Hello!

Welcome to the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines! We’re glad you’ve found us and hope you find a church home with us.

At First Unitarian, we’re brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We’re people of many beliefs and backgrounds – people with a religious background and people with none; people who believe in a God and people who don’t, and people who simply let the mystery be. And while we represent a diversity of faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, we agree that we want to do good work in the world.

So we welcome you – your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Let us support you on your faith journey.

Learn More

Upcoming Service

What’s Next? I’m Ready.

with Sally Boeckholt

Join us in person or on Zoom at 9:30 a.m. CT.

Click here for the Order of Service

Forum: How to Stay Awake Through Times of Change

Pachamama Alliance Iowa will share information that envisions a world that works for everyone: an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet—a New Dream for humanity. Pachamama Alliance Iowa will share information from Awakening the Dreamer and other activities about our vision. Together we will identify how to best stay awake as we do so.

Church Calendar

  • Sunday Service (Hybrid)

    March 26, 2023  9:30 am - 10:30 am

    See more details

  • Stewardship Brunch

    March 26, 2023  10:45 am - 12:30 pm

    Griffin Hall and Gathering Space

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  • Our Whole Lives (OWL) Human Sexuality Curriculum, Grades 5 & 6

    March 26, 2023  10:45 am - 12:00 pm

    Room 108

    Our Whole Lives for 5th & 6th Grade is an 8-session program for learning about and discussing the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read “It’s Perfectly Normal”, by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication, and decision-making. Each session includes a HomeLink – a homework activity for parents and children to complete together.

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  • YRUU (High School Youth Group) Grades 9-12

    March 26, 2023  10:45 am - 12:00 pm

     Room 107

     
    No preregistration needed.
    The Young Religious Unitarian Universalist (YRUU) group allows teens to bond through exploration of personal and spiritual rituals, participation in engaging activities, and empowering social activism projects. Youth in 9th-12th grade are welcome to join YRUU at any time! Along with planning events, projects and checking in with each other, we also play games and enjoy some snacks.

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  • Coming of Age

    March 26, 2023  10:45 am - 12:00 pm

    Large Activity Room

    Registration required. Priority given to members

    When we provide the time and opportunities for authentic relationships to develop, then the youth gradually experience powerful transformation – they Come of Age. With the help of their families and their church community, they learn who they are, and they decide what they stand for. This is how each youth creates their own empowering story. During Coming of Age, each youth will develop a faith statement. To create their own faith statements, each week they tackle the “Big Questions”, such as: What do you believe about God? What happens after we die? How do you live a moral life? Why do bad things happen? Facilitators of the class pair each youth with a carefully-chosen adult mentor from the congregation. Youth and mentors meet about twice a month, and also complete a service project together. The year begins with a parent/youth meeting to share information about the Coming of Age year. The year concludes with a Celebration Dinner and Coming of Age Service, during which the youth plan and lead Sunday services, as well as present their faith statements.

     

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View Calendar

I’m New Here

Ready to explore Unitarian Universalism and our church? We’re ready for you, even during the pandemic!

  1. Start by joining us for our Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. CT in-person or via Zoom. You can also click here for directions to our building!
  2. In the front lobby of our church, you’ll be welcomed by a Congregational Life Committee member, who will direct you to visitor information and UU information.
  3. Check out our Affinity Groups for adults. All groups that are meeting virtually are open to new participants. New programs for children, youth, and adults will begin this September.
  4. And finally, explore our website! There’s a lot to see and we encourage you to reach out to the contact people listed throughout the site if you have questions or want to get involved.

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