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

P: 515-244-8603

The Spiritual Impact of Inequality

with Reverend Garmon

"Our spirits long to be made whole," in the words of our hymn. Wholeness depends on connection and belonging with others, and inequality triggers disconnection and alienation.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)



Zoom may not be available.

Visit the Caring Community Webpage for the following options:

• Caring Ministry – for temporary assistance, such as meals or rides, or to volunteer (515-244-8603 ext. 108)
• Pastoral care - for support through a difficult time

Check the news feed in Realm if you missed last Sunday's Joys & Sorrows.

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

Children & Youth Programming

Children and Youth programs happen on Sundays!

• Elementary-aged (Kindergarten-4th Grade) children of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to go to the One Room SchUUlhouse during services after the Story for All Ages.
• Middle-school aged youth of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to join their own group after service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.
• High-school aged youth of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to join our youth group after service every Sunday morning.

NEWS THIS WEEK

First U Mixer - Rescheduled

Friday, February 2nd from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Come one, come all! The Congregational Life Committee has rescheduled its First U Mixer. Join us on Friday February 2nd , 5:00-8:00PM at church for an evening of socializing, snacks, and UU trivia. We especially invite visitors and members who have joined in the last year, and anyone looking to meet new people.

**Established members and friends: kindly bring an appetizer or beverage to share to show our newer folks some First Unitarian hospitality. To do so sign up here.

Social Justice Meet-Up

Saturday, February 3rd from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Social Justice at UCDSM: Who, me? Yes, you! Let’s Meet Up!

Many of us came to UCDSM drawn by the church’s commitment to social justice, both inside our church and out in the wider community.

Whether you’re a social justice veteran or new to this work, please join us for a morning of exploring what we’re currently doing, what more we want to do, and what we need to be more effective in creating the world we want to see.

Social Justice Meet Up

Saturday 2/3/2024

In person in Mary Safford Room (back of auditorium)

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Light refreshments will be provided.

News from Iowa Unitarian Universalist Witness Advocacy Network

Saturday, February 3rd from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Iowa Unitarian Universalist Witness Advocacy Network (IUUWAN) is Partnering with the League of Women Voters, Metro Des Moines in two book discussions regarding Iowa's Water Quality. The two books we are encouraged to read are "The Swine Republic" by Chris Jones, and "The River Knows" by Neil Hamilton. You can order these books from Ice Cube press here. Please use code LWV5 and $5 will be taken off your order.

The zoom book discussion " The Swine Republic" by Chris Jones will occur on Sat, Feb. 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You can locate the zoom link for that discussion here.

Click to view the digital version of the Water Quality Book Discussion Flyer!

Sacred Bridges CUUPS: Imbolc

Saturday, February 3rd from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Join Sacred Bridges CUUPS for a magical Imbolc celebration! Engage in collaborative Brigids cross crafting, butter churning, and a soothing healing circle. Afterwards, savor traditional oat cakes topped with our handmade butter as we embrace community connection.

Meet us in the Marry Safford room at the back of the Auditorium at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines at 2:00PM on Feb 3rd.

Coffee With the Board

Sunday, February 4th from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Join the Board for a casual pre-service coffee and conversation.

Stonewall Conference Center

Sunday, February 4th at 8:30 a.m.

First Unitarian Humanist Update

** Book Group

The Humanist book group meets on the first and third Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon right after the forum. You can join in person at the church or via Zoom at https://humanistsocietyofiowa.org/bookclubzoom/. We will be discussing chapters 30 and 31 of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll on Sunday, Feb. 4th.

**Braver Angels

You can join with the Humanist group as we participate in a lively discussion of controversial topics with the Braver Angels in Ames. The next meeting will be on Saturday, February 10, at 10:00 AM when the topic will be Emigration Policy. Contact Al Powers or send a note to info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information.

Sacred Bridges CUUPS: Ritual 101

Monday, February 5th from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Embrace the mystic journey! Commencing February 5th, immerse yourself in the enchanting Ritual 101 class led by the insightful Ysa from Sacred Bridges CUUPS. Gather online and in person every Monday at 7:00pm CST for four transformative weeks, delving into the profound craft of ritual writing. Meet in the Marry Safford room in the back of the auditorium at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines.

Unveil the secrets of crafting rituals and watch as your creations come to life. The culmination? A sacred performance of your ritual for Ostara, weaving intention and magic into a harmonious tapestry. Join us on this spiritual exploration – your path to ritual mastery awaits!

