A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315 | P: 515-244-8603 |
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This Sunday, June 12, 2022 |
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Heart and Soul: Art and Music as Spiritual Practice
with Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw
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Art and music help us to express some of our deepest longings and most true thoughts. Come and explore art and music as theology!
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.
- 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: June 5 — 11 |
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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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Conversations With Rev. David Pyle, MidAmerica UUA Regional Lead & Congregational Life Consultant
from the Board of Trustees
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Rev. Pyle will hold a congregational meeting on Saturday, June 18th at 11:00 am. Everyone is welcome. He plans to have a conversation with us about how we are moving forward as a congregation without a full-time minister. He will be answering questions from the congregation and having a dialogue with us about our next steps. While this is Rev. Pyle’s first visit to Des Moines, it is in no way his last.
Rev. Pyle will also be available for individual conversations by appointment on the afternoon of Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th. For an appointment, please email BoardofTrustees@ucdsm.org.
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2022 UCDSM Board of Trustees Meeting:
Ministerial Transitions/
Interim Search Update – June 7
from the Board of Trustees
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Sunday evening, June 5, members of the board of trustees met with the members of the interim ministry advisory committee via zoom. The subject of the meeting was to discuss the vetting the advisory committee had done of an interim minister candidate who indicated interest in our congregation in the UUA search process. Due to the topic being a review of potential personnel, and the expectations for privacy of candidates in the UUA process prior to final decisions being made, the session was not open beyond board and committee members’ participation.
The committee members reported unanimous agreement that the candidate under consideration would be a good fit for the needs of our congregation, and recommended we further pursue the candidate by indicating to the UUA the following day, pursuant to their process, we were affirmatively interested in having this individual as our interim minister. After a discussion inclusive of participation by every person present the unanimous consensus was to accept the recommendation.
Monday morning June 6, I contacted the UUA transitions office and indicated our affirmative interest in the candidate, as the process requires. Late in the day, I received a message from the UUA transitions office that the candidate was planning to submit their preferences among competing congregations late that evening, or the following morning, June 7. Based on a communication late this afternoon, Tuesday June 7, with UUA transitions staff it appears likely the candidate will choose to prioritize a different option, although that is not yet a final and accomplished fact.
While awaiting final word from UUA and the candidate, Vice President Reba Eagles and I have reviewed the UUA standard interim contract, and are prepared, should we have an opportunity to do so, to proceed with that process very quickly. There are relatively few edits or modifications necessary to that document to work for our purposes. The UUA process specifies that formal contract offers can be extended at noon tomorrow, June 8. To that end, I am asking tonight for adoption of the following motion to authorize such action if circumstances permit, and the candidate does make themselves available.
“The board of trustees hereby authorizes the Board President to finalize and approve a contract with a transitional minister after consultation with the board.”
If we do have an opportunity to pursue an interim contract with the identified candidate, once completed, we will be able to share information about them publicly.
If we are unable to pursue an interim contract based on the candidate’s decisions, we will immediately enter discussions with UUA transitions staff members and MidAmerica region staff about alternative possibilities our congregation might pursue with their assistance.
--Greg Nichols, Board President
Please watch for further updates and view past details at ucdsm.org.
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Ministerial Transitions Update – June 8
from the Board of Trustees
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The board president and vice president this afternoon conferred with UUA regional staff. At that time, we confirmed that the candidate we sought as an interim minister has made the choice to go elsewhere. With the formal UUA interim process now concluded for the year, we will continue to work with UUA and the UUA MidAmerica staff to identify and consider various other options to best fulfill ministerial duties and plan for our future as we move toward the coming church year.
In that regard, we also confirmed today that lead UUA MidAmerica staff member, Rev. David Pyle, will be here in Des Moines on Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18 to engage in several planned meetings with groups of members, an all-congregation open forum and presentation, and will be available for other conversations as time permits.
Please watch for further updates and view past details at ucdsm.org.
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Please Note! Additional Board Meetings & Forums thru June 2022
from the Board of Trustees
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The Board of Trustees is hosting meetings and forums (listed below) on an adjusted schedule through June 2022.
