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.
February: What does it mean to be a People of Beloved Community?
In the month of February we are exploring what it means to be people of Beloved Community. People who open the door ever wider in welcome. A people who imagine and work for communities where poverty, racism, and oppression are eradicated. A people who recognize our interconnectedness: who show up for each other, learn from one another, and are guided by a powerful commitment to love. Soul Matters describe the practice of being a people of beloved community as the practice of bending the arc of the universe toward justice, recognizing inherent worth, and dismantling the structures that divide us. Come, join us as we deepen our faith together.
February 14: “Side With Love Sunday,” from the Unitarian Universalist Association
February 21: “We Foster Connection,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
February 28: “Beloved Conversations,” Racial Justice Organizing Team lay leaders
From the Board & HCT
Communications at Saltwater UU Church
Did you know there are many ways that we communicate with one another at Saltwater Church? There is the weekly newsletter, a SUUC community listserve, and a Saltwater Facebook group.
All of our communications at church are governed by the church covenant and the electronic communications policy. You can find those policies here:
Saltwater Covenant: https://saltwaterchurch.org/about-us/our-governance/covenant-right-relations/
Electronic Communications: https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/saltwater-church-electronic-communication-policy/
It is so important in this time to stay connected in healthy ways. If you are having difficulty or are in conflict with someone in the community, our covenant encourages us to speak to that person directly. Calling on the phone or setting up a zoom call is best since emotional emails can be misunderstood and cause greater difficulty. If you need support, you can also reach out to the Healthy Congregation Team: Bev Ross, Quinn Rose, and Debra Valpey.
Office Administrator Search
The Office Administrator search team (Suzanne Laurel, Galen Guffy, Tom Spohn, and Rev. Kristen Kuriga) has reconvened and we are now accepting applications. The job description for the Office Administrator position is posted below. Please share this announcement with your networks. You can find the full job description here: https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/hiring-for-office-administrator/
Upcoming Events
Thirty Days of Love—Side with Love
Thirty Days of Love is an annual celebration that runs approximately from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January through Valentine’s Day in February. It is an opportunity to lift up the ways Unitarian Universalists and many of our partner organizations are building and organizing by taking bold, courageous action for intersectional racial justice.
In 2021, 30 Days of Love will focus on four themes from a recently published report called Widening the Circle of Concern. Each week, Side with Love will share a ‘playlist’ or ‘menu’ of activities for individuals to interact with, connected with our weekly theme.
Week One: Living Our Values in the World (January 17 – 23)
Week Two: Hospitality and Inclusion (January 24 – 30)
Week Three: Educating for Liberation (January 31 – February 6)
Week Four: Restoration and Reparations (February 7 – 13)
You can learn more about Thirty Days of Love here: https://sidewithlove.org/thirty-days-of-love
UU 101 Class
Sunday, February 21, Church Zoom Room, after service (the class runs for one hour)
Do you have questions about Unitarian Universalism? Have you been attending worship for a while and want to get more connected? Join Rev. Kristen for a UU 101 class.
Together we will explore:
What does it mean to be Unitarian Universalist?
Who historically were Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists?
What are the values and beliefs that shape our faith tradition?
What is the membership process at Saltwater UU?
Bring your questions and explore whether this might be your spiritual home. Questions or to RSVP, contact Rev. Kristen: minister@saltwaterchurch.org.
Supporting Our Saltwater Community
Donations to Saltwater Church
When making a donation on the church website, 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 would like a statement of your donations for calendar year 2020 for tax purposes to email or call our treasurer Gaye Greeves at gnatfw@aol.com or 253-508-3961.
Handmade Cards Fundraiser
Send beautiful cards to foster connection, while supporting our beloved community! Your purchases from HandmadeWithDove.Etsy.com will continue to support Saltwater year round, with $5 from every item sold going to the church.
Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate for February: WestSide Baby
Half of all undesignated donations received in the month of February will be shared with WestSide Baby: https://westsidebaby.org/. 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.
