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A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315 | P: 515-244-8603
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This Sunday, September 24
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"A Few Words"
with Rev. Jennifer Brooks
9:15 & 11 am
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“A word means what I say it means,” said Humpty-Dumpty to Alice. But Humpty-Dumpty’s thinking is a bit unbalanced. Meaning is both as intended and as received; to communicate successfully across the often invisible chasm of difference, it helps to be aware of the assumptions embedded not only in our own thinking, but in the words themselves. Today we go down the rabbit hole of just a few words.
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Faith Formation Classes for Pre-K - 8th grade
9:15 & 11 am
Child care for infants & toddlers available in Room 112 during both services.
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How to Help Our Kids at Church
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We are still recruiting
teachers
for this September through December! If you are interested in working with PK-3 grade students for a few months of the year, please sign up today. We are also looking for
class coordinators
, someone who helps support the teachers but are not in the classroom. Please fill out this quick interest survey to sign up today!
tinyurl.com/UCDSM-volunteer
Faith Formation is only as strong as the wonderful volunteers we have!
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Joys & Concerns for Sunday must be submitted by noon on Friday.
You may also submit a hand-written joy or concern on Sunday morning.
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It's Picture Time! The 2018 Church Directory
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This year First Unitarian it trying something different... we're making our own church directory. No sales pitches, just your own friendly members taking pictures here at church.
If you have signed up already - thank you!
If you haven't... we will be having photo sessions on the following Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings: September 24 & 27 and October 1, 4, 8 & 11. We want all members & friends to be in the directory and we welcome any visitors that would like to be in the directory to participate, too!
Click the links below to:
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Assistant Teachers Needed
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First Unitarian Church is hiring paid assistant teachers for its Education Program (Faith Formation) to begin immediately. Assistants will work with young children on Sunday mornings, from approximately 9 am - 12:30 pm.
Apply by sending your information to Tracy Beck, DRE:
dre@ucdsm.org
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Fabulously FUN Food Fair FUNdraiser #18 Continues!
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We have 8 events with seats remaining, including one seat at
Sept. 30's Elegant Victorian Dinner
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Treat yourself (or a friend!) to Fabulous food and Fun company by contacting Barb Royal to let her know which event you'd like to attend!
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Donate to the Hurricane Recovery Funds
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The recent hurricanes have left many searching for ways to help. The UUA has joined with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on recovery and relief funds. The UUSC will continue to get updates and work with partners to ensure that needs are met.
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Progressive Voices Concert Series
2017-18 Season Announced
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The eighth season of our Progressive Voices Concert Series begins October 21 with the first of 6 shows for the season. Join us this year for an amazing line up of musicians:
- October 21: Susan Werner
- November 18: Peter Mayer
- February 3: Cary Morin
- March 3: Tim & Myles Thompson
- April 14: The Chapin Sisters
- May 19: Triflemore
Season tickets are now available for the PVC Series:
- 4 shows for $70 (pick any 4, save $30!)
- 6 shows for $105 (save $45!)
Go to
brownpapertickets.com to buy your tickets today! When you buy a season ticket package, tickets are transferable if you would like to transfer your ticket to another person. There will also be a special, front and center block of seats reserved for season ticket holder until 10 minutes before the start of each show, so you don't have to worry about arriving early to get good seats!
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Notes from GA
Building a community of compassion: Lay Pastoral Care
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by Karen Lauer
General Assembly offers a wide-range of workshops on topics from increasing inclusivity in worship services to prison ministry, from stewardship to a wide range of social justice issues.
One of the most impactful workshops I attended was “Lay Pastoral Care as Spiritual Practice.” The presenters emphasized the distinction between the necessary but short-term care provided by what they called the “cards and casseroles” committee, and the longer-term spiritual ministry of a lay pastoral care program.
Lay pastoral care is an extension of the minister, providing spiritual companioning that is sustained (through regular, dependable meetings), trained (knows how to listen, is sensitive, supports need for spiritual practices), and provides care that is confidential.
It is not always possible for the ministers of a congregation to give full-listening attention to members needing pastoral care. A lay pastoral care program helps to build a more loving and vital community by providing an ongoing, caring, listening presence in difficult times. The relationship between trained lay members and those receiving sustained personal support through the program tightens the bonds of community and enriches the spiritual lives of both parties.
The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person
is to listen. Just listen.
Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other
is our attention.
When you listen generously to people,
they can hear the truth in themselves,
often for the first time.
– Rachel Naomi Remen
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We recognize the great gifts volunteers offer our church through their time and talent. Many thanks to...
Alan Billyard
for hanging artwork in Rev. Jennifer’s office.
Jan Svec
for repairs and a new lock for Room 110, designated for Sanctuary.
Chris Jorgensen
and
Dana Sorenson
for their design work, for their expertise and for overseeing construction of the East Entrance work.
Mike Lauer for noticing that the flags were still out by the street the other week and bringing them in before he headed home.
the team of members who has stepped up to help us do an in-house photo directory update this time around! Three cheers to
Annie Spadt, Wendy Hoogeveen, Harvey Harrison, Kent Newman, Kathryn Sutton
and
Bill Paxson. (Now, make us look good!)
Linda Krypel for quietly buying more washcloths for the kitchen when we need them, for the cart you bought and donated to the church to make those signs easier to haul, and for all the other things we may notice but not realize where they came from!
Lisa Houchins for jumping in to capture all of the thoughts expressed on our “fishy” Post-Its from the Blending of the Waters service!
Dagny Fidler, Linda Krypel, Marilyn Lantz, Martha Shen
and
Martha Stephenson for doing a wonderfully thorough job of cleaning the church kitchen.
all members, friends and visitors who are actively engaged and volunteer in any capacity to make this church vibrant. “It takes a village.”
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SOCIAL JUSTICE HIGHLIGHTS
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Compassion & Choices, a group affiliated with First Unitarian to advocate for death with dignity issues, is meeting on
October 3 at 7 pm at the West Des Moines Public Library's Community Room. Lyle Simpson, Esq. will meet with the group to discuss how to talk with elected officials about the Iowa End of Life Options Act.
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Nourishing Justice Film Series & Potlucks
October 2 - Potluck at 6 pm, Film at 7 pm
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The Sanctuary team at First Unitarian is hosting a potluck & film series called "Nourishing Justice". We are inviting all who are interested in Sanctuary to share a meal and watch a relevant immigration movie. The first event will be at First Unitarian at 6 pm for the potluck and 7 pm for the film
abUSed: The Postville Raid. All those interested in Sanctuary and would like to meet others with the same interest, please join us on Oct. 2.
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Providing sanctuary to an undocumented immigrant under immediate threat of deportation is not the ultimate goal of the sanctuary movement, nor should it be our goal. Toward that end, the work of the Sanctuary Discernment Team has come to an end.
In order to address the many areas of immigration justice, the newly-formed
Immigration Justice and Sanctuary Team
will continue this important work. Many people are needed to take on this important work. We are asking church members to join the teams below. Contact Michael Lauer at
lauermic@gmail.com
to volunteer.
- Policy writing/legal - write policies, coordinate with Iowa Sanctuary Movement to assure all members’ policies meet legal needs, plan and schedule volunteer trainings needed. Current members: Michael Lauer, Mike Stimson
- Advocacy - Coordinate with immigrant-led organizations to support their agendas, use connections church members already have (e.g. SURJ) to assist immigrant organizations with letter writing, phone calls, publicizing marches and other actions, and recruit UU volunteers to support these actions. Current members: Dave Witke, Karen Lauer
- Education/Outreach - Schedule classes and book groups, speakers and forums, for church members and the larger community to increase knowledge of immigration history, law, and experiences of our immigrant communities. Current members: Sue Huber, Judy Davis, Dave Witke, Karen Lauer
- Logistics/supplies - ready the church for possible sanctuary guest, oversee shower installation, determine room needs and other items needed for hosting (walkie-talkies, bedding, etc.). Current members: Theresa Miller
- Volunteer coordination - work on immigration justice/sanctuary portion of congregational survey, plan and schedule volunteer trainings needed, help schedule trainings for volunteers across the Iowa Sanctuary Movement, help recruit volunteers for other teams and actions as needed. Current members: Gene McCracken
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Gratitude to all our Family Promise Volunteers!
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First Unitarian Church has hosted families through Family Promise for one year! We have racked up over 1,000 hours of volunteer time to support families experiencing homelessness. One mother stated “staying at this church has been like going to summer camp, I am sorry I have to leave.”
