come learn about various spiritual practices to use with the books you love.

August 9:“Going Nowhere,” Rev. Zackrie Vinczen, Cedars UU
There is a lot that we can learn from leaving our homes and traveling the world. Seeing new sights and having new experiences often broadens our perspective and cause us to approach life in different ways. In this service however, we will take time to consider the things that we can learn from going nowhere and how these learnings can be equally as transformative.

August 16: “Title TBA,” Rev. Christopher Wulff, Westside

August 23: “Companions on the Journey: Blessing of the Animals,”
                        Rev. Kristen Kuriga, Saltwater UU

August 30: “The Journey of Collaboration,” Rev. Nancy Reid McKee, Rev. Kristen Kuriga, Rev.  
                        Christopher Wulff, Rev. Zackrie Vinczen

Blessing of the Animals
On Sunday, August 23, join us to celebrate the blessing of the animals. This is an opportunity to honor the connection we have with our beloved pets, and to express our gratitude and well wishes for the friendship and care they bring to our lives. There will also be a time to honor and remember pets who have died. We are creating a slide show of members of our congregations with their pets. If you would like a picture included, please send it in an email to: minister@saltwaterchurch.org with “Blessing of the Animals” as the subject. Photos are due by Monday, August 17. We also invite you to bring your pets to worship with you so we can see them and bless them in our live zoom service!

Summer Worship News: Collaboration among Four Congregations
In the months of July and August we will be worshiping virtually with three other congregations: Northlake UU of Kirkland, Westside UU of West Seattle, and Cedars UU of Bainbridge & Kitsap. This worship collaborative is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our congregations and find new and creative ways to worship. Saltwater will be hosting the services in our zoom room, so you will be able to connect in the same way you have been since we started worshiping on zoom. Each week there will be leadership from the different congregations using a shared order of service created for our summer worship together. We will also be alternating between social hour with all the congregations one week, and social hour with just Saltwater folks the next Sunday.

Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate for August: UU the Vote Partner Organization
Half of all undesignated basket donations received in the month of August will be shared with the UU the Vote partner Center for Common Dreams and their Reclaim Our Vote initiative. You can learn more about the campaign here: http://centerforcommonground.org/main/index.php/campaigns/reclaim-our-vote. 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.

Living our Values through UU the Vote
Around the country, Unitarian Universalists are organizing to #UUtheVote, working to increase the participation of millions of disenfranchised eligible voters-especially people of color. UU the Vote (uuthevote.org) is a national campaign working with the non-profit Center for Common Dreams. Their Reclaim our Vote initiative is engaging voters who are prevented from exercising their electoral rights through voter suppression and voter list purging. Volunteers inform and mobilize voters in the six most affected states, to make sure they are registered, and they know how to get a ballot and vote. We can live our UU values by working to ensure that all voices are heard in the democratic process, and that we work for policies that increase love, not hate.

Weekly Reclaim our Vote phone banking
Training provided for volunteers each Monday afternoon. Learn more and sign up here:  
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/reclaim-our-vote-signup

Voter Turnout Postcard Campaign
Are you willing to write 20 postcards to ensure our democracy?  You’ll receive training, script, cards, and postage.  Kits will be distributed weekly at the Stance for Racial Justice or can be delivered if needed.   Please reach out to Amanda, acradak@gmail.com if you are willing to take on 20 postcards.

If you would like to learn more about getting connected with UU the Vote, you can also contact Susie Dong: susiepoetdong@gmail.com, Amanda Radak: acradak@gmail.com, and Mary Neysa Peterson:  maryneysapeterson@gmail.com

Racial Justice Organizing Team Meeting
August 11, 7-8:30 pm, family ministries zoom room
https://zoom.us/j/2349227683?pwd=aG4yL3RRb240UjJyWUR1Y2p2V0lQUT09  Did you know there is a newly formed racial justice organizing team at Saltwater Church? Join us to learn about the work we have done so far, how to take action, and plans for upcoming educational opportunities. There will be break-out groups to learn more and share ideas on the topics of: Education, Action from Home & UU the Vote, Immediate Actions & Partnerships. Questions: Contact core team members: Meri Murphy (tomandmeri@gmail.com) or Amanda Radak (acradak@gmail.com).

Action:  Write Postcards
Are you willing to write 20 postcards to ensure our democracy?  UU the Vote is working to engage voters in key states, so they know how, where and when to vote.  You’d receive training, script, cards, and postage.  Kits will be distributed weekly at the Stance for Racial Justice or can be delivered if needed.  Please reach out to Amanda, acradak@gmail.com if you are willing to take on 20 postcards.

