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.
June 28: “What Compassion Asks of Us,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
June: What Does it mean to be a People of Compassion?
This month we are exploring what it means to be a people of compassion. Compassion means to suffer with. It is part of the human experience to feel pain when others are in pain. This is central to our theology as Unitarian Universalists. We are all connected, and therefore our fates are bound up with one another. We will explore the three-part experience of compassion: noticing another’s pain, feeling with another, and then responding. When is compassion hard for me? How does compassion call me to respond? Soul Matters describes what it means to be a people of compassion as the path of healing our pain by opening to the pain of others.
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 are in need of 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 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 June: Black Lives of UU (BLUU)
Half of all undesignated basket donations received in the month of June will be shared with Black Lives of UU (BLUU). You can learn more about BLUU here: https://www.blacklivesuu.com/about-bluu . 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.
Stance for Racial Justice
Sundays in June 2-4 pm, Puyallup
If able, please join Colette DeMonte and other community members in the weekly stance for racial justice in Puyallup. For the remaining Sundays in June from 2-4pm stand at the intersection of 136th and Meridian (near Puyallup Sonic). Please feel free to bring signs to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Contact Colette at colettedemonte@gmail.com for more information.
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
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/
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
Recycle your plastic Keurig pods. Here’s how: 1) Peel the foil lid off the top. 2) Empty the contents into your compost bucket. 3) Wash out the pod. 4)Place it in a big empty peanut jar or other plastic container with a lid. 5) Collect the pods in the jar until it is full, and place it in your recycle bin.
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/
Upcoming Events
Social Distancing Grounds Work Party!
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 (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.
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, family ministries zoom room
Junior and Senior High Youth GroupSundays at 12 pm, family
ministries zoom room
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!
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 seven. 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 at: 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 church families with children and youth for support through the Parents Facebook
group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SUUCFamilyMatters/
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. All staff are working from home. Staff 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.
New Church Year Begins on July 1: Expense Reimbursements and Calendaring
Our church year begins July first, and it’s time to finish up and look forward
to a new year.
Expense reimbursements If you have purchased anything for
which you need reimbursement, please submit your receipts and expenses before
the end of June. If you have questions contact CJ at administrator@saltwaterchurch.org
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 July. If you have
questions contact CJ at administrator@saltwaterchurch.org
Support for Saltwater U.U. Church
Our fiscal year 2020-2021 begins July 1, 2020. If your pledge changed in the recent pledge drive, thank you for adjusting your donation. To those who use automatic payments , please contact your bank to adjust. Thank you for your support. Contact Gaye Greeves, gnatfw@aol.com or CJ Lewis, administrator@saltwaterchurch.org if you have any questions. Thank you for your support.