- Meeting: Wednesday, June 29, at 6:00 p.m.
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Sunday Service June 26:
Live Broadcast of GA Sunday Service
11:30 a.m. in the Auditorium
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On Sunday, June 26, join us in the auditorium at 11:30 a.m. to watch the 2022 General Assembly Sunday Service, broadcast live from Portland, OR. People may also view this service via Zoom.
We will not be holding service at 9:30 a.m. as usual on this day. Check the Intercom in the coming weeks for more information.
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UU Women's Lunch June 14
from Barb Royal
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All UU (and UU-interested) women are welcome to join the monthly gathering of the UU Women’s Lunch Bunch (2nd Tuesday of each month). There’s always good food and lively conversation.
Please be sure to RSVP by the Saturday morning before the luncheon if you plan to attend: womenslunch@ucdsm.org
When: Tuesday, June 14, 2022: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Urban Cellar, 640 S 50th St., WDM
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It’s time to sign up for Circle Suppers
from the Circle Suppers Coordinators
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What are they?
For those of you new to Circle Suppers: in the past, they have been a small group (4-5 households) of church members or friends who meet for dinner and friendly discussions for a limited time (usually 4-5 months.). The purpose is community building by getting to know other church members or friends in a more intimate setting Each household usually hosts/hostesses the group one time and the meals are potlucks arranged by the person having the dinner at their home that month.
When will they start?
That is up to each individual group to decide. There are people who have volunteered to be the first host/hostess for their circle. After enough people have signed up, the groups will be formed and given to the first-time volunteer host/hostess. This person will contact you about the date, time, and what you are to bring to your circle’s first supper.
How do I sign up?
Questions?
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First Unitarian Humanist Update
from First Unitarian Humanists
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Book Group
The Humanist book group schedule will be adjusted for June and July to accommodate the holidays and other church activities. We will cover chapters 9 and 10 of Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari on June 12, followed by chapters 11 and 12 on June 26. The book group meets at the church at 11:00 AM. Everyone is invited, either in person or via Zoom!
AHA Annual Conference
The Humanist group will have a watch party for the American Humanist Association annual conference on Saturday, June 25. Meet at the Westchester Park shelter, 4901 Valdez Dr., at noon. Munchies and soft drinks will be provided. There are a number of excellent speakers lined up, including author Andrew Seidel speaking on “Fighting White Christian Nationalism." The complete program can be found here.
IAF/Humanist Society meeting
Join the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers and the Humanist Society of Iowa for a catered picnic at the Stine Barn on July 17 at 12:00 noon. There will be two wonderful speakers.
Zerin Firoze is an advocate for secularism in Bangladesh who has fearlessly spoken out against extremism in spite of the threats against her life. In 2016 Zerin fled the violence and threats in Bangladesh and is currently seeking asylum in the United States.
Harry Stine was born in 1941 and raised on a small farm in Dallas County, Iowa. He is the CEO and founder of the Stine Seed Company and has been a lifelong atheist and humanist.
We are looking forward to seeing old and new faces. Follow this link to sign up. You will also find more information and a map to the site.
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Pride Parade This Sunday
March With Us!
from the Transgender Action Group
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Help First Unitarian Church maintain its proud tradition of support for the LGBTQ+ community by marching with your fellow UUs in the Capital City Pride Parade this Sunday, June 12! You do not need to have signed up in order to participate; everyone is welcome!
We invite all members and friends, both LGBTQ+ and straight/cisgender allies, including adults, teens, and children, to meet in the parking lot of the Lucas Building at 321 E.12th St. (on the EAST side of the State Capital Building) at 11:30 a.m.
The parade starts promptly at 12:00 p.m., so give yourself ample time to get there and park. Parking will be available in the visitor lots just south of East Walnut & E. 12th Streets and also in the Judicial Branch lot at East 12th St. & East Court Ave. No pets are allowed in the parade this year.
Some signs will be available for you to carry in the parade if you wish, or you are welcome to make your own. We are especially encouraging people to make and bring signs that focus on transgender rights, protecting LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., stopping bullying, conversion therapy, and trans youth bans from sports), not using religion to justify discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, and not banning LGBTQ+ books and curricula from schools.
