Second Basket Nominations
We are currently taking nominations for the new second basket recipients for 2010-11, please use the following form to submit your nominations by Friday, April 30th: Download Form
Death with Dignity/ Aid in Dying
Each year in Iowa, thousands of terminally-ill patients die only after enduring unnecessarily prolonged pain and suffering. The Human Rights Action Group at First Unitarian Church is currently working to address this by encouraging the Iowa Legislature and Governor to pass a Death wit Dignity Act similar that passed in Oregon in 1997.
This law would allow terminally ill adults of sound mind to voluntarily request help to shorten their dying process. This would be possible by means of a painless, self-administered medication prescribed by a physician. This could occur only upon repeated, duly-witnessed requests with proper safeguards against abuses. It would also be free from civil or criminal penalties for honoring such requests. We believe that each person should be empowered to make end-of –life decisions based on his or her own deeply-held values and beliefs, without fear of moral condemnation or political interference.
We are asking all concerned citizens in Iowa and other states to please sign a petition encouraging their state legislature and governor to pass a Death with Dignity Act and to encourage others to sign the petition, too. To view and download a copy of the petition,
please click here.
AMOS
What Is AMOS?
AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy is a non-partisan, political organization that believes ordinary people, working together, can accomplish great things in a democratic republic.
AMOS believes in
- Government by, for and of the people. Above all else, AMOS believes that democracy works only if ordinary citizens feel connected to the decision making process of their communities
- The Common Good. AMOS believes that our democratic and religious traditions compel us to act with our neighbors to shape a shared community. As a country we sink or swim together.
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Politics as a Virtue. AMOS believes that politics is more than electioneering. Politics, properly understood, are the public acts of free men and women in care of a common community.
Some of the members of First Unitarian Church who are involved in AMOS are Sally Boeckholt, Dan Aten, Scott Emison Clair, Linda Lemons, David Witke, and Jan Svec.
Energy and Justice For All
Are you Concerned about Global Warming?
Jon Knapp McAlister and the member of his committee Energy and Justice for All are, and they are taking action to organize us to do something about it.
Energy and Justice for All committee members strive to encourage UU’s and the broader public to take personal and political action in response to the crisis of climate change. They also encourage people to consider how many of the world’s poorest people will suffer the most as the climate changes, even thought they contributed very little to the problem. They also hope that together we will be able to envision and create a new more just, and greener local and global economy.
For information contact Jon Knapp McAlister at 515-961-2524 or jandjmcalister@hotmail.com
Interweave
Interweave offers social interaction for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans gender persons and allies, publicize the church to the greater Des Moines GLBT community and help the church further its goal of social justice. Contact Mark Metz at scorpiored48@yahoo.com or 515-274-0925. Interweave meet the first Sunday of each month after second service. More...
Members bring information from a variety of Social Justice Organizations to First Unitarian
Many church members are involved individually in a variety of social justice organizations i.e. Sierra Club, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is a nonsectarian organization that advances human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world. They offer campaigns in which our church may participate.
Newly Adopted UUA Resolutions
Learn more about the newly adopted CSAI on Ethical Eating; Food and Environmental Justice, and the Actions of Immediate Witness approved at the 2008 General Assembly. Visit the CSW website.
