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

515-244-8603

It’s a busy holiday week, and we know schedules can fill up fast! To make things easier, we’re offering several flexible service options designed to fit your needs and timing. Whether you’re planning ahead or fitting us in between family gatherings, we’re here to help with convenient choices that work for you.

Did you know that First Unitarian holds our Longest Night Service in December for those who find the holiday season difficult? This reflective, quiet service creates a safe space to acknowledge grief, sadness, and hardship during a time when many other celebrations emphasize joy and togetherness. Elements include candlelight, silent reflection, readings, and music, providing comfort and community for those who are mourning or suffering.

This year’s Longest Night Service will take place on Friday, December 19 at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium with a soup supper to follow at 6:45 p.m. This service is in-person only.

Hope – and despair – are ‘contagious’. We usually feel more or less hopeful depending on how those around us feel. Join us this Winter Solstice Sunday to claim the power of Active Hope together, to celebrate that even in the darkest time of the year, the sun still shines.

Forum: Know Your Rights

What rights do residents of the United States have when dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)? Join Tom Rendon of Allied Congregations for Immigrant Support for a presentation on the basic protections afforded all U.S. residents through our Bill of Rights and laws. Knowing these rights can better protect people during encounters with ICE personnel.

The presentation was developed by the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice to ensure that as many people as possible understand the protections available to them.

Join our Livestream!

Unitarian religious education leader Sophia Fahs wrote, “each night a child is born is a holy night.” Come celebrate Christmas at First Unitarian with a service that celebrates the wonder of human possibility.

Our 4:00 p.m. service is specially designed for families and children and is in-person only; our 7:00 p.m. service will offer a traditional mixture of readings and carols and will be in-person and livestreamed. 

After each service, we’ll gather for a cozy Cookies & Cocoa Coffee Hour.

We invite you to bring a tray of baked goods to share—already plated and ready for the congregation to enjoy. If your treat is gluten-free or contains peanuts, please label it clearly.

Join our Livestream!

Please take a moment to share a thank you or kudos. Submissions will be shared on the board in Griffin Hall and in upcoming worship services. Please click the button below to fill out the form.

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS

Church Office Closed

The church office will be closed for the holidays from December 24 through January 1. We will reopen on January 2. We wish you a joyful holiday season!

Christmas Eve Baskets to Support

Faith in Action Partners

Funds collected from the baskets at both Christmas services will be shared among our Faith in Action Partners, Refugees and Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA), and the YMCA Sheltered Housing. These organizations provide essential support for refugees, immigrants, and those facing housing insecurity.

If you are unable to attend a service but would like to contribute, please use the button below. Be sure to select Faith in Action as the fund you would like your contribution to go to.

All donations will be greatly appreciated by these organizations.

Giving Tree at First Unitarian

We are having a Giving Tree this winter season to support our immigrant neighbors, clients of RIVA and a Sudanese family that the immigration team has been supporting with ACIS (Allied Congregations for Immigrant Support).

With the cuts in public assistance and the difficulty in finding employment, Noura and her 8 children are having a difficult time making ends meet. Noura has requested gift cards from Walmart for each family member so they pick out their own gifts. Support to pay the utility bills is also needed. The family is Muslim, and do not celebrate Christmas. Please enclose gift cards and utility gifts in a New Year's card.

Gifts for RIVA are for families that the case managers at RIVA support, mainly Afghan and Congolese immigrants. Gifts include household items that the families need, such as diapers, wipe, laundry soap, etc.

The Giving Tree is located in the gathering area, along with instructions on how to give. Please try to return gifts by December 21st.

Faith Formation Teacher Opening

The Faith Formation program is seeking a new Faith Formation Teacher to join our team.

This 5-hour-per-week position ($22/hour) offers the opportunity to support our Sunday morning programming by arranging the classroom, welcoming families during check-in, facilitating Time for All Ages, guiding children to their classrooms, and assisting with lessons, activities, and check-out.

Ideal candidates will have experience teaching or guiding children in settings such as childcare, education, or camps; a strong commitment to Unitarian Universalist values; and the ability to support children with diverse needs, including autism, ADHD, and PTSD. Candidates should be friendly, organized, and reliable.

A background check and references are required, and there is potential for growth for the right person. Interested applicants may send their résumé to jobs@ucdsm.org. Learn more at www.ucdsm.org.

CHURCH EVENTS

To submit an announcement or event for publication, send an email to Communications@ucdsm.org.

Deadline: Wednesday by noon

Christmas Day Potluck

Thursday, December 25 from 1-3 p.m.

Dear Members and Friends,

You are warmly invited to join us for a Christmas Day Potluck at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines on Wednesday, December 25 from 1-3 p.m. in Griffin Hall!

Whether you’re celebrating with family, spending the day solo, or simply looking for community, all are welcome at our shared table.

Please bring a dish to share and label it for any dietary restrictions so everyone can enjoy safely. If you aren’t able to bring food, please come anyway—your presence is what truly matters. Beverages and tableware will be provided.

Please reach out to Kay Scott, Kitchencommittee@ucdsm.org, with any questions.

This is a relaxed, family-friendly gathering meant to offer warmth, food, and fellowship on Christmas Day. We look forward to celebrating together. All are welcome.