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 834 7783 1992

Passcode: RITUAL101

Class Syllabus:

Feb 5th - Ritual Conceptions

Feb 12th - Ritual Manifestations

Feb 19th - Putting Together Ostara

Feb 26th - Ostara Rehearsal/Run Through

RSVP HERE

Iowa Compassion and Choices “Faith-Based Perspectives on End-of-Life Decisions”

Thursday, February 8th from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

(Online Only)

Join us to gain an understanding of key religious concerns and questions surrounding medical aid in dying and other end-of-life issues. Three Iowan clergy members will share information and their experience, including theological bases for end-of-life autonomy. Zeena Regis, Compassion & Choices Director of Priority Populations and Faith Engagement, will present guidance on how to best handle discussions of religious issues. Rev. Meredith Garmon will be one of the clergy participating in this event. Please register at https://join.compassionandchoices.org/a/faith-based-perspectives-end-life-decisions.

Check out their newsletter here!

View the event flyer here!

Sacred Bridges CUUPS: New Moon Magick Zoom

Friday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m.

Join Sacred Bridges CUUPS for some (virtual) New Moon Magick!

The New Moon invites us to set intentions, to welcome spaciousness, and to take time to reflect and plan. Each New Moon has its own energies, but all of them are powerful times to set in motion all the things we wish to bring to our lives. A powerful technique for bringing our intentions to life is to gather together to speak them outloud, share them, and build collective power and will behind them.

This New Moon, coming so soon after the Sabbat of Imbolc/Brighid, is a wonderful time to set any goals you might have for your spiritual or creative practice in the coming year. Whether it’s learning to work with a new divination tool, reading more books, writing regularly, or simply taking time to tune into the Earth, you can use the energy of this New Moon to help you along.

What to Bring:

Your heart and soul, wide open

Your journal or something to write on and with

Any items to create a sacred space for yourself (candles, incense, stones)

Any items that will help you be comfortable during a guided meditation

About Your Facilitator:

Susan Harper, PhD, is an educator, activist, advocate, priestess, tarot reader, and ritualist living in Gilbert, IA. She has been practicing Goddess based spirituality for over 30 years and facilitating ritual and transformational spaces just about as long. She holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from Southern Methodist University and an MA in Multicultural Women’s and Gender Studies from Texas Woman’s University. Susan is passionate about making spirituality accessible, practical, and personal. Her workshops and rituals focus on using spiritual information and techniques to facilitate transformation in our personal lives. She seeks to help people equip themselves with skills and tools that will aid their continuous growth. Susan has over three decades’ worth of experience with Feminist Spirituality, Wicca and other forms of Paganism, energetic healing modalities, Tarot, ecstatic movement, and other transformative practices.

RSVP HERE FOR ZOOM INFO

Submissions to the Intercom Weekly are due on Wednesday at 12 noon.

Two ways to get your message across: 

1. Submit your Intercom Weekly article to communications@ucdsm.org.
2. Want more of a "boost?" Select from an entire menu of communications using Our Events form! Staff LOVES to receive these forms!

Endowment Helps Fund a Mini-Forest

The Endowment Committee has approved a Green Sanctuary Group’s proposal for a REACH grant to help create Iowa’s first Mini-Forest.

A Mini-Forest is a fast-growing forest that has been densely planted with native species in a small, tennis court sized area. Based on research by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki in the 1970’s, Mini-Forests around the world and across North American have produced significant environmental impacts. More biodiverse than forests planted by conventional methods, they store large amounts of carbon, help reduce runoff and erosion, and improve air quality. They provide habitat for wildlife, particularly birds and beneficial insects, and important sites for environmental education and research.

The Green Sanctuary Group is looking for volunteers, particularly to help with planting in early May. Sign up here. You can also contribute financially by going to Realm/Giving/Give and selecting “Mini-Forest.”

Circle Suppers - New Launch!

Complete by Monday, February 12th

Join our launch of the latest round of Circle Suppers. Each wonderful gathering of 8 congenial First Unitarian members and friends gives us an opportunity to meet folks we don't know that well. Each Circle rotates meetings amongst its members for about 4 months. You don't have to host to participate.

Please register by Monday, Feb. 12 at https://forms.gle/CgY9GQgtQaiifR5w9.

2024 Annual Survey for Adult Programming - OUT NOW!

Complete by Wednesday, January 31st

Good afternoon! The 2024 annual survey for adult programs at First Unitarian is now available here.

We have proposed book discussion groups, topic discussions, and practice groups. These are all in addition to the many affinity groups available at First Unitarian here.

Please share your interests in the programs we might offer over the coming year!

Childcare Needs Your Help!

Now Accepting Toy Donations

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated stuffed animals to childcare! Our kiddos appreciate you! We have many stuffed animals now and are still looking for baby dolls! A reminder that they need to be new or washed, and nothing super small! Please contact hnotch@ucdsm.org with any questions, or feel free to leave the toys on Hannah's desk in the office!

Who Do I Contact for...?

Please refer to the corresponding email based on your request or inquiry.

