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

515-244-8603

Love and Ethics

with Rev. Meredith Garmon

Our commitment, as members of First Unitarian, is to "grow ethically and spiritually, serve justly, and love radically." Let's look at what the "grow ethically" part and the "love radically" part have to do with each other.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before

the service begins!)



Zoom may not be available.

Whether it's opposing the extreme legislation at the Iowa statehouse or collaborating with partner organizations to create a more welcoming state, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa has been empowering the progressive voice and protecting Iowans' rights for nearly three decades. Connie Ryan, Executive Director, will discuss the work of the organization, its current projects including fighting against Christian nationalism, and what's happening in the Iowa Legislature.

Igniting the Fire of Commitment:

Update from the Forum on Budget and Stewardship

Thanks to the Board of Trustees and the Stewardship Team for putting together a draft budget for discussion at last Sunday's Forum. A status quo budget was presented, along with an aspirational budget with goals which tie to the Board's goals and our mission.

We have currently raised just under $450,000 from 152 families for the period July 2024 - June 2025. To meet our status quo budget - to keep our current program and staffing levels and allow for modest growth - we still need to raise another $80,000.

If you haven't pledged, please do so here as soon as possible. The Board will need to finalize the budget to go to the annual meeting at their May meeting, so we need all of our commitments to make the budget a reality!

If you have pledged, but feel like you could increase, please do so! Our goal is not out of reach - it just takes all of us being as thoughtful and generous as our circumstances allow: What does this church mean to you and to our community?

Thank you all for pledging and for being stewards of our church! We are grateful to everyone who participates in building our beloved church.

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.

Laura Berardi is the Pastoral Care Associate available for this service time. Please email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance during the week.

FAITH FORMATION

Children & Youth Programming

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

Our Adult Programs webpage has our exciting Spring courses and groups. Be sure to register now!

• Bird Walks - Spring 2024 - 4/13, 4/28
• Circle Suppers
• Connection Circles
• Metaphysical Awakening Book Study
• UU Wellspring Sacred Earth - Begins 4/14
• Seeing is Not Believing: How to Grow Compassion into Your Observations - 4/27
• Tai Chi



CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

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 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.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Birding for Life Walk

Sunday, April 13th from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Bill Riley

This is our second bird walk of the spring season 2024. We will meet at the “Centers Trails Access” which is the parking lot at the Greenwood Ashworth swimming pool at 102 45th St., Des Moines, IA 50312. Click here for more information and to register.

Calling All Friends of the Labryinth

Saturday, April 13th at 10:00 a.m.

Join us on April 13th at 10:00 am for a meaningful morning of community and stewardship as we come together to clean up our sacred space in preparation for the upcoming Pagan Jubilee. We'll kick off the day with a Labyrinth clean-up session, where we'll tend to the paths, clear debris, and nurture our cherished sanctuary. After our efforts, we'll gather for a delightful brunch to share stories, laughter, and delicious food. Mark your calendars, set your intentions, and join us for a day of community, connection, and celebration of nature's wonders. See you there! 🕊️✨

Join Us for Our Monthly Pagan Brunch!

Saturday, April 13th from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Potluck Style! Think Spring and Sign Up to Bring a Dish!

Calling all fellow pagans and nature enthusiasts! We invite you to join us for a delightful spring-themed brunch potluck. Let's come together to celebrate the season of renewal, growth, and abundance. To ensure a diverse and delectable spread, please sign up to bring a dish. We can't wait to see you there! Blessed be 🌟✨

Progressive Voices Concerts Presents

The Honey Dewdrops

Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $22 Advance /$27 Door

Available online at pvconcerts.eventbrite.com or after the service on Sundays at church.

Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish of The Honey Dewdrops began touring in 2009 and have called the city of Baltimore home since 2014. With several albums and fourteen years of playing shows on the road, they continue to expand their experimental folk sound of electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin and clawhammer banjo with tight vocal harmonies, while maintaining a commitment to deepening their understanding of the world through the lens of songwriting and music. No Depression says of the new album, Light Behind Light, “The Honey Dewdrops have a way of filling their songs with humanity, using their beautiful playing and harmonies to emphasize what connects us all.”

