Discover Saltwater UU Church and join us in community with one another. .
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Saltwater Church is an intentionally inclusive, spiritually progressive,
justice seeking community of all ages, serving South King County since 1954.
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Each Sunday we offer online worship through zoom at 10:30am. 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. If you wish to view the newsletter on the web, click here.
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September & October’s Theme: Humility
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Throughout the months of September and October we will be exploring the theme of humility. Humility is about acknowledging that we don’t have it all figured out: not as individuals or as a people of faith. We are all still learning. Humility is about valuing other people’s perspectives as we value our own and engaging the world with wonder and curiosity. When we approach life with humility, we are invited into reverence for this earth we are made of and the beings we move through life connected to. Not knowing is an opportunity to let go of our desire for perfection, and instead embrace vulnerability and the need for forgiveness when we miss the mark. Join us as we explore the theme of humility in worship, small groups, and religious education, and deepen our faith together!
September 5: “Embodying Humility,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
September 12: “Peace, Salaam, Shalom,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
September 19: “Called to the Water’s Edge,” Rev. Kristen Kuriga
September 26: TBA
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Themes for 2021-2022 Church Year
This church year we continue with theme-based ministry as a way to deepen our faith formation across the generations. Themes will provide inspiration and be a source for reflection in worship, religious education, and small groups. For this year, we are working with new material from the book Sparks of Wonder written by Becky Brooks and Erika Hewitt (https://www.uuabookstore.org/Sparks-of-Wonder-P18535.aspx). Also, each theme will be explored over two months, allowing more time to go deeply. We look forward to learning together over the coming year!
September & October: Humility
November & December: Spirit
January & February: Chaos
March & April: Journey
May & June: Power
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Upcoming In-person Events
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Current In-Person Activity COVID-19 Guidelines
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For outdoor programming, given the rise in infection rate, everyone will be required to mask and practice social distancing. This includes persons who have been fully vaccinated. We believe that this approach reflects our commitment to welcome and care for those who are more vulnerable, including children, those who are immune-compromised, and those who are unable to be vaccinated.
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Collecting In-Kind Donations & Gift Cards For Refugee Families From Haiti
Saturday September 11, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Haitian Christians United, our partner at Saltwater, is providing support for refugee families coming from Haiti across the US-Mexico border. In the last three months they have welcomed 20 families, and they anticipate at least 12 more families coming to King County to settle. The Racial Justice Organizing Team at Saltwater is partnering with Haitian Christians United to provide support to families of essential needs.
Below is a list of in-kind donations which can be dropped off on Saturday, September 11 from 2 – 4pm at our outdoor ingathering event at the church.
In-kind donation needs (new only please):
cleaning wipes, hand soap, hand sanitizer, body lotion, soap/body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bath towels, feminine pads/products, razors, deodorant, baby wipes, diapers (6 months through toddler), combs, hair brush, toilet paper, paper towels, and washcloths. You can sign up here: https://signup.com/go/uJYvVEn.
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Help Rebuild a "Sound" Community
Saturday September 18, 10:00am - 2:00 pm
Preparing for multi-platform services and in-person activities takes a village. We need your help getting our space ready for all our exciting upgrades. Saltwater invites the members of Bet Chaverim, Haitian Christians, and any able bodied friends & family to join us in yet another work party. We need to relocate a lot of furniture and prepare the Welcoming Room for some construction. It’s a big task and we really need all the help we can get. It’s wonderful when our communities can all work together and this is the perfect opportunity. ***image credit: Yan Krukov
Our Facilities Team will have tools available but you may want gloves. Due to the surge of the Delta variant, masks are required for this indoor event. Disposable masks will be available to those who need one. If you’ve been sick or have any concerns about COVID-19, we appreciate your desire to help but ask respectfully that you stay home. If you have any questions or concerns, please email our Facilities Team Lead: Glenn Andrews at [email protected]
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Saltwater Church Reopening Update
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On Wednesday, August 18th the Board considered the potential timeline for reopening the church for in-person worship and programming indoors. Although we had tentatively hoped to launch multiplatform worship and programming in September, the Board no longer feels like this is safe given the current spike of COVID cases in King County due to the delta variant.
To care for the well-being of our church and local community, and to live into our mission and values, the Board has paused the reopening timeline and determined that there will be no indoor in-person activities at this time. The Board will continue to monitor the local conditions and will coordinate with the Pandemic and Reopening Taskforces as conditions change. You can stay up to date on local transmission rates here: https://covidactnow.org/us/washington-wa/county/king_county/?s=21891115
We know this news is hard and disappointing. There are still many ways to foster connection, nurture spiritual growth, and act for justice. Outdoor, in-person, small group activities will continue as weather and air quality allows. For outdoor programming, given the rise in infection rate, everyone will be required to mask and practice social distancing. We will also continue to offer worship, small groups, and ways to act for justice over zoom. You can find more details about upcoming worship and programming in the church newsletter.
If you have any questions about the Church Reopening timeline, please contact Mayda Taney, Board President. Save the date for a special, in-person, outdoor afternoon of Celebration and Ritual on Saturday, September 11! More details listed above in Upcoming In-person Events.
