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

P: 515-244-8603

Revising the Christmas Story

(Morning Service)

with Reverend Garmon

For one thing, Bethlehem 2,000 years ago didn't have an inn, full or otherwise -- and it was not a culture that would consign a pregnant young woman to a stable.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)



Zoom may not be available.

A Very Unitarian Christmas

(Evening Service)

with Reverend Garmon

This all-ages service celebrates Unitarian Christmas, heavy on story and song.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)



Zoom may not be available.

Joys & Sorrows for Sunday should be submitted by noon on Wednesday.

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

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

Every Sunday!

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.
• High-school aged youth of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to join our youth group after service on Sunday mornings 10:45AM-12:00PM.
• Have a middle-schooler (5th-8th Grade)? Our Faith Formation Coordinator wants to talk with you about we can nurture their spiritual and ethical growth.

NEWS THIS WEEK

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 28 and 29 of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll on Sunday, Jan. 7th.

** Watch Party**

Our watch party series will continue on Saturday, Dec. 23rd; starting at 2:00 PM at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines. We will watch and discuss two more episodes of the latest James Burke’s Connections series – a look at how various discoveries, scientific achievements, and world events are tied together. Send a note to info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information.

Christmas Day Brunch

Monday, December 25th from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join us for a Christmas Day Brunch Join members of our congregation for a potluck brunch on Christmas Day (Monday 12/25/23) 10:30AM-12:30PM at church in Griffin Hall. Please sign up to bring a main-dish or side to share here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Women's Wednesdays

Wednesday, December 27th 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 December 27th.

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!

Happy Holidays from the Office Staff!

Happy Holidays from the Office Staff!!!

Please note: The office will be closed Dec. 25th- January 2nd! We will be open for regular hours on January 3rd!

Kudos to Al Powers!

Whether he is way up in the air on the ladder with tools in hand or with his head buried in a switch box solving some complicated electrical issue, Al Powers has brought his skill and passion to keeping our building in tip-top shape. An Electrical Engineer by training, his broad construction experience is enormously valuable to the church. He has effectively managed key construction projects for the church for years and his good cheer has been vital in leading the Building Council. Al Powers has been a key leader for a long time!

Caring Ministry Needs Volunteers

Help foster our caring community at Caring Ministry! Janice Hawkins coordinates these requests and is refreshing its list of volunteers to provide help to Congregants on an occasional basis. Examples of services include: giving rides to & from medical appointments & church, providing meals or household tasks and helping with a move. Please sign up (or sign up again) at ucdsm.org/caring-community/ or stop by the table in the Gathering Area on one of the next 3 Sundays ~ Nov. 12, 19 or 26. Share your caring!

If you have any questions, please contact Janice Hawkins by phone or email. 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

Kitchen, Kitchen, Who's Got the Kitchen?

Inquiring Minds Would Like to Know!

Our renovated kitchen is popular and that’s a good thing. As some of you know, the kitchen, like other rooms in our building, needs to be reserved by calling or emailing Hannah Notch, ext. 107, hnotch@ucdsm.org. The person making the reservation will be responsible for ensuring that the kitchen is left clean, neat, and ready for use. We do not have a custodial service, nor do the Saturday morning cleaning volunteers clean the kitchen. So it’s up to each user to clean up, neaten up and take out the garbage too!

If you have any questions or need help with knowing what to do, just ask one of the Kitchen Care Team: Kay Scott, Elaine Imlau, Fern Stewart, Kerry George, Jan Knock, Terry Meek, Shelly Kaldenberg, or Ann Mowery. You can contact us at kitchencommittee@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: Yule

Saturday, December 30th from 4:00-9:00 p.m.

Embrace the enchantment of the season with Sacred Bridges CUUPS! We invite you to join us for a festive Yule potluck and ritual on December 30th at 4:00pm in Griffin Hall, First Unitarian Church of Des Moines.

