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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 October 17, 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. | | |
Submit Your Questions by Tomorrow (10/18) for a Question Box Service!
Rev. Alison presents a Question Box service on the 25th, where she will choose 3-5 questions from the congregation on which to offer a short reflection.
For your question to be considered, please submit it by October 18th by placing your written questions in the offering basket on Sunday or by emailing minister.swuuc@gmail.com to share your question with Rev. Alison.
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Mindful of Race Discussion
October 20 & October 25
Have you read Ruth King's Mindful of Race? Or been meaning to? Join a conversation about what it feels like to be confronted by racial tension, how to manage that for yourself, and how to support others. Readers and non-readers both welcome!
Two sessions, same questions — come to one or both:
- Tuesday, October 20, 6-8pm, Welcome Room
- Sunday, October 25, 6-8pm, Faith Formation Zoom
Questions? Reach out to Amanda Radak on Realm.
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Conversations with Commissioner Dave
Thursday, October 22, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Welcome Room - Zoom Pending
Washington State Land Commissioner Dave Upthegrove, head of the Department of Natural Resources, joins us to talk about how Washington's forests can help the state reach its 2050 climate goals.
Hosted by Saltwater Climate Action Now (members from Saltwater and Bet Chaverim).
More details to come. Questions? Reach out to Peggy LovellFord.
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Samhain Silent Supper
Sunday, October 31, 6-8:00pm
Welcome Room
Saltwater CUUPS invites you to celebrate Samhain with a traditional Silent Supper. We’ll share a meal in silence to honor our ancestors and make space for them to join us, then tell their stories together afterward. This is a potluck so feel free to bring a dish to share. Costumes welcome if you’re heading out later in the evening.
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Skill Share Night - Miniatures with Jesse
October 26, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
What will your miniature bookcase hold? Plants, books, pies, unlimited potential. Jesse will bring samples and supplies and we'll each go home with an upcycled bookcase. RSVP to Amanda R via Realm.
Come learn a new skill! Each 4th Monday at 6pm features something different, a sample of someone's passions.
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Book Study: Transforming Conflict
Sunday, November 1, 12:15pm - 1:45pm
In-Person, Lighthouse Building
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.
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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Board Meetings Move to 2nd Wednesdays — and No November Meeting
Beginning in December, the Saltwater Board will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month instead of the 4th. Same time, same place: 6:30–8:30pm in the church Zoom room. Our first meeting on the new schedule is Wednesday, December 9.
There is no Board meeting in November — the 25th is our Interfaith Thanksgiving service, more info on that soon!
The shift makes it possible for Meri to serve as our 2026–27 Scribe, taking notes at our meetings. Thank you, Meri! Board meetings are open to all, with a short time for public comment near the beginning of each one.
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A Note from Bubba
I wish to share with everyone that on the second day of my vacation I developed a shingles rash. Since then I have been unable to work the hours that everyone is accustomed to experiencing. As you all know, I am an immunocompromised member of our community, and that complication made the rash more extreme than typical.
Consequently, it has required two rounds of anti-viral medication to eradicate the infection. Recovering has been challenging and, though I am returning to work, it will probably be November before I am back to full capacity. I apologize for any delay in responses.
If you need to schedule an event or request a newsletter publication, please continue to use our Online Form. If you have follow-up questions, you can reach our Administrative Assistant, Alina, at Scheduling@SaltwaterChurch.org. Otherwise, please reach out to Rev. Alison with urgent requests. Thank you for your understanding.
Warmly,
Bubba
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Fake Invitations Take Advantage of Email Contacts
Recently, an email invitation scam swept through emails connected with our congregation. Consumer reports explains how this scam spreads and how to protect yourself in their article HERE. We want to reassure you that this in no way indicates that our congregation's information privacy has been compromised. It indicates that we are a connected community that communicates by email...and that we need to be vigilant for scams that attempt to take advantage of our generosity and our connections.
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Ready to Become a Member? Sign the Book on November 8!
We’re inviting everyone who would like to join Saltwater Church to take part in a New Member & Book Signing Ceremony during worship on Sunday, November 8.
At Saltwater, you can become a member if you:
- Are 14 or older
- Have attended a Saltwater UU 101 class
- Make an annual pledge of financial support (or request a hardship waiver)
- Are in sympathy with our congregation’s purpose
- Sign the membership book
Haven’t taken UU 101 yet? No problem. Rev. Alison will schedule a Zoom session before the ceremony for anyone who still needs it.Ready to join, or have questions? Please contact Rev. Alison as soon as possible.
