A Unitarian Universalist Church  |  1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315  |  P: 515-244-8603
This Sunday, July 16
"Ready or Not, Here We Come"
with Nina Richtman
10 am ONLY
Join church member Nina Richtman, as she shares her journey of parenthood through foster care and a winding path towards understanding mental illness. What started small has evolved into a deeply spiritual journey which has been, and continues to be, life changing on a large scale. How do we tackle stigma? What will it take to change perceptions on mental illness? Can we drive change through sharing our stories? Join Nina for some thoughtful contemplation.
Children's Faith Formation Class: Picture Book World Religions
Pre-K - Grade 5, 10 am in Room 111
This week's lesson: Lights for Gita

Child care for infants & toddler available in Room 112
Older children and youth are invited to attend the service
Joys & Concerns for Sunday must be submitted by noon on Friday.
You may also submit a hand-written joy or concern on Sunday morning.

Past Joys & Concerns - 6/18/17

If you are in need of temporary assistance, such as meals, rides, or hospital visits, OR if you would like to help please visit the Caring Ministry web page .
Bayou Brunch Fundraiser
Sunday, July 16, 11 am - 1 pm
in Channing Hall

The Sanctuary Team at First Unitarian was awarded a $1500 grant to help build a shower!

Our estimated cost to install a shower is $7000, so we are well on our way to meeting our goal. We’ve also received $600 in additional donations. Can you help us get to our goal?

Terry Lowman and Mark Kassis and a host of volunteers will treat you to a delicious brunch with a Cajun flair - your free will donation will go toward building a shower and readying our church to stand in solidarity with undocumented immigrants through sanctuary.

Click here to see the scrumptious menu and to RSVP for the event.

Out of town? Can’t attend?
Checks can be made out to First Unitarian Church and sent to 1800 Bell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315. Write "Bayou Brunch" in the memo line.
OR go to our giving page to make an on-line donation to the Sanctuary Fund.
Also this Sunday:

9:15 am: UU LAW (Peace Conference Room 106)

11 am:  Grounds Council Meeting (Minister's Office)

11 am:  Spiritual Psychology of Carl Jung (Room 114)

11:15 am:  Meditation Meeting - every Sunday (Room 108)

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alissa Churchill Celebration of Life service on July 17

The family of Alissa Churchill, daughter of David Churchill and Diane Shelby Churchill, invite you to a celebration of her life to be held at the church on Monday, July 17 at 6:30 pm.  Refreshments will be served after the celebration.

Coming of Age Seeking Mentors for 2017-18 Session

Adult members of First Unitarian are invited to an informational meeting on Wednesday, August 2 at 6:30 PM in the Mary Safford room.  Learn about how you can be a part of a youth's transformative experience into their UU faith and identity through mentorship.  We will discuss the program's curriculum, role of mentors and important dates.  Email Kathryn Sutton at kathryn.e.sutton@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Vegan Potluck on August 3
First Thursday of the month at 6pm in Channing Hall.   
Open to everyone, please bring a vegan dish to share. Eating plants instead of meat reduces your carbon footprint and is a kinder choice to eating animals. Join us for a compassionate, sustainable meal once a month. Meet new people and have interesting conversations.
SOCIAL JUSTICE HIGHLIGHTS
Outreach Partner for July & August

In July and August, First Unitarian Church is partnering with the DMARC Food Pantry Network. The DMARC Food Pantry Network was founded in 1976 and today consists of 13 separate partner food pantries and a Mobile Food Pantry that serves Greater Des Moines. The DMARC Food Pantry Network is health-based and is the largest food pantry network in Iowa. Once per calendar month, pantry visitors may receive a nutritionally-balanced three-day supply of food, as well as being able to receive additional “Anytime Items” whenever the pantry is open.

In the month of May, the DMARC Food Pantry Network served 15,747 individuals from 6,639 families. The Food Pantry Network continues to see increased use at our pantries this year.

Get Involved!

FARMER'S MARKET
Family Friendly!  Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Meals From the Market collects farmer's market donations to feed the hungry. Six volunteers are needed every other Saturday from 11AM-1PM. Click here to sign up.

