A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315 | P: 515-244-8603
This Sunday, June 26, 2022
Public UUA General Assembly
Sunday Service
11:30 a.m. in the Auditorium
Sunday, June 26, 2022, 11:30 a.m. CDT

Join us virtually for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship.

The last few years have not been easy, including in our local congregations. Whole swaths of members have simply stopped coming; COVID is confusing, and polarizing; many ministers have joined the great resignation; and Pew studies and friends alike have pronounced the end of the local church.

In this moment, when so many of us might be wondering if we should just give up, and relent, now’s the time instead to double down on our commitment to the local church -this unique community that saves us and also breaks our hearts – often much more of the latter than we’d like to admit. In the midst of our culture of death, the church is a place of life. Or it is, as long as we are willing to bring our own lives to it. Join us for a morning of celebration, witness, and future-visioning for the already and not yet power of the local Unitarian Universalist church.

Leading us in worship will be Rev. Gretchen Haley, Rev. Shari Halliday-Quan, Rev. Sean Neil-Barron, Lea Morris, Adam Podd, Joseph and Aimee Santos-Lyons, and Allison King with the GA Choir.

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)
No Forum

Forums are over for the 2021-2022 church year. Please join us this autumn when we resume our regularly scheduled programming!
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Joys & Concerns
Joys & Concerns for Sunday should be submitted by noon on Friday.
Click on the Caring Community webpage for the following options:

  • Caring Ministry – for temporary assistance, such as meals or rides, or to volunteer 
  • Please note: the Caring Ministry phone number is now
  • 515-244-8603 ext. 108
  • Pastoral Care – for support through a difficult time 
Pastoral Care: June 26 — July 2
Ellen Taylor is the Pastoral Care Associate available for the week beginning at
10:30 a.m. this Sunday. Email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance or call the Associate's telephone number in the church directory.
NEW THIS WEEK
Please note:
  • The office will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, July 5.

  • Emily Petty will be out of the office on vacation Friday, June 24 and Sunday, June 26. She will be back in the office Tuesday, June 28.

  • DFA Alice J Stewart will be out of the office on vacation July 12 – 16. Please direct all questions during this period to Communications Coordinator Emily Petty and SMESS Hannah Notch.
Ministerial Transitions Update
June 20, 2022
from the Board of Trustees
Thanks to members who spent time on June 17-18 to meet with Rev. David Pyle, our UUA MidAmerica region lead staffer, to discuss many different aspects of ministerial transitions and how the UUA and regional staff will assist us in those processes. As Rev. Pyle proclaimed on Saturday, “this will not be the last time you see me.”

Among the specific topics discussed at the Saturday session was the evolution of congregational governance policies from the old “Carver” model to a more collaborative style of “Hotchkiss” governance which is designed more specifically for the shared governance in UU churches. This is one of the transitions already underway at UCDSM. An additional topic was the work ahead for the congregation in the upcoming transition year around issues of future goals and specific priorities, as well as how best to work together in a collaborative way. This was also a major part of the discussion the board of trustees held with Rev. Pyle earlier on Saturday morning.

The other “elephant in the room” Rev. Pyle addressed was the question of whether it was possible at this point that UCDSM would be able to attract a transitional minister for the coming church year. He described the current UU ministerial candidate shortage as “unprecedented since the 1920s,” and that it was particularly noticeable in the second round of interim search which concluded earlier this month. For the handful of desirable candidates in that competition, it was common to have offers from five or six churches.

However, Rev. Pyle also stated that he thought it possible that UCDSM could obtain the services of a well-qualified transitional minister for the coming church year. He reported that given the number of churches still searching that he and UUA colleagues have put out a call to ministers on sabbaticals, retired, or otherwise not connected to a congregation to ask them to make themselves available, and there was a good response from many who were not included in the previous round of searches.

Indeed, last week I received information from the UUA Transitions office regarding a minister who might be a fit for us who was among those responding to the recent call. After some initial inquiry, Board Vice President Reba Eagles and I had a lengthy call with that minister, and subsequently re-activated our transitional ministry advisory committee asking them to do a review and hold a conversation with the minister and report back to the board on their recommendations. The committee reported to the board on Monday night June 20, recommending the board leadership seek to reach an agreement to have this individual serve us as a transitional contract minister.

