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A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave. Des Moines, IA 50315
P: 515-244-8603
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This Sunday, September 18, 2022
9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium & via Zoom
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Forming Our Faith
with Birch Spick, Faith Formation Coordinator
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This Sunday, we begin our new year of Faith Formation, with new programs, new people, and new ways of being together. Standing at this threshold, we’re faced with questions about how we form our own faiths, and how we aid each other in this. Join us as we look forward to the year ahead and the opportunities it brings us.
Join the live service on Zoom!
Zoom Passcode: Safford
(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)
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Forum:
Planned Parenthood:
The State of the State
with Mazie Stillwell, Director of Public Affairs
11:00 a.m. in Griffin Hall
& via Zoom (Passcode: Griffin)
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The overturning of Roe – coupled with reversal of precedent at the Iowa Supreme Court – decimated Iowans’ abortion rights in the blink of an eye. You can hear about these decisions, along with what is on the horizon and how you can get involved, from Mazie Stilwell, Director of Public Affairs in Iowa with Planned Parenthood North Central States and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa.
Over the past decade, Mazie has held a variety of advocacy and communications roles throughout Iowa’s progressive community, including work on health care, labor, education, and disability advocacy. She also cut her teeth organizing for Planned Parenthood from 2014-2015, so her current role is a full-circle homecoming. Mazie earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa, along with a certificate in critical cultural competency.
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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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Gene McCracken is the Pastoral Care Associate available for this Sunday morning. Please email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance during the week. | |
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Celebrating Nicky Keller
From Barb Royal & Susan Jellinger
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A service to celebrate the life of Nicole Keller will take place at church on September 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Nicky was a long-time, beloved member and leader in our congregation who died of COVID in December 2020. Nicky’s family is working with church volunteers to plan the celebration.
Join this memorial via Zoom
Passcode: Nicky
If you wish to help out with the reception after the service, please go to this SignUp Genius and volunteer to bring cookies and/or help with one of the three working shifts or tasks of doing table flowers, washing table cloths. Because of the kitchen remodel we do not have access to serving platters, so we ask those bringing cookies to have them on a serving tray or plate. Thanks in advance for your support.
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A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 15, at 2:00 p.m. for longtime member Roger Evans, who died on August 6.
Please email memorialreceptions@ucdsm.org for more information.
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"Let's All Fall Together"
from the Ministry of Fun
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What: A time to come together, eat, and play, and enjoy the best time of the year in Iowa!
When: Sunday, September 25th, 2022 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Please attend after the Forum.)
Where: Pete Crivaro Park
This event is brought to you by the Ministry of Fun, an invention of ours after our meetings with Reverend Pyle when we asked what leadership could do for our congregation and he said bring them together and help them have fun. Challenge accepted!
We want to picnic and party as a church! Please bring a table service and a side or dessert toshare.
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Register Now for
Youth & Children's Programming!
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Grease Interceptor Complete!
from the Kitchen Project Committee
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The sidewalk over the newly installed kitchen grease interceptor was replaced Tuesday. This means the west entrance doors will be open for Sunday service September 18th. Thanks to Al Powers for the photo above.
Our gratitude to all who turned out for last Sunday’s Forum. Kitchen Project committee chairs each presented updates as we near actual work to begin inside the kitchen. All the appliances except the wall ovens have arrived; the ovens were damaged in transit and had to be returned. We don’t expect much of a delay in receiving the replacements.
Al Powers has made available a complete set of the contractor’s specifications drawings for folks to look over. He mentioned that there will be a delay in starting the inside work as our General Contractor has Covid. Marilyn Lantz and Ron Heideman reviewed the process of decommissioning the old kitchen and recycling much of the items removed. Fern Stewart discussed the selection of the stainless steel flatware and Corelle dishes which were on display. Karen Kraemer showcased the design samples selected for the kitchen interior: countertops, back splash tiles, stool and chair coverings, etc. Ann Mowery reported that to date we have spent $140,000 out of the $436,000 raised for the project. Emily Petty consolidated many of the previous Intercom update photos into five panels for display.
