Have a safe Holiday Weekend! Stay Well!
Worship
Church zoom room (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.
July: What Does it mean to be a People of Courage?
This month we are exploring what it means to be a people of courage. Courage is about living from our hearts and discovering strength in the midst of challenge. Sometimes our courage comes from within, while at other times, it is sourced from the people in our communities who inspire us and help us to be brave. Join us to explore our faith together!
July 5: “Courage: A Part of the Heroic Journey,”
Rev. Nancy Reid-Mckee, Northlake UU
July 12: “The Space of Courage,” Rev. Zackrie Vinczen, Cedars UU
July 19: “Courageous Love,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga, Saltwater UU
July 26: “I am from…” Westside UU Racial Justice Change Team
Summer Worship News: Collaboration between Four Congregations
I am excited to announce that in the months of July and August we will be worshipping virtually with three other congregations: Northlake UU of Kirkland, Westside UU of West Seattle, and Cedars UU of Bainbridge. 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.
Technology Support for Worship
We need volunteers who can help with supporting Sunday morning worship services on zoom. There are two different roles:
Zoom technology volunteer: includes screensharing videos, posting lyrics and announcements in the chat box, and being available for tech rehearsal on Saturday morning (day before the service you are the tech volunteer)
Zoom digital usher: includes admitting people, welcoming newcomers, addressing problems put in the chat box, helping with unmuting if needed, and being part of the team monitoring for zoom bombing
Training and support will be provided. The positions require access to a computer with a strong internet connection. We are looking for volunteers who can commit to once or twice per month, or who can fill in occasionally as needed. To express interest, contact Melinda: melinda@saltwaterchurch.org.
Ways to Connect
Saltwater Church Chalice Circle Reboot!
We started to expand our Chalice Circle program in February and were shut down by the coronavirus. Now we want to try again, all on Zoom, of course. We are planning two Circles, one on a weeknight and one on the weekend. The two hr. meetings would start with one session in late July, two sessions in August, and one or two in September.
The Chalice Circle program deepens and broadens personal spiritual growth. A group usually consists of 8-10 members who meet on Zoom. Each meeting is focused on a spiritual or religious topic. 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.
If you are interested in joining one of these Chalice Circles, please email me at susanaigner@comcast.net, and tell me if you prefer weeknights, weekends, or don’t have a preference. If you want more information about what Chalice Circles are, email me or call me at 253-569-8156. SIGN UP DEADLINE FRIDAY, JULY 3.
Susan Aigner, Growth and Learning Team Lead
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
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.com
Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate for July: Poor People’s Campaign of WA
Half of all undesignated basket donations received in the month of July will be shared with the Poor People’s Campaign of Washington.
You can learn more about the Poor People’s Campaign here: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/about/.
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.
Side With Love/Love Resists Political Education Series
4 Wednesdays: June 10, June 17, July 1 and July 8
Unfinished Business: A Study of DuBois’ Reconstruction in America to Now
This political education series offered by Side With Love and Love Resists will explore the history of the reconstruction era (post-civil war), to give us a deeper understanding of the origin of today’s systemic racism in policing and mass incarceration as well as the Black-led movements resisting it. The political education group will begin each Wednesday at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET and you can join an hour earlier (4 pm PT/7 pm ET) to watch the film together, or you can watch on your own any time ahead of the discussion group.
For more information and to sign up:
https://www.uua.org/loveresists/four-session-political-education-series
Stand for Racial Justice: Stand up, Show up
Join fellow Saltwater Unitarian Universalists and other community members on Sundays from 2-4pm in a stance for racial justice.
For the month of July, the group will rotate between locations in Puyallup and Des Moines. Please wear a face covering/mask and practice social distancing.
