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

P: 515-244-8603

Use Your Words

with Rev. Victoria Safford

Celebrant: Louise Alcorn

Pianist: Bruce Martin

Song Leader: Barbara Martin

Choir Director: Karen Kraemer

A/V volunteer: Bill Paxson

Pastoral Care: Gene McCracken

Hospitality Coord.: Terry Meek 

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)

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 
• Please note: the Caring Ministry phone number is now
• 515-244-8603 ext. 108
• Pastoral Care – for support through a difficult time 

Gene McCracken is the Pastoral Care Associate available for this Sunday morning. Please email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance during the week.

There will be no childcare provided this Sunday, November 13.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

-Staff

Community Conversations

Your Board of Trustees and Rev. Victoria Safford invite you to take part in a “Community Conversation” to share concerns and hopes for our beloved church community. These small-group conversations, 90 minutes each, will he hosted by the Board and facilitated by Victoria. They’re an opportunity to listen and share, to talk about losses and concerns at church, and also about healing and hope.

To view the Community Conversation schedule, and to sign up, click here.

From Rev. Victoria Safford

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 or in your home when I’m here in Des Moines., or simply talk by phone. If you’d like to meet in person during an upcoming visit, please reach out to schedule an appointment!  

Thursday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 21 at 9:00 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4 between 1 and 6:00 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 find my fall schedule, with in-person visits here.

Coffee on Zoom Sundays

from Rev. Victoria Safford

I miss seeing you all on the Sundays when I am taking part in the services on Zoom. I’d love to “have coffee” with you on those Sundays right after the service, just to chat and say hello. I think we can do this in a way to include live participants as well as our “zoom congregation.” If you’re willing to help with this about once a month (twice in January), by opening a zoom call in a quiet place at church (probably the Minister’s office), let me know. I’d love to work with you to make this happen if we can.

Thanks! - Victoria

Welcome New Members!

from the Congregational Life Committee

Faith Formation Family Gathering

from Birch Spick, Faith Formation Coordinator

Attention UCDSM Families! Join us for food, fellowship, and fun on Sunday, November 13, from noon to 2 PM at the Hayes Household. We’ll provide pizza, soup, snacks, and drinks. Activities include a bonfire and s'mores, zip-lining, paddling, soccer, and other outdoor games. Dress for the weather, we will be outside. In the event of rain, our alternate date will be Sunday 11/20, same time & place. We look forward to seeing you all!

Coordinator Needed –

Holiday Giving Tree

We are in need of a coordinator to organize our annual giving tree. We have ten families from Family Promise, a Congolese family a church team is assisting and perhaps others on our list for holiday gift giving. If interested contact Birch Spick at the church office (515-244-8603 ext. 106) before Thanksgiving on November 24.

First Unitarian Humanist Update

Book Group

The Humanist book group will meet on Sunday, November 20, at 12:00 noon, right after the forum. We will be discussing chapters 4 and 5 of Cosmos by Carl Sagan. Everyone is invited to participate, either in person or via Zoom.

UUSIC Secular Humanist Meeting

The UU Secular Humanist group in Iowa City has invited us to join them via Zoom for their November meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 15. Donna Simonton will facilitate a discussion about sexual freedom pre 1969, after Roe v Wade, where we are now, what's to come: Sex, drugs, and the rocky role of government in our not so personal lives. Use this link to join the meeting.

Unity Circle November 17

Unity Circle will meet Thursday, November 17, at noon for a potluck and speaker. All are invited to attend.

The speaker will be Randy Evans who is a former member of the church. He is a retired award-winning journalist and former Des Moines Register editorial page editor, state editor, news editor, and assistant news editor. Randy is currently the executive director of the Iowa Center for Public Affairs and executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. He also writes a column for Cityview. 

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.

Want to publicize your church event? We have a form for that!

Visit our "Our Events" page to fill out the form.

Email communications@ucdsm.org with any questions.

Holiday Services

from Rev. Victoria Safford

Here’s a brief snapshot; watch for more information soon!

Saturday December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday December 25: No service. Watch for information announcing an informal social gathering at church!

Sunday January 1: 11am Happy New Year! Join Barb and Bruce Martin, and Karen Kraemer, for a service of singing, at 11:00 a.m.

UU Board Game Night

November 12, 6–10 p.m.

Back by popular demand (thanks, Dylan, Mark, and Theresa)!

Whether you like casual games such as Scrabble or prefer complex strategy games, please join fellow UU friends in Griffin Hall for a night of tasty snacks, good food, and fun games. Bring your favorite game as well as any beverages or snacks you might want to share.

Save The Dates!

from AMOS

What: Seminars on How Community Land Trusts (CLTs) Create Permanent Affordable Housing

When: Wednesday, November 16, & Thursday, November 17

Why: CLT’s are a way to create affordable housing that stays affordable forever and looks like other properties in the neighborhood so it's welcomed by the neighbors! Whether you are hearing about CLT’s for the first time and want to learn more or are a seasoned advocate for affordable housing, plan to attend one or more of these informative trainings on November 16 and 17.

Email amosevents@ucdsm.org for more information.

Awakening Heart Sangha

In-Person Half-day Retreat

Saturday, November 19

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Griffin Hall

Awakening Heart Sangha is offering a half-day, in-person retreat in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh to anyone who would like to share a morning of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and circle sharing. We would especially like to invite anyone who would like to see an in-person weekly meditation group restarted at First Unitarian Church. During our discussion time, each person will have an opportunity to share their wishes and aspirations for Sangha and together we will discuss creative ways to go forward that will meet the needs both of people who prefer to meet in person and those who prefer to meet by zoom, as Awakening Heart Sangha is doing now.