Talent Limited/A Monthly Reading Group

Sunday, April 14th 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!

Unity Circle

Thursday, April 18th at 12:00 p.m.

We will be meeting for lunch and a program. Our speaker will be Jeremy Lewis from the Des Moines Bicycle Collective! Please bring a dish to share, and your own table service and a cup for your beverage. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Sacred Bridges CUUPs: Olympian Gods: An Introduction with William

Friday, April 19th from 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Prepare to embark on a captivating journey through the realms of Greco-Roman mythology with Sacred Bridges CUUPS! During this unique event, William will serve as our guide, leading us through the basics of Greco-Roman mythology while offering fascinating insights and recounting spellbinding tales of the Olympian gods. Spread the word, invite your friends, and get ready for an enchanting experience that will leave you captivated! RSVP HERE.

Join Zoom Meeting (Meeting ID: 864 8468 3715 Passcode: ZEUS101)

Building Better Relationships with the Wider UU World

April 19-20th

Upcoming opportunities to learn about resources available to us from the Wider UU World.

2024 Multi-Platform MidAmerica Regional Assembly

Friday, April 19, 2024, 6:00 pm - Saturday, April 20, 2024, 5:00 pm EDT

Click here for more information.

Volunteer Sustainability Training:

Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining

Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Griffin Hall

We will meet Saturday mornings: April 20, May 4 (Large Activity room), May 18, June 1, and June 15. Everyone is welcome and leaders are particularly encouraged to attend. We will use the UUA curriculum "Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining" in the form of webinars. If you're part of a group, but not a leader, you'll come away with a better understanding of healthy group dynamics. If you can't commit to all six sessions, you can catch up by watching the webinars on your own.

mUUvie Discussion Group

Saturday, April 20th from 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Please join us to watch and discuss the 2022 film, "Aftersun." Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn't.

Popcorn will be provided. Bring your own drink.

RSVP to mUUvie@ucdsm.org to let us know you're coming, and to ask any questions.

Click here to watch the trailer.

"Less Mow May" Des Moines Initiative is Part of Bringing Back Pollinators from the Brink

Enroll April 21th or April 28th after service

The 2023 "No Mow May" Initiative, which was supported last year by a Reach Grant is now "Less Mow May." Enroll in Less Mow May after service at 10:30 am on April 21 or April 28. You will receive:

• A Less Mow May yard sign
• Native garden design plans for Des Moines area urban landscapes
• A native plant seedling and some seeds to go with the native garden design
• A list of resources for buying, planting and maintaining natives in your landscape.

Upcoming Forum

Managing Our Grief as We Navigate the Uncertainty of Climate Chaos

Sunday, April 21st at 11:15 a.m.

In acknowledging Earth Day on April 21st, members and friends of First Unitarian will gather in Griffin Hall during Forum Time at 11:15 a.m. to join the storytelling Climate Ribbon Project. Click here to learn about the Climate Ribbon Project. Participants will be asked to answer “What do you love and hope to never lose to Climate Chaos?” followed by sharing what they are doing to mitigate the chaos and how others may join them.

Women's Wednesdays

Wednesday, April 24th from 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Please remember to write your book jacket autobiography to share with the group!

Fellowship, Food and FUNds (FFF 24)

Saturday, April 27th-28th

Be watching for the FFF 24 list online soon! Our offerings are a bit fewer this year, but include some new, enticing events and food items and many of our old favorites. Link to the list will be in the Sunday order of service. Some paper copies will also be available.

Mark your calendar for the Sale Kickoff and Potluck Dinner Saturday, April 27, 5-7pm. Sale continues Sunday, April 28, 10:45-12. Going to be out of town? Find someone now who can shop for you. In person bidding and buying only.

Seeing is not Believing:

How to Grow Compassion into Your Observations

Saturday, April 27th from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

In March we had a workshop that delved into two of the four steps in Nonviolent Communication: Feelings and Needs. On April 27 we will work with the step: Observations. By observing with as little as judgement as possible we can increase our chances to deepen our relationships, experience successful outcomes in meeting the needs not just of ourselves, but of others, and grow compassion. Register here.