Financial Requests: director@ucdsm.org (monitored by a volunteer)

Pledge Requests: director@ucdsm.org (monitored by a volunteer)

Administrative Requests: mgarmon@ucdsm.org

Communication Requests: communications@ucdsm.org

Building Use Requests: hnotch@ucdsm.org

All Other Inquiries: mgarmon@ucdsm.org

Last to Use the Church? Lock Up!

The building has been left unlocked and the alarm left off several times over the last two months. When you leave the building, make sure there is no one left, then lock and set the alarm. If you need instruction, or to brush up your knowledge, please contact the staff at OfficeStaff@ucdsm.org.

Together we can keep our beautiful building and its contents safe and secure.

Thank you!

Zoom Help Needed

We are looking for 3-4 people to co-host Sunday services via Zoom. It would be best to have computer skills and a laptop with HDMI.

Please contact Bill Paxson if you have an interest in getting trained.

AVTeam@ucdsm.org

REACH grant applications available for 2024

A program of the Endowment Committee

It’s almost a new year and a new opportunity to share your ideas for Radical Engagements And Creative Happenings!

REACH Grant Applications for 2024 are now available.

REACH grants can be awarded to church members or groups for ideas related to community outreach, educational opportunities for members. This is your chance to plan or improve a program or event beyond our usual budget limitations. We have $ 13,079 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, here.

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.

Sacred Bridges CUUPS: Brunch With Pagans

Saturday, February 10th from 11:00-2:00 p.m.

Join us for an enchanting gathering at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines – it's time for our monthly Brunch With Pagans! The lovely Shannon Mitchell will be making a brunch menu. Please bring light snacks or desserts etc. to share!

Date: Feb 10th

Time: 11am-2pm

Location: First Unitarian Church of Des Moines - 1800 Bell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315 - Griffin Hall

Indulge in delectable brunch delights and connect with fellow pagans in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Our private meeting room provides the perfect setting for engaging discussions, making new friends, and strengthening the bonds of our community.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your spiritual journey, all are welcome to share experiences, knowledge, and stories. It's a chance to exchange ideas and perspectives, celebrate our shared beliefs, and foster a sense of togetherness.

We look forward to seeing both familiar faces and new ones at this special event. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this magical gathering.

RSVP HERE

Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fundraising Brunch

Sunday, February 11th following Service

Fundraising Brunch!

Come join us for brunch on Sunday 2/11/24! Instead of regular hospitality and Forum after church on Sunday 2/11/24, join the Faith in Action Team and the Queer/Transgender Action Group for a fundraising brunch to support our 2023-24 Faith In Action Partner, the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund (ITMAF).

Mutual Aid is based on the idea of giving what you can, and receiving what you need. For this event, to honor the mutual aid work of IMAF, we are suggesting a $20.00 contribution for brunch, or give what you’re able. All funds will go directly to provide critical gender-affirming care to trans and non-binary Iowans, both youth and adult. Cash, check or credit card payments are accepted.

You’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast and hear more about ITMAF and the need for care in Iowa. Be part of supporting this important work!

Patresa Hartman At Progressive Voices Concert Series

Saturday, February 17th, at 7:30 p.m.

PATRESA HARTMAN AT PROGRESSIVE VOICES CONCERT SERIES

Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

Location: First Unitarian Church Auditorium

Questions: concerts@ucdsm.org

Music Video: The Falconer's Knot

Single Tickets: $22 Advance /$27 Door Season Tickets:4 Shows: $78, 6 Shows $117 Available online at Eventbrite. Tickets are also available in person at church after services the four Sundays before each concert.

Singer/songwriter Patresa Hartman, began sharing her music with others at an open mic in 2011, challenging her long-standing bout with stage fright to do so. Now, after more than a decade of performing, greeting hundreds of audiences, and making 2 full-length albums (with 1 more on the way), you can find her playing venues across the Midwest. Hartman calls her style soul-folk. A rich, blues voice serves as the vehicle for thoughtful, poetic lyrics. A percussive guitar player, Hartman's signature finger picking style is the rhythmic foundation for soulful melodies that hint at contemporary country and folk. But Hartman's roots in gospel and soul become apparent in her turns behind the piano.

A limited number of complimentary tickets for this concert are available for those otherwise unable to afford to attend. Please speak confidentially with our minister, Meredith Garmon, to obtain them.

UU Coffeehouse Event

Saturday, February 24th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Poets, Singers, Dancers, Storytellers, Mimes, Rappers! All are welcome to participate in the Winter UU Coffeehouse to be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 6 to 8 pm in Griffin Hall.

Come and enjoy the incredible talent of our UU members and friends. Mics and sound support will be provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share and your own beverage of choice.

Please contact Karen Kraemer at choir@ucdsm.org for more information or questions.