The Kitchen Care Team would greatly appreciate knowing how many people will be attending, please RSVP below with how many people will be coming from your family. 

mUUvie Discussion Group

Saturday, December 27, at 7 p.m.

Please join the mUUvie Discussion Group to view and discuss "Lars and the Real Girl" in Griffin Hall. The plot follows Lars, a kind-hearted but socially awkward young man who develops a romantic yet nonsexual relationship with a life-sized doll, and the sympathetic family and townspeople who support him.

Watch the trailer here.

Popcorn will be provided; bring your own drink. RSVP to mUUvie@ucdsm.org to let us know that you are coming!

cUUriosity Conversations

Sunday, January 4 following the Service

Join us after the service for cUUriosity Conversations! This is an open and welcoming time for visitors and friends to ask questions, share thoughts, and learn from one another about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. We look forward to seeing you there!

Politics and Policy Study Group

Monday, January 5, at 7 p.m.

Our lively Politics and policy group this month is reading two NY Times articles on current political issues. Interested in joining our sometimes contrarian and always interesting discussions? Contact Walter Pearson for the readings and join us in Griffin on the first Monday of the month at 7pm.

First Unitarian Humanist Update

** Book Group

The Humanist book group will meet on Sunday, December 21st, at 12:00 noon in the Mary Safford room (at the back of the auditorium). We will be discussing Chapter 12 of Humanly Possible: Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking by Sarah Bakewell. We’ll be voting on our next book soon, so let us know if you have a suggestion to add to the ballot. Click here for information on the book group and other Humanist activities.

** Watch Party

The Watch Party is taking a holiday vacation. The next session will be planned for January. Click here to find out more about this event or to submit suggestions for programs that you would like to see.

**Annual Meeting

Plan now to attend the annual meeting of the Humanist Society in the auditorium at 6:30 PM on January 10th. Our guest speaker will be Rob Sand, candidate for governor.

IT'S GREAT TO MEET YOU PODCAST

with Rev. Steve Sieck

Rev. Steve has a new podcast! Welcome to It's Great to Meet You! where he gets to know the good people of Des Moines doing the good work in our city.

It's Great to Meet You, Ep. 8- Robby Collier, CEO of Urban Bicycle Food Ministry of Des Moines

Links from the Show:

• Volunteer or donate to Urban Bicycle Food Ministry of Des Moines

GRIFFIN HALL ARTIST FOR DECEMBER

Nancy Prizant

Nancy Prizant is a native of Des Moines. She graduated from North High and attended Drake University.

Her enthusiastic interest in art always existed but was further ignited by her years of volunteering at the Des Moines Art Center. As a member of a team of creative people from the Members Council, they planned openings and events such as Art in the Park and many other big social occasions.

A trip to an art workshop in western Nebraska was the defining moment that set her on the art path. Following the workshop, she took classes wherever possible. Thanks to the Des Moines Art Center, her training was much influenced by international training of many instructors such as Haleh Niazmand, Anthony Pontius, and Ivan Fortushniak.

Until recently, her work was mainly figurative, focusing on Native Americans. When Covid struck, she moved to still life painting classes presented virtually by Judy Vilmain of Providence, Rhode Island.

This show is a sample of both of these periods.

A Word from the Artist: I paint expressively, using line, color, and many layers of paint to give depth and emotional intensity. My work tends to be bold and intense with much pattering. My goal is generally to capture some kind of feeling rather than an accurate likeness. I strive to give life, character, and power to my paintings. when painting people, I try to paint them in such a way as to capture a spirit or sense of dignity and grace.

Our Faith in Action (FIA) Partners for 2025-26 are RIVA and YMCA Supportive Housing. Donations made to our FIA fund will go directly to them to help their work thrive. Donations can be made electronically through the website or on Realm, or via the specially marked envelopes during Sunday services.

We will be working on ways for the congregation to connect via service to our new partners. Click their links below to learn more.

Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action

Our Champion is Cheryl Long

YMCA Supportive Housing

Our Champion is Nina Richtman

Fri Dec 19

6:00 p.m.

Longest Night Service

Sat Dec 20

9:00 a.m.

Celebrant Team Meeting

10:00 a.m.

Soul Matters

Sun Dec 21

9:00 a.m.

Childcare (Ages 0-4)

9:30 a.m.

Sunday Service

9:45 a.m.

One Room SchUUlhouse

11:00 a.m.

Forum

7/8 OWL

12:00 p.m.

Humanist Book Discussion

QTAG and Steering Committee

1:30 p.m.

NAC Rental

Mon Dec 22

7:00 p.m.

Awakening Heart Sangha, Zoom

Tue Dec 23

Wed Dec 24

Office Closed through January 1

10:00 a.m.

Soul Matters- Emerging

4:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service with Cookies and Cocoa following

7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service with Cookies and Cocoa following

Thu Dec 25

9:00 a.m.

NAC Rental

1:00 p.m.

Christmas Day Potluck

Fri Dec 26

Sat Dec 27

7:00 p.m.

mUUvie Group

Sun Dec 28

9:00 a.m.

Childcare (Ages 0-4)

9:30 a.m.

Sunday Service

12:00 p.m.

A Little Light Reading- Humanist Group

1:30 p.m.

NAC Rental

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

Contact Us

www.ucdsm.org

Caring Ministry