Please arrive around 8:45 a.m. so that you can settle in and be ready to start at 9:00 am. There will be hot water for tea and a simple snack.

If you have questions, please email awakeningheartsangha@gmail.com or contact Debra Rodgers or Karen Massetti Miller. 

Progressive Voices

Concert Series Returns!

After a two-season hiatus from live, in person shows, the Progressive Voices Concert Series is returning for its 12th season at First Unitarian Church! This season's lineup of nationally-touring singer-songwriters includes both some past favorites and new faces to our stage:

• Peter Mayer -- December 3, 2022  
• Joe Jencks -- March 4, 2023  
• Kysona -- April 22, 2023
• Ellis Delaney -- May 20, 2023

All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. in the church auditorium. Single tickets are $22 in advance and $27 at the door, or a four-show season ticket (with added perks) is $78. Tickets may be purchased online here or in person at church the four Sundays before each show. More information can be found here, and questions can be emailed to concerts@ucdsm.org.

A Note from Your Board

We have been so pleased to see so many faces in our auditorium of late, as well as the participation on zoom. How wonderful it is to feel the energy and see so many people attending, not only Sunday activities, but the many other activities going on in our church again!

Your board has been busy this year creating an atmosphere in our meetings of planning for our future and allowing for deeper discussions of the best ways to move forward. This work is guided by our goals for the year which were determined by your input last year.

At our October meeting we revisited those goals with the intention of determining our progress on and what, if anything, needed to be addressed and possibly moved to a committee for action. We were very pleased to see there were many things already accomplished or in progress. Draft minutes for this meeting can be seen on the website under the “Our Governance” tab.

At this month’s meeting, on November 17th, we plan to discuss the focus for our stewardship drive and the timeline for our budget process. Please join us on the 17th at 6 p.m. either in person or via Zoom. Our meetings are always open, and your presence is always appreciated.

Reba Eagles, President

Poinsettias For the Holidays

Let’s bring a vibrant dose of color into the auditorium this holiday season! Order a poinsettia; have it dedicated to the memory or honor of a special person or event; enjoy it at the serviceon Sunday, December 11th; and then take it home with you!

Orders are due by Tuesday November 29, 2022.

Make your check payable to First Unitarian with “Poinsettia” in the memo line. Place it in the offering basket, Hannah Notch’s office mailbox, or mail it with this form to:

Holiday Flowers

First Unitarian Church

1800 Bell Ave.

Des Moines IA 50315

Plants will be red with gold wrapping on the pot.

6.5-inch potted plant (5-9 blooms) is $13.50x ________ plants

8-inch potted plant (12-15 blooms) is $25.50x ________ plants

Enclosed is a check made out to First Unitarian Church.

Name: ____________________________________

Phone number: ____________________

Please complete the following for listing in the Dec. 11 Order of Service:

In MEMORY of _______________________________________________________________

In HONOR of _______________________________________________________________

November Griffin Gallery Artist

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.



See more of his work here.

First Unitarian to Represent at the

Comfort Food Cook-Off!

We are participating in friendly competition at the 2022 Family Promise of Greater Des Moines Comfort Food Cook-Off! 

Help us raise money for Family Promise of Greater Des Moines in their 10th annual Comfort Food Cook Off fundraiser Sunday, November 13th from 4-6 at West Des Moines Christian Church. Help shop for ingredients or cook beforehand, help setup, serve, or clean up at the event. This year our entry will be tortellini soup and garlic bread. Sign up here.

Or buy a ticket to taste the dishes and vote for favorites!. A People's Choice Award is given to the dish receiving the most votes (donations) from attendees and celebrity judges choose the traveling “Pot Trophy”winner. Join the fun on Sunday, Nov.13 at WDM Christian Church from 5 – 7 p.m. Tickets are only $15 and all proceeds help families experiencing homelessness. 

Purchase tickets at familypromisedm.org or by calling 515-277-7051

Affordable Housing

Like You've Never Seen Before!

from AMOS

Come learn about Community Land Trusts, a new and exciting concept that allows affordability to last forever.

Sign up today!

WHAT: In-depth sessions on community land trusts by Jason Webb, America's CLT expert

WHEN: Wednesday, November 16 and Thursday, November 17, 2022 (multiple sessions)

WHERE: Grace United Methodist Church- 3700 Cottage Grove Des Moines 50311

DEADLINE: Registration closes Monday, November 14, 2022

Event Contact: Cheryl Long, First Unitarian Des Moines amosevents@ucdsm.org

Share, Community, Action Gathering:

Intersection of

Climate Justice and Gender

from Pachamama Alliance – Iowa

Our next Gathering will be on Sunday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We’ll continue our discussion of Paul Hawken’s book Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation.

We will be discussing “Intersection of climate justice and gender”. This session will focus on data revealing gender gaps that must be intentionally closed. In preparation, please read these sections from Regeneration:

• Women and Food pp 128-129
• Soul Fire Farm Leah Penman pp. 130-133 and
• Education of Girls pp 136-137. 

Click here for more information.

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:

Hawthorn Hill

Our Champion is Sally Boeckholt

Let's Talk

Our Champion is Ellen Taylor

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