The KP Committee will be setting up a table display in the Reception area so those who could not attend Sunday can check out our progress to date. Fingers crossed, we might be able to commission our new kitchen by year’s end. As always, reach out to any of the committee members with your questions and watch this space for future updates!
See all updates on the Kitchen Project Page.
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Paganism 101
from Sacred Bridges CUUPS
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Sacred Bridges CUUPS will be teaching a Paganism 101 class this Fall. This class is an introduction to Paganism, Wicca, Witchcraft, Heathenism, and many other forms of religious philosophy often described as "New Age". This is an 8-week course that will run every Monday night starting September 12th at 7pm through November 7th. We will be skipping the Monday October 31st class to celebrate Samhain. Class will be held in the Stonewall Conference Room. This class is open to anyone interested in learning about Paganism, and is provided FREE to the public. We ask all attendees to please register through the event page. This is so we can provide enough materials for the class. If you need childcare during class please email us at sacredbridgescuups@gmail.com There will also be a zoom option for those who can not attend in person, but would still like to participate. This class will be taught by Lee, and Pam. We will meet in the Stonewall Conference room the first, second, and fourth Mondays. The third Monday will be in Griffin hall for the 8 weeks.
You can also join via Zoom!
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First Unitarian Humanist Update
from the First Unitarian Humanists
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Book Group
The next meeting of the Humanist book group will be on Sunday, September 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the church, when we will finish Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
Tour of the Metro Recycling Center
Join the Humanist group and the Green Team for a tour of the Metro Area Recycling Facility at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20. See the “Upcoming Events” section of today’s Intercom for more details, or talk to Warren Stine or Al Powers.
Iowa City Secular Humanists
If you can’t join us for the tour of the recycling center, you might want to join the Iowa City Secular Humanist September meeting. Kirk Witzberger will report on the national committee that is working on updating Article II of the UUA Constitution, which enumerates UU's principles and purposes. They will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20. You can join via Zoom. Click Article II for more information from the UUA.
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Iowa Justice Action Network
Fall 2022 Conference
from IUUWAN
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Iowa Justice Action Network will be holding their fall conference entitled "Advocating for Change: Stemming 50 Years of Mass Incarceration" at Valley Methodist Church in West Des Moines (also on Zoom) on Thursday September 29 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The conference, which is in partnership with The Sentencing Project, and supported by IUUWAN, features Ms. Alexandra Bailey as their keynote speaker. Richard Allen Hays, a UU from Cedar Valley UU, Cedar Falls is co-chair of Iowa Justice Action Network and has done great work advocating for change. The cost of the workshop is $25.00. Attending would be a great way to network and build relationships across Iowa to help change our "cradle to prison" pipe line.
To register, go to iowajusticeactionnetwork.org and click on the "Fall Conference" button, The registration opens from there.
You are also welcome to email iuuwan@ucdsm.org for more information.
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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.
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For a full list of upcoming meetings and events, please visit our church calendar. | |
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September Board Meeting Rescheduled
from the Board of Trustees
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In order to coordinate with Rev. Victoria's availability and the Executive Report data this month, the Board Meeting is rescheduled from September 15 to Thursday, September 22 at 6 p.m.
The agenda, reports, and previous meeting's minutes will be available on the website as usual prior to the meeting.
Join this meeting via Zoom
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Churchwide Coffeehouse!
Saturday, October 8, 6 – 8 p.m.
from Karen Kraemer
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Do you like to sing, give a reading, lead a meditation, dance, play an instrument? Drop in and share your talent with us on this open-mic night, and enjoy the wall of art on display in Griffin Hall created by our members! Do you enjoy music and art but try to avoid the limelight of the stage? Please plan to come and just be entertained!
No advanced sign-up is required. A stage and microphone will be provided as well as snacks and munchies, but please BYOB.
Come and let's spend a fun night celebrating music and the arts together! Because childcare is not available, this is a tween to adult low-key "chill" event. Inquiries or questions? Contact Karen Kraemer at choir@ucdsm.org.
