A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave. Des Moines, IA 50315

P: 515-244-8603

A Home in a House Called Tomorrow

with Rev. Victoria Safford

Celebrant: Louise Alcorn

Pianist: Bruce Martin

Special Music: Kellie Patterson

Song Leader: Barbara Martin

A/V volunteer: Bill Paxson

Pastoral Care: Gene McCracken

Hospitality Coordinator: Terry Meek

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)

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 

Gene McCracken is the Pastoral Care Associate available for this service time. Please email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance during the week.

Please note: Road closure THIS SUNDAY, June 11!



The Des Moines Iron Man Triathalon will be using areas around Grays Lake for the running and biking portions of the race, including Fleur Dr. and Locust St., this Sunday morning into the afternoon. Please plan an alternate route to church and expect delays on your way home.

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

In Memoriam

Beloved member Florence Frette died peacefully on Tuesday, June 7.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming weeks; plans are pending with her family.

WELCOME and Farewell

We are thrilled to welcome Rev. Meredith Garmon to our congregation! He will join us in August for a two-year interim ministry. We’ll post his contact information, summer availability, and more of his biography on our website as it becomes available. For now, you may find his introductory video greeting there, and reach out to Reba Eagles or Search Committee Chair Scott Emison-Clair for information. Victoria will be available this Sunday, June 11, during the coffee time following the service for farewells.

A Letter from Rev. Victoria

Dear Friends,

My ministry at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines is drawing to a close, and I am writing with sadness and confident hope as you carry forward the beautiful work of this congregation: to grow your souls in community and serve the world in love.

Read More

Rev. Victoria's last day is June 15. View her calendar here.

Please Note: DFA Vacation

June 12 – June 23

Director of Finance & Administration Alice J Stewart will be on vacation from June 12 – June 23 with limited phone and email access. For assistance during this time, please email officestaff@ucdsm.org. Staff will promptly respond to or record your inquiries to be addressed upon Alice's return. Thank you for your understanding.

Pastoral Care & Memorial Services

This Summer

Between the end of Victoria’s time with us on June 15, and the start of Rev. Meredith Garmon’s ministry in August, we will be without a minister. Rev. Garmon’s contract with us begins on August 1. He will be on vacation (on a previously scheduled trip to Australia) and begin his fulltime presence with us on August 23rd. With requests for Pastoral Care during the interval, please reach out to Ann Mowery, Pastoral Care Chair. (Ann will be away June 11-June 24; during that time, please reach out to Barb Glass using the same email address linked above).

Victoria has arranged for on-call officiants to be available for members’ memorial services between her departure date and Rev. Garmon’s contract date; memorial services may be arranged by calling the church office: 515.244.8603.

Notice:

Grief Support Circle Schedule Change

The Grief Support Circle continues to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, but we're moving to a new time: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join us in the Minister's Office for a check-in and support during the grieving process. We understand grief ebbs and flows; you can attend once or many times, when your loss is new or years old.

June meetings: June 8 and 22.

The Grief Support Circle also offers a once-a-month Sunday morning meeting time: the third Sundays of the month at 10:45 a.m., following the service. Space allowing, this group will also meet in the Minister's Office, but check the board for location.

Next Sunday meeting: June 18.

Questions? Reach the co-facilitator team at griefgroup@ucdsm.org.

March with First Unitarian

at Capital City Pride!

Help First Unitarian Church maintain its proud tradition of support for the LGBTQ+ community by marching with your fellow UU's in the Capital City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 11! We invite all church members, both LGBTQ+ and straight/cisgender allies, and including adults, teens, and children, to meet in the parking lot of the Lucas Building at 321 E.12th St. (on the EAST side of the State Capital Building) between 11 and 11:30 a.m. The parade starts promptly at 12:00 p.m., so give yourself ample time to get there and park. Parking will be available in the visitor lots just south of East Walnut & E. 12th Streets and also in the Judicial Branch lot at East 12th St. & East Court Ave. The parade route is about a mile on level and downhill streets.

We also invite everyone to again wear your favorite First Unitarian Pride or Standing on the Side of Love t-shirt. (Don't have one yet? Some are available for purchase in self-serve kiosk in the gathering area after services on Sundays.) 

Some signs, banners, and flags will be available for you to carry in the parade if you wish, or you are welcome to make your own. We are especially encouraging people to make and bring signs that focus on transgender rights, supporting trans-affirming healthcare for youth, DO say gay/trans in schools, NOT banning LGBTQ+ books, etc. 

New this year: we will have a pickup truck with seating to help along the trip for some or all of the parade for anyone with mobility issues. We hope you'll come, even if you're not sure you can walk to distance.

