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

Taking the Leap

Courage means taking on risk of failure or foolishness, of becoming vulnerable. And, courage asks us to confront what is easier to avoid, to say what needs to be said. How do we find courage in the midst of fear and avoidance?

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Upates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

Courage Means ‘Heart’

The word courage reminds us to honor the practice of heart-wisdom and love. The opposite of anxiety isn’t calm, it’s trust. Can we foster our capacity to be courageous by centering compassion and love? How might we treat a friend taking on something scary? Can we extend that love to ourselves?

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Updates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

The Power of Community

No one is an island unto themselves; we embrace our interconnectedness and social nature. Often it is the inspiration of others that gives us courage, and the awareness that others, too, experience fear and yet find a way to act in courage. Given the cost of staying comfortably avoidant in harmful situations, how do we best nurture courage in our community?

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Updates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

Healing

What does it mean to heal? Why is healing often so difficult or scary? Join us for a courageous look into the practice of healing. We will honor those we have lost in our annual ritual of ribbons of remembrance.

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Updates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

Things Fall Apart

Healing is rarely linear. One day we’re improving, the next day it feels worse than before. And one person’s healing journey rarely looks like another’s. Join us for a service to explore the complex journey of healing.

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Updates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

The Idea of Normal

Healing often implies a ‘return to normal’. Who determines what is ‘normal’, and who is left out in those conversations? Join us for a courageous conversation on disability justice and the problem of the normal/abnormal binary.

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Updates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

Abide With Me

We live in community, not isolation. How can a community best support one another in our ongoing journeys of healing?

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Updates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

It’s Your Story
Person trying to lift themