A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave. Des Moines, IA 50315
P: 515-244-8603
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This Sunday, February 26, 2023 | |
Church Going
with Rev. Victoria Safford
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Celebrant: Louise Alcorn
Choir Director: Karen Kraemer
Pianist: Amy Anderson
Musicians: U.U. Singers
Song Leader: Sarah Chang
A/V volunteer: Bill Allen
Pastoral Care: Laura Berardi
Hospitality Coord: Terry Meek
Join the live service on Zoom!
Zoom Passcode: Safford
(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)
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Forum: The State of
the City of Des Moines
11:00 a.m. in Griffin Hall
& via Zoom (Passcode: Griffin)
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City of Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie will update us on the City of Des Moines, with a focus on the status of the Des Moines Sustainability Plan and efforts to become 100% renewable by 2035. He might also share his experience at Cop 27, offering us a local-to-global lens.
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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
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Please note: the Caring Ministry phone number is now
- 515-244-8603 ext. 108
- Pastoral Care – for support through a difficult time
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Pastoral Care: February 26 | |
Laura Berardi is the Pastoral Care Associate available for this service time. Please email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance during the week. | |
No childcare this Sunday, February 26! | |
NEWS THIS WEEK
This section holds events happening this week, as well as articles submitted in the past 7 days. Be sure to continue scrolling to read about other upcoming events, church news, and social justice efforts!g
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One Room SchUUlhouse is Growing! | |
The One Room SchUUlhouse program we have piloted for Kindergarten-5th Graders has been a great success – so much so that we’re expanding it. With more children in upper elementary grades attending the One Room SchUUlhouse, and 5th-6th Grade OWL running until early April, we are creating a separate group for 5th-8th Grade children not registered in other classes, open to families of visitors & members alike.
But we need your help! We are looking for 4-5 volunteers to facilitate this group on a rotating basis. Staff and the Child & Youth Faith Formation Council will provide weekly lesson plans & materials based on the Soul Matters curriculum. Please contact Birch Spick at bspick@ucdsm.org to help launch this program.
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Adult Programming Survey
from the Adult RE Committee
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Survey closes March 1!
We are looking for your view on the types of programming we should offer during 2023. Please let us know your views on possible programs and groups. This short survey asks for your interest in 12 new classes, the types of new groups we offer, and your preferred mode and schedule. Our survey is available now here.
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Trusting Change: a Conversation Series with Rev. Victoria Safford | |
I invite you to join me this spring for a 5-session conversation on the challenges and possibilities we experience in transition, whether personal, global, or here in the life of the church. We'll read selections from Trusting Change, a new book by UU Minister Karen Hering, engaging in reflection, journaling (if you wish) and discussion about transformations large and small. To gather a cohesive group, I ask that participants commit to attending at least 4 or the 5 sessions, to be held on Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. April 19 and 26, May 17, 24 and 31. You may purchase the book here. Used copies and e-editions are available online.
To register, send me an email!
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Do not be surprised if you see Checkers, a 7-month-old service dog in training for the Puppy Jake Foundation, at church with Lisa Houchins. Lisa and her family have been volunteering with Puppy Jake to help train service dogs to be placed with a military veteran with a disability eventually. Service dogs in training need to experience life in public, just as they will someday with a veteran. Currently, Checkers doesn't wear a vest because he is a young puppy, but he is still working when in public. He wears a service dog bandana and uses a service dog leash. If you see him, it would be helpful to treat him like any other service animal. That includes:
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Not petting, feeding, talking to, or otherwise distracting a service dog without permission from the handler. It's helpful for his training just to ignore him.
- Respecting that many handlers don't like to talk about their service dog or the reason they have a service dog due to medical privacy. (However, Lisa is happy to answer questions about Checkers and the Puppy Jake Foundation.)
For more information, feel free to ask Lisa Houchins or visit this site.
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Trans Lives Festival
Submissions Close March 1!
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Our next meeting will be Wednesday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. Zoom. You are welcome to attend.
We will facilitate a Wellspring Braiding Sweetgrass class in a few months.
Check out our Facebook page.
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Joe Jencks in Concert
Saturday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.
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Tickets: $22 Advance /$27 Door
Ticket Link: www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/54589
Tickets also for sale in the gathering area after Sunday services.
Joe Jencks returns to our stage for a solo performance after previously appearing here with the trio, Brother Sun. He is an international touring musician, award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. A 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, Jencks has released 17 CDs in that time. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel.
