A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave. Des Moines, IA 50315
515-244-8603
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We probably would agree that we could use a little more wonder in our lives. But why? And how?
Join the live service on Zoom!
Zoom Passcode: Safford
(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)
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Forum
From "Reason" to "Awe and Wonder"
A check-in on how we experienced with the November theme, "Reason," and beginning to explore the December theme, "Awe and Wonder."
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Upcoming Forum on December 8
Forum 2 - Not a Re-Run of Forum 1
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More on the Capital Campaign. Who started this? Who is involved? What are we trying to accomplish? Why now? Where are we headed? Come tell us what pieces of the project we must do and what you do not want to see done. We will ask you to share your wish list, if we raise enough money. | |
Poinsettia Orders due December 1 | |
This is the last weekend to order poinsettias!
Order NOW!
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With winter season approaching, please take a moment and read our inclement weather policy by clicking on the button below. | |
Room 114 is available as a Quiet Room during service. | |
Visit the Caring Community Webpage for the following options:
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Caring Ministry – for temporary assistance, such as meals or rides, or to volunteer (515) 423-0847 or email caring@ucdsm.org.
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Pastoral care - for support through a difficult time email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org.
Check the news feed in Realm if you missed last Sunday's Joys & Sorrows.
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Service Volunteers - December 1 | |
Celebrant: Elijah Evans
Song Leader: Sarah Chang
Spotlight: Ministerial Search Committee
Musicians: Special Music
Pastoral Care Associate: Ellen Taylor
AV Volunteer: Robert Malcomson
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Singing Our UU Gratitude! | |
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. | |
CHILDREN & YOUTH
FAITH FORMATION
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No Youth Faith Formation Classes on December 22 &29 | |
Please note that Youth Faith Formation classes will not meet on December 22 and 29 to allow families and volunteers to enjoy the holiday season. Classes will resume on January 5th.
We wish you a joyful and restful holiday!
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cUUriosity Conversations
Sunday, December 1, after service
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Join us after the service this Sunday, December 1, 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! |
UU 201 Membership Class
Saturday, December 21 from 1-3 p.m.
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Join us for the second membership class in our Path to Membership. The minister and lay-leaders will show you a closer look at life and membership in our congregation. You should expect to hear from leaders on our Board of Trustees, Stewardship Committee, Pastoral Care Team, and more. To sign up, click here. | |
Our Congregation: Spotlights | |
As a reminder, the Sunday spotlights on Our Congregation are reserved for information from a church-recognized group (e.g., committee, Faith in Action partner) about church wide events and activities, or topics of urgency to the congregation. Spotlights should be written out and no longer than 2 minutes (approximately 250 words). To submit a Spotlight request please complete the Spotlight Request Form. Questions? Reach out to celebrants@ucdsm.org.
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COMMUNITY MINISTER UPDATE
Rev. LoraKim Joyner
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Upcoming Bird Walk
Saturday, December 21, at 9 a.m.
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Join Rev. LoraKim Joyner on the Bill Riley Trail for a bird walk: Celebrating Winter Solstice. We will meet at the “Centers Trails Access” which is the parking lot at the Greenwood Ashworth swimming pool at 102 45th Street. Click here for more information.
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Click here to listen to Rev. LoraKim speak about her ministry in parrot conservation and how birds help us see the beautiful and the tragic in this recently released podcast with Species Unite. | |
Click the button below to submit an announcement or event for publication
Deadline: Wednesday at Noon
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Need Help with Realm?
Every Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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Stop by Faithyna's office every Sunday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM for assistance! Whether you're updating your profile, exploring features, or have questions, we're here to help you navigate Realm with ease. | |
We've transitioned to Realm (Vanco) for online giving and no longer use PushPay. If you have recurring payments in PushPay, you should have received an email and letter with instructions on changing to Realm giving. Contact Tracy Aukes, Church Adminisrator, at admin@ucdsm.org if you have any questions or need help. | |
First Unitarian Humanist Update | **Book Group - The next book group meeting will be Sunday, Dec. 1. You're invited to join us at noon in the Stonewall Conference room or by Zoom at this link. We will continue the discussion of God's Debris: The Complete Works by Scott Adams, with the chapter titled "Holy Lands". | | | |
Check the Lost & Found Before December 1 |
Have you misplaced something? Be sure to check the Lost and Found located in the coat rack area. All unclaimed items will be cleared out after Sunday, December 1 to make space for the new season.
Please take a moment to see if any of the treasures left behind belong to you. Thank you!
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Coffee With the Board
Sunday, December 1, from 10:45-11:15 a.m.
| Please join us for Coffee with the Board on Sunday, December 1, after service in the Stonewall Conference Room. | |
Break Barriers, Build Beliefs (B4) Workshop
Saturday, December 7, from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
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On Saturday, December 7, First Unitarian Church of Des Moines will participate in the Break Barriers, Build Beliefs (B4) workshop offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) for congregations involved in the search for a new minister. The Ministerial Search Committee invites all congregational leaders, members, and friends to participate in this workshop. The workshop will be in-person from 9 am - 2:30 pm, with lunch provided. RSVPs requested to plan for food.