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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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"Share, Community, Action" Gathering
from Pachamama Alliance – Iowa
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Our next Gathering will be on Wednesday, June 22, 7:00 pm to 8:30 p.m. We’ll continue our discussion of the Paul Hawken book Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation. Our topic this month will be Indigeneity and the video The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code.
This will be a hybrid meeting. You are welcome to join us at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave. in Des Moines (south doors, masks optional) or by Zoom. You can register for a zoom link.
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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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Info on Responsible Behavior Policy
May 25, 2022
from Bill Brauch
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At the May 19 Board of Trustees Meeting, Rev. Shaw notified the Board that they, as Senior Minster, had appointed me to Chair a Committee to be formed pursuant to the Church’s Policy Regarding Responsible Behavior. A link to the Policy is below. The Policy was adopted in 1997. The Policy applies to “disruptive behavior of an individual” and explicitly addresses situations, “[w]hen any person’s physical and/or emotional well-being or freedom to safely express his or her beliefs or opinions is threatened…” Soon, the Committee will form, will determine a process to follow, and then will learn about situations which gave rise to Rev. Amy triggering the Policy. I’m very pleased our church has such a policy, as protecting those who come within our walls or visit us virtually is vital.
Note that the focus of the Policy is the conduct of individuals. Since Amy’s announcement, some members have questioned what gave rise to triggering the policy as they weren’t aware of any such incidents. Personal interactions are not necessarily conducted out in the open and folks don’t always talk publicly about what they’ve experienced. Rather, they may take it to the Senior Minister, and that is not only their right but, in many cases, may have been the right thing to do under the circumstances.
But because the focus is on individual conduct, it doesn’t appear that a Committee created under this Policy is the best venue for addressing systemic issues within the church. Rather, that may be best left to those we elected to represent us in conducting the business of this Church – the Board of Trustees. I can tell you that this Committee will strive to be as transparent as we possibly can be, but we must also be able to honor requests for confidentiality from those who may bring matters to our attention. I am certain we will, to the greatest extent possible, strive to resolve any interpersonal disputes through mediation and agreement. The Committee will move carefully and deliberately as it performs its role. We will appreciate your support and patience. I am happy to visit with anyone regarding this.
Bill Brauch
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mUUvie Night!
from the mUUvie Planning Group
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mUUvie Viewing & Discussion
When the Storm Fades – 1 hr 20 min
A genre-defying docudramedy starring a real Filipino family of typhoon survivors re-enacting their daily struggle as a well-intentioned, young Canadian couple help with recovery from the 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan.
Sunday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Church - location based on the number of RSVPs
RSVP to muuvie@ucdsm.org so we can gauge the number of attendees and send you a reminder message!
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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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Family Promise Hosting Week
June 12 – 19
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The Signup Genius is now up for our summer hosting week. We will be back on-site at First Unitarian and need a full slate of volunteers. New volunteers are especially welcome to join! Help us flip classrooms into bedrooms to host up to three families overnight, feed them evening dinners and Saturday breakfast, help entertain kids in the evening and transport them back and forth to the day center at Westminster Presbyterian, and clean up and do laundry after they move to the next church.
Hosts and drivers need to update (or complete, if new) background checks. Please see the church Family Promise web page for links to the signup and all background check forms and info. For assistance or questions contact Elaine Imlau at familypromise@ucdsm.org.
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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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Staff Office Hours & Contact Info |
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Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw, Senior Minister
Sunday: Service 9:30-10:30, 11am-2pm by appointment
Monday: Sabbath
Tuesday: 11am-5pm
Wednesday: 11am-1pm and 3pm to 5pm (1-3pm slot is available for drop-in visits)
Thursday: 11am-5pm
Friday: Writing Day
Saturday: By appointment
Alice J. Stewart, Director of Finance and Administration
515-244-8603 ext. 101
Mondays: by appointment
Tuesdays – Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fridays: by appointment
Zoom meetings available on request
Emily Petty, Communications Coordinator
515-244-8603 ext. 103
Off Mondays
Tuesday-Friday, Sunday: by appointment
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 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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