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.

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Upcoming Service

More Than Just Sitting: Ethics in Buddhist Practice

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

Broader and deeper than philosophy or meditation alone, Buddhism is a rich, practical, and living tradition. Join the members of our Awakening Heart Sangha to explore Engaged Buddhist Ethics as practiced through the Five Mindfulness Trainings – Thich Nhat Hanh’s version of the five basic ethical precepts of Buddhism.

No Forum

Forums are over for the 2021-2022 church year. Please join us this autumn when we resume our regularly scheduled programming!

Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Sunday Service (Hybrid)

    August 7, 2022  9:30 am - 10:30 am

    See more details

  • Humanism Book Discussion

    August 7, 2022  11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Stonewall Conference Room and Zoom

    Send a note to HumanistBookGroup@ucdsm.org if you would like to participate.

    Contact: Brenda Trickler/Warren Stine

     

    Zoom Meeting:

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87018584456?pwd=Mzl5REczWWRrSXl0QnFDZ3kwdlBTUT09

    See more details

  • Tai Chi

    August 8, 2022  10:00 am - 11:00 am

     Monday and Thursday at 10:00 at First Unitarian as weather cools and we move inside. Outside sessions are currently being held at the American Legion Park in West Des Moines on 4th and Vine.
     
    Tai chi is an ancient form of gentle exercise sometimes called ‘moving’ meditation. This class will focus on a short form (Sun style) designed specifically to improve joint movement (which may decrease pain) and improve balance and prevent falls. In addition to these benefits, research has also shown tai chi may reduce stress.  Basic aspects of tai chi will be discussed and practiced, including breathing, weight shift, posture, slow circular movements, elongation and focus to enhance the flow of chi. The classes are taught by repetitively practicing small portions and gradually adding until the entire form has been covered.  Regular attendance is encouraged for the full benefit. There is a small fee ($20) for participants for the day session while the evening session is free. Register here: https://forms.gle/poBmQ4hsdPfQpSir7

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  • Awakening Heart Sangha

    August 8, 2022  7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

    Awakening Heart Sangha is a mindfulness practice group in the Plum Village Tradition of Vietnamese Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, or ‘Thay’. All are welcome on a drop-in basis to this ongoing group. All levels of practice are welcome, regardless of whether you are a newcomer to meditation or have had a meditation practice for a while. Brief meditation instruction will be offered at each meeting as needed for any newcomers. Chairs will be provided. If you prefer a meditation cushion, you are free to bring your own. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to help set up chairs.At each meeting, we will check-in, practice 20 minutes of sitting meditation and 10 minutes of walking meditation followed by a short reading and discussion.

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777386156?pwd=ZFFYQUFacTlHOXU4bFk4a0Y4TWxpdz09

    Email sangha@ucdsm.org for more information.

    See more details

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Announcements

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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 Membership Committee member, who will direct you to visitor information and UU information.
  3. The “Join Us on Sundays” tab at the top of this page has information about other activities we’re doing on Sundays. The Welcome page includes a video from our minister, Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw (they/them/theirs), and some basic information about our congregation.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Social Media

   

First Unitarian Church of Des Moines

First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
Amid summer business and a hectic world, many of us can use some calm, collected presence right now. Join members Birch Spick and Louise Alcorn for a mélange of wisdom, humor and faith, served chilled after this hot, hot July week. Come and be calm and cool and together.
Service July 31st 2022, Come Into This Place
YouTube Video UCMg_jfbwsGkodA8-mEGDIxQ_nGKRrIp6Xcc
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1stUCDSM
1st Unitarian Church of DSM @1stucdsm ·
4 Aug

Join members Birch Spick and Louise Alcorn for a mélange of wisdom, humor and faith, served chilled after this hot, hot July week. Come and be calm and cool and together.
To watch the video on YouTube, or hear our podcast
click the link in our bio!

#ucdsm #UU #desmoines #iowa

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