Contact tag@ucdsm.org with questions and for more information.

Humanist Update

Book Group

The Humanist book group is moving to 11:00 a.m. for the summer, right after coffee time. You can join in person at the church or via Zoom. The next meeting is June 18, when we will continue discussing what promises to be a very interesting book – The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll.

Iowa Secular Summit

Plan to join us on Saturday, June 10, when the Humanist Society of Iowa and the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers will host the Iowa Secular Summit. Doors open at noon with the first speaker starting at 1:00 PM. This will be an afternoon of discussion followed by a catered dinner. Community leaders will discuss the importance of human rights, separation of church and state, and education. Speakers will include Mary Jane Cobb, ISEA President; Iowa State Senators Claire Celsi and Sarah Trone-Garriott; and Hemet Mehta, the Friendly Atheist. Click on IowaSecularSummit.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Women's Monthly Lunch

June 13, 2023

All UU (and UU-interested) women are welcome to join the monthly gathering of the UU Women’s Lunch Bunch (2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:30). 

There’s always good food and lively conversation. 

Please be sure to RSVP by the Saturday morning before the luncheon if you plan to attend: womenslunch@ucdsm.org

When: Tuesday, June 13, 2023: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Where: A Dong, 1511 High St, Des Moines

Attention Kitchen Project Donors:

We have 52 individuals who generously contributed to the kitchen project but have not yet collected their thank-you coaster. Please reach out to kitchencommittee@ucdsm.org at your earliest convenience to claim your coaster. We greatly appreciate your support and would like to ensure you receive this token of our gratitude. Thank you!

Don't Forget To Sign Up!

Hindsight, Humor, and Hope: Who, Me, an Elder?

Led by Barbara Royal and Dagny Fidler, this course helps participants design their later years through reflection, discernment, soul stretching, and exploration of new life possibilities. This free course meets in-person for 6 two-hour workshops on Tuesdays, Starting August 22 and ending September 26. Meets 1:30-3:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave, Des Moines, Iowa.

Read more 

Register here!

mUUvie Discussion Group

Sunday, June 18, 7:00 p.m.

Please join us for Navalny, 2022's Best Documentary Feature winner. It details the 2020 assassination attempt of Russian opposition leader and former presidential candidate Alexi Navalny, in which he was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent.

We will meet in the "brown couch" classroom at the church to watch the movie, followed by a 30 minute discussion. Popcorn and soda will be provided, but feel free to bring treats to share.



RSVP to mUUvie@ucdsm.org so we can plan seating details. Looking forward to an intense film experience and discussion!

We are raising funds for our Pagan Jubilee: Beltane May 4 2024 Celebration! Funds will also be used for other chapter items deemed necessary by The Council. For example, supplies, CUUPS Kids activities, or classes.

Bake sale will include items for Pride, Fathers Day, Juneteenth, and Summer!

Event Timing: June 18, 2023 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - During Coffee Hour at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines.

Contact us at: sacredbridgescuups@gmail.com for any questions.

We appreciate your generosity for baking, and donating items to help fund the chapter!

Please use this form to let us know what you’ll be baking!

Sacred Bridges CUUPS will be having a potluck to celebrate Litha! Meet in Griffin Hall at First Unitarian Church on June 24 at 1:00 p.m! All necessary dishware will be provided. Along with some lemonade to drink.

To sign up to bring a dish fill out this form.

We will also briefly have a Monthly Business Meeting update about the Bylaws Survey, and any other new items.

There will be a small ritual at the end to celebrate Litha as well. Bring the whole family, and celebrate with us!

Faithify Fundraising – LGBTQ+ Rights

To add moxie to the challenge of restoring LGBTQ rights in Iowa, the Iowa UU Witness Advocacy Network starts a Faithify funding campaign on Monday, June 5^th.  This campaign will enable IUUWAN to provide outreach and support to the Iowa LGBTQ+ community and allies through training, shared resources, and networking strategies.  Fighting for justice now is crucial!  All contributions will make a difference.  A UU funding source will match donations!  Go to the fundraising website, Faithify.org, and look for the pink flamingo from now to July 5.

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.

Let's Create!

First Unitarian Music

& Art Festival 2023

We're gearing up for FUMAF 2023 in October, and we need your help to make it the most incredible event yet. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and join us in creating something truly special?

We're currently on the lookout for passionate volunteers to assist us in various key areas. Here's how you can get involved:

1. Artist Recruitment: We're seeking art-loving individuals who can reach out to local artists and musicians, encouraging them to showcase their incredible talent at FUMAF. Help us curate an amazing lineup of diverse artworks! Artists and musicians can sign up here.
2. Auction and Live Music Planning: Are you a pro at event planning? Join our team to collaborate directly with church staff, mapping out an unforgettable auction and live music lineup.

