A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315 | P: 515-244-8603 |
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This Sunday, November 14, 2021 |
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Adding an 8th Principle?
Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw
9:30 am in the Auditorium
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What is an 8th Principle and why would we want one? Aren't seven enough? Come and explore the thought behind the UUA's proposed 8th Principle.
Please mute your mic before the service begins!
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Forum
Exploring an 8th Principle
11:00 am in Griffin Hall
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Joys & Concerns for Sunday should be submitted by noon on Friday.
- Caring Ministry – for temporary assistance, such as meals or rides, or to volunteer
- Pastoral Care – for support through a difficult time
- Senior Minister – for an acute need (515-244-8603, ext. 102)
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Pastoral Care: November 14 - 20 |
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Jim Carty is the Pastoral Care Associate available for the week beginning at
10:30 am on Sunday, November 14. Email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance or call his telephone number in the church directory.
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This new section includes submissions featured for the first time
in the Intercom or that have significant updates. Items will then move to one of the other sections for up to an additional two weeks.
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Animal Traps on Church Property
from Charles Lewis, Director of Finance & Administration
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We’ve been experiencing a lot of property damage since last summer due to beavers, groundhogs, raccoons, and opossums. Ray Heenan, a certified trapper, is working with us to control these animals. Wherever possible he is using live traps and then relocating the animals approximately 50 miles away. However, there are some lethal traps down in the creek itself. Under no circumstances should anyone other than Mr. Heenan approach or touch any traps on church property. Once he has the situation under control, we’ll be able to remove the traps.
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An Important
COVID Vaccination Reminder
from Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw
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Because First Unitarian Des Moines wants our in-person events to be as safe as possible, please remember that anyone attending an event in the church or on the church grounds must be vaccinated if it is possible for them to be vaccinated. While we understand and welcome children under 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated, and those rare adults who cannot receive the vaccine for medical reasons, we do expect all other attendees to be vaccinated.
If you arrive for Sunday services and have not yet confirmed that you are vaccinated, please make sure that you highlight your name on our vaccination tracking sheet. You only have to do this once! A Board member or usher will have the sheet near the upper entry door to the auditorium.
Thank you for helping to keep our congregation and staff as safe as possible.
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November Women's Lunch Bunch |
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We gather again for lunch and conversation on Tuesday, November 16, at 11:30 am.
LOCATION: FireCreek Grill - 800 S. 50th St., West Des Moines
FUTURE: Always the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Location may
change, so watch the church calendar.
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Service Reflection Opportunity
from the Transgender Action Group
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The Transgender Action Group will be offering the service on November 28, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, in commemoration of Transgender Day of Remembrance/Resilience. If you would like to offer a brief reflection during this service, or if you have any questions about this opportunity to share, please email tag@ucdsm.org by Sunday, November 21.
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The Kitchen Project:
Last Chance for Feedback!
from the Kitchen Committee
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The Kitchen Project meetings have ended, but you can still submit your thoughts about the remodeling options directly to the committee at kitchencommittee@ucdsm.org. Our next step is to share all of your ideas and comments with our architect so our committee can work with their team to create a final plan that best reflects what we've learned about your likes and dislikes over the last three weeks. This new plan will then be presented to the Board on December 16 asking for their approval to move forward with a congregational vote in January. So stay tuned!
If you missed the introductory Forum on Oct. 17, a video of the presentation is available! You can also view the packet of information we handed out that outlines the three initial remodeling concepts from the architect. You can see the renderings currently in the Gathering Area. |
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Who is Just Voices?
from Harvey Harrison, Just Voices Champion
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Thank you, First Unitarian for selecting Just Voices Iowa as a recipient for your 2022 Faith In Action giving program. Our mission is to build a platform that educates, advocates, and collaborates to end racially-biased policing in Des Moines and across Iowa. We boldly envision a society free from racial oppression.
Using research and data collection, we know that there is great racial disparity in how Black and Latinx residents are policed in Des Moines. We talk to victims who have experienced emotional, life-changing trauma, not to mention economic impact from unjust racial profiling and systemic racism through the criminal justice systems. Through the stories, we bring the data to life in relevant and authentic ways.
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ACLU Workshops Coming Up
from Harvey Harrison
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Volunteers Make All the Difference
from the Grounds Committee
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Sixteen volunteers showed up on November 6 to work on the church grounds, and this small but mighty group accomplished the following: raked the leaves; finished the retaining wall by the west entrance except for some final brick cuts; swept all the walkways and patio; hauled mulch from the chip pile to the trail; planted and transplanted plants into the various beds; cleaned out the trash area; swept and straightened the shed; cleared all the drains around the building and grounds; straightened and installed parking signs; swept the roof for the winter; picked up trash; cleared the planters; trimmed trees and shrubs near street parking areas; trimmed back flower beds for the winter; and more.
Thanks to Theresa Miller, Al Powers, Chuck Mertes, Susan Jellinger, Liz and Larry Bredeson, Elaine Imlau, Ilene Fagen, Tom McFarland, Sandy Simmons, Doug Aupperle, Andrea and Robert LeMeuse and friend; Chris Rinner and Diane Ford. It was a beautiful day to be outside, made better by the tasty chili lunch provided by Chris!
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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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If you wish to add your meeting or event to our calendar, please contact: calendar@ucdsm.org
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Comfort Food Fundraiser This Sunday!