A limited number of complimentary tickets for the Joe Jencks concert are available for those otherwise unable to afford to attend. Please speak confidentially with our minister, Victoria Safford, to obtain them.
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Book Club
The Humanist book group meets at noon on the first and third Sunday of each month, both in person at the church (right after the forum) or via Zoom. We will be starting a new book on March 5, so this is a perfect time to join. We think you will enjoy reading Finding Darwin's God: a Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution by Kenneth R. Miller. You can read an excerpt from this book here. You can also download the complete text here.
Secular Student Alliance Program
The Secular Student Alliance is offering a webinar that promises to be interesting and informative. The Struggle for Abortion Rights will be presented on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. This will feature a panel discussion with leading proponents for reproductive rights. The panel will discuss the state of abortion rights in the US and the road forward to win back federal protections and ensure access to safe and legal abortion in all 50 states. Click here to find more information or to register for the webinar.
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mUUvie Night
Saturday, March 11, 7–9 p.m.
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Join us to watch and discuss the film Supernova (2020): A couple (Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci) embark on a road trip as dementia starts to take hold of one of them. He decides to take control of his final days.
We're trying something new! We will watch this as a group in a private home and discuss afterward.
Contact muuvie@ucdsm.org for more information and to RSVP.
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Easter Event
from Sacred Bridges CUUPS
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Come have fun with Sacred Bridges CUUPs on March 18 at 2 p.m. banishing the chocolate rabbit, dying eggs the natural way, and maybe even finding some eggs!
This is an ALL-ages event, and we encourage you to bring the whole family! We will be meeting in the Mary Stafford room to start.
We hope to see you there!
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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.
Want to publicize your church event? We have a form for that!
Visit our "Our Events" page to fill out the form.
Email communications@ucdsm.org with any questions.
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For a full list of upcoming meetings and events, please visit our church calendar. | |
Last Food Fair 2022 Event Openings | |
Space for two more for Mindful Mending on March 18 from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. in West Des Moines; $20, hosts Liz Bredeson & Chelsea Hayes. Bring your mending and enjoy a soup lunch. Mending supplies available. Interested? Email foodfair@ucdsm.org or contact Liz or Chelsea. | |
Mark your calendars for FFF #23, April 29 & 30, and start thinking about what you might like to offer! Never heard of it? For more info on our biggest fundraiser of the year and community-building series of events, see this link.
To participate, please fill out this form.
Your help is needed! Particularly needed are individuals who enjoy making clever announcements and cover table displays after church during the month of March to promote participation, as coordinator Elaine Imlau, will be out of state most of the month. Please contact her via email at foodfair@ucdsm.org or directly via text or call.
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Interim Ministry
Advisory Committee Update
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First, a big thank you to Doug Aupperle, Shelly Kaldenberg, Steven Herwig, Crystal Loving, and Elliot Nassif for agreeing to participate. We had our first meeting on February 8th got to know each other a little bit then dove into the timeline before us.
Our first order of business is to prepare a draft of the top three things our next minister should focus on and the desired strengths of the minister. This will then be shared with the congregation during a forum at 11 a.m. on March 5. During the forum, we will briefly present our initial draft and then open it up for feedback and discussion. I strongly encourage anyone that can to attend so we can get your input. If you are not able to make it, you can also email us your feedback on these two areas no later than March 5 so we have that input. We will then update those sections after reviewing your feedback and will submit that along with the rest of the details in our Congregational Record packet to the UUA by mid-April.
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Board of Trustees Monthy Meeting Format Change
from Reba Eagles, Board President
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Your Board of Trustees always values the voices of the members of our congregation and we want those voices to be heard. With this value at the forefront, we are trying something new at this month's Board Meeting: we've created space near the top of the agenda for Public Comment. As always, you may find the agenda posted on the church website prior to the Board meeting; documents related to the agenda (and the agenda itself) may be found on Realm. Please refer to these documents, and if you would like to attend the Board meeting (in person or zoom) and make a comment or ask a question, email boardoftrustees@ucdsm.org and you will be put on the list for Public Comment. We're hoping this will help broaden participation, while at the same time allowing the Board to move effectively through the agenda each month without being pulled off topic, leading proactively rather than reactively. The Public Comment time will be 15 minutes; please be mindful, if you speak, of sharing the time with others. | |
REACH Grant
Applications Available for 2023
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It’s a new year and a new opportunity to share your ideas for Radical Engagements And Creative Happenings!