The UUA designed the Break Barriers, Build Beliefs (B4) program to promote inclusive thinking and help prevent discrimination in searching for a new minister. This program includes a three-hour B4 workshop and a Sunday morning service with a facilitator trained by the UUA. In the workshop, attendees will:
- Consider the hopes, expectations, and concerns they have for a new minister
- Learn more about the ministerial search process, and
- Explore how creating categories and putting people in them interferes with choosing the best candidate.
Please join us on Saturday, December 7 at 9 am in Griffin Hall to participate in this UUA-sponsored workshop led by Rev. Patrice (PK) Curtis. RSVP for the event here.
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Fellowship, Food, and FUNds | |
Next year will be the 25th anniversary for Fellowship, Food and FUNds. (aka Fabulous Food Fundraiser).
We want to extend a huge thanks to Barb Royal for her 20 years of hard work, and now to Elaine Imlau as she continues this ministry. Breaking Bread is Community Building!
We want to celebrate this exciting anniversary by hearing your favorite recollections and memories from the past so we can recruit folks to do them again. Please send an email to foodfair@ucdsm.org with your favorite event memories and photos.
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Talent Limited/A Monthly Reading Group
Sunday, December 8 from 5-7 p.m.
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Our small group of would-be thespians has been meeting since June 2023 on the 2nd Sunday of each month. We invite you to join us on Sunday, December 8, for a play chosen, directed, and read by our members. We gather at 5:00 p.m. for a potluck, so bring your beverage of choice and something to share. The reading begins at 6:00 and we are usually finished by 7:00 p.m. The event is held in the party room at The Towers Club, 3663 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. All are welcome! | |
Grief Support Circle
Monday, December 9, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
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The Grief Support Circle meets monthly on the 2nd Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Minister's Office. Our society is not great at confronting grief. As a result, there is abundant unhelpful advice, platitudes, and reactions out there. Perhaps even more unsettling, though, are the things we can’t talk about. What if you feel relief after someone dies? What if losing them also means losing a way of life for you? Let’s lay it all out on the table in a safe, judgment-free zone. Beyond losing a person, what else are you dealing with? What do you wish people would ask you? What do you wish they’d stop saying? We’ll extend ourselves – and others – a hefty dose of grace as we talk through this sticky topic. | |
Women Around the Table
Wednesday, December 11, at 11:30 a.m.
at Noah's Ark
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We will be going out to eat lunch together on Wednesday, December 11. We will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Noah’s Ark, 2400 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312. Women planning to attend need to RSVP to womenslunch@ucdsm.org. | |
AMOS, First U, and You!
Saturday, December 14, from 9-10:30 a.m.
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Love Radically, Grow Ethically and Spiritually, and Serve Justly- Our mission as members of First Unitarian Church. But how can we do that? And with whom?
Please join us for AMOS, First U, and you in the Mary Safford Room! How does it fit together?
We'll do a brief teaching on AMOS and recent actions, alignment with First U mission, and help you explore your own self-interests (they are okay to have!).
*Light refreshments and coffee will be provided. Please bring a side of curiosity :)
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Kitchen Training
Saturday, December 14, 10-11 a.m. or 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Saturday, December 21, 9-10 a.m. or 10-11 a.m.
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The Kitchen Care Team will offer training on use and care of our church kitchen on December 14 and 21. The training will take approximately 50 minutes. We can train up to fie people at a time. Sign up for one of the following: December 14, 10-11am or 11-12pm; December 21, 9-10am or 10-11am. Kay Scott will be your trainer. Click HERE to sign up.
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Women's Wednesdays
Wednesday, December 18, 12:30-3 p.m.
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Join us in the Stonewall Conference Room for a discussion chosen by women, about women, and discussed by women.
**Please note, Women's Wednesdays will now be meeting on the THIRD Wednesday of the month.**
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Unity Circle
Thursday, December 19, 12-2 p.m.
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We will be meeting at noon on Thursday, December 19, for lunch and a program. Our December topic is "Homeless Street Outreach". Please bring a dish to share, and your own table service and a cup for your beverage. Looking forward to seeing you. For December, we will be partnering with Central Iowa Shelter and Services. They would appreciate donations of mittens, hats, warm socks, etc. | |
Minister's Discretionary Fund Report | |
Thanks to the generosity of UCDSM members, since Aug 1 this year, I have given out $5,400 — $100 at a time, 54 times — to our homeless or financially struggling neighbors who have come to our church looking for help.
If you can contribute to keep this help going, please use the envelopes marked "Minister's Discretionary Fund" on the back table in our auditorium sanctuary. Then drop the envelop in the offering basket.