Women's Wednesdays

Wednesday, February 28th from 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Topics chosen by women, about women, discussed by women. Join us on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the Peace Library.

• 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. General meet and greet, catch-up.
• 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Discussion
• Our next meeting will be February 28th.

 For a full list of upcoming meetings and events, please visit our church calendar.

Highlights from the January Board Meeting

The Board is seeking the congregation’s collaboration, feedback and questions for the ministerial search. Please join us at the forum/congregational discussion on February 4, 2024 from 11am–12:30pm to discuss the process for a settled minister search and a possible option for hiring a developmental minister.

Please join us for the next coffee with the Board on Sunday, February 4 at 8:30 AM. Our next Board meeting is Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00 PM; in-person or on Zoom.

Help Form First Unitarian's

Relational Covenant

Last May our Right Relations Team hosted a workshop led by Lisa Presley of the MidAmerica Region to begin the process of forming our first-ever church-wide relational covenant. During the workshop church members provided input on a series of questions Lisa posed in order to discern the explicit and implicit values, myths, and norms present in our congregation.

Following the workshop, the Right Relations Team considered workshop input and created an initial covenant draft, which appears below. The draft covenant reaches out not only to church members, but to all we encounter at First Unitarian.

This draft begins step two, the process of seeking your input. We have created a short survey form you can use to provide your thoughts and suggestions regarding the draft covenant: Covenant Survey

In addition, if you prefer a more “free-form” way to respond, simply send an e-mail with your comments: RRTeam@ucdsm.org

Read More Here

Preparing for UUA General Assembly

Love Unites, Stories Ignite

Our congregational delegates to General Assembly this year will be voting on Article II moving us from the language of Principles to Values and Covenants. For more information about Article II, please click here.

Our Connection Circle Meetings kicked off studying the theme of covenants and are now studying the values listed in the proposed Article II. To learn more about covenant and some past conversations that helped bring about the Proposed Article II, you can listen to "A Conversation on Covenant" Part 1 & 2 by clicking here.

Part 1 features members of the Article II Study Commission facilitating a conversation between Rev. Meredith Garmon, and two former presidents of the UUA, Rev. Bill Sinkford, and Dr. Susan Frederick Gray. They are discussing how covenant lies at the heart of our faith, and what it is we need to promise with each other now as we move forward in the 3rd decade of the 21st Century.

Part 2 features: Rev. Mykal Slack from BLUU and author of “Transforming Hearts,” Dandi Prinsloo from the DRUUM steering committee, Elizabeth Foster with EqUUal Access, and Juniper Meadows, former steering committee member for TRUUsT discussing how covenant figures in our ever-growing faith. Part 2 is an important webinar to watch as we discuss the theme of pluralism this month.

Please consider attending and/ or being a delegate for all virtual General Assembly 2024 on Thursday June 20 through Sunday June 23rd. To learn more about General Assembly and for links to register please click here.

Article Submitted by Linda Lemons

Trans Lives Fest 2024 Call for Participant Submissions

The Trans Lives Festival is looking for submissions for the 2024 festival! If you are interested or have any questions please email tag@ucdsm.org.

Pam Hibbs

Art Gallery Exhibit

Pam Hibbs is a Des Moines artist with a studio at MainFrame Studios. She received her BFA in painting and started raising a family, putting art on the back burner when tragedy struck. To help with the grief of losing a daughter, she started painting again where she was instantly drawn back into the emotive qualities of paint which allowed her to be honest with the canvas. Everyday she strives to keep moving forward, to be her best self, and to share her emotive paintings with the world.

Our Faith In Action partners are Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund and The Freestore. If you would like to donate to Faith in Action partners, please donate directly to them through the links provided.

If you would like to donate to the Freestore, click here.

If you would like to donate to the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund, click here. 

In addition to providing monetary donations for our Faith in Action partners, one of the goals of this committee is to improve relationships through volunteer events that support the organizations. We will announce events that church members can be involved with in the coming months.

Freestore

Our Champion is Mike Smith

Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund

Our Champion is Doug Aupperle

Rev. Meredith Garmon, Interim Minister

mgarmon@ucdsm.org

515-244-8603 ext. 102

cell: 352-682-8492

Birch Spick, Faith Formation Coordinator

& Congregational Life Coordinator

FFOffice@ucdsm.org

CLOffice@ucdsm.org

515-244-8603 ext. 103

Off Mondays

Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Hannah Notch, Office Manager & Childcare Coordinator

hnotch@ucdsm.org

515-244-8603 ext. 107

Tuesday - Friday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm

To have an event or meeting added to the church calendar, email Hannah at calendar@ucdsm.org

Faithyna Leonard, Communications & Rental Coordinator

fleonard@ucdsm.org

515-244-8603 ext. 106

Available by appointment only

Dylan Delagardelle, Audio-Visual Technician

dyland@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.