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.

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.

• 4:00 p.m. service is specially designed for families and children and is in-person only
• 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! (7:00 p.m. only)

Come join Bruce and Barbara Martin (and their family) in singing your favorite songs selected from our hymnals. Promises to be a good time. Please join us for this in-person only service!

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.

Food Pantry Thanks You!

A big THANK YOU to all who have brought food items and personal care products to our food pantry. These items continue to be distributed to the pantries at the Des Moines Public Libraries. Crystal has spoken with folks visiting the downtown library pantry and they are grateful. She asked if there were any specific needs. She got a request for hand warmers.

The most needed food items are things that can be consumed with little preparation. Examples are:

• Canned chicken and Canned tuna
• Canned chunky soup
• Canned soup
• Crackers
• Individual fruit cups
• Individual servings of macaroni and cheese
• Breakfast bars and energy bars
• Dry milk
• Cereal
• Pudding cups
• Individual wrapped dessert items and packages of nuts.

All other food items are welcome as well.  

Personal care items are needed too. These include:

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Bar soap
• Shampoo
• Toilet paper
• Women's hygiene products
• Wet wipes
• Bandages 

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.

NEW! Wednesday Night

Women's Group

Wednesday, January 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Griffin Hall

We are excited to announce the launch of a new Evening Women’s Group at church, meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of every month!

We promise good company and interesting chats. Come meet your new favorite people on January 14th at 6:30 p.m.



In case you’d like a bite to eat, the church is also introducing Second Wednesday Nights, with dinner offered from 5:30–6:30 p.m. You’re welcome to enjoy dinner first and then join us for the Women’s Group afterward.

Our first discussion topic will be: “What is your first memory?”

Get ready to unlock some deep inner-child thoughts—or at least try to remember what you ate for breakfast!

If you are interested in participating, please sign up here.

For questions or more information, contact Faithyna Leonard at CongregationalLife@ucdsm.org. We hope to see you there!

First Unitarian Humanist Update

** 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

Tue Dec 23

Wed Dec 24

Office Closed through January 1

10:00 a.m.

Soul Matters- Emerging Adults (offsite)

4:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service with Cookies and Cocoa following (in-person)

7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service with Cookies and Cocoa following (in-person and livestreamed)

Thu Dec 25

9:00 a.m.

NAC Rental

1:00 p.m.

Christmas Day Potluck

Fri Dec 26

Sat Dec 27

6:00 p.m.

mUUvie Group

Sun Dec 28

9:00 a.m.

Childcare (Ages 0-4)

9:30 a.m.

Martin Family Hymn Sing

12:00 p.m.

A Little Light Reading- Humanist Group

1:30 p.m.

NAC Rental (last day)

Mon Dec 29

8:30 a.m.

DMARC Book Group

7:00 p.m.

Awakening Heart Sangha, Zoom

Tue Dec 30

10:30 a.m.

A Word With You

Wed Dec 31

7:00 p.m.

Recovery Group

Thu Jan 1

1:30 p.m.

Art Wall

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

Contact Us

www.ucdsm.org

Caring Ministry