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Saltwater Church is an intentionally inclusive, spiritually progressive,
justice seeking community of all ages, serving South King County since 1954.
| | Saltwater Church Newsletter September 5, 2026 | |
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To view our complete calendar of events on our website, click here.
If you wish to schedule an event, click here to fill out a request form.
| | Click on SEE OUR SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS for a comprehensive list of the activities during the next 2 weeks. | | |
Potluck and Chalice Circle Sign Ups
Sunday, August 6, 11:30am - 12:15pm
In Person - Welcoming Room
Following the 9:00 a.m. service, we host a potluck on the first Sunday of the month. Homemade dishes are welcome! Please mark yours with the ingredients to help those with dietary restrictions and allergies. If you can't bring a dish, or you forget, join us anyway. Visitors and newcomers, you're our guests. If you have time, stay afterward and help us clean up.
Chalice Circle sign-ups, this Sunday: Explore our values while connecting with other UUs in a small group, in person or online. Different dates, times, and types can form, but only if you complete the interest form. Look for Maria Figueroa and Meri Murphy in wide-brimmed sun hats during the potluck, or fill out the form online. Paper forms are also available on Sundays. For more information, see Jessica Nash or Maria Figueroa.
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Ground Work Parties
Sundays, 12:00pm - 2:00pm & Mondays, 10:00am - 12:00pm
In Person - Church Grounds
Join us as we beautify and improve our grounds. Work parties meet twice weekly, rain or shine, beginning Sunday, September 6. All are welcome, no experience needed.
The goal is to remove invasive plants, especially ivy, and help native plants thrive. This year's focus is the garden between the Welcoming Room and the Lighthouse, and the area outside the Sanctuary windows. Leslie will rope off work areas and post signs so you know where to dig in, and she offers a five-minute introduction to a native plant at nearly every session. Ivy pulling continues on fourth Sundays with Jean.
Interested in joining the Grounds Team? The team meets the first Wednesday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00 noon, on the grounds or in the office conference room if the weather isn't cooperating. On October 7 they'll gather at Jean's house in Burien to see her native plant garden. Current members are Leslie Bidlack, Jean Spohn, and Meri Murphy.
Questions? Contact Meri Murphy at (253) 249-3965 or tomandmeri@gmail.com.
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Book Study: Transforming Conflict
Monday, September 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Online - Church Zoom Room
What’s your relationship with conflict? Is it difficult for you? As a congregation, we want to learn how to engage with conflict in loving and covenantal ways.
Join Jules and Jim for a congregational study of Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil by Terasa Cooley.
Over five months, we’ll read, reflect, and learn new skills for navigating conflict together.
Sessions will be offered on Zoom and in person, with opportunities to continue learning between sessions through learning pairs. The group will meet on the 2nd Mondays on Zoom and 1st Sundays in person. Click the image on the right to view the flyer and learn more!
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Skill Share Night - Jewelry Making!
Monday, September 28, 6:00-8:00pm
In Person - Welcome Room
Come learn a new skill; each 4th Monday at 6pm will be something different, and a sample of someone's passions. We're looking forward to miniatures, plant ID, beading....
Join us for a fun and creative jewelry-making gathering! More details coming soon.
Please RSVP to Amanda at least 3 days in advance, if possible, so we can bring enough jewelry-making supplies for everyone. If you decide to join at the last minute, that’s okay too, but some materials or jewelry options may be limited.
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From Our Minister
Woven Faith monthly theme for September: Interdependence
Rev. Alison writes, "Interdependence not a woo-woo fantasy, nor is it merely an idea. Interdependence is embedded into the fabric of our universe, our bodies, and our lives." Find examples of interdependence from science, nature, human life, and our church community, plus ways that you can cultivate interdependence, by reading Rev. Alison's latest Minister's Message HERE.
New Reflections on Youtube: The Saltwater Minister YouTube channel has been updated with Rev. Alison's service on the Divine Feminine in Judeo-Christian history, her service on abolition and letting go of the need to punish, and Mark Martinez's Memorial Day reflection on the cost of a nation. Find the YouTube channel HERE, or click the descriptions above to view that reflection.
Ways to Reach Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland
Phone (voice only): 206.627.5119
Email: minister.swuuc@gmail.com
Appointment Scheduling: https://calendly.com/minister-swuuc
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Board President's Monthly Letter to the Congregation READ HERE
Updates from the Board of Directors include:
- No open board meeting in August since the board is holding its yearly full-day retreat to set priorities and goals for the church year.
- An invitation to join the Realm group SWUUC Board of Directors Public Records & Meetings for easy access to meeting info, minutes, and registration to speak during public comment.
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The next board meeting is September 30 at 6:30 in the Church Zoom Room, with the 2026-2027 Board of Directors listed so you know who to look for at coffee hour. Click here to read the full letter.