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Help us win again! Last year First Unitarian won the Family Promise Comfort Food Cook-Off with hot chicken salad casserole. This year our entry is apple crisp with caramel and ice cream. We need help with: making the apple crisp (recipe provided), purchasing single serving ice cream cups and/or dry ice, helping package items on the day of the event or buying a ticket and voting for our dessert!! Please contact Elaine Imlau at familypromise@ucdsm.org if you’re interested in helping.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Sunday, November 14, 2021
Time: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Pick up at West Des Moines Christian Church
How: Purchase tickets for $15/person starting 10/7 (don't wait - last year we sold out!) Tickets will include the time for you to pick up the selection of food samples. Online voting instructions will be provided with your food.
Please mark your calendar with the remaining 2021-2022 hosting weeks:
- September 26-October 3, 2021 (At Faith Lutheran Duplex)
- January 2-9, 2022 (Tentatively onsite at First Unitarian)
- March 20-27, 2022 TBD
- June 12-19, 2022 TBD
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Host a Food Fair Pop-up Potluck! |
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Anyone interested in hosting a potluck dinner in your home? Interested in attending a potluck dinner?
Our Food Fair in-person events calendar for November through January is empty after November 6. Hosts would provide the main dish, guests bring items requested from host and all contribute $20 to the church through the giving link on the church website or writing a check to the church. Guest will sign up through Signup Genius; checks will be collected and online contributions made at each dinner event.
Contact Elaine Imlau to be a host via Facebook Messenger or via email at foodfair@ucdsm.org.
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New Staff Hired; Looking for More |
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Rev. Shaw and our HR Committee are excited to announce the hiring of two new staff members:
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Hannah Notch began as our new Social Media and Executive Support Specialist on November 2.
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Emily Petty began as our new Communications Coordinator on November 9.
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Childcare Staff Needed!
If you or someone you know is 18+ (16+ welcome to apply with good references from school or job) and loves children, First Unitarian is looking for you! We are hiring childcare staff for Sundays, Wednesday evenings, and special events. We offer part-time, flexible hours at $15 an hour. All applicants must pass a background check. If you are interested, please email Rev. Shaw to apply today! |
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Entrance Planters Need a Facelift
from the Grounds Committee
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We have several outside planters that have been empty during the pandemic. We need creative volunteers to spruce them up for the winter season, and help design the live plantings for the spring and summer season. There is room in the Grounds budget to help purchase the necessary items. This is a perfect opportunity for a family or two to "adopt" the planters and give back to the church in a fun and creative way!
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Save the Date! FAFUMAF is back!
from the Stewardship Team
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Mark your calendars for the evening of Saturday, February 26, 2022. Join fellow members and friends at the 2nd annual First Unitarian Music and Art Festival. We will take over the entire church for a night of celebration. Live music, great original art, unique gifts and food. Fun for the entire family!
If you liked last year’s event, consider helping us make this year’s event even better! We need artists, musicians, technical folks, product and graphic designers, event planners. All are invited to lend their talents to FAFUMAF 2! We welcome any suggestions or ideas to make this event even more fabulous. Contact the Stewardship Team to help out or for more information at stewardship@ucdsm.org.
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Lens of the Future Update
Current Level: Very High
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The metrics for both Des Moines and Polk County have remained stable this past week. The number of daily new cases decreased slightly from 30.5 to 27.8 per 100,000 population in the past week and the infection rate remains above 1.0. The risk level for Des Moines and Polk County continues to be VERY HIGH. This reflects the current trend for Iowa and for the whole country, with many locations showing a slight increase in the number of cases. The policies that were approved by the Board on Oct. 7 continue in effect.
Our current policy continues to allow an unlimited number of people to attend events in the church, but requires everyone attending indoor events to be fully vaccinated and wear facial coverings.
The LENS committee continues to follow the metrics and will recommend changes in the current policy as conditions continue to evolve.
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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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Faith in Action Partners
Knock and Drop | Just Voices
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Our current partnerships run from September 2021 through August 2022. They were selected by our members at our June 2021 annual meeting. The organizations are: |
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Our Champion is Gene McCracken
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Our Champion is Harvey Harrison
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Knock and Drop will be doing a Christmas adopt-a-family project again this year! We provided wonderful support last year and trust that we will again this year. Stay tuned for details. Thanks for your support of this Faith in Action partner!
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Invitation to Join Us!
From the FEDS Team
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Since 2008, our FEDS Team (Feed Every Deserving Soul/Stomach) has helped prepare and serve evening meals at the Central Iowa Shelter (for the homeless) on a monthly basis. This effort has been appreciated, and we have felt a connection with the homeless clients we help feed and, in the process, a connection with each other. After several months during which COVID-19 restrictions barred outsiders from the shelter, we have resumed serving meals there.
We'd like you to consider joining us! In a few weeks, we'll send out an invitation for volunteers to sign up to help in the coming months. If you would like to be invited, or even if you are just curious, please contact Bruce Martin by email or phone. His information is in the church directory.
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Update from Pachamama Alliance - Iowa
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Staff Office Hours & Contact Info |
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Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw, Senior Minister
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Scheduled appointments only)
Saturday: By appointment only
Charles Lewis, Director of Finance and Administration
Monday - Friday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm CT (available by phone or email)
Zoom meetings available on request
Devon McClurken, Director of Faith Formation
Tuesday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Emily Petty, Communications Coordinator
Tuesdays: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Other times by appt.
Hannah Notch, Social Media and Executive Support Specialist
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 7:00 am.
- 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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