ORDER OF SERVICE

Sunday, May 4, 2008
9:00 am and 10:30 am

Rev. Marline Walker

Xenda Lindel, celeperson

Bruce Martin, pianist

UU Kids say God is ". . . anything you want God to be. . . ."  Beth Graham

Intoning the Chime

Call to Gather

by Rev. Kathy A. Huff

Xenda Lindel

Chalice Lighting

Leader:  Life is a gift for which we are grateful.
People:  We gather in community to celebrate the glories and mysteries of this great gift.
Leader:  So let us kindle now the flame of our liberal religious heritage.
People:  In its glow, may our reason and our passion lead us to be true to ourselves, true to each other and true to what we can together become.

The Beck Family

*Hymn #38

Morning Has Broken

Welcome

Dan Aten

Sharing A Story

“Old Turtle” by Douglas Wood

Sophia Troxell

Singing Children Out

“Go in joy.  Go in peace to meet the day.         With open hearts embrace life’s wonder.           We will guide you. We will love you on your way.”

Sharing our Abundance

Joys and Concerns

Meditation

   Spoken

   Silent
…Sung Response #83

Winds Be Still

Rev. Walker

Readings

“UU Kids say God is…”
What is God? By Beth Graham

Xenda Lindel

Special Music

Cibil by J. B. Locilli

Patrick Riley, cello George Riley, guitar

Sermon

“The Question of God”

Rev. Walker

*Hymn #23

Bring Many Names

Closing Words

Rev. Walker

*Extinguishing the
Flame

Leader:  I extinguish the symbolic flame of this gathering. May we carry its light into the world.
People:  Let us go from this place, open to life, expecting to love and prepared to serve.

*Closing in Song
*Please stand as you are able.

Hymn of Valor                         (see inside back cover of hymnal)

Special Thanks to Today’s Service Participants …

Greeters

Board Greeter

9:00 am     Bill Paxson and Florence Frette; RE-Julie Brown

10:30 am   Heather Keyt and Sharon Welch; RE-Paul Kluding

                  Dan Aten

Ushers                

9:00 am     Rob and Karen Nicholson

10:30 am   Bill and Lois Leonard

Coffee and Treats

Louise Jacobs, Bob Baker, Rachel & Sarah Galluzzo, Janine Choudhury, and Karen Nicholson

A warm welcome to all guests today. We’re glad you’re here! Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion with Jewish-Christian roots and many branches upon which members have searched for meaning. It affirms the dignity of all persons, advocates freedom of belief and the pursuit of advancing truth and provides a warm, open, supportive community. If you would like  to find out more about the church or receive our newsletter, stop in the entryway at the Visitor Information Table. We welcome the opportunity to meet you!

Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker has been serving as the Interim Minister at Peoples Church in Cedar Rapids for the past two years. She has previously served congregations in CO, IL, MA, VA, and MD. A native of Boston she has often referred herself as a living, breathing, walking interfaith organization. Raised jewish she became UU and christian in her 20’s, later adding buddhism, feminist, pagan and native american spirituality along the way. She is theologically multilingual. Rev. Walker received her M. Div. from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1992 and a D. Min. in Feminist Liberation Theology from the Episcopal Divinity School in 1999.

FORUM, 10:30 am, Channing Hall. Leslee Cran, Outreach Coordinator from the Family Violence Center will discuss domestic violence, the impact on the family and what we as friends and family can do (Sponsor:  Amy Knudsen)

Next Sunday Service: “The Love That Shapes Our Lives” with Rev. Barbara Pescan

For several years at the Unitarian Church of Evanston on Mothers’ Day, members have spoken about mothers, fathers, grandparents, stay-at-home dads, even teachers –  to acknowledge that lots of people in addition to our mothers, mother us. “I will speak about this love as I have known it, and ask you to remember the love that sent you forth and that continues to nurture you.”

Next Sunday Forum, 10:30 am. GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) History with Denny Schrock & Patrick Phillips.