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Join a Soul Matters Sharing Circle
from the Adult RE Committee
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You are invited to join a Soul Matters Sharing Circle for the 2022-2023 church year! Soul Matters participants cocreate safe, open space where to welcome one another and to connect with each other, with our deepest selves, and with the world. Engaging the themed curriculum and being fully present at the monthly 2-hour meeting will give your spirituality a boost and loneliness a warm salve.
There are four groups to choose from:
· Third Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m., Judy Davis’s home (1537 44th St, Des Moines), facilitated by Elaine Imlau and Judy Davis
· Third Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., church, facilitated by Tracy Beck
· Fourth Tuesday of the month, 10:00 am. Jo Fitz’s home (3825 127th St. Urbandale), facilitated by Jo Fitz and Susan Seitz
· Fourth Saturday of the month, 10:00 a.m., church or TBD, facilitated by Hilary Hippen-Leek
Soul Matters Sharing Circle registration has begun! Join us for small group conversations and reflections on the monthly themes. Find more information here and register HERE.
There’s a Soul Matters group especially for writers! Click here for more information.
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Tour of Metro Area Recycling Facility
from Green Sanctuary and the Humanist Group
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Ever wonder what happens to the cans and bottles that you put into your recycling bin? Here's your chance to find out! The Green Team and the Humanist Group are sponsoring a tour of the new Metro Area Recycling Center on Tuesday evening, September 20.
This recycling facility was opened last year at 4185 SE Beisser Dr. in Grimes and is expected to process 30,000 tons of residential single-stream recycling each year. The recovered cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, and metal is sorted, packaged and sold to be used to make new products. This reuse saves energy, reduces pollution, and reduces the strain on our landfills. The facility uses advanced technology such as optical scanners to help the employees efficiently sort the incoming material and reduce contamination of the recovered material.
There will be a short presentation with time for questions, and then we will go out onto the sorting floor to see the equipment. We will all meet for discussion over supper after the tour at VIVA Mexican Restaurant at 4531 86th St. in Urbandale.
Send a note to Humanist@ucdsm.org to let us know that you plan to attend, as we need a head count for both the tour and dinner. Talk to or email Warren Stine at Humanist@ucdsm.org or Ron Heideman at green@ucdsm.org if you have any questions.
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Rev. Victoria Safford Availability
September 11 – 26
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You may always reach me at vsafford@ucdsm.org or at 612-405-3318 (a cell number dedicated to church work). We can schedule a Zoom appointment when I am working remotely from St. Paul, or we can meet at church when I’m here in Des Moines. If you’d like to meet in person during an upcoming visit, please reach out to schedule an appointment!
Available times:
Fri. Sept. 23 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sat. Sept. 24 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Sun. Sept. 25 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Sept. 26 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Thurs. Sept. 29 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 1 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 2 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Please come if you have a pastoral concern (a sadness or some issue weighing on your heart), a spiritual query, a question or something you’d like me to know about congregational life (church programs, committees, or the ministry transition), or just come to introduce yourself and say hello!
You may schedule a personal meeting here.
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Event Childcare: By Request
from First Unitarian Staff
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We happily provide childcare for children aged 0-4 free-of-charge for church meetings, adult classes and workshops, and other church-wide programming. With events and programming starting up again as autumn begins, please remember to request childcare at least 10 business days before the applicable event using the following criteria:
- A minimum of three families OR a total of five children need childcare
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The request is made at least 10 business days in advance using the form on the Childcare page
In addition, please remember:
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If, after signing up, you find you are unable to attend, please notify our Childcare Coordinator at childcarecoordinator@ucdsm.org at least 24 hours in advance
- If this is not possible, please notify the person leading your event ASAP
- Please be sure to pick up your child within the agreed upon time frame
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Tim Wicker Gallery Display
from the Art Gallery Committee
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Tim Wicker is an abstract artist from Des Moines. He says that he is " Just another lost soul who found purpose in creating art. I found a spiritual awakening. All roads lead to God, I suppose. My works are my stepping stones throughout this journey," His work will be displayed in Griffin Hall this month and again in November.
See more of his work here.
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International Day of Peace
co-sponsored by First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
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First Unitarian Church of Des Moines has agreed to co-sponsor a Celebration of International Day of Peace, organized by Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace.
