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

Coming of Age

This Sunday, our Coming of Age students (7th/8th Grade) share their statements of faith and values with the congregation. Join us to learn about our students’ journeys of understanding themselves and their place in the world.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)

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

Forum: Review the Packet for the Annual Meeting

Please join the Board of Trustees to review the packet for the Annual Meeting which will be held June 1, 2025. Discussion will include the two resolutions presented to the congregation, the 25-26 budget, and we’ll also hear from our Faith in Action partner nominees. This is your opportunity to ask questions ahead of the Annual Meeting so that we can make our meeting as efficient as possible!

May Theme: Beauty

Join us each Sunday to hear a sermon on our monthly theme.

Sunday Services

9:30 a.m. Service

10:00 a.m. One Room Schoolhouse (Grades K-4)

and Crossroads (Grades 5-7)

10:45 a.m. Coffee and treats

11:00 a.m. Coming of Age (Grades 8-9)

11:15 a.m. Forum (starts 30 minutes after service ends)

 

 

 

Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Morning Zen with Meredith (Zoom)

    May 16, 2025  6:00 am - 7:00 am
    Zoom Only

    Morning Zen with Rev. Meredith Garmon is now offered on Zoom every Tuesday through Saturday morning at 6:00 am.

    Detailed information can be found on One Earth Zen. For the chants and sutras, it will be helpful to have the booklet: "One Earth Zen: Sutras, Chants, and Songs." You may also pick up a copy in the church office.

    Format:

    Opening Chants

    25 minutes zazen (silent seated meditation)

    6 mins kinhin (walking meditation)

    9 min Sutra service (recitations)

    10 min dharma discussion

    Closing chant

    See more details

  • Morning Zen with Meredith (Zoom)

    May 17, 2025  6:00 am - 7:00 am
    Zoom Only

    Morning Zen with Rev. Meredith Garmon is now offered on Zoom every Tuesday through Saturday morning at 6:00 am.

    Detailed information can be found on One Earth Zen. For the chants and sutras, it will be helpful to have the booklet: "One Earth Zen: Sutras, Chants, and Songs." You may also pick up a copy in the church office.

    Format:

    Opening Chants

    25 minutes zazen (silent seated meditation)

    6 mins kinhin (walking meditation)

    9 min Sutra service (recitations)

    10 min dharma discussion

    Closing chant

    See more details

  • Celebrant Team Meeting

    May 17, 2025  9:00 am - 10:30 am

    Peace Conference Room
     
    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81038991478?pwd=UOR0NrS5iKdxeI9BVDtJ3UFpoEHwVP.1

    Meeting ID: 810 3899 1478
    Passcode: Celebrant

    See more details

  • Artist Reception

    May 17, 2025  1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Griffin Hall

    Kara Andreski

    See more details

  • UU 101

    May 17, 2025  1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Mary Safford

    These classes with the minister and lay-leaders take a closer look at life and membership in our congregation. Expect to hear from leaders on our Board of Trustees, Stewardship Committee, Pastoral Care Team, and more.

    See more details

View Calendar

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 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. 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.