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

Music Sunday

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

Click here for the Order of Service

Forum: The Simplicity Triad: Frugality, Ecology, & Wellness (FEW)

11:00 a.m. CT in Griffin Hall and via Zoom
Join Heidi Lackmann for a discussion of her worldview – an idea she calls the Simplicity Triad – and an exploration of how it fits with our Unitarian Universalist faith. Come ready for a dialogue about using your money and time to support our church and the larger world. And how do you in turn take care of yourself and our earth? It can be a balancing act!

Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Bell Choir Rehearsal

    December 7, 2022  5:45 pm - 6:45 pm

    Contact: Karen Kraemer choir@ucdsm.org

    See more details

  • Young Adult Group

    December 7, 2022  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

    Room 114
     

    We'll be meeting on the first Wednesday of the month, same time and place. Then, adding other roving social, spiritual, and/or service activities into the mix as the group is interested – come share your ideas with us in October!

    Contact Courtney Dufford at youngadults@ucdsm.org with questions.

     

    See more details

  • Bent Needles

    December 7, 2022  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

     Room 105

    Open to all! Spend a relaxing evening with fellow needleworkers and crafters. Enjoy crochet, cross-stitch, knitting, weaving, mending, quilting? From novice to experienced, all are welcome. We share tips, patterns, show off our work, and learn from each other. Whatever your handwork passion or interest , drop in for an evening of the joy of handwork!

    Contact: membership@ucdsm.org

    See more details

  • Tai Chi

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

      Monday and Thursday at 10:00 at First Unitarian as weather cools and we move inside to Griffin Hall. Outside sessions are currently being held at the American Legion Park in West Des Moines on 4th and Vine. 
     
    Third Thursday's of the month the group will meet in Mary Safford instead of Griffin when the weather cools.
     
    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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  • Grief Support Circle

    December 8, 2022  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Meets in the Minister's Office

     
    The Grief Support Circle will start meeting on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 6-7 p.m. Any who are dealing with the loss of a loved one are invited to attend as many or as few sessions that work for you. Feel free to bring your dinner, if you'd like. If this group doesn't work for you but you need help working through your grief, please reach out to the Pastoral Care Team

    See more details

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Announcements

View All Announcements Current Kitchen Project News

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. 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.

Social Media

   

We are on YouTube!
With Harvey Harrison Due to copyright infringement the following video was removed and can be viewed from its original source linked in the description: First Reading: Brene Brown on joy and gratitude https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IjSHUc7TXM
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1stUCDSM
1st Unitarian Church of DSM @1stucdsm ·
12 Nov

Sunday Service: Use Your Words
Forum: Veteran’s Day with Megan Klee
Join us on Sunday for our Service @ 9:30am and our Forum @11am CST! In-Person and on Zoom!
Zoom can be found at the bottom of our webpage! https://t.co/HOfpuxnE4V
#ucdsm #UU #UnitarianUniversalist #desmoines #ia

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