A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave. Des Moines, IA 50315

515-244-8603

A Unitarian Easter

with Reverend Garmon

Sometimes we opt to ignore the Christian story and focus on fertility, eggs, bunnies, springtime, and the resurrection of life and hope. But there's something worth our attention in that story of how Jesus died, and it has nothing to do with substitutionary atonement.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before

the service begins!)



Zoom may not be available.

Visit the Caring Community Webpage for the following options:

• Caring Ministry – for temporary assistance, such as meals or rides, or to volunteer (515-244-8603 ext. 108)
• Pastoral care - for support through a difficult time

Check the news feed in Realm if you missed last Sunday's Joys & Sorrows.

Jim Carty is the Pastoral Care Associate available for this service time. Please email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance during the week.

FAITH FORMATION

Children & Youth Programming

Children and Youth programs happen on Sundays!

• Elementary-aged (Kindergarten-4th Grade) children of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to go to the One Room SchUUlhouse during services after the Story for All Ages.
• Middle-school aged youth of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to join their own group after service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.
• High-school aged youth of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to join our youth group after service every Sunday morning.

Adult Programming

Sign up for Spring Adult Programs!

Our Adult Programs webpage has our exciting Spring courses and groups. Be sure to register now!

• Bird Walks - Spring 2024 - 3/31, 4/13, 4/28
• Circle Suppers - Beginning now
• Connection Circles - On-going
• UU Wellspring Sacred Earth - Begins 4/14
• Seeing is Not Believing: How to Grow Compassion into Your Observations - April 27
• Tai Chi - On-going



CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

Path of Membership Opportunities

Whether you are ready to commit to membership at First Unitarian, or just curious to know more about us, we offer regular opportunities for visitors and prospective members to learn more about our congregation and Unitarian Universalism.

• Our next "cUUriosity Conversation" for new visitors to ask questions about us will be on Sunday, April 7th, immediately after service until 12:00PM.
• Our next "UU 201" class on membership and life at First Unitarian will be on Saturday, April 20th, from 1:00-3:00PM.

Please contact Birch Spick, our Congregational Life Coordinator, at cloffice@ucdsm.org with any questions. You can read more about our Path of Membership here.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Central Iowa Trans Lives Festival

Saturday, March 30th from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

In honor of the International Transgender Day of Visibility, this fourth annual all-ages festival showcases the creative work of transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming adults and youth from around Iowa. Work includes visual art and crafts for sale, food trucks and booths, live music, poetry, literature, dance, drag, and comedy performances. Local nonprofit and community organizations providing support and resources to the trans community will also be on hand. The festival is open to everyone, and admission and parking are free. LGBTQ+ affirming security will also be provided so that everyone can experience a safe and fun event. Hosted by First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, an LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation.

Spring Bird Walk

Sunday, March 31st from 6:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m.

Grey's Lake

Come celebrate the rising of hope this Easter Sunday by sharing the rising of the sun during the Bird Walk, and later during the service.

This is our first Birding for Life Walk of 2024. We will be celebrating the coming of Spring, the Equinox, Ostara, and Easter by greeting the sun as she rises over all the earth. As we gather, we will see the fading morning starts and be able to hear and see the first birds of the morning. During the walk we will have time for conversation, reflections, and quiet, as well as identify as many birds as possible. There will be plenty of opportunity to learn about birds and practice the spiritual aspects of watching birds which is without a doubt a wonderful mindfulness practice. We will do about a 2-mile walk, most of it on pavement, but we might walk some very short segments on grass. We will meet at the Grays Lake Concession Stand on the southwest side of the park at 6:30 a.m. Check the event’s Meet-Up page for weather-related updates, and to contact Rev. LoraKim with questions. Click here for more information and to register.

Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, March 31st at 11:00 a.m.

Elementary and nursery-aged children are welcome to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt after service on 03/31, beginning on the steps by the eastern door going down to the lower parking lot.

Gallery Open House

Friday, April 5th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Griffin Hall

You are invited to a Gallery Open House with Tevka Lackmann. Beverages and light fare will be provided.

Tevka grew up in this congregation and will graduate from the University of Northern Iowa on May 10, 2024, with a BA in Studio Art. Her exhibit "Here, There & Everywhere" includes many varied examples of Tevka's style as a whimsical realist.

