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"Growing Together"
On Sunday, November 4, First Unitarian Church of Des Moines installed the Reverend Mark Stringer as its new settled minister. Congregation members were joined by ministers from the Prairie Star District and the Unitarian Universalist Association¹s Meadville/Lombard Theological School in a Service of Installation to officially welcome him into the family of First Unitarian.

The service began with the sound of bagpipes playing the hymn, "Gather the Spirit" followed by a processional of choir members and guest ministers. The sermon was delivered by Reverend Barbara J. Pescan, senior co-minister of First Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois. Reverend Pescan served as ministerial internship supervisor for Reverend Stringer. Also during the service, charges were issued to both minister and congregation, including a charge from the youth of First Unitarian asking that Rev. Stringer be an active participant in their religious education.

In his benediction, Rev. Stringer shared the following words with the 160 members, ministers and family in attendance:

This is It

and I am It

and You are It

and so is

That

and He is It

and She is It

and It is It

and That is That.

O It is This

and It is Thus

and It is Them

and It is Us

and It is Now

and here It is

and here We are

so This is It.

--James Broughton

	Audience at Mark's Installation
	Barbara Pescan
	Some window decorations at Mark's installation service.
	The Choir was Superb!
	Joel Severinghouse Closing the ceremony in Style!
	Mark robed and ready.
	Mark, Lori with Dana Ketcher and Scott Wilson doing the charge to the minister from the youth.
	Minister processional.
	Nancy Haley

Mark Stringer Installed as Minister of First Unitarian Church of Des Moines