We are now preparing to engage further with this potential minister in the coming days to see what might be possible to meet our mutual needs. We will provide a further update once the direction of that effort becomes clear.

--Greg Nichols, Board President
Additional Board Meetings & Forums
thru June 2022
from the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is hosting meetings and forums (listed below) on an adjusted schedule through June 2022.

  • Meeting: Wednesday, June 29, at 6:00 p.m.

Responsible Behavior Policy Report
from Bill Brauch, Scott Clair, Linda Lemons,
Jean Rommes, Katherine Vance
The Team formed under the Responsible Behavior Policy held its first meeting on June 21. Members include Jean Rommes, Katherine Vance, Linda Lemons, Scott Clair, and Bill Brauch. The Committee’s charge under the policy is to collect all necessary information to evaluate concerns expressed regarding an individual engaging in conduct that disrupted church activities, threatened the safety of another, or diminished the appeal of the church to potential and existing members. The policy further directs the Team to consider the causes of such conduct, the frequency and degree of disruption it creates, and the probability of change in conduct.

As we review the information brought to our attention, and consider how to address it, we will seek outcomes that reduce anxiety as much as possible and strive to ensure this church is a place where everyone feels safe. To that end we will perform our role in a way that ensures everyone involved feels heard and that personal confidentiality is respected.

During Rev. Pyle’s recent visit with Team members he noted that our policy, which was written in 1997, appeared to be based on a UUA model from the 1990’s. He referred us to the UUA Website to find an updated model and examples of policies of other UUA congregations. He also noted that Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley, a UUA MidAmerican Region consultant, specializes, in part, on the development and use of such policies and is available to assist us. As we work to develop and recommend a new policy we will consult the Board of Trustees, the Governance Committee, and, indeed, the entire congregation. In addition, we stand ready to assist in whatever way we might in the creation of a church-wide covenant defining how we agree to be together in this congregation. 

Please be aware that when we come up with a formal name for this Team we will incorporate it into an e-mail address. In the meanwhile, please address any questions or comments to the following e-mail address: RBteam@ucdsm.org 

Bill Brauch, Scott Clair, Linda Lemons, Jean Rommes, Katherine Vance
Volunteers Needed - Church Cleaning
from First Unitarian Church of Des Moines Staff
As we coordinate to hire a new cleaning person, the church is still being used at the same rate every week and needs to be cleaned about once per week. Please consider volunteering to clean parts of the church as you have time during the week. With church programming on hold for the summer, we really only need the cleaning to take place once per week.
 
Each cleaning slot is time-estimated with one person doing the cleaning, but more than one person is welcome to tackle each section! Please comment with the date and time you plan to clean for each slot so that church Staff can plan to let you into the building and lock up afterward.
 
Dates are shown as Wednesday of each week, but you can schedule yourself to clean on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of that week between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 
A list of cleanup details and instructions will be posted in the church office on the bulletin board on the front counter across from the mailboxes.

True Patience Means Waiting…
from the Kitchen Project Committee
Like most home remodels, the First Unitarian Kitchen Project team has had to practice much patience during these last three weeks while we waited for decisions to be made and responses received from our professional collaborators. But things have been happening behind the scenes. 

Cabinets and Grease “Trap” on Order
The Aesthetics Team led by Karen Kraemer has chosen the cabinets and selected the number, sizes, and placement needed for our kitchen design.  The committee received four bids, three of which were well within our estimates. After careful review, the Aesthetics Team selected Notch & Nail, of West Des Moines, to custom build and install cabinets.

A contract has also been signed with Waldinger for the grease interceptor which will be placed on the west side of the building under the sidewalk near the west entrance. Digging will begin later in July. After the installation, sidewalk work will be required to restore the area.