Please note, the exhibit will be hanging throughout the month of April and viewable on Sunday mornings as well as other times when the church is open.

Volunteer Sustainability Training:

Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining

Starts Saturday, April 6th from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Griffin Hall

We will meet six Saturday mornings: April 6, April 20, May 4 (Large Activity room), May 18, June 1, and June 15. Everyone is welcome and leaders are particularly encouraged to attend. We will use the UUA curriculum "Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining" in the form of webinars. If you're part of a group, but not a leader, you'll come away with a better understanding of healthy group dynamics. If you can't commit to all six sessions, you can catch up by watching the webinars on your own.

Animal Blessing Service

Sunday, April 7th at 9:30 a.m.

Led by Rev. LoraKim Joyner, Community Minister, in affiliation with First Unitarian Church.

The service will honor our nonhuman friends currently living and memorialize those who have passed on. Please plan to bring to the service a photo or memento of a nonhuman animal who is or was an important part of your life. Also, please bring any animal art or extra pictures and mementos to be placed up front for a spontaneous altar.

This is a multigenerational service where the children and youth will be present during the whole service. As it is geared especially towards children (but also inclusive of other ages) we especially invite children, youth, and families to attend.

Join Us for Our Monthly Pagan Brunch!

Saturday, April 13th from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Potluck Style! Think Spring and Sign Up to Bring a Dish!

Calling all fellow pagans and nature enthusiasts! As the world awakens from its winter slumber, we invite you to join us for a delightful spring-themed brunch potluck. Let's come together to celebrate the season of renewal, growth, and abundance. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or simply curious about pagan traditions, all are welcome to gather, share delicious food, and connect with like-minded souls. Embrace the spirit of spring by bringing a dish inspired by the season's bounty. From fresh salads bursting with vibrant greens and juicy fruits to savory quiches filled with seasonal vegetables, let your creativity shine as we feast in harmony with nature. To ensure a diverse and delectable spread, please sign up to bring a dish. Let's fill our tables with the flavors of spring and our hearts with the warmth of community. Mark your calendars, set your intentions, and join us for a magical morning of food, fellowship, and fun. We can't wait to see you there! Blessed be 🌟✨

Progressive Voices Concerts Presents

The Honey Dewdrops

Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $22 Advance /$27 Door

Available online at pvconcerts.eventbrite.com or after the service on Sundays at church.

Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish of The Honey Dewdrops began touring in 2009 and have called the city of Baltimore home since 2014. With several albums and fourteen years of playing shows on the road, they continue to expand their experimental folk sound of electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin and clawhammer banjo with tight vocal harmonies, while maintaining a commitment to deepening their understanding of the world through the lens of songwriting and music. No Depression says of the new album, Light Behind Light, “The Honey Dewdrops have a way of filling their songs with humanity, using their beautiful playing and harmonies to emphasize what connects us all.”

Unity Circle

Thursday, April 18th at 12:00 p.m.

We will be meeting for lunch and a program. Our speaker will be Jeremy Lewis from the Des Moines Bicycle Collective! Please bring a dish to share, and your own table service and a cup for your beverage. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Fellowship, Food and FUNds (FFF 24)

Submissions due April 8

Sale April 27-28

SUBMISSON FORMS DUE MONDAY, APRIL 8! Reserve a Saturday for your event here.

Submit your auction items and events here.

Find additional information here.

More information will be available after Sunday services and on the website. For questions or to volunteer to help with the sale, email foodfair@ucdsm.org.

Upcoming Forum: Managing Our Grief as We Navigate the Uncertainty of Climate Chaos

Sunday, April 21st at 11:15 a.m.

In acknowledging Earth Day on April 21st, members and friends of First Unitarian will gather in Griffin Hall during Forum Time at 11:15 a.m. to join the storytelling Climate Ribbon Project. Click here to learn about the Climate Ribbon Project. Participants will be asked to answer “What do you love and hope to never lose to Climate Chaos?” followed by sharing what they are doing to mitigate the chaos and how others may join them.