Families have felt comfortable at our church
because of the kindness and warmth of our many volunteers. We are all grateful to the volunteers who have put in many hours to help with Family Promise this year:
Set up/take down: Michael Lauer, Vicki Scott, Amanda DuBose, Dave Witke, Keary Saul, Barb Hendricks, Leon Hendricks, Sachiko Murphy, Elaine Imlau, Stephanie Stenburg, Angela Tedesco, John Tedesco, Gene McCracken, Sue Huber,Jennifer Dettman, Amy Knudson, Ann Mowery, Karen Nicholson, Kay Hertz
Drivers: Amy Knudson, Eric Hayes, Allan Kniep, Ann Mowery, Rob Heater, Sue Huber, Gene McCracken, Becky Evans, Todd Lackman, Charlie Robertson, Kevin Kirlin, Jean Rommes
Meal Preparers: Susan Gross, Karen Lauer, Donna Wallace, Amy Knudson, Angela Tedesco, Cathy Musset, Karen Nicholson, Barb Hendricks, Mary Hays, Sue Repplinger, Linda Lovell, Ellen Taylor, Anne Quinlan, Lynn George, Kerry George, Amanda DuBose, Nina Richtman, Karen Herwig, Heidi Lackman, Libby Brauer, Judith Linden, Stephanie Stenburg, Margaret Schultz, Ann Mowery, Sue Huber, Laura Lockard, Jen Haywood, Gene McCracken, COA class, Tim Wilson, Heidi Levine, Barb Martin, Susan Jellinger, Hilary Hippen-Leek, Kay Hertz, Elaine Imlau,
Evening Hosts: Janine Choundry, Sue Huber, Janis Elliot, Stephanie Stenburg, Roger and Dian Schmiedeskamp, Vicki Scott, Judy Davis, Judith and Chuck Linden, Elaine Imlau, Becky Evans, Barb Hendricks, Heidi Lackman, Theresa Miller, Gene McCracken, Keary Saul, Michael Stimson, Jennifer Dettman, Karen Lauer, Kathy Wessels, Susan Gross, COA team, Stephanie Stenburg, Hilary Hippen-Leek, Wendy Wilson, Karen Nicholson
Night Hosts: Dave Witke, Stephanie Stenburg, Gene McCracken, Sue Huber, Bill Brauch, Mary Hays, Michael Lauer, Barbara Klubal, Elaine Imlau, Keary Saul, Kay Hertz, Shandra Carrigan, Becky Evans, Karen Kraemer, Sandy Simmons, Angela Tedesco, Sally Buckholdt, Katie Allen, Michael Stimson, Linda Lemons, Barb Hendricks, Mike Shaw
Kitchen Clean Up: Ed Hotchkin, Dave Witke, Donna Wallace, Angela Tedesco, John Tedesco, Karen Nicholson, Barb Hendricks, Sachiko Murphy, Carmen Dow, Theresa Miller, Michael Lauer, Lynn and Kerry George, Ann Mowery, Al Powers, Heidi and Todd Lackman and family, Anne Quinlan, Vicki Scott, Sue Huber, Katie Modic, Laura Lockard, Karen Lauer, COA team, Kay Hertz, Judy Walden, Micheal Ream and Sofia
A special thanks to the Stimson family for loaning their Wi Player and TV for the families to enjoy.
Our next time to host is December 24 through December 31. Being homeless during the holiday season must be very difficult. We are planning to make Christmas week a little less stressful for them. We will need everyone’s help for this. Look for more information in November on how you can help.
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Build with Fellow UUs & Habitat for Humanity
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Habitat for Humanity is our Outreach Partner for September and October. We support our Outreach Partner in two ways – working on projects and donating half of our collections for the 2-month period.
Get Involved!
Interfaith Build
– Habitat is partnering with the faith community to construct a house near Drake this fall. First Unitarian is one of about a dozen churches in the area supporting this effort.
Build days
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Typically Wednesday and Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm. Through mid-October, First Unitarian has reserved
dates when we want to have teams of 4 working
. (Either David DuBose or Gene McCracken will be one of the four).
Training / Restrictions
–
All skill levels welcomed; you will be trained on the job. Youth 16-17 can participate with an adult present; they will need to print and complete a permission/waiver form (link is on sign up form) that is signed by their parent or guardian.
