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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 August 7, 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. | | |
Safety & Security Training
Sponsored by Bet Chaverim & Our Community Council
Saturday August 13 11:00am - 1:30pm
In Person
Bet Chaverim has invited us to join them in a training on Safety & Security on Thursday, August 13th -- 11 AM to 1:30 PM.
We will learn and practice situational awareness (being aware of what's going on, and what to do if you are concerned) and countering an active threat-- a violent situation, such as an armed intruder.
Earlier this year, we practiced de-escalation techniques. This training is what to do if things escalate. Lunch will be provided.
Please register in advance, so Bet Chaverim knows how many people will be present for lunch. Register online at: https://forms.gle/axgW7T88BKVz2bc28 A sign-up sheet will also be available on the church bulletin board.
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Summer Spraypark Meet-Ups
In Person at
Federal Way Town Square Park
1pm Aug 23rd - Town Square Park (Federal Way)
All Ages! Questions? Contact Jessica Alexander at jazz.itup@live.com
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Chalice Circle Facilitator Training
Sunday August 23 & 30, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
In Person - Welcoming Room
Small Group Facilitator Training by Evian Open to anyone planning on facilitating any kind of small group this calendar year at Saltwater.
Day 1: Becoming the Container.
Day 2: Working with what emerges.
Contact Evian, or Maria F if you have any questions. You can reach them easiest through Realm Connect.
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UU The Vote
with Susan Aigner & RJOT
UU the Vote Postcard Writing Our UU the Vote postcard writing season has started! We’re contacting registered Black voters to urge voting in Georgia's Nov 3 general election. Postcards need to be mailed OCT 5 to 13. Let me know how many postcards you want (in multiples of 20, please). I will give you the postcards and all the info you need…scripts, directions, etc., starting Sunday, June 28. Let me know if you can provide your own stamps. FYI, no cursive! All text needs to be printed. You can also make other arrangements to get the card writing materials if you are not going to be at church on a Sunday. If you are new to UU the Vote postcard writing project, I will be in the Welcoming Room after the service to answer questions. Susan Aigner—for your Saltwater Racial Justice Organizing Team susanaigner@comcast.net 253-569-8156
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Retirement Celebration
!! Four Fabulous Ladies Retiring This Year !!
Saturday August 15, 5-9pm
In Person Burt/Young Residence
Drop in when you can and celebrate the retirement of Sharon, Carol, Meri, and Lyn. Tom Burt & Saphronia Young are hosting an evening potluck BBQ in their backyard. Hamburgers and Hotdogs (including meatless) will be provided with buns. Nonalcoholic drinks will also be available.
Please bring a side dish, desert or snack to share. Contact Meri if you have questions at tomandmeri@gmail.com or 253-249-3965.
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UU 101 with Rev. Alison, August 16, 11:45am - 1:00pm.
In Person - Saltwater Office
Join Rev. Alison for this class where you’ll get an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and Saltwater Church history, plus some key components of our UU faith. This class is required to become a member of the church, but open to anyone interested in attending. Light snacks provided. Registration helps us prepare, but isn't required. Register HERE.
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Walk-In Chalice Circle in August
During this month, Bubba will NOT be offering our monthly walk-in chalice circle. They will return to hosting this small group activity in September.
If you are interested in joining a Chalice Circle for the upcoming church year, these are small group gatherings focused on the worship theme of the month. Attendees engage in personal discussion and reflection about the theme and foster connection with one another through deeper understanding and active listening. Email Administrator@SaltwaterChurch.org for more information or to be connected with the Chalice Circle Coordinator for the upcoming year.
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WELCOME ALINA SMALL
Thanks to your generosity during this year's pledge drive Saltwater has successfully added a new person to our staff. We were able to create a position provide scheduling and newsletter assistance 100% remotely for up to 5 hours a week.
Alina joins us as our Part-Time Administrative Assistant and begins training with Bubba on July 28th. Watch our upcoming newsletters for information on how to contact Alina.
She brings a background in government service and human resources administration with experience in communication and publications. Alina enjoys supporting others and creating welcoming experiences. She is excited to assist with our event scheduling and continue improving the effectiveness of our communication and publications for the congregation. Outside of work, Alina enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs and 3 cats.
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BUBBA NEEDS INFORMATION
As of July 1, our website has pages dedicated to our re-occurring activities. These pages are woefully incomplete because Bubba has been unable to successfully identify which activities are continuing in the 2026/27 church year. Additionally, Bubba needs a paragraph of general information about your Volunteer Serving Team or Community Engagement Group in order to properly advertise on our website. If you are a leader of any of our groups, please send Bubba an updated announcement written to be posted on our website year round. To see the pages as they are developed you may follow the links to our website Act for Justice information, our website Foster Connection information, and our website Volunteer Serving Teams pages. We would like to have this information updated, accurate, and complete before the end of August so please send your information to Bubba as soon as possible.
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From Our Minister
Rev. Alison has returned from vacation. If you didn't receive her message about her time off in July, you can find it by clicking here.
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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From Your Incoming Board President
The Saltwater Church Board of Directors
needs a Secretary
Are you organized, a diligent notetaker, and like to be in the know? Your Saltwater Board is looking for a secretary to join us at our board and congregational meetings to take notes, organize, and publish our minutes. Per our bylaws, the secretary does not have to be a board member, but can be a congregation member. You must be a member for at least a year. You will not be a voting board member. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering, please reach out to Lynette Pierce, Saltwater Board President, at lynettejpierce@gmail.com.
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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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Looking for A Postcard Campaign Coordinator
Help our Racial Justice Organizing Team
Are you the type of person who likes to organize and handle things behind the scenes? Well the RJOT (Racial Justice Organizing Team) has the perfect role for you! We are looking for the next Reclaim Our Vote Postcard Writing Campaign Coordinator. You do not have to be a RJOT member to fulfill this role. This will require about 4 hours a week at the start of a campaign to build postcard writing material packets and coordinate packet drop-offs. Once a writing campaign starts, less time will be required. And do not worry training will be provided. If interested please contact RJOT members, Amanda Radak or Susan Aigner.
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Saltwater has community groups that focus on ways we can Act for Justice. Our groups meet regularly and often offer activities for the community to engage.
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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August 9 - Shekinah, Sophia, Mother God: The Presence of the Divine Femine in Judeo-Christian History
Rev. Alison Durren-Sutherland
Rev. Alison reminds us that Great Goddess has always been present within Judaism, Christianity, & even Unitarian Universalism. While at times She has been explicitly condemned, some practices of devotion to Her have also been normalized and even embraced. Our present-day UU value of Pluralism allows us to explore the surprising ways that patriarchal monotheisms have offered avenues to practice devotion to the Divine Feminine.
August 16 - Let Go the Need to Punish
Rev. Alison Durren-Sutherland
Universalism, Abolition, & Disarming the Warden Within
Can you imagine a world without punishment? Most of us have learned from an early age that punishment is essential, in parenting, in prisons, in geopolitics. Today, Rev. Alison returns to the pulpit to ask us to consider the possibility that we could build a healthy society that cared more about harm reduction than about punishment.
August 23 - Mr Rogers, Ms. Rachel & A Child- Centered Theology
Rev. Alison Durren-Sutherland
As we approach the beginning of a new school year, Rev. Alison imagines a world where the needs of children are our top priority, and lifts up some of the beloved, faithful, prophetic voices that call us to put children at the center.
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| Children, Youth & Families | | |
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) | |
25701 14th Place South
Des Moines, WA 98198
(206) 651-7358
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