Afghan Family Update

The family is settled in their new home, all are in school and Thursday the boys started riding the school bus! The need for assistance has lessened, but drivers are still needed for appointments and family outings. The older boys want bicycles to get around for summer jobs. If you have one available email Elaine at familyhosting@ucdsm.org and she’ll pass it on to the bicycle organizer. Financial support is still welcomed and can be accessed here (choose the Afghan Family Assistance Fund).

Sacred Bridges CUUPS Pagan Jubilee

Volunteers Needed

Calling all kindred spirits!

Sacred Bridges CUUPS is seeking volunteers to help make our Pagan Jubilee: Beltane May 4th, 2024 event magical!

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Greeting guests and guiding them with warmth and grace.
• Assisting with event setup.
• Helping to ensure a smooth transition by aiding in post-celebration cleanup.

Interested in becoming a part of our mystical team? Complete our survey to join the enchantment. Let's co-create an unforgettable Beltane experience together!

First Unitarian Humanist Update

** Book Group

The Humanist book group meets on the first and third Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon in the south conference room. You can join in person or via Zoom.  The next meeting date will be April 7, when we will be discussing chapters 37 and 38 of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll.

** Watch Party

Our watch party series will continue on Saturday, April 13th; starting at 2:00 PM at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines. We will be watching two more episodes of James Burke’s Connections series. Send a note to info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information.

** Braver Angels

You can join with the Humanist group as we participate in a lively discussion of controversial topics with the Braver Angels in Ames. The next meeting will be on Saturday, April 13, at 10:00 AM when the topic will be climate change. Contact Al Powers or send a note to info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information or to arrange car pooling.

Artwork in Griffin Hall

The artwork hanging in Griffin Hall are a few of the Trans-life artists who will be displaying at the Trans Lives Fest coming up at the end of the month.

 For a full list of upcoming meetings and events, please visit our church calendar.

Our Faith In Action partners are Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund and The Freestore. If you would like to donate to Faith in Action partners, please donate directly to them through the links provided.

If you would like to donate to the Freestore, click here.

If you would like to donate to the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund, click here. 

In addition to providing monetary donations for our Faith in Action partners, one of the goals of this committee is to improve relationships through volunteer events that support the organizations. We will announce events that church members can be involved with in the coming months.

Freestore

Our Champion is Mike Smith

Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund

Our Champion is Doug Aupperle

Highlights from the Board

The Board is making progress on drafting a budget for 2024–2025. The congregation is welcome to attend the budget forum on April 7 and May 5. The congregation is also invited to a special Board meeting to discuss the budget on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:00 PM on Zoom only. Please join us for coffee with the Board on Sunday, April 7rd 8:30 AM and our next meeting on Tuesday, April 16th at 6:00 PM.

Igniting the Fire of Commitment:

Pledge Update and Gratitude

We’ve received 127 pledges for the coming church year which begins on 7/1/24. The total amount of pledges received is almost $415,000.00 - we are well on our way! Our current target for pledges - which allows us to maintain our current staff levels and allow for some modest growth in expenses – is $530,000.00. You’ve committed almost 80% to that total. THANK YOU!

It is not too late to pledge. We’ll have a table set up at coffee hour on 4/7, and will share more details about the budget and stewardship during the Forum that morning. You can also pledge online here: 2024-25 Pledge

And don’t forget to check out the chalice display that shows our progress - we are so grateful for all of your commitments. You are building the future church with each pledge.

In gratitude -

The Stewardship Team

Questions on giving? Email us at Stewardship@ucdsm.org

"Finishing" with the Building Council

On Thursday, March 21, we completed several projects in the sanctuary. We refinished the wood below the stage with a dark wax, sanded and refinished the oak trim at the front edge of the stage, waxed the podium, and applied a new finish to the wood in the main upstairs entry to the auditorium. Members Sathish Adepu, Allan Kniep, Walter Pearson, Al Powers, and Tom Thurtell worked hard on completing these tasks. Many thanks to them!

Pictured above: Sathish Adepu, Allan Kniep, Walter Pearson, and Al Powers.

Needed: Nominations to USDSM

Board of Trustees

The Nominations Committee is soliciting nominations for individuals to serve on the BOT for July 2024 – June 2027. It’s an exciting time at First Unitarian Church, as new BOT members will have the opportunity to continue great work with our Interim Minister and will welcome in our new Settled Minister in August 2025. There are many ways to serve your Congregation, and the BOT is one of them! If you have questions, please chat with a member of the current BOT or Nominations Committee. Self-nominations are accepted. Please feel out the form here. Just scroll to the bottom of the page. Thank you for your time and consideration in serving First Unitarian Church!