Dress for construction; sturdy, enclosed shoes such as tennis shoes or work boots are required. Habitat will provide you with a hard hat, safety glasses; tools and gloves the days you volunteer. You may bring your own equipment if you prefer, but mark and keep track of them!
Please sign up in the rows for First Unitarian.
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If you'd like to set up a regular (weekly or monthly) contribution to our social justice activities,
click here
and enter the dollar amount for "Social Justice Outreach".
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THIS WEEK in Faith Formation
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Classes for Children and Youth
Begin THIS SUNDAY, September 17
Parents and guardians: please fill out a Registration Form
for your child(ren) / youth (infant - 8th grade) with the link below.
(for 9th grade and up, please use the YRUU Registration Form below)
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9:15 am:
Grades PK-1: Spirit Play
"Promises"
Grades 2-3: Spirit Play
"Promises"
Grades 4-5: Windows & Mirrors
"Me in faith community, faith community in me"
Grades 6-8: Building Bridges
"Unitarian Universalism:
The Journey Starts at Home"
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11:00 am:
Grades PK-5: Spirit Play
"Promises"
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Youth Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) is First Unitarian's high school youth group. All youth in grades 9 - 12 are invited to join us!
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First Unitarian Youth Coordinator:
Dana Stuehling
Volunteer Youth Advisors: Gene McCracken, Scott Stilwell, Julie Brown (HS OWL)
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Upcoming dates for YRUU
9/24 - High School OWL begins
Parent meeting at 9 am
9/24 - Meeting in Room 107, 6 - 8 pm
9/30 - 10/1: YRUU Overnight at church
Save the Date:
UCDSM CON! November 3-5, 2017
Block this weekend out in your calendars and start recruiting from other UU churches!
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Wednesday Night Programming
September 27 - Dinner served from 5:30 - 6:15 pm
FaithFull Families, Our Whole Lives, Coming of Age
+ 5/6th Grade OWL parent orientation
+ COA Parents' Small Group
+ COA Mentors Training
+ Immigration as a Moral Issue
Adult Choirs (Bell Ave Ringers and UU Singers) rehearse every Wednesday, too!
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Tracy Beck
Director of Religious Education
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Megan Irey
R.E. Assistant
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More Upcoming Meetings & Events
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If you wish to schedule a meeting or event,
We do not list rentals, closed groups and committee meetings in this email.
For a FULL list of upcoming meetings and events, click on:
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For Sunday, September 24 events please see top section of this email. Events from the Announcements and Social Justice Highlights sections above are NOT repeated below.
Sept 23 - 24 |
Coming of Age Overnight
Sept 24 |
High School OWL Parents' Meeting, 9 am, Room 107
Followed by a shortened High School OWL Class, 10 - 10:55 am
September topic: Latin America
Sept 24 |
Spiritual Psychology of Carl Jung, 11 am, Room 114
Sept 28 |
Mantra Meditation, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Room 108
Sept 30 - Oct 1 |
YRUU Overnight
Oct 1 |
Spirit in Practice, 9:30 - 11 am, Peace Conference Room
Oct 1 |
Windbreakers, 6 pm, Channing Hall
Join other Unitarian men at this monthly potluck social.
Oct 4 |
Coming of Age Parents' Small Group, 6:15 - 7:30 pm, Room 108
Oct 4 |
UU All Read Discussion, 6:15 - 7:30 pm, Room 105
Oct 8 |
Days for Girls Workday, 9 - 11 am, Room 103 (Large Activity Room)
Oct 10 |
Women's UU Potluck, 6:30 pm, off-site
RSVP soon so Eileen can plan: ekeohb@gmail.com
Oct 10 |
ARC: City Council Candidate Forum, 7 pm, Auditorium
Oct 11 |
Coming of Age Parents' Small Group, 6:15 - 7:30 pm, Room 108
Oct 11 |
UU All Read Discussion, 6:15 - 7:30 pm, Room 105
Oct 11 |
Immigration as a Moral Issue, 6:30 - 8 pm, Room 114
Oct 12 |
Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 pm, Channing Hall
Oct 12 |
Mantra Meditation, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Room 108
Oct 15 |
Spirit in Practice, 9:30 - 11 am, Peace Conference Room
Oct 15 |
Grounds Council Meeting, 12 noon - 1:30 pm, Peace Conference Room
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When you buy from amazon.com, use
this link and a % of the sale is donated to First Unitarian.
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