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To view our complete calendar of events on our website, click here.
If you wish to schedule an event, click here to fill out a request form.
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We offer many opportunities to Foster Connection with others in our community. Every month we have groups that meet regularly for a variety of activities. You are invited to drop by and join in our fun. Some groups meet in person, some via Zoom, and some offer both.
Read our Community Activities for detailed information.
There are many date and/or time changes in July and August so be sure to double check your activity information.
CLICK HERE
| | Act For Justice & Live Our Values | | |
Taking Action at Saltwater
Not all "acts for justice" have to be big things. You can live our values by serving the community. Your acts of leadership, organizing, and providing physical labor are great ways to enrich your lives with your faith community. There is always something going on at Saltwater UU Church, which means there are always ways you can help in our success.
Saltwater is YOUR community and we need your help making sure things run smoothly.
Do you have a few hours a month that you could volunteer your services? Go here to view our website listing of all of our Serving Teams that could use your assistance. You can also express interest in joining a team through Realm Connect or email Administrator@SaltwaterChurch.org.
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Saltwater has community groups that focus on ways we can Act for Justice. We've been updating our website with information about all of our Justice groups. Check out our progress here. Our justice focused groups meet regularly and often offer activities for the community to engage in our mission.
Discover additional ways you can
Act For Justice, CLICK HERE.
There are many date and/or time changes in July and August so be sure to double check your activity information.
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Upcoming Services
Worship Theme: Interdependence
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September 6 - Labor Acknowledgement: The Construction of Race to Disrupt Working-Class Solidarity
Worship Leader: Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland
If we are committed to the rights of workers, we must also commit to dismantling white supremacy. This Labor Day weekend, Rev. Alison reminds us that race as we know it in the United States began in the late 1600s to allow the wealthy and powerful to extract free labor from racialized groups with the collusion of their fellow workers.
September 13 - Water Ceremony
Worship Leader: Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland
For our annual Water Ceremony, bring a small vessel of water, from a special place or your own tap, to pour into a shared container as we celebrate our life together. This all-ages service is also our first Faith Formation Sunday of the new church year. On most second Sundays, children and youth stay in the sanctuary past storytelling time for interactive, all-ages activities tied to the monthly theme.
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| Children, Youth & Families | | |
This Week in the Lighthouse -
Sept 6: This week in the lighthouse we will be making something to share at potlock! We will be picking some blackberries and mixing up some quick cobblers.
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Coming up the next few month -
Coming in September - Video Game Day! If this is interesting to you and you have a date in mind we have no set date yet, let jessica know at dffsaltwater@gmail.com
Coming in October - Magic the gathering Draft Oct 11, Halloween\mystery party
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Saltwater Community Facebook Group
You can also connect with other Saltwater Church members and friends by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168911169811664
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Childcare for Church Events
Childcare may be requested for any church activity at least one week in advance by contacting our Director of Faith Formation, Jessica Nash, at dffsaltwater@gmail.com. We will do our best to make accommodations whenever possible.
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Sign Up To Use Realm Connect NOW!
click here
Search your email for your invitation to Realm Connect
Thank you to all who have completed their Realm sign up. If you have not received your invitation, please search your email for "Join Our Online Community" as the subject line of an email sent from: notifications@onrealmmail.org.
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Saltwater Church Hours of Operation
With the exception of our minister, all of our staff are part-time employees. For this reason, it is best to set up an appointment if you will need assistance onsite with one of our staff. Contact information for our staff is as follows:
Minister - Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland, minister.swuuc@gmail.com
Congregational Administrator - Bubba, Administrator@SaltwaterChurch.org
Director of Faith Formation - Jessica Nash, dffsaltwater@gmail.com
Music Director - Tom Burt, Music@SaltwaterChurch.org
Sexton - Marc Cabanag, sexton.swuuc@gmail.com
Administrative appointments with Bubba can be arranged Tuesday through Friday via email. Bubba aims to have flexibility to accommodate any member's schedule. Whenever possible, Bubba does not work on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Phone messages are checked regularly but may take longer than desired to receive a response.
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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." 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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Saltwater Church Building
If you wish to plan an event please use our online request form: https://SaltwaterChurch.org/calendar/calendar-request/. All gatherings are asked to follow the current COVID-19 guidelines. If you are planning an activity outside of normal business hours you will need Security Access which can be requested by completing this form. If you have questions about the guidelines or need assistance email Bubba, our Congregational Administrator at Administrator@SaltwaterChurch.org. Contact Bubba or Rev. Alison Duren-Sutherland if you are interested in renting our facilities.
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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 plus sign and has the message "add special instructions to the seller." Please click on those words to specify “pledge” or your desired purpose. It will help our Congregational Administrator get money into the right places if that line is filled in. If you have any questions please email Bubba at Administrator@SaltwaterChurch.org
| | 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 the website form (click here) | | | | |