Sacred Bridges CUUPs Presents

Sage Advice with Dr. Susan

Saturday, April 27 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Sage Advice: Exploring Techniques for Magickal Cleaning and Purification

Discover alternative methods for cleansing your magickal tools and spaces, going beyond traditional herbs like sage and palo santo. Explore the reasons behind their use and learn about culturally respectful and sustainable alternatives. Join us for a workshop where you’ll explore various herbs for smoke cleansing, along with other techniques for energetic clearing. Plus, create personalized tools for your practice. Suggested class fee: $10.00, but all are welcome regardless of funds. RSVP HERE.

UUA Bylaw Amendments

Potluck and Discussion

Wednesday, May 1st from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Please join the Adult Programming Team for a potluck and discussion about the proposed revisions to Article II of the UUA's bylaws on Wednesday, May 1st. We will begin with a potluck at 5:30PM, followed by a discussion at 6:30PM about Article II, the proposed revisions which delegates will vote on at General Assembly, and more. First Unitarian can send eight voting delegates to the UUA's virtual General Assembly June 20-23, 2024. If you are a member interested in the proposed Article II amendments of the UUA bylaws and/or if you are interested in being a delegate, please plan on attending.

Please sign up to bring food or drinks here.

For more information about Article II, please see our website.

We will be sharing additional links and documents for you in preparation for the discussion. Thanks for your interest in this topic!

Make a Drum with Wayne Manthey!

Saturday, May 4th at 10:30 a.m.

We are absolutely thrilled to announce our special guest for the Pagan Jubilee: Wayne Manthey Drum Maker! Wayne is a gifted artisan with a deep connection to the ancient rhythms of nature. ​

At 10:30am, he will lead a workshop that will allow you to create your very own deer skin drum. Imagine crafting an instrument that will resonate with the heartbeat of the Earth itself, a tool for your spiritual journey unlike any other. This is your chance to do just that. ​

13 inch deer skin drum: $155

16 inch deer skin drum: $180 ​

Tickets are non-refundable. If you decide you can not make the event you may transfer/sell your ticket to another individual. Please contact us to let us know who will be receiving your ticket. For more information and ticket info click here.

First Unitarian Humanist Update

** Book Group

The Humanist book group meets on the first and third Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon in the south conference room. You can join in person or via Zoom.  The next meeting date will be April 21, when we will be discussing chapters 39 and 40 of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll.

**2024 Secular Summit

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 22. The annual Secular Summitt will be held that day at the Stine Barn, starting at 1:00 PM. Join us for an afternoon of discussion with community leaders about the importance of human rights, separation of church and stare, and education. More details and tickets are available here.

** Watch Party

Our watch party series will continue on Saturday, April 13th; starting at 2:00 PM at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines. We will be watching two more episodes of James Burke’s Connections series. Send a note to info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information.

** Braver Angels

You can join with the Humanist group as we participate in a lively discussion of controversial topics with the Braver Angels in Ames. The next meeting will be Saturday, April 13, at 10:00 AM when the topic will be climate change. Contact info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information or to arrange car pooling.

 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

Faithyna Leonard

Assistant Faith Formation & Congregational Life Coordinator

Faithyna Leonard (she/her/hers) joined us on February 24, 2023, working in the childcare room, and officially joined our office staff on August 21, 2023 as our Communications & Rental Coordinator. Starting April 14th, Faith will serve as the Assistant Faith Formation & Congregational Life Coordinator. In this role, she will train with Birch Spick to assume their role full-time after Birch leaves in mid-May.

Faithyna obtained her BA in Human Services from Simpson College. In her free time, she enjoys being expressive through art and writing. Her favorite thing about her job is getting to meet all of the new people. Faithyna has experience in childcare, management, administration, event coordination, marketing, and much more. She also works for the City of Des Moines.

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

One morning after a round of zazen, Raven asked Brown Bear, "Does faith have a role in practice?"

Brown Bear said, "Great faith."

Raven asked, "How should I direct it?"

Brown Bear said, "One, two, three."

See the 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.