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

P: 515-244-8603

Liberty, Justice, and Sexual Ethics

with Reverend Garmon

Not so long ago (or in a galaxy so far away) "sexual ethics" meant: only within marriage to one opposite-sex partner. And not much longer before that, it also meant: and only in order to procreate. What does it mean today? For one thing, consent is an ethical requirement more robust than ever – and that's not the only way that ethics continues to be relevant to sexuality, even when procreation, monogamy, heterosexuality, and marriage may not be part of that ethic.

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.

Ellen Taylor 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 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.

**Watch Party

Our watch party series will continue on Saturday, Jan. 27th; starting at 2:00 PM at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines. We will watch and discuss two more episodes of the 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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Childcare Needs Your Help!

Now Accepting Toy Donations

Childcare is requesting your help! Many of our plushie toys and baby dolls were ruined due to mice last year, and we have very few for our children. If anyone knows some dolls or stuffed animals that need a new home, please send them our way! Our room is home to the littlest children and, thus, some of the most prone to illness and sickness. We ask that the toys be new or recently washed. The ideal doll or plush should be soft and large enough for a toddler to snuggle with but small enough for them to carry. Please contact hnotch@ucdsm.org with any questions, or feel free to leave the toys on Hannah's desk in the office!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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

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.

KUDOS!

Kudos to Sally Boeckholt, Dan Scholl, Jeremy Guenther, and other congregants for providing emergency snow-removal on Sunday 01/21.

Stacie Gieseke

Art Gallery Exhibit

Ever since Stacie was little and picked up her 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.

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.