Come and join Rev. Amy Shaw for a service of community, support, and peace during this time of global uncertainty and fear. We are all in this together. You are not alone, so come and be in digital community with First Unitarian Church of Des Moines at 10 am.

Sunday Faith Formation will be held at 9:30 am on Zoom

Please visit our Facebook page for more details. https://www.facebook.com/ucdsm.re

Joys & Concerns for Sunday should be submitted by noon on Friday.

You may also submit a hand-written joy or concern on Sunday morning.

Joys & Concerns from 3/1/2020 & 3/8/2020

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 webpage .

In an effort to help combat the potential spread of COVID-19, effective immediately First Unitarian Church of Des Moines is suspending all in-person Sunday services, events, groups, meetings, or other gatherings or rentals.

The First Unitarian building will be locked, though some staff may be present at intervals.

Information will be up on the website in a day or two detailing how to find our digitally streamed or recorded Sunday services going forward. We will continue to have new services online every week!

Please watch our webpage for information about new ways of remaining in contact at this time. First Unitarian members, please check the private UCDSM Facebook group for additional information.

Letter to the congregation: UCDSM Immediate Action and Connection Plan: COVID-19

Starting tonight until this virus crisis is done, every night from 8 pm to 10 pm, First Unitarian will have a ZOOM chatroom open so you can stop in and say hi, socialize, and be together. This is a great chance to practice using ZOOM if you have never done it before!

SMARTPHONE: To use a smart phone, please download the free Zoom cloud meeting app.

LAPTOP or DESKTOP: Click on the link below and (if you don't already have Zoom installed) you will be prompted to download a small free program. It is safe to do this.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Anytime from 8 pm to 10 pm, click on the link below and it will take you into the meeting space. Come say hi! This will also let you practice for Sundays, when we will be using Zoom for our services from now until the crisis ends.

ZOOM LINK:   https://zoom.us/j/649498353

We are in the process of shifting our online payment vendor from VANCO to PushPay. By the time you see this our online giving portal will have already switched, but much more information is still to come. PushPay will not only offer us (and you!) more flexibility but is much easier to use.

 

VANCO is still active, and if you have an ongoing pledge payment processed via VANCO if will continue to be done there until we process your pledge for next year and transition you over to the new system. You will get a confirmation email when that has occurred.

 

There are many exciting developments coming in the next several weeks. Watch this space for more information and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact DFA Charles Lewis at [email protected].

To help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to keep safe those in our community who are most vulnerable, we are asking for people who can run errands, get groceries, pick up supplies, etc for other members and friends to sign up for Caring Ministry.

We encourage those who are able to lend a helping hand to our church community members in need. If you would like to be included in our helper list, please follow the link below and submit the form to our Caring Ministry Coordinator.

Provide Caring Assistance

Sometimes life presents difficult situations where you just need someone to talk to, to process what is happening, and maybe to share your grief. The Pastoral Care Team, an arm of the church's ministry, is ready to support you during these difficult times. This cadre of four long-term, trained church members is ready to listen and to care.

 

The Team has covenanted to share your information only among the Team and the minister. (Greater confidentiality requests are respected.)  

 

The Team members, known as Pastoral Care Associates, have worked with those who:

 

If you would like pastoral care for yourself or someone else, please speak to the minister or the Pastoral Care Associate on duty by the front desk between services or call an Associate: Barb Glass, Carol Henderson, Ellen Taylor or Ann Mowery. An Associate can also be reached at  [email protected] .

It’s time to think of events or services you can offer in our annual spring fundraiser for the church. Some of us plan our social calendars around events offered! Last year we raised over $17,000 to support our various church programs and activities. Being involved in the Fabulously Fun Favor and Food Fair Fundraiser (FFFFFF) is a great way to meet interesting people, enjoy good food, get help you may need & raise money for the Church!

Offerings for FFFFFF #21 are due Sunday, April 19, 2020 (however earlier is better!) Sale dates are Sundays, April 26 and May 3, 2020.

Signup form link: Fabulously Fun Favor and Food Fair FUNdraiser Sign-Up Form

For additional questions, help with offerings or you’d like to be on the food fair team please contact Elaine Imlau by email at [email protected].

I was born in Sarajevo and came to the United States when I was 8 with my parents and older brother. After graduating from Johnston High School, I became a physician despite my dream of becoming an artist and realistically, an art teacher. I started painting calligraphy to express the beauty of Islam represented through art. I hope to make all people feel safe next to the Arabic letters but yet make Muslims more welcomed. I paint with passion in hope that it will change people's perceptions, and create a more peaceful world.

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." 

Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors (Iowa JFON) is the Faith in Action Partner for March and April. Watch this space and the gathering area on Sundays for volunteer opportunities with this great organization.

 

Iowa JFON is a non-profit organization, welcoming low-income immigrants of all faiths into our communities by providing free, high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. 

 

Iowa JFON was established by the United Methodist Committee on Relief in 1999 and has been serving low-income clients in our communities ever since. Iowa JFON helps people from all over the world. Their services are available to all without regard to race, gender, or religion. Clinics are located in Cedar Rapids, Columbus Junction, Decorah, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Marshalltown and Storm Lake.

REACH GRANTS

Applications for REACH Grants for the next fiscal year (July1 2020-June 30,2021July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020) are due on May 15 15, 2020.  The application is on -line on the Endowment page.  We have $14,000.00 available for grants this year – this 2% of the 31 December 31, 2019 balance.  Individual grants are capped at $2,500.00.

Should you have any questions  or would like to discuss your project prior to completing the application please e-mail the Endowment Committee at: [email protected]

Or you may reach out to any of the committee members: Liz Bredeson, Gina Campbell, Lisa Houchins, Margaret Schultz, Robert Vance, Tim Wilson 

ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE

The Endowment Committee is recruiting two members for a three- year term beginning July 1, 2020.  The Endowment Committee meets about 10 times a year on Wednesday evenings.  Most of our work is focused on REACH grants and PR about the Endowment. As the fund is administered by the UUA Endowment fund managers,we do not make investment decisions.   We, however, are responsible for reconciling the Church records to the UUCEF statements and reporting the results.   We also acknowledge all donations.  Our record keeping includesmaintaining donor records and REACH grant details in addition to the financial and accounting records of the fund.we do not make investment decisions.   

 

 If you are interested or would like to discuss further, please e-mail the Endowment Committee at: [email protected]

Or you may reach out to any of the committee members: Liz Bredeson, Gina Campbell, Lisa Houchins, Margaret Schultz, Robert Vance, Tim Wilson 

Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is putting a facilitator training on Adult OWL. If you wish to be a facilitator for Adult OWL classes, please let Devon know. We currently do not offer Adult OWL classes but if we had facilitators we could! 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JULY 1, 2020 OR WHEN ALL SEATS ARE FILLED. Please contact Devon if you are interested in being trained!  [email protected].

MORE LINKS

WWW.UCDSM.ORG  |  Board of Trustees Business  |  Caring Ministry

Wednesday Programming | Staff Contact Information