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

515-244-8603

Who Are We Now?

with Reverend Garmon

As Unitarian Universalism grows and changes (in the midst of a wider culture also growing and changing), every generation or so we need to re-articulate our covenant to express who we are now as well as to put into the terms most salient to the current time, who we always have been.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before

the service begins!)



Zoom may not be available.

Delegates to UUA General Assembly 2024 will be voting on the proposed revision of Article II for the UUA Bylaws. The Adult Programming Team is providing a time for congregants to share their reflections regarding Rev. Garmon’s sermon; to ask questions, and discuss how the proposed revision of Article II could impact our congregation. Members of the Board of Trustees will also be available to share their thoughts about Article II and answer questions. This link will send you to our new page on our church website related to this topic. Here you will find detailed information about the Proposed Revision to Article II.

Zoom

Meeting ID: 856 2018 2535

Passcode: 865068

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

There will be no children and youth programming on

03/10 and 03/17 while metro schools are on spring break.

Regular programming will resume on 03/24.

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.

Adult Programming

Adult programming classes are starting soon! Register now!

• Circle Suppers forming now - Groups of 8 meet for supper to get to know each other better
• Compassionate Communication: Saturday March 23 Saturday session led by Rev. LoraKim Joyner: have healthy and rewarding relationships
• Metaphysical Awakening book group: Starts March 26 - A 6-month book group explores the upcoming book by Michael Lewis
• Bird Walks in Spring: March 31, April 13, April 28 These lively hands-on sessions will meet at area parks with Rev. LoraKim Joyner
• UU Wellspring Reads: Sacred Earth: Starts April 14 - This 6-session group led by Susan Huber and Linda Goff explores Braiding Sweetgrass
• Tai Chi (on-going) Moving meditations led by Kathy Mercuris moves outdoor as the weather improves
• Connection Circles - Join 150 other First U members in 8-person circles to grow spiritually and meet others

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Afghan Family Update

Things are happening fast this week for the family. Tuesday everyone got vaccinated and signed up for school. The two high schoolers started Wednesday at Lincoln HS, the middle schoolers started Thursday at Brody and the elementary two will start at Jefferson after spring break. Mom will sign up for English classes at LSI on Monday. Volunteer opportunities are still available. Signup here. If you would like to give financially, click here. Be sure to click the dropdown and choose the Afghan Fund.

mUUvie Discussion Group

Saturday, March 9th from 7:00-9:30 p.m.

in Griffin Hall

To align with March's spiritual theme of generosity, please join us to watch and discuss "Please Give." This 2010 dark comedy centers on Kate (Catherine Keener), an affluent woman with a guilt complex, who attempts to befriend her elderly neighbor in hopes of buying her apartment after the old woman's death so she can expand her own living space. The movie's rendering of complex characters in a conflicted economic landscape is varied, hilarious, and touching.

Popcorn will be provided. Please bring your own drinks.

RSVP to mUUvie@ucdsm.org so we know that you are coming, to ask questions, and to offer ideas for future movies!

Talent Limited/A Monthly Reading Group

Sunday, March 10th at 5:00 p.m.

at The Towers Club

Our small group of would-be thespians has been meeting since June 2023 on the 2nd Sunday of each month. We invite you to join us on Sunday, March 10th, for a play chosen, directed and read by our members. We gather at 5:00 p.m. for a potluck so bring your beverage of choice and something to share. The reading begins at 6:00 and we are usually finished by 7:00 p.m. The event is held in the party room at The Towers Club, 3663 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. All are welcome!

UU Women's Lunch Bunch

Tuesday, March 12th from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

at the Fire Creek Grill

Please join our monthly women's luncheon held the second Tuesday every month at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fire Creek Grill, 800 S 50th St, Ste 110, West Des Moines, IA 50265. It's a great place for lively conversation and connection. RESERVATIONS are required. Please contact admin@ucdsm.org if you plan to attend.

First Unitarian Humanist Update

** Watch Party: Saturday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m.

Our watch party series will continue at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines. Send a note to info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information.

** Book Group: Sunday, March 17th at 12:00 p.m.

The Humanist book group meets on the first and third Sunday of each month in the south conference room. You can join in person or via Zoom.  We will be discussing chapters 34 and 35 of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll.

Des Moines City Council Candidates Forum

Sunday, March 17th at 11:15 a.m.

in the Auditorium

Three of the six announced candidates have confirmed! We are working on the others. Thanks to Mike Andreski for agreeing to emcee this forum.

We are looking for questions you may have for the candidates. Click here to access the survey. Please note, the survey will close March 11th. Please mark your calendar, plan to attend and submit questions if you have them. Thanks!

Path of Membership Opportunities

Whether you are ready to commit to membership at First Unitarian, or just curious to know more about us, we offer regular opportunities for visitors and prospective members to learn more about our congregation and Unitarian Universalism.

• Our next "UU 101" class on history and identity will be Saturday, March 16th, from 1:00-3:00PM.
• Our next "cUUriosity Conversation" for new visitors to ask questions about us will be on Sunday, April 7th, immediately after service until 12:00PM.
• Our next "UU 201" class on membership and life at First Unitarian will be on Saturday, April 20th, from 1:00-3:00PM.

Please contact Birch Spick, our Congregational Life Coordinator, at cloffice@ucdsm.org with any questions. You can read more about our Path of Membership here.

Unity Circle

Thursday, March 21st at 12:00 p.m.

[Please note: this date is different from the one in the Unity Circle Booklet]

We will be meeting for lunch and a program. Our speaker will be Tim Coughennower from the Des Moines Police Department! His talk will be based on his assessment of our church security and safety procedures.