REACH Grants for 2023 are now available. REACH grants can be awarded to church members or groups for ideas related to community outreach, educational opportunities for members, or one-time purchases. This is your chance to plan or improve a program or event beyond our usual budget limitations. We have $14,200 available for grants this year, with each individual grant capped at $2,500. So what would you like to do?
The REACH grant application form is available on the church website. If you have questions or would like to discuss your project prior to completing the application, please e-mail the Endowment Committee at Endowment@UCDSM.org.
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Chairs – Free to a Good Home! | |
Click here to view a list of chairs available for free! Al Powers found them in the furnace room, and had the great idea to find them new homes.
Each list item features multiple matching chairs perfect for retro decor, classrooms, and DIY! A chair from each set is available to view in the East-West Entryway.
Please note that "Chair 4" is no longer available.
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Tech Help Available!
from First Unitarian Staff
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Do you have questions about your laptop, tablet, or phone? Would you like help setting up your Realm account? Sign up to schedule an appointment with First Unitarian Staff to discuss questions you have regarding your devices!
After you sign up, a Staff member will reach out to you via email to confirm your appointment time. Meetings are also available via Zoom (if issue can be resolved remotely).
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Griffin Gallery Artist February
Phil Roeder
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Phil Roeder came to photography late in life and "thanks to a combination of good fortune and dumb luck", his work has been exhibited around the country and published around the world. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography from Arizona State University. By day, he is director of communications for the Des Moines Public Schools. This is from Phil's Grant Wood Eastern Iowa series.
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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 "Donation."
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Let's Talk Update
from Ellen Taylor
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Since January, we have been on hiatus from Des Moines Schools while they fix a problem with their payment method. They had to open up the application process as a result of this problem, so we sent in our application in later January. We are currently waiting to hear when the new phase will begin. | |
DSMPD & 21CP Community Poll | |
You know that the people closest to the issues are closest to the solutions, and any venture aimed at improving the city must be community-centered. Therefore, we would like to hear from you in the poll linked below regarding your availability to discuss issues facing the community and the police department. 21CP will keep confidential information you share and will not attribute anything in our final report to you or any other individual stakeholder. Once we hear from a majority of the people from our initial round of outreach, we will confirm a date and time with you. These meetings will be held in a focus group-type setting via Zoom.
Participate in the community poll here.
Contact ganesha.martin@21CPsolutions.com with any questions.
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Go from Powerless to Powerful
from AMOS
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Ever wonder how the Skate Park got built? The libraries reopened? The 911 line staffed with therapists, not just police? Money "appeared" for training minority social workers?
AMOS did it (and our church members were heavily involved)! How? With regular people, just like you and me. People with no special skills. Normally powerless. Coming together and building power in the city, the county and the state. AND we're winning! Today we are pushing for a unique affordable housing plan and building alliances to fight for public schools.
There are several opportunities to learn here. Join us if you are curious or passionate--or both. AMOS is moving political mountains. Join the fun! Contact amosevents@ucdsm.org.
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Faith in Action Partners
Hawthorn Hill | Let's Talk
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Our current partnerships run from September 2022 through August 2023. They were selected by our members at our June 2022 annual meeting. The organizations are: | |
Staff Office Hours & Contact Info | |
Rev. Victoria Safford, Transitional Contract Minister
vsafford@ucdsm.org
Office phone: 515-244-8603 ext. 102
Cell: 612- 405-3318
Alice J. Stewart, Director of Finance and Administration
director@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 101
Mondays: by appointment
Tuesdays – Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fridays: by appointment
Zoom meetings available upon request
Birch Spick, Faith Formation Coordinator
& Congregational Life Coordinator
FFOffice@ucdsm.org
CLOffice@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 106
Off Mondays
Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Emily Petty, Communications Coordinator
communications@ucdsm.org
515-244-8603 ext. 103
Off Mondays
Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To submit an item for the Intercom, email communications@ucdsm.org by Wednesday at noon.
Hannah Notch, Social Media and Executive Support Specialist
hnotch@ucdsm.org
Tuesday - Friday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
To have an event or meeting added to the church calendar, email Hannah at calendar@ucdsm.org
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Intercom Weekly Submissions
Deadline: Wednesday @ 12 noon
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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.)
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Text "UCDSM APP" to 77977 or toll free (833) 816-9022
to download our app
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