As the winter solstice approaches, let's come together to share warmth, joy, and community. Bring a dish to share at our potluck, and join us in a meaningful Yule ritual that honors the turning of the wheel.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or simply curious about Pagan traditions, all are welcome as this is a family friendly event! Griffin Hall at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines will be adorned with the spirit of the season, creating a sacred space for our gathering.

Save the date, December 30th, and let's weave memories and connections in celebration of the winter season. Your presence will add to the magic of this special evening. See you there!

Coffee with the Board

Sunday, December 31st at 8:30 a.m.

Join the board members for a coffee hour at Stonewall Conference Room.

DMARC

Sunday, January 14th after Service

Mark your calendar!

The Des Moines Area Religious Council, DMARC, is one of 1st Unitarian's long-term community partners. The organization celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022.

When we hear "DMARC", we think of fighting hunger and food pantries. Learn more about the organization January 14th at the forum following our church service. Rev. Sarah Garriot Trone, DMARC's Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement will be with us.

Visit their website at https://www.dmarcunited.org/

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

No Intercom Requests for Remainder of the Year

There will be smaller Intercoms going out for the remainder of the 2023 year. Requests will no longer be taken for Intercom until Januarary 5th, the first Intercom of the 2024 year!

Happy Holidays!

Our New Cleaners - City Wide

Our new cleaners will start this Saturday at noon and will continue on Tuesdays and Fridays going forward! A HUGE thank you to our church volunteers who kept the church clean in the interim!

Special Recognition for First Unitarian Church

The Immigration Committee wants the whole congregation to share in the praise our church received recently from the Des Moines Latinx community. In Al Exito's year-end newsletter, they published the following article. Our congregation’s work has contributed to one of our church’s stated goals: To reach out to the wider community.

Here is the article:

First Unitarian Church Special Allies of Al Éxito

A few years ago, the first Mary Campos Scholarship Luncheon was hosted by the First Unitarian Church. On their own, the church arranged for volunteers to help on the day of the event. Since then, congregation members have blessed Al Éxito and its students in countless ways.

Read More

Eat, Meet, & Be Merry - With Circle Suppers

The Circle Suppers program is looking for 4-5 households to be first-time hosts. Circles are made of 4-5 households who come together once a month for as many months as there are members to host a potluck dinner. The purpose is for church members to get to know one another better in an informal setting with the bigger goal of building a caring church community. First-time hosts will begin the groups with the first dinner and some conversation starters. Email the Faith Formation Coordinator, Birch Spick, at ffoffice@ucdsm.org.

Food Pantry Donations

Red Food Barrel

Please help fill the Red Food Barrel for the upcoming holidays. This is the time of year when most people do think about giving to those in need. The truth is that food pantries are in need all year long. All area food pantries continue to have increased needs. Many of the clients that use food pantries to supplement their food needs have full time jobs but still struggle to put food on the table because of increased costs for rent and other necessities. Many other clients are seniors and are trying to survive on social security.

Please bring food items and personal care products and put them in the Red Food Barrel that is located near the coat closet at the front entry.

Read More

Stacie Gieseke

Art Gallery Exhibit

Ever since Stacie was little and picked up their first scribbling utensil, nothing has made more sense to her then creating something that was not there before.

Stacie enjoys exploring different mediums such as acrylics, markers, or clay. She also enjoys mixing mediums. It brings her joy to bring more textures and colors into her art.

She shares that is still on the journey to find her "niche" and that she is no rush to do so. She believes there is beauty in the journey, the struggle, and the process.

Giving Tree

Giving Tree We will again support families in need through our Giving Tree. Pick up names and wishlists in the gathering area at church from Sunday, 12/3-Sunday, 12/10. $40 limit per individual. Wrap all gifts for one person in one bag or box labeled clearly with name and family number. Return to church by Sunday, December 17. Questions contact Sue Huber.

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

Alice J. Stewart, Director of Finance & 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. 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.