Please bring a dish to share, and your own table service and a cup for your beverage. Looking forward to seeing you there!

"Speaking Grief" Movie Screening

Friday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

in Griffin Hall

Let's get better at grief.

On Friday, March 22, the Grief Support Circle is hosting a viewing of the documentary "Speaking Grief." All are invited to the screening, because we can all get better at grief. From the documentary's website: "Speaking Grief helps us move away from the idea that grief is a problem that needs to be 'fixed' and illustrates that grief is a universal, yet individual experience." Film will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Griffin Hall, with cookies and beverages available. A short discussion time will follow.

Contact pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for more information.

Introduction to Compassionate Communication

Saturday, March 23rd from 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

in Griffin Hall

In this introductory workshop participants will engage in discussion, learning, and exercises that show how to have healthy and more rewarding relationships, especially with one’s self.

This workshop is facilitated by Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication. Please click here for more information.

Click to Register.

This workshop is free, though we encourage donations that will offset the cost of the workshop to One Earth Conservation.

Sacred Bridges CUUPS: Ostara

Saturday, March 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

in the Labyrinth

Join us for a Magical Ostara Celebration with Sacred Bridges CUUPS! As the wheel of the year turns and the promise of spring fills the air, we invite you to join our community for a joyous Ostara celebration.

Nestled within the serene embrace of our labyrinth, we'll come together to honor this sacred time of balance and renewal.

For more information click here. Let's welcome the light, embrace the warmth, and celebrate the beauty of Ostara together!

"Metaphysical Awakening" Book Club

Starting Tuesday, March 26th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Join us for our book club where we will meet with author, Michael Lewis, and explore his book in weekly Tuesday evening sessions (March 26th-August 27th).

Register here.

Trans Lives Fest - Volunteers Needed

Saturday, March 30th from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Trans Lives Fest is First Unitarian's largest public-facing event. Last year, over 700 folx attended! We need your help to make the 2024 Trans Lives Fest another successful First U event! The festival is at First Unitarian Church on March 30, 2024, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

We need volunteers to help before, during, and after the event! Note that volunteer shifts are shorter this year, so we encourage you to sign up for more than one shift to help us fill all the slots. Questions? Contact tag@ucdsm.org. Thank you!

Sign up here to volunteer.

Fellowship, Food and FUNds (FFF 24)

Submissions due April 8

Sale April 27-28

Our annual food fair fundraiser, Fellowship Food and FUNds, is coming up at the end of April! Do you like to plan or host dinner parties? Do you like to help others throw a party? Have some fun ideas for activities culminating in a meal together? Do you love to cook or bake? We need you and your talents to help raise money for the church and have a great time getting to know people better.

Submission forms for events and food items for auction available here.

More information will be available after Sunday services and on the website. For questions or to volunteer to help with the sale, email foodfair@ucdsm.org.

Artwork in Griffin Hall

The artwork hanging in Griffin Hall are a few of the Trans-life artists who will be displaying at the Trans Lives Fest coming up at the end of the month.

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

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

Search Committee

We are looking for a few good search committee members! The Board of Trustees will begin the ministerial search process on Sunday afternoon, March 10. We will start with phone calls to all member households on 3/10 and continue over the next few weeks until we’ve contacted everyone. One purpose of these calls is to surface names for our Search Committee. After we have finished our phone calls with each of you, we will work with our Nominations Committee to produce a slate of 7 candidates for the Search Committee. This slate will be voted upon by the congregation at the June annual meeting. Once selected by the congregation, the Search Committee begins their work.

For more complete details about what it means to serve on the Search Committee, please click Ministerial Transition. This will take you to our website page dedicated to this transition.

Igniting the Fire of Commitment: Early Pledge Results Are In

Last Saturday night, we kicked off the annual stewardship campaign to raise the funds for the church year which begins 7/1/2024.

As of this week, we have raised over $195K from 55 families. THANK YOU!

Our theme is “Igniting the Fire of Commitment” – the commitments we make truly make a difference in Central Iowa. We offer a home to people of many beliefs about what matters, and we come together here to build a “home fire” that welcomes and warms all who come through our doors.

While the budget is still being developed, the more we collectively commit, the more we can do together. We are grateful for the thoughtful and generous gifts you make to keep our church the strong and vibrant community that it is.

You can make a pledge by returning your pledge card (mailed or picked up at church), or pledge online: 2024-25 Pledge

With gratitude - The Stewardship Team

Questions? Contact us at stewardship@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.

Here it is...Your Moment of Zen

When Raven was living near Jackrabbit Roshi, she visited him frequently to inquire about the Way. One day she asked, "I hear that Buddha Macaw looked up from the branch of her Jobo tree and saw the morning star and announced her realization. I get the feeling that something is missing from the story. What happened when she saw the star?" Jackrabbit laid back his ears, closed his eyes, and said, "She realized the truth of mutually dependent arising." "Well," thought Raven, "Jackrabbit Roshi seems to know his Buddhism, but maybe I'm not a Buddhist." See full post here.

Who Do I Contact for...?

Please refer to the corresponding email based on your request or inquiry.

Financial Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Pledge Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Administrative Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Communication Requests: communications@ucdsm.org

Building Use Requests: hnotch@ucdsm.org

All Other Inquiries: mgarmon@ucdsm.org

Intercom Weekly Submissions

Deadline: Wednesday @ 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!

Helpful Hints:

• 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

• 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. Please contact the office for more information.