Stance for Racial Justice
Rain or shine, show up for racial justice in February! Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. 2/14 in Des Moines from 2pm-3pm. Intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Hwy S (near Jack- in- the Box and Arco gas). 2/28 in Puyallup from 2pm-3pm. 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!) meets the 1st Sunday of the month from 12:00 to 1:30pm, in the church Zoom Room.
Climate Message of the Week: Farmer/author/activist Leah Penniman writes that Black farmers carry the legacy of “our ancestral grandmothers, who braided seeds in their hair before boarding transatlantic slave ships, believing against odds in a future of sovereignty on land”. A great majority of Black farmers never got the “40 acres and a mule” that was promised to them in 1865 and the number of Black farmers has continued to shrink over the years. But now a new generation is working nationwide to build an equitable farming system based on sustainability. Find a list of area Black farm groups to support at https://www.instagram.com/p/CBorM6qAy8V/. Learn more about racism, Black farming, and food justice at the WSU page https://foodsystems.wsu.edu/supportbipocfarms/
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 unsheltered adults is providing important support to our local community while practicing social distancing. Their remarkable record of providing safe care has resulted in ZERO Covid cases. Those who were most vulnerable were admitted to safe housing sites in Kent and SeaTac. Ten long-term Day Center guests will be approved for Permanent Supported Housing at the soon to open Thea Bowman Apartments in Kent.
Your help with the most needed items can go a long way to maintaining that safety record: 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.
Growth and Learning
New Day Rising National Conference: Identifying Your Congregation’s Next Faithful Steps in Changing White Supremacy Culture.
Saturday, February 27, 2021, 9 am – 6:00 pm PST
Saltwater Church’s Racial Justice Organizing Team encourages you to attend a day-long workshop exploring our congregation’s next steps in racial justice work, gaining inspiration and insight from other Unitarian Universalist congregations.
Watch compelling video TED-talk style testimonials from selected congregations around the continent sharing their learnings, hopes and next steps in their quest for racial equity in their congregations. Then, together on February 27, 2021 Worship ~ Workshops ~ Caucusing
With plenty of breaks. More information and registration at: https://www.uua.org/leadership/events/new-day-rising-2021
Ongoing Opportunities for Racial Justice Education https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/ongoing-opportunities-for-racial-justice-education/
Ways to Connect
Pair Sharing (Rev. Kristen’s Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/7434659479)
Alternating Sundays, 11:45-1:00 pm. The next session will be February 14, 2021.
There is healing power in telling truth and bearing witness. Pair Sharing is the spiritual practice of deep sharing and listening. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janeane Weprin at jghonore@yahoo.com
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 am 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
Winter 2021 National Middle School Conference
Saturday, February 27, 2021, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm PST
Middle school UU youth (11-14 years old, in grade 6-8 or equivalent) will come together to play, worship, and explore their UU faith. This day-long event will give our middle school youth opportunities to play games and connect in small groups, and to learn more about themselves and this amazing religion in large ones. Come join us! https://www.uua.org/pacific-western/calendar/pwr-uua/middle-school-conference
Deadline: Registration open through February 19
Cost: $40 per person. Sliding scale based on your assessment of your ability to pay.
Jr./Sr. High Youth Group Game Night (Joint with Northlake UU)
3rd Friday of each month, 7-9 pm.
We will be using an online game platform as one of the options for games (boardgamearena.com – free account is plenty), so if possible, please let Margaret know if you plan to attend so we can get set up ahead of time. We hope to see you there!
https://tinyurl.com/CRE-NUUC, Meeting ID: 309 145 529, Password: NUUC
If you are interested in having your youth (and/or yourself) receive reminder texts directly for game night and Sunday youth group, you can sign up for them by clicking this link and entering the information: https://www.remind.com/join/nuuc-6-12
Contact Margaret Rogers for more information: dre@northlakeuu.org
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/