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

Conditions for Flourishing

What are the conditions necessary for flourishing?  How do our pasts – even across generations – affect our capacity to flourish?  Join us as we honor the Summer Solstice, Father’s Day, and the deep work of nourishing and repairing the soil in which we grow.

Join our Livestream!

Click here for the Order of Service (updates every Friday afternoon)

Forum: ACLU

Erica Dubin-Barz, ACLU of Iowa Community Engagement Manager, will share the organization’s analysis of this year’s legislative session and talk about what the results will mean for Iowans’ lives. She’ll also share ways to take action and protect civil liberties in the coming months.
Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • DMARC Book Group

    June 15, 2026  8:30 am - 10:00 am
    Stonewall Conference Room

    First Unitarian is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

    Topic: DMARC Book Group
    Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89454166012

    Meeting ID: 894 5416 6012
    Passcode: DMARC

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    +13092053325,,89454166012# US
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    Join instructions
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89454166012/invitations?signature=kKJDj2dHs_leQCavlbMdJuXU-V87Z7PrQAOTDFD0N00

    See more details

  • Tai Chi

    June 15, 2026  9:30 am - 10:30 am
    Griffin, Gathering Area

    See more details

  • OWL Facilitators and Volunteers

    June 15, 2026  10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Woods

    See more details

  • Small Group Ministry

    June 15, 2026  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
    Stonewall Conference Room

    Facilitated by Ellen Taylor

    See more details

  • Awakening Heart Sangha

    June 15, 2026  7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
    Zoom Only

    Awakening Heart Sangha is a mindfulness practice group in the Plum Village Tradition of Vietnamese Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, or ‘Thay’.  We meet by Zoom on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 pm Central Time.  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. 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.


    Zoom:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83919185060?pwd=q1mGPZkWva8jnmTbKLk7JRfIls2Z0b.1

    Email sangha@ucdsm.org for more information or to be added to the weekly Sangha meeting announcement email list.


    See more details

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I’m New Here

Ready to explore Unitarian Universalism and our church? We’re ready for you!

  1. Start by joining us for our Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. CT in-person or via livestream. 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 Team member, who will direct you to visitor information and UU information.
  3. Join us after the service for coffee hour! Enjoy a generous spread of delicious food and take the opportunity to connect, mingle, and meet new people in a welcoming atmosphere.
  4. Check out our Affinity Groups for adults. We also have programs for children, youth, and adults.
  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.