Gratefully,
Meredith
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Griffin Hall Artist for December
Ann Mowry
Artist Reception: December 29
from 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Ann Mowery, a member of the church and an artist, began thinking about the aging body when she approached 70 years old as she was struggling with how she looked at this age.
She had never painted the figure up close or worked on creating realistic skin tones. This combined with her search for a way to continue painting with a worsening hand tremor. These forces moved her to initiate her oil series of larger scale body parts, presented in Griffin Hall.
Stop in Griffin Hall this month to view Ann's work!
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Al Exito this Sunday
Sunday, December 1, after service
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Look for Al Exito students in the gathering area during coffee hour on December 1st. Al Exito is one of our Faith in Action partners. Dawn Martinez Oropeza, Al Exito's executive director, has a fascinating life story. Brian Campbell, former member of our congregation, interviewed Dawn a few years ago. The podcast interview is titled Divided by Difference. Learn about her growing up in Des Moines in a multicultural family. Discover her connection to Cesar Chavez... And lots more! Click here for more information about Al Exito. | |
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Program
Thursday, December 5, from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
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You're invited to the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa program: Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System in Cedar Rapids.
Hear Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson report on efforts to integrate mental health and criminal justice services, followed by Q&A. Sheriff Thompson shares his experiences and envisions Iowa’s future with proper mental health care for all. His goal is to simply champion the message that change must happen. And we can all be those champions of change.
There are three ways to attend Intersections. Registration is required for all three:
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Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Three boxed lunch options are available: turkey, ham, and vegetarian; boxed lunches are $15 each (new cost). You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, December 3. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
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Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we do need your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
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Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This virtual presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
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Interfaith Alliance: Meet My Religious Neighbor
Sunday, December 8, at 5 p.m.
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Join the Interfaith Alliance for a Christmas holiday soup supper and caroling at Plymouth Congregational Church. The "Meet My Religious Neighbor" series is sponsored by CultureALL, Des Moines Area Religious Council, The Comparison Project, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.
Free will offering suggested to help cover the cost of the soup.
Email interfaith@ucdsm.org with questions.
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Locally, food pantry and DMARC are almost synonymous! First Unitarian has been a member of DMARC since the mid-80s. (You know the DM - ARC is the Area Religious Council) Thanks to a very generous and anonymous donor, any gift you give to DMARC from November 1st to December 31st will be MATCHED, dollar for dollar, up to $250,000! (Donation link) Note: Rev Sarah Trone Garriot from DMARC will be attending our December 15th Forum. | |
2024-2025
Faith in Action Partners
Young Women's Resource Center | Al Exito
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The Young Women's Resource Center and Al Exito are First Unitarian Church's Faith in Action Partners for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
The Young Women's Resource Center is a non-profit organization that supports, educates, and advocates for girls and young women ages 10-24. Through small groups and individual support, the YWRC provides programming for all young women, no matter what they may be going through. Girls and young women are defined as people who have been socialized and/or identify as female. Trans and nonbinary friends are welcome.
Al Exito is an organization that supports Latinx youth. It inspires, prepares, supports, and positions Latinx leaders from middle school through college for postsecondary attainment, career readiness, and civic engagement.
The Faith in Action team will offer you opportunities to support these two organizations in the coming months. Please follow Intercom to find out what these will be.
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One Earth Zen, Meditation with Meredith, Zoom | |
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One Earth Zen, Meditation with Meredith, Zoom | |
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Art Wall Set Up/Take Down | |
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Sacred Bridges CUUPS: Desserts and Divination | |
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Coffee with the Board
AV Team Meeting
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Forum
cUUriosity Conversations
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Ministerial Search Committee | |
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One Earth Zen, Meditation with Meredith, Zoom | |
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Pastoral Care Team Meeting | |
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One Earth Zen, Meditation with Meredith, Zoom | |
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One Earth Zen, Meditation with Meredith, Zoom | |
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One Earth Zen, Meditation with Meredith, Zoom | |
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One Earth Zen, Meditation with Meredith, Zoom | |
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Break Barriers, Build Beliefs Workshop | |
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Sunday Forum
Coming of Age
Coming of Age Parent Group
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Talent Limited- Monthly Reading Group | |
For a full list of upcoming meetings and events, please visit our church calendar. | |
Missed a Sermon? Want to Re-visit? | |
Videos of past sermons can be found here.
The text of past sermons can be found here.
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Staff Office Hours & Contact Info | |
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Interim Minister
mgarmon@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 102
cell: 352-682-8492
Faithyna Leonard
Faith Formation &
Congregational Life Coordinator
fleonard@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 101
Off Mondays
Tuesday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Joah Hogan
Audio-Visual Technician
jhogan@ucdsm.org
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Tracy Aukes
Church Administrator
admin@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 103
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Zoom meetings available upon request
Hannah Notch
Office Manager & Childcare Coordinator
hnotch@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 107
Tuesday - Friday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Sally Boeckholt
Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 104
Jamie Seitz
Communications Coordinator
jseitz@ucdsm.org
communications@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 105
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