Open House with the WA Poor People’s Campaign
Monday, August 3, 7-8:30 pm, zoom
This monthly gathering is to receive statewide and national Poor People’s Campaign updates, as well as make your voice heard!
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/274070827198967/

Teach-in: How to Practice Allyship for Black Lives with the WA Poor People’s Campaign
August 10, 2020, 7-8:30 pm, Facebook live
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1263745540632068

Stance for Racial Justice
Show up and shine bright for racial justice every Sunday in August! Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
     8/2, 8/16, and 8/30 in Puyallup from 2pm-4pm. At the intersection of 136th and S. Meridian (near post office and Sonic restaurant).
     8/9 and 8/23 in Des Moines from 2pm-4pm. At the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Highway (near Jack in the Box and Arco gas station).  Contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte@gmail.com for more information.

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. Below is a list of current donation needs:
            Paper towels, Windex, single use bowls (for cereal), single use sturdy plates and cups,
            sugared cereal, and protective gloves
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.

Climate Message of the Week
When you landscape around your home, choose native shrubs, ferns, and trees. Native plants provide food and shelter for native reptiles, birds, and insects. Plants from other parts of the world do not nourish our special Northwest ecology. Suggestions are Sword Fern, Deer Fern, Salal, Evergreen Huckleberry, Red Currant, and Indian Plum. We are so lucky that our church forest abounds in native plants. If you want to appreciate it and get cool, visit it this summer.

Sound Alliance (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday 9:00 – 10:15am

SCAN!(Saltwater Climate Action  Now!) (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 1st Sunday noon to 1:30 pm

Ways to Connect

Al-Anon Support Group (church zoom room)
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, 8-9 pm
Join the meditation group on zoom to help nourish your spirit. The group will have a teaching, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and an opportunity to share.

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

Saltwater Church Chalice Circles have formed. 
Two new Saltwater Chalice Circles begin in July and will last through September. Chalice Circles have been an important part of Saltwater Church for many years. The Chalice Circle program deepens and broadens personal spiritual growth. The goals are to listen and be listened to in a safe place, learn about the mysteries of our world and our spiritual paths, and build new and deeper personal connections.
These two Circles are full, but we plan to start more Circles after September.  If you are new to Saltwater Church and would like more information about them, you are welcome to contact me.
-Susan Aigner Growth and Learning Team Lead  susanaigner@comcast.net

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: 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


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 new class address.)
Sunday mornings at 9:30 ahttps://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE

Junior and Senior High Youth Group 
(Note the new 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

All Ages Movie Nights 
Saturdays, starting at 7 pm
Kid-friendly movies, all ages invited. Join us!
Family ministries zoom room 

UU Summer Kids Day Camp (online)–register now! 
Art and Painting  Aug 10-14
Minecraft for Environmental Justice  Aug 17-21

Each day of camp will have three Zoom calls, offline activities and craft projects, and on-demand videos and stories to watch as you like. Supplies for craft projects will be put together in kits to pick up on the Sunday before camp. Sign up for one week, several, or all remaining.  These camps are collaborations from multiple area congregations.  Open to kids of all ages, and youth who are interested in helping to lead the kids. They are Free! These camps are offered as a gift to the community and aim to be truly accessible to all. (Donations may be made to help cover the costs of supplies.)
Please contact Melinda Einander for more information.  Register online
https://sites.google.com/view/pnw-uu-kids-camp/home?authuser=0
Registration must be received 8 days before the start of the session.

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/    

From the Board & HCT

HCT Guidelines for Having Difficult Conversations
https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/healthy-congregation-team-guidelines-for-having-difficult-conversations/  


Upcoming Events

Social Distancing Grounds Work Party! 
Work at your own pace on your own schedule! For more information see  https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/social-distancing-grounds-work-party/

Ongoing Fundraising Opportunity
Handmade cards by Joanne Stonebraker. Find more information here:
https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/fundraiser-for-suuc/

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.  

Support for Saltwater U.U. Church 
Our fiscal year 2020-2021 began July 1, 2020. If your pledge changed in the recent pledge drive, remember to adjust your donation.  Contact your bank to adjust automatic payments.  If you have any questions, contact Gaye Greeves, gnatfw@aol.com or CJ Lewis, administrator@saltwaterchurch.org  Thank you for your support.