GOOD NEWS: both contracts came in under our initial cost estimates!
General Contractor Bids
Construction Oversight Chair Al Powers has been busy reviewing details for the construction bid package with our Architect Doug Wells. Bid specifications were sent to six general contractors. A pre-bid meeting with possible contractors was held last week and bids are due to the architect's office on June 24. We expect to receive at least three bids. The architect will review the bids and make a recommendation to the Construction Committee who will make the final selection the week of June 27. 
  
A Gentle Reminder re Kitchen Project Pledges
To date we have received over 90 percent of the amount pledged toward our church kitchen renovation. The payment due date is June 30th and we have just a few outstanding. If you need special accommodation to meet this deadline, please contact Ann Mowery. Donations can still be made if you missed the opportunity to participate during our fund drive last fall and winter. We are grateful for everyone who stepped up to support this project with such generosity!  

See more details on the Kitchen Project page!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Submissions to the Intercom Weekly are due on Wednesday at 12 noon. Submissions after the deadline cannot be guaranteed a spot in that week's newsletter.
 For a full list of upcoming meetings and events, please visit our church calendar.
Grilling with Pagans
from Sacred Bridges CUUPS
Sacred Bridges CUUPS is holding a Grilling with Pagans event featuring CUUPS KIDS on Saturday, June 25, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

We're heading out to Greenbelt Park Porter Shelter to fire up the grill and enjoy a potluck social with Sacred Bridges Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans. We will have activities for children at this event, with our CUUPS KIDS coordinators, and there is a playground at this park. Please bring a dish to share and bring what you would like to have grilled for your family or group and we will take care of the rest. We will provide Lemonade, Fruit Punch and plates, utensils, and cups.
First Unitarian Humanist Update
from First Unitarian Humanists
Book Group
The Humanist book group schedule will be adjusted for June and July to accommodate the holidays and other church activities. We will cover chapters 9 and 10 of Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari on June 12, followed by chapters 11 and 12 on June 26. The book group meets at the church at 11:00 AM. Everyone is invited, either in person or via Zoom!
 
AHA Annual Conference
The Humanist group will have a watch party for the American Humanist Association annual conference on Saturday, June 25. Meet at the Westchester Park shelter, 4901 Valdez Dr., at noon. Munchies and soft drinks will be provided. There are a number of excellent speakers lined up, including author Andrew Seidel speaking on “Fighting White Christian Nationalism." The complete program can be found here.
 
IAF/Humanist Society meeting
Join the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers and the Humanist Society of Iowa for a catered picnic at the Stine Barn on July 17 at 12:00 noon. There will be two wonderful speakers, Zerin Firoze and Harry Stine. 
 
We are looking forward to seeing old and new faces. Follow this link to sign up. You will also find more information and a map to the site.

Humanist Sunday Service
Join us on Sunday, July 3, as the Humanist Group will present the morning service. You might be surprised to learn about the connections between our church and the Humanist movement in the early 20th century!
Mark Your Calendar Now For the Next mUUvie Nights!
from the mUUvie Crew
Sundays, July 10 & August 14 at 7:30pm 

First Unitarian Church - Griffin Hall/Gathering Space

RSVP to muuvie@ucdsm.org so we can gauge the number of attendees and send you a reminder message!

July 10 - "Imitating Life" - This film follows the unlikely but true story of photographer Suzanne Heintz, and an extraordinary act of defiance that catapults her life, and art, into the social media spotlight. She creates a mannequin family and embarks on a global crusade against societal pressure to conform, resulting in a raw, funny and intimate portrait of life through her lens. Part comedy, part drama, part real life – we witness it all.

August 14 - Hunt for the Wilderpeople - This award-winning New Zealand comedy features Ricky, a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle in the bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together.

These are films that include public performance rights on Kanopy (not all films do), so we can gather and watch them together at Church without infringing on copyright laws.
If you wish to add your meeting or event to our calendar, please contact: calendar@ucdsm.org
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
SOCIAL JUSTICE
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 "Donation." 
Green Sanctuary: Notes & News
The Green Sanctuary Team met on June 1 to discuss policy updates, shared working, and plans to help our planet!