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Weaving Hearts & Hands: November Fundraising Marketplace
Thank you to everyone who made our Spring Stronger Together Marketplace a success, with 27 items offered and over 160 experiences shared! Our winter marketplace runs online and in person November 8–29. What experience will you offer? It could be a meal, a class, or an adventure. For example, Anjali & Joanne are hosting a "New York New Year's Eve" party at the church with music, karaoke, and snacks. We sell spaces at your event to raise funds for the church.
Submit your offering by November 1 to Fundraising Team Lead Anjali by email, phone, or in person. Share your ideas early so we can coordinate dates.
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From Our Minister
Woven Faith Theme for October 2026: Living the Questions
Rather than trying to explain this month's theme, I’d like to ask you some questions:
- Where have you felt most connected to something greater than yourself?
- Who has been a source of wisdom for you in the course of your life?
- When have you experienced wonder, awe, or transcendence?
- What questions did you ask that brought you here to Saltwater Church?
For more questions to ponder, CLICK HERE.
Ask your questions for a Question Box Service
I’ve asked you some weighty questions… Now it’s your turn! On October 25th, I’ll offer a “Question Box” service, where I will give several short talks addressing questions from YOU! You can email me your questions or you can bring them with you to service and write them in the Zoom chat or on paper. I know past ministers have taken questions the day of the service, but that’s not how I roll!
Please get your questions submitted by October 18th if you’d like them to be considered for the service on the 25th.
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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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.
| | Act For Justice & Live Our Values | | |
RJOT Field Trip: Seattle’s Black Panther Saturday, October 24, 12:30pm
Interpretive Center
Join Racial Justice Outreach Team (RJOT) members for an afternoon trip on the Link light rail to Seattle’s Black Panther Party Interpretive Center, where we’ll explore the rich history of the Seattle Panthers. Afterward, we’ll gather for coffee and conversation at nearby Lune Cafe.
Getting there: Meet in the church’s large parking lot at 12:30 PM to carpool to the Kent-Des Moines Link station. We’ll ride to the Pioneer Square stop. If you need to leave early, feel free to park at the Link station instead. Just let an RJOT member know you’ll meet the group there.
Good to know: The trip includes some walking: about 5 minutes from the station to the center, another 5 minutes to Lune Cafe, and roughly 10 minutes back to the station. The end time depends on when the group is ready to head home.
Learn more about the center here and check out Lune Cafe. Questions? Reach out to any RJOT member.
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Get Connected for Justice!
Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Zoom Gathering
JUUstice WA, our state action network, is piloting an effort to strengthen relationships between UU congregations across Washington — helping us know one another better and build connections before we urgently need them. The next gathering will be in November.
Zoom link HERE. Planning to attend? Send a quick note to Travis at travis@juustwa.org so they can plan.
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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.
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Upcoming Services
Worship Theme: Living the Questions
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October 18 - Join Dani and Evian in prayer with “How Do We Know?” (UUA WorshipWeb), followed by a prayer song from the choir.
October 25 - What’s in the Question Box?
Rev. Alison answers questions submitted by members and friends of Saltwater — including a Question Box for kids.
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| Children, Youth & Families | | Questions about Children's and Youth Programming? Contact our Director of Faith Formation, Jessica Nash: dffsaltwater@gmail.com. To join the Faith Formation Zoom Room go to: https://zoom.us/my/saltwaterfaithformation. | |
Announcements!!!
This Sunday: Practicing Presence
We’ll be playing together and exploring different ways to practice being present with ourselves.
Register Your Child for Religious Education! Registering lets you get notified about events, check in easily, and join our parent group for safe communications. Ignore the “this event has started” message. :) Register here.
Meet Mae Herron, Our New Nursery Lead!
We’re pleased to introduce Mae Herron, our new Nursery Lead! Mae and her husband moved to Washington with their two boys, ages 10 and 12, after he retired from active duty military service. Mae has been a UU since 2004 and was a lead childcare provider in the nursery at her UU congregation in Omaha, NE. She has almost 30 years of childcare experience and a Master’s in Special Education. She loves anything chocolate and 1980s hair metal!
Our Nursery Is Open Every Week!
Come say hi to Mae as she gets to know our little ones. Children who are comfortable staying are welcome to join her during the service.
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Coming Up..
Save the date for these upcoming events!
October 31: Halloween Party, 2:00 - 4:00 pm (Welcome Room)
Celebrate Halloween with the Welcome Team! There will be games, crafts, tarot readings, snacks, and candy, for all ages. Costumes welcome. Questions? Contact Jessica Nash.
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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) | | | | |