SORT FOOD at DMARC
Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) needs volunteers to Stamp Out Hunger. Help sort food donations at the warehouse. Comfortable shoes/clothing are recommended. This may require standing or bending over. Click here to sign up.
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". 
THIS WEEK in Faith Formation
Summer Faith Formation: 
Picture Book World Religions
For Pre -K - Grade 5
Sundays, June 18 - Sept. 3, 10 am ONLY

An introduction to Hindu, Islamic, and Buddhist faiths through picture books and activities.
This week's lesson: Lights for Gita
If you registered your child(ren) in the last year, please use the:
If you have not previously registered your child(ren), please use the:
YRUU News
Youth Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) is First Unitarian's high school youth group. Youth regularly meet on Sunday evenings, September - May. While the group is on summer "vacation", there are still opportunities to connect. Added communication style for YRUU:  If you want to get text updates about YRUU, text @danastu to 81010 or (951) 666-2697.
If you're a high school youth or parent of one - follow our Facebook Group!
Upcoming dates for YRUU

7/18 – YRUU at Gray’s Lake! 6-8:30pm
Join us for fun outdoor games, swimming/wading (if you’d like!), roasted marshmallows, and snacks. Please bring a snack/drink to share. Meet near the swimming area at Gray’s lake (use the North entrance).


8/9 – YRUU Pool Party! 6-9pm
Tracy Beck is hosting a pool party for all YRUU members at her home. Please bring a light snack/drink to share and a towel if you plan to swim.


Save the Date:
UCDSM CON! November 3-5, 2017
Block this weekend out in your calendars and start recruiting from other UU churches! 

First Unitarian Youth Coordinator:

Volunteer Youth Advisors:
Gene McCracken, Wes Norman, Scott Stilwell, Julie Brown (HS OWL)

Learn more
DRE Tracy Beck's Mini-Sabbatical

Professional full-time church staff receive a several-month period when they are free to study, rest and travel.  It’s usually done after the 7th year.  Tracy Beck has been full time since April 2009, so it’s been 8 years, but due to the upcoming ministerial transition, it is a difficult time for a full sabbatical.  Tracy will be gone from the church from July 1- August 31, 2017.  She intends to use the time for rest and renewal.
What will happen while the DRE is gone?

During the summer, programming is minimal, so that helps.  Sunday religious education classes will be multi-age (Pre-K – Grade 5) and will be held at 10 am. Any child or youth older than that are welcome to attend the service.  Two hired teachers will lead the classes.  Megan Irey, RE Assistant, will also be working to take care of needs.

Members are asked to help during this time of sabbatical  – to participate in RE programming through volunteering so that the needs of the program are still being met. 

What about planning for the Fall?

This will all be done before Tracy goes on sabbatical.  Sunday morning religious education classes, adult religious education classes, Coming of Age, Our Whole Lives, Wellspring, Soul Matters and any other programs should be all set before July 1.

For help:

  • Any questions about Adult RE classes should be sent to Megan Irey, reassistant@ucdsm.org
  • Any questions about any children/youth programming should be sent to Megan Irey from July 1 – August 31, reassisstant@ucdsm.org
Wednesday Night Programming will return in September 2017.
Tracy Beck
Director of Religious Education
dre@ucdsm.org, 244-8603, x 104
Megan Irey
R.E. Assistant
reassistant@ucdsm.org, 244-8603 x 119

More Upcoming Meetings & Events
If you wish to schedule a meeting or event,
please contact Jane White: officeassistant@ucdsm.org or 515-244-8603 ext. 107

We do not list rentals, closed groups and committee meetings in this email.
For a FULL list of upcoming meetings and events, click on:

For Sunday, July 16 events please see top section of this email.  Events from the Announcements and Social Justice Highlights sections above are NOT repeated below.







July 25  |  UU Women's Potluck, 6:30 pm, off-site
RSVP to Linda Bardole: lborger2931@aol.com or 515-274-4010

July 25  |  Scriptease: StageWest's FREE monthly play reading, 7 pm, Auditorium

July 30  |  Spiritual Psychology of Carl Jung, 11 am, Room 114

Aug 1  |  2 Tuesdays Talk at 2, 2 pm, RE Gathering Space

Aug 1  |  UU Book Club, 7 pm, Java Joes on 50th & Douglas Ave

Aug 3  |  Vegan Potluck, 6 pm, Channing Hall

Aug 4  |  Social Bridge, 7 pm, Channing Hall

Aug 6  |  Sacred Bridges Covenant of UU Pagans, 11:15 am, Room 114 (NOTE TIME CHANGE)

Aug 6  |  Windbreakers, 6 pm, Channing Hall
Join other Unitarian men at this monthly potluck social.
When you buy from amazon.com, use this link and a % of the sale is donated to First Unitarian.