**Sunday, July 5th and 19th, in Puyallup at the intersection of 136th and S. Meridian (USPS office and Sonic restaurant) from 2-4pm
**Sunday, July 12th and 26th, in Des Moines at intersection of 272nd and Pacific Hwy S (Near Jack- in- the Box and Arco gas) from 2-4pm
Please contact Colette DeMonte with questions at colettedemonte@gmail.com
Federal Way Day Center Donations Needed
The Federal Way Day Center 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
Protective gloves
You can park in front of the Day Center and call (253-893-7895) and someone can come out to pick up the donations. 33505 13th Pl S behind the Multi-Service Center
Racial Justice Organizations
If you are looking for more information about how to take action for racial justice, we recommend that you check out these organizations:
BLUU: Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism: https://www.blacklivesuu.com/connect
BLUU is very active on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesUU/
Movement for Black Lives: https://m4bl.org/
Poor People’s Campaign: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/about
SURJ: Showing Up for Racial Justice: https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/
(this group is for white people learning to be allies)
SCAN! Climate Message of the Week
Be stingy with artificial cooling and heat. No one needs air conditioning in the Puget Sound. We just open windows and live in shorts and t-shirts on warm days. When winter comes, keep the thermostat low. Put on extra layers of clothing. Get some exercise and/or wear a warm bathrobe over your clothes. Don’t turn up the heat.
Updates from the Board & HCT
Congregational Meeting Follow-up
Thank you to the over 80 members of the church who participated in our virtual congregational meeting on Sunday, June 14. At the meeting the congregation voted for two new Board Members: Karin Leisy and Lauren Crowder, and two new members of the nominating team: Toska Rodriguez and Marlies Wenzel. We also announced that Galen Guffy will be the new Worship Operations Lead. If you would like to read the reports from the Operations Teams, they can be found here: https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/operation-team-annual-reports-2020//If you would like to read reports from the Minister and staff, they can be found here: https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/minister-staff-annual-reports-june-2020/
HCT Guidelines for Having Difficult Conversations (June 2020)
As Unitarian Universalists we are committed to creating a safe space for conversations that foster, enable and encourage our own growth and learning. To this end and to help us remain a community in covenant, your Healthy Congregations Team offers the following guidelines/reminders for when we find ourselves having an emotional reaction to something another person has said in person and/or posted on social media. This is especially relevant in light of the current political and social justice challenges we are living with today.
You can read the guidelines here: https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/healthy-congregation-team-guidelines-for-having-difficult-conversations/
A Few Words from your H.C.T. on Compassion
(Quinn Rose, Bev Ross, & Debra Valpey)
This month we bring you some thoughts on Soul Matters’ theme of compassion: https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/a-few-words-from-your-healthy-congregation-team-h-c-t/
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
Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Junior and Senior High Youth Group
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
Parents Facebook Group
You can also connect with other church families with children and youth for support through the Parents Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SUUCFamilyMatters/
UU Summer Kids Day Camp (online)--register now!
Animals of the Pacific Northwest July 6-10
Movement and Dance July 13-17
Stories, Improv, and Theater July 20-24
For the Love of Food! Aug 3-7
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 six 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.
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.
Upcoming Events
Social Distancing Grounds Work Party!
Work at your own pace on your own schedule! For more info
https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/social-distancing-grounds-work-party/
Ongoing Fundraising Opportunity
Since the Winter Bazaar fundraiser was canceled this year due to COVID-19, Joanne Stonebraker is selling her handmade cards online to benefit Saltwater Church. This will be an ongoing fundraiser, where 50% of the sales revenue from her Etsy store (http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeWithDove) will go to the church. Now you can keep in touch with friends and family by sending handmade note cards that benefit our beloved community! Holiday designs will be released in the fall! If you planned to sell handmade items at the bazaar this year and are interested in selling your items online, please contact Joanne at JoanneStonebraker@gmail.com.
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.
Happy New Church Year! Calendaring Updates Needed
Our church year begins July first, and it’s time to look forward to a new year.
Calendaring If you have events that you would like to get on the calendar for the new church year, please send in your calendar requests here: https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/calendar-request/. A reminder that on-going events needs to be rescheduled each annum. We begin with a clear calendar in July. If you have questions contact CJ at administrator@saltwaterchurch.org
Support for Saltwater U.U. Church
Our fiscal year 2020-2021 began July 1, 2020. If your pledge changed in the recent pledge drive, thank you for adjusting your donation. Please contact your bank if you wish to adjust your automatic payments. Thank you for your support. Contact Gaye Greeves, gnatfw@aol.com or CJ Lewis, administrator@saltwaterchurch.org with any questions.