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Upgrades to the Church Campus
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There are a number of upgrades happening at the Saltwater Church campus! As you may know, we are installing new audio-visual equipment in the sanctuary which will allow us to offer multi-platform worship and programming. While we hoped to have the new equipment installed by the end of August, the timeline has shifted due to manufacturer backorders. The new tentative timeline is the end of September. We will be sure to keep you updated!
In the meantime, Katherine “Bubba” Miller, our office administrator, has been hard at work streamlining our systems and vendor relationships. We now have a new copier in the office which will meet our needs but also provide significant cost-savings. We will also have improved internet after the installation of underground wiring connecting our three buildings. We have started the process of working with a new membership software database, Realm, which has a lot of potential to foster connection. Thank you Katherine for all of your hard work to get us well equipped and organized with an eye towards financial sustainability.
Finally, the office has a new furnace and heat pump! Thank you to Mary Paynter who managed the bid and installation process, and to Tom McDavid and Katherine Miller who provided support. The new heat pump will not only save us money but also be more energy efficient.
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Saltwater Pen Pal Project
Do you suffer from Zoom fatigue? Consider joining the Saltwater Pen Pal Project to exchange snail mail (or email) correspondence! Each month you would be paired up with someone from the group to exchange your thoughts about the monthly Soul Matters theme. Contact Joanne at [email protected] if you are interested in participating.
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Engage in Racial Justice
The Racial Justice Organizing Team at Saltwater is partnering with Haitian Christians United to provide support to families of essential needs. Consider making a donation in-kind for refugee families from Haiti. Additional details shown in the Upcoming In-person Events Section of the newsletter.
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Climate Message of the Week:
Did you miss the good climate news? President Biden launched the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. This new office will be the first federal office to focus on the connection between climate change and health equity. This is important because numerous studies have shown that people of color and low-income households are affected more severely by climate change than other groups. The work of the OCCHE will align with our UU First and Second Principles at the same time it addresses climate change. Although the OCCHE has been established, Congress must approve the $3 million dollar request to fund it. Call or email your Congressional representatives to tell them that you support this important office and the funding for it. You can read more about the OCCHE at its website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocche/index.html.
Are there topics or questions you’d like to see covered in future Climate Messages? Email suggestions to Sheri Jacobson at [email protected].
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Al-Anon Support Group
Mondays, 6:30-7:30 pm
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Meditation Group
Tuesdays, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
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. Our meetings have returned to Zoom meetings only until further notice. Would you like to join our group? Contact Jean Spohn [email protected] or (206) 200-7524.
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Writers Group
Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 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! Please join us. Our mission is to support one another in our writing. For more information, contact Janeane Weprin 630-824-8343 or [email protected].
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Support Circle
Thursdays, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
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Over Eaters Anonymous
Fridays, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
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Grief Support Group
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one, of a relationship, of your health or vitality? Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a job, or maybe you are grieving over how the pandemic has been affecting you. Debra Valpey and Toska Rodriguez, two Saltwater lay ministers, will be facilitating a grief support group this fall. Our hope is that, together, we can support one another through difficult times. It is not a therapy group, but it might prove therapeutic for you, and we will be emphasizing support and resources around loss. If you think a group like this might be a good fit for you, please contact Debra (206-953-5704 or [email protected]) or Toska (253-839-1921 or [email protected]. We hope to be able to start this group in September and (tentatively) plan to meet on the first and third Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 PM (or on some other mutually agreeable time) on Zoom until we can begin meeting again in person. You don't need to grieve alone. We can be here for each other.
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Weekend Writers Group
2nd and 4th Sundays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
There’s no time like the present to start writing that novel you have been dreaming about for years! Or maybe it’s time to share the poetry you have stashed away in your file drawer or to start immortalizing by writing down those unique memories that have been your precious life! And it’s a lot more fun if you have an audience of other writers to share them with. We welcome new members, WE WELCOME YOU! Any questions? Please phone me at 206-898-5452 or email me at [email protected]. It would be so great to hear from you and to welcome you to the Saltwater Weekend Writers’ Group.
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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 Rev. Kristen: [email protected].
If you are in need of emotional or spiritual support, you can reach out directly to a Lay Minister:
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Support for Children, Youth, and Families
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Religious Education Class for Kids and their Grown-Ups
(Note the class address.)
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Family Support Circles
First & Third Mondays, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
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Parents Facebook Group
You can also connect with other Saltwater Church families with children and youth for support through the Parents Facebook group:
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How to Access the Church Zoom Room
and click on "To join a meeting-click here." You may also visit 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.
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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: [email protected]
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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: [email protected]
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.
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Saltwater Church Building
The church building is closed to most in-person programming, groups, and meetings. Saltwater staff are primarily working from home while our Office Administrator is on-site at least twice a week to collect the mail and address any additional needs. Planting Flowers has resumed providing essential childcare support to families. Haitian Christians have resumed in-person gatherings with a limited capacity on Sunday evenings. As of August 1st Bet Chaverim has also resumed hosting some events in the Welcome Room & Sanctuary.
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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 would like a statement of your donations for calendar year 2020 for tax purposes to email or call our treasurer Gaye Greeves at [email protected] or (253) 508-3961.
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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 [email protected] or use the website form (click here).
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25701 14th Place South
Des Moines, WA 98198
(206) 651-7358
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