One-half of collections today go to First Unitarian Church.  One-half is given as dues to AMOS, UUSC, DMARC, Partner Church, Interfaith Alliance and Interweave Continental with the remainder divided between Hawthorne Hill Ministries and Family Violence Center.

Petition to keep the UUA GOD-NEUTRAL

Please review the PETITION in  your Order of Service and if you agreed Sign it on the back and place it in the Basket in the lobby or give it to one of the Members indicated.

Sunday 5/4

9:00 am

10:00 am

10:30 am

11:30 am

11:45 am

Noon

6:00 pm

“The Question of God” with Rev. Dr. Marline Walker …Auditorium.
Children’s RE…Lower Level
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
Fabulous Food Fundraiser…Channing Hall
5^th Principle Singers…Peace Library
Service:  See 9:00 am service
Children’s RE…Lower Level
Forum…Channing Hall
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
Youth Group…Room #4
Boone Planning…Conference Room
Children’s Playacting…Auditorium Stage
Windbreakers…Channing Hall

Monday  5/5

Tuesday 5/6

Wednesday5/7

5:30 pm
6:30 pm

Wednesday Dinner…Channing Hall
Welcome Home Wednesdays…Multiple Locations
Children’s Playacting.  Auditorium Stage
Teacher Support Meeting…RE Gathering Space
Religious Services Committee…Outer Office

Thursday 5/8

7:00 pm

Adult Choir…Channing Hall

Friday  5/9

Saturday 5/10

9:00 am

Great Books…Conference Room
Adult Choir…Channing Hall

Sunday  5/11

9:00 am

10:00 am

10:30 am

11:30 am

11:45 am

Noon

“The Love That Shapes Our Lives” with Rev. Barbara Pescan …Auditorium.
Children’s RE…Lower Level
Energy and Justice…Conference Room
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
5^th Principle Singers…Peace Library
Service:  See 9:00 am service
Children’s RE…Lower Level
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
Youth Group…Room #4
Children’s Playacting…Auditorium Stage
Interweave...Channing Hall

Don Justo Coffee buy TODAY: from El Salvador gives farmers a decent return on their labor.    You may enjoy fairly traded coffee during our coffee hour every week in Channing Hall, and you may purchase coffee between services the first Sunday of each month and take some home, too.  Contact Kent Newman at fullspectrum@mchsi.com or 515-246-1559.

UU Unsung Hero – Nominations are being accepted for this year’s Unsung UU award. Watch for ballots in the May newsletter and on the table in greeting area in May.

RE Summer Planning Meetings-RE Greeting Area, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm, May 14, & 28.

* * * * COMMUNITY NEWS / UPCOMING EVENTS * * * *

TODAY and May 18–Handprint tiles:  We are decorating the large activity room downstairs with the handprints of all those who have contributed to the church in any way during the past year. If you would like your handprint on the wall please stop at the table in the Gathering Place between services. It just takes few minutes to make your tile.

Windbreakers, TODAY, 6:00 pm. New to the church? Not so new? Looking for a way to make new friends or a night out with the guys? Newcomers, who are interested in good food and good company, are always welcome at Windbreaker meetings! For more information or a ride to the meeting, contact Bill Paxson at 515-274-0769, or paxson@mchsi.com.

New Family Orientation, Sunday, May 11 from 12:00-12:30 pm, RE Gathering Area.

On the second Sunday of each month we host an orientation to introduce new families into the religious education program. Contact Tracy Beck at 515-633-2289 or REprogramming@ucdsm.org.

Interweave Meeting, Sunday, May 11, Noon. Interweave is a UU group which offers social interaction for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons and allies, publicizes the church to the greater Des Moines GLBT community and helps the church further its goal of social justice.   Contact Mark Metz at scorpiored48@yahoo.com or 515-274-0925 for meeting information.

Women’s Potluck, Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 pm. This group of women loves to get together to eat and visit.  Please bring a dish to share.  All women are welcome.  Please RSVP to host: Jane Swanson at 515-277-5080 or jswanson@website-center.com.