See more details and learn how you can contribute your time here.

Upcoming Events

  • Pachamama Alliance-Iowa’s Gathering on Wednesday, June 22, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. We’ll continue our discussion of the Paul Hawken book Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation. Our topic this month will be Indigeneity and the video “The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code”. You can contact us for details at PachamamaAllianceIowa@gmail.com

  • Interfaith Green Coalition’s Solar Power Hour: June 18, 1:00-2:30, Plymouth Church. Thinking about going solar? Join us for this informative meeting sponsored by the Des Moines Citizen's Task Force on Sustainability and the Interfaith Green Coalition. At the meeting, you'll learn about the basics of going solar, the financial implications for a household, and how a solar group buy program works. For more information and other power hour dates, check out polk.growsolar.org.

  • Iowa Environmental Council’s A Day Of Giving To Benefit Iowa's Environment: Wednesday, August 3, 2022.Iowa Gives Green is a day for Iowans to unite in their support for Iowa’s environment. From protecting Iowa’s rivers and lakes, to advocating for clean energy, to organizing Iowans to take climate action, to planting trees across the state, you can find an organization to match your environmental passion. Visit: iowagivesgreen.org
Just Voices Update
from Harvey Harrison
Summer may be a time of sun and fun, but the work continues in the journey toward racially-equitable policing in Des Moines. But at Just Voices, we DO have fun because we love this work and we thank First Unitarian for your ongoing support that allows us to advocate for real police reform.

Just Voices Iowa is honored to be the recipient of a $150,000 grant (payable over 3 years) from the ‘Communities Transforming Policing Fund’ of Borealis Philanthropy. Borealis is a social justice philanthropic intermediary working to resource grassroots movements for transformative change. They build bridges between funders and organizers to support movements working to make a future that serves all of us.

And finally, another piece of good news. Just Voices Iowa was just awarded the Jesse Taylor Community Advocacy Award from the Iowa Juneteenth Observance Board at their banquet on Thursday, June 16 at Drake University. We were humbled and honored to be recognized by the community and thanked the Board, our volunteers, team members, and donors.

See more details here.

Happy Juneteenth!
Faith in Action Partners
Knock and Drop | Just Voices
Our current partnerships run from September 2021 through August 2022. They were selected by our members at our June 2021 annual meeting. The organizations are:
Our Champion is Gene McCracken
Our Champion is Harvey Harrison
CONNECT WITH US
Staff Office Hours & Contact Info
Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw, Senior Minister

Alice J. Stewart, Director of Finance and Administration
515-244-8603 ext. 101
Mondays: by appointment
Tuesdays – Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fridays: by appointment
Zoom meetings available on request

Emily Petty, Communications Coordinator
515-244-8603 ext. 103
Off Mondays
Tuesday-Friday, Sunday: by appointment
To submit an item for the Intercom, email communications@ucdsm.org

Hannah Notch, Social Media and Executive Support Specialist
Tuesday - Friday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
To have an event or meeting added to the church calendar, email Hannah at calendar@ucdsm.org
Intercom Weekly Submissions
Deadline: Wednesday @ 12 noon

  • In the body of an email, please include a title, relevant dates and times, contact information, and a brief description of your event or announcement.

  • Please proofread your article before submitting (or ask a trusted friend to proofread if you need help!) We try to check every article, but we still miss things.

  • An image can help make your article stand out! Please feel free to attach an image to your email. (JPG or PNG files are preferred.) Note: images that violate copyright laws will be rejected.

  • The Intercom Weekly is sent out to our mailing list on Friday at 12:00 p.m.

  • We run announcements for no more than three consecutive weeks, so please plan accordingly.

  • Per church policy, we do not share private email addresses or phone numbers in our communications. We will set up an @ucdsm.org email address for you as the contact person for your group which will automatically forward to your private email, so you won't have to do anything special to view it. (Please allow a few extra days for us to set up the email when you submit your announcement.)

Please email communications@ucdsm.org to submit your information.
Text "UCDSM APP" to 77977 or toll free (833) 816-9022
to download our app