This Celebration of Peace is to be held on Wednesday September 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Peace Garden at Cowles Commons. The theme for this year's event is entitled "End Racism, Build Peace" featuring Dr. Ksho Scott as the keynote speaker, with special music provided by the Heartland Youth Choir's Chamber Choir. The service will explore the natural link between waging war and racism and will express a vision of peace and a position against war shared by all faith traditions.
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Grounds Works – Volunteers Welcome
Saturday, October 8
from the Grounds Council
| Mark your calendar. Grounds works day Saturday, October 8, 8:00 to 12:00 (ish). Long sleeves & pants are strongly recommended. We will be focusing on the area between Bell Ave & the steps from the lower parking lot. | |
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Volunteers Needed!
K–5 Faith Formation
from Birch Spick, Faith Formation Coordinator
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Do you care about nurturing the future of our congregation? Have you been looking for a way to support our Child & Youth Faith Formation program? This year, we are starting a new Faith Formation program, and we’re looking for 4-5 passionate volunteers to make it happen.
This class is for children in grades K-5 who are not enrolled in OWL. Facilitators will use a thematic curriculum, with a new theme each month matching the Soul Matters curriculum. Each session will have opportunities for youth to talk with each other about what the themes mean, to create art together, play together (outside if the weather permits!), engage in movement, dance, and/or music. Facilitators may draw from a variety of activities for each session in order to engage the different ages of youth and the talents of our facilitators.
Facilitators will be required to complete a background check through the church office prior to approval.
To learn more about volunteering for this opportunity, please contact our Faith Formation Coordinator, Birch Spick at ffoffice@ucdsm.org.
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Calling all writers!
from the UU Writers Group
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Sally Boeckholt and Sarah Lauer will be facilitating a UU Writers Group on the 3rd Monday each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Stonewall Conference room at First Unitarian, from September 2022 through June 2023.
UU Writers Group explores the monthly Soul Matters themes and engages in spiritual discernment through the art of creative writing.
Format and Approach
Monthly packets contain options for a personal warm up and 3-4 writing projects/exercises centered around the month’s theme.
Participants pick one of the writing exercises and work on it in advance of the group meeting. In the meeting, facilitators guide the group through a warm up exercise, sharing the pieces group members have written and a closing ritual.
The Vision
Writing is a long-loved path to personal insight, spiritual discernment and self-expression. By bringing the practice of writing to the exploration of our monthly themes, we hope to provide participants not only with another channel of self-discovery, but also with the gift of being witnessed in a new and precious way.
This packet provides a good example of what to expect each month.
Sign up today to join us on our journey of creative writing and spiritual exploration
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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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Request: Food & Personal Care Items for Local Food Pantries
from Carolyn Spencer
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I have been a volunteer at the Urbandale Food Pantry for over nine years. In this time I have seen the pantry grow from being in operation three days a week to now five days a week. The actual space of the pantry has also doubled in that time. I don't have the numbers of clients that used the pantry each month nine years ago but the numbers now are about 1200 families each month. The increase in the last few months has been almost double. The reasons for this increase are the lost of SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), USDA has reduced distribution by 30 percent and increased gas prices.
No one should have to choose between going hungry and paying rent, gas for the car or utilities. Each month the local pantries give out groceries to families that include milk, eggs, cheese, meat items, fresh fruits and veggies and several canned and boxed items so they have enough food for a week. Some personal items such as toilet paper, laundry soap, body wash and diapers are also given out.
I am asking for help in filling our Red Barrel with non-parishable food items and personal care items to be distributed to local food pantries. Bidwell Riverside Food Pantry, located withing less than two miles from our church and Urbandale Food Pantry are the two largest and most utilized pantries in the Greater Des Moines area and will be among the pantries where our donations will go.
I am asking you to please remember the many folks in our community that rely on pantries to stretch their food budget each month and bring an item or two or three each week you come church and I will see that they go to a local pantry.
Thank you for caring and giving what you can.
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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 | |
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Rev. Victoria Safford, Transitional Contract Minister
vsafford@ucdsm.org
Office phone: 515-244-8603 ext. 102
Cell: 612- 405-3318
Rev. Victoria's Fall 2022 Calendar
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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