If you're bursting with excitement and can't wait to get involved, drop us a line at communications@ucdsm.org. Let us know which area you'd like to contribute to, and we'll get back to you with more information.

FUMAF 2023 is going to be an explosion of creativity, music, and community. Let's come together and make this event a resounding success. Your passion and dedication will be the driving force behind its magic!

Interim Ministry Update

Wanted to give a quick update from the Interim Ministry Committee. As some of you may have heard – we have a match! We are excited to announce that Reverend Dr. Meredith Garmon will be our new interim minister.

He was born and raised a UU by rationalist humanist academics and has been a Zen practitioner for over 20 years. He is married to Reverend Dr LoraKim Joyner, a UU community minister, she is also a veterinarian and conservationist. No children at home – they’re all grown and out on their own. He has served a number of congregations including his most recent congregation in White Plains New York for 10 years.



Our committee would describe him as funny, personable, intelligent, collaborative, humble, and grounded. There will be a video introduction from Reverend Garmon during our Annual Meeting on June 4^th. We look forward to everyone meeting him, and continuing our work together living into our mission.

Thanks for all you do!

Crystal Loving, Doug Aupperle, Elliott Nassif, Scott Emison Clair, Shelly Kaldenberg, & Steven Herwig

Survey: Children & Youth Faith Formation 2023-24

Dear First Unitarian Families,

Our current church year has been a year of trying new things, including moving all children & youth programming to Sunday mornings after service. With nearly a whole programming year over, we know this works well for some families and less-well for others. We'd like to know what works best for you and your family, so please take the time to fill out this survey by June 30.

First Unitarian Building Team:

Help Wanted

Do you love our building? We Do!

It takes a lot of love – and maintenance – to keep it looking beautiful and being useful to so many people. The Building Team assists the church admin in overseeing building needs.

Want to Help? We are looking for friends with the following SKILLS OR who are willing to be general helpers to those with skills! Follow this link to the Volunteer Opportunities form, and checkmark "Grouds & Building Work" to get involved with the Building Team.

Skills Needed:

· Light Carpentry/Woodwork

· Plumbing

· Electrical

· Painting

· Mechanical

· Assisting with any of the above and general help

Current and Upcoming (Possible) Projects:

· Restoring the front of the stage in the sanctuary (sanding, varnishing, cleanup)

· Restoring the window seats in Griffin (sanding, varnishing, cleanup, light carpentry?)

· Rethinking storage issues post-kitchen reno (tables, etc.)

· Floor repairs post-lift renovation

· Parking Lot work

Upcoming events:

• June 10 – Grounds Help Day
• June 17 – Building Help Day
• Sign up for one or both of these specific events here!

Current Building Team: Al Powers (Chair), Louise Alcorn, Doug Aupperle, Walter Pearson, and Tom Thurtell

Food Fair Update

We are only $300 from our $13,000 mark raised last year! 10 events still have over 40 seats open. Help us reach $13,000! Check the updated list and email foodfair@ucdsm.org to reserve your space.

Purchases can be paid in one of two ways:

• Online use this link and designate Food Fair under Funds 
• Deliver a check to the church, write FF Bid #s on your check.

Griffin Gallery Artist June

Sean Abramowitz

Making Tree Soul Portraits is my way of saying, “I see you. I see all the jagged, incongruent, weird, uncategorizable parts. I see the parts that you don’t feel like you are allowed to show. I see the parts you find ugly and embarrassing. I see the parts you have forgotten.

Trees are a powerful symbol for me because they don’t have any consciousness around the directions they are growing. They don’t try to be this way or that way or fit themselves into some kind of a box or role. They just respond to their environment and grow in the most effective ways to survive. And they always turn out beautiful.

-Sean Abramowitz

Next Family Promise Hosting Week

July 9 – 16

Volunteer signup will be available mid-June.

Haven’t been an evening or overnight host before, but would like to try it? Background checks must be on file to do so. Please do the following:

• New hosts, please fill out this form and send to Hannah Notch at hnotch@ucdsm.org
• New drivers, please review the driver information and fill out the driver application form. See the volunteer driver information and links to documents here.

Send cash donations directly to Family Promise of Greater Des Moines here:

https://www.familypromisedm.org/get_involved/donate.html

Thanks for your involvement and support!

Contact: Elaine Imlau, Chair | familypromise@ucdsm.org

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:

Hawthorn Hill

Our Champion is Sally Boeckholt

Let's Talk

Our Champion is Ellen Taylor

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