Unity Circle, Thursday, May 15, Noon. The Program at 1:00 pm will be “The Growing Latino Contribution to Iowa Life and Culture;” presented by Joanne Mackey, Executive Director of Latino Resources and is the powerhouse behind the annual Latino Heritage Festival. We also will be electing officers for next year. Jerry Carspecken at r.carspecken@mchsi.com or 515-978-7523.

Duplicate Bridge, Friday, May 16, 7:00 pm. Give Duplicate Bridge a try. You will need a partner. This will be a good social and learning time within the general structure of Duplicate Bridge.  Contact Terry or Jane Swanson at 515-277-5080 or email jswanson@website-center.com.

Girl Scout (troup #741) Bake Sale, Saturday, May 17, 8am to 4pm, 3128 SE 8^th Street, Des Moines.  All proceeds to be donated to First Unitarian Church.  Heather Christensen and daughter Nova Cline.  Stop by for baked goods and block sale.

Vegetarian* Potluck hosted by Energy and Justice For All, Saturday, May 17, 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Enjoy a Saturday in Mac Rae Park before the bugs get too bad while discovering the joys of eating deliciously without meat. This is a family-friendly event, so we’ll have a games for kids, provide information to families on how to save energy, discuss ideas about how everyone can get involved, and more. For more information (and recipe ideas, if needed), contact Jon Knapp McAlister at 515-961-2524 or jandjmcalister@hotmail.com or. (Mac Rae Park is located at 1021 Davis Avenue. From the church, follow Bell Avenue east until it turns into Thomas Beck Road.  Go up the hill and you will see the park on your right.)* Why vegetarian?  Reducing or eliminating meat from your diet is a simple way to sharply reduce your contribution to climate change.

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, Sunday, May 18, Noon, Channing Hall

For teachers, assistants, and their families.

* * * * ADULT UU CONTINUING EDUCATION * * * *

Great Books Discussion Group, Saturday, May 10, 9-11 am. Using a shared inquiry method of discussion, we examine significant works of fiction, philosophy, political science, poetry and drama - probing the many questions raised by a text. Discussions are lively, engaging, friendly, sometimes contentious, enlightening--and a good deal of fun. This month’s discussion will be on Plato's "Crito." Greg Pelley will lead the discussion. Greg at 255-5696 or gspelley@msn.com.

Energy and Justice For All, Sunday, May 11, 30, 9 am to 10 am, Conference Room

Climate change threatens hundreds of millions of people and threatens to wreak havoc on Earth's natural cycles. Come explore the link between climate change, energy and justice; then work with us to help turn the world away from disaster.  Contact Jon Knapp McAlister at 515-961-2524 or jandjmcalister@hotmail.com.

Welcome Home Wednesdays:  5:30 to 6:15 pm: Come enjoy dinner with friends. $5.00/adults & $2.00/child-max of $12.00 per family.  RSVP to Lori at membership@ucdsm or 515-453-2999.

Programming starts at 6:30 pm:

“In Our Backyard” with Linda Applegate and Ginny Malcomson

Aquatic Macroinverts: Water Critters this Wednesday.

NEW - Explore Your Past Lives –  A fun, entertaining, and enlightening process where you’ll learn how to identify clues within your present life that indicate who you were in past lives with Lettie Prell

NEW - Effective Parenting – A Facilitated Discussion Join Barb Royal and other parents, grandparents, and caring adults in a lively discussion of parenting issues in the 21^st century.

NEW - Mind/body Yoga combines the ancient Hatha Yoga practice with modern fitness movements and safety guidelines with Andrew Salgado.

Movie Night: Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism Documentary on reported Conservative bias of the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox News Channel (FNC), which promotes itself as “Fair & Balanced.” Material includes interviews with form FNC employees and the inter-office memos they provided. (Thanks to John Hicks) Mark Campbell.

Meditation Group: Join Gary Keast and Denise Daniels for a weekly mediation group.  Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome.

Singing Circle: Join Donna Wallace for informal singing of chants, folk songs and hymns. No experience necessary—just a love for singing.

If you would be willing to volunteer with any of these programming events for adults or youth, please contact Lori Emison Clair at membership@ucdsm.org or via phone at 515-453-2999.