Nominations Committee: LeeAnn Back, Sue Huber, Crystal Loving, Gianfranco Berardi, and Kerry George. Email us at nominating@ucdsm.org

Green Sanctuary 2030 Survey

We are a UU Green Sanctuary congregation! All our past efforts through Energy and Justice for All led us to achieving Green Sanctuary certification on February 19, 2015. Our current activities include development of a mini forest in West Des Moines and education sessions with Shelley Buffalo of the Meskwaki Settlement on ways we can be supportive of the indigenous peoples in Iowa. The UU Green Sanctuary program has been reborn for 2030 and we want First Unitarian of Des Moines to enter the pipeline for certification in 2030. In order to participate, congregations must complete projects within three intersectional domains: mitigation, adaptation and resilience, and justice. Justice activities are an essential component of the new Green Sanctuary process. We know that our First Unitarian members love Mother Earth and are seeking ways to put our 7th principle into action. This is your chance! Please help us by filling out this questionnaire.

Did You Know?

The May 4 Sacred Bridges CUUPS Beltane Festival is being partially funded by a REACH grant from the Endowment Committee. What could a REACH grant do for your organization?

REACH Grant Applications

Available for 2024

A program of the Endowment Committee

It’s almost a new year and a new opportunity to share your ideas for Radical Engagements And Creative Happenings!

REACH Grant Applications for 2024 are now available.

REACH grants can be awarded to church members or groups for ideas related to community outreach, educational opportunities for members. This is your chance to plan or improve a program or event beyond our usual budget limitations. We have $13,079 available for grants this year, with each individual grant capped at $2,500. So, what would you like to do?

The REACH grant application form is available on the church website, here.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your project prior to completing the application, please e-mail the Endowment Committee at Endowment@UCDSM.org.

Here it is...Your Moment of Zen

Raven went to see Brown Bear Roshi.

Announcing herself, she stood and waited outside the den. Brown Bear eventually emerged and squatted silently on her haunches. Raven said, "I hear that Buddha Macaw looked up from the branch of her Jobo tree and saw the morning star and announced her realization. I get the feeling that something is missing from the story. When I asked Jackrabbit Roshi what happened when Buddha Macaw saw the morning star, he said, 'She realized the truth of mutually dependent arising.' When I asked Prairie Dog Roshi, she said, 'She realized the underlying fact of oneness.' Then Moose Roshi said, 'Delicious waterweed.' What do you say? What happened when she saw the star?" Brown Bear made a strange sound, and Raven couldn't tell whether it was a chuckle or a growl. Finally the Roshi spoke. "Something's still missing," she said. Raven waited respectfully, but Brown Bear remained silent. "Well," thought Raven, "Brown Bear Roshi seems to know about something. Maybe I should stick around for instruction."

Full post HERE.

Who Do I Contact for...?

Please refer to the corresponding email based on your request or inquiry.

Financial Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Pledge Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Administrative Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Communication Requests: communications@ucdsm.org

Building Use Requests: hnotch@ucdsm.org

All Other Inquiries: mgarmon@ucdsm.org

Intercom Weekly Submissions

Deadline: Wednesday @ 12 noon

Two ways to get your message across:

1. Submit your Intercom Weekly article to communications@ucdsm.org.
2. Want more of a "boost?" Select from an entire menu of communications using Our Events form! Staff LOVES to receive these forms!

Helpful Hints:

• In the body of an email, please include a title, relevant dates and times, contact information, and a brief description of your event or announcement.

• Please proofread your article before submitting

• An image can help make your article stand out! Please feel free to attach an image to your email. (JPG or PNG files are preferred.) Note: images that violate copyright laws will be rejected.

• The Intercom Weekly is sent out to our mailing list on Friday at 12:00 p.m.

• We run announcements for no more than three consecutive weeks, so please plan accordingly.

• Per church policy, we do not share private email addresses or phone numbers in our communications. We will set up an @ucdsm.org email address for you. Please contact the office for more information.