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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, August 28, 2022
9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium & via Zoom
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Always Becoming
with Kathryn Sutton
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Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos. Let us notice the liminal spaces: disruptions and transitions in life that carry us through our unending becoming.
Join the live service on Zoom!
Zoom Passcode: Safford
(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)
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No Forum
Forums are over for the 2021-2022 church year. Please join us this autumn when we resume our regularly scheduled programming!
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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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Pastoral Care: August 28 – Sept. 3 | |
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Gene McCracken is the Pastoral Care Associate available for the week beginning at
10:30 a.m. this Sunday. Email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance or call the Associate's telephone number in the church directory.
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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.
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! Expect a potluck of sides and desserts, and lots of great company.
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mUUvie Night September 11 | |
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Sunday, September 11, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Church - Griffin Hall/Gathering Space
Imitating Life - This film follows the unlikely but true story of photographer Suzanne Heintz, and an extraordinary act of defiance that catapults her life, and art, into the social media spotlight. She creates a mannequin family and embarks on a global crusade against societal pressure to conform, resulting in a raw, funny and intimate portrait of life through her lens. Part comedy, part drama, part real life – we witness it all.
Note: This film was not shown when it was scheduled in July - our apologies for the inconvenience.
RSVP to muuvie@ucdsm.org so we can gauge the number of attendees and send you a reminder message!
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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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First Unitarian Humanist Update
from the First Unitarian Humanists
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The Humanist book group will meet on Sunday, September 4, at 11:00 AM at the church. We are continuing to read Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari and will cover chapter 18 on the 4th. We will be starting to read Cosmos by Carl Sagan in October. Everyone is invited, either in person or via Zoom. | |
Kitchen Project Closer to
Actual Construction Work!
from the Kitchen Project Committee
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The Kitchen Project Committee has been juggling many balls in the air this past month. Here is a rundown of what's been happening; but, for even more info, be sure to attend the Forum at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, following the morning service. Samples will be on display, the anticipated schedule will be announced, and all your questions answered.
Grease Interceptor Installed
Waldinger Company made quick work of putting the separator box in place after the hole was dug. If you missed seeing it in-person, the photo below shows just how huge the box is. A crane was needed to lift it into place!
Now we wait for the concrete guys to restore the sidewalk. It is exciting to seethis piece of the project done.
Note: The west doors will remain closed until the sidewalk work is complete. The south entrance is the alternative handicapped entrance.
For more details, please see the Kitchen Project page.
A Shoutout to the KP Team
Many recent KP updates have commented on how much of these spring and summer months have seemed to be "hurry up and wait," but now we are able to report the fruition of much work done behind the scenes to prepare us for the start of actual contruction of our new First Unitarian Kitchen. Here's to those who have been diligent in tehir research, sourcing, measuring, pricing, and selecting of all the parts that will make our new kitchen a place for generations to enjoy: Dagny Fidler, Eric Hayes, Pat Headley, Ron Heideman, Karen Kraemer, Marilyn Lantz, Mary Ellen Miller, Ann Mowery, Al Powers, and Janet Thurtell.
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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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Bob Glass Memorial
from the Memorial Reception Committee
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Bob Glass's celebration of life will be held at our church on September, 11th at 2:00 p.m. with coffee and sweets to follow. Chocolate will be involved.
We need four volunteers to compile remembrance bags (bags and filling provided by Barb and other family) about an hour before Bob's 2 pm service on Sunday, September 11. Please sign up here if you are able to volunteer. We'll set the bags out for attendees to take after the memorial.
Questions? Contact Susan Jellinger at memorialreceptions@ucdsm.org.
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Nicky Keller Memorial Reception | |
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We are finally able to honor long-time member Nicky Keller after her death from Covid in December 2020. If you wish to help out with her memorial reception, please go to this SignUp Genius and sign up for bringing cookies and/or 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.
A service to celebrate the life of Nicole Keller will take place at church on September 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
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Calling All Youth in 8th and 9th Grade (And Your Families)!
from Coming of Age
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Do you have a youth in your family who will be in 8th or 9th grade this fall? We would love to meet them, and enjoy a fun evening with your whole family.
Who are we?
We are the facilitators and mentors of our church’s Coming of Age Program.
What is Coming of Age?
Coming of Age (COA) is a Unitarian Universalist program designed specifically for young teens who are in the transition from childhood to youth. Our program is centered on opportunities for youth to explore their values, have fun, try new things, have fun, meet new friends, have fun, discover what it means to be a UU - and have fun!
Friday 8/26/2022
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Dinner at 6:00 p.m.)
Location: Easter Lake Park Shelter #1
Potluck
Drinks provided
Please RSVP with the # in your family to COA@ucdsm.org.
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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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Long-time member Roger Evans died peacefully Saturday morning, August 6th at Legacy Point Independent Living Skilled Care in Waukee. A service will be held at a later date. His wife, Jean, is currently at Mercy West dealing with her own health issues. Updates will follow. | |
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Volunteers Needed!
Family Promise Hosting Week
August 28 – September 4
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Family Promise of Greater Des Moines (FPGD) assists families experiencing homelessness through a network of 14 area faith-based host congregations that provide clean, safe overnight shelter and nutritious meals for a period of one week every season. The host congregations provide each family with a private room for sleeping as well as dinner and food for breakfast and for packing a lunch.
Each time our church hosts, about 100 volunteer job slots are filled to assist with meals, kitchen clean-up, driving, and serving as evening and overnight hosts. Check out the available slots here!
Not able to volunteer, but want to support the program? Signup for donations in kind for our setup here.
Thanks for your involvement and support!
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Renewing Our Memorial
Reception Committee
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It is time to create a new list of volunteers willing to help with memorials and receptions. Hopefully, many of the 'old guard' re-up and many 'new guard' sign-up to try this out. For a scheduled memorial reception, First Unitarian offers to provide coffee, tea, water, and cookies. A family may choose to provide additional items.
Generally, First Unitarian has 3 shifts around a memorial: set-up, serving, and clean up with 3–4 people per shift. Plus, there are other tasks: multiple people making or buying 2–3 dozen cookies each, 1 or 2 people washing the tablecloths/towels, and sometimes we may need 2 people to usher and 1 or 2 people to do table decor/flowers.
"I know these are solemn occasions, yet we find ways to enjoy being together and doing the work," says Susan Jellinger.
If you have questions or if you're ready to become a part of this helpful crew providing this important service, please contact committee chair Susan Jellinger (she/her/hers) at memorialreceptions@ucdsm.org.
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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: | |
Our Champion is Gene McCracken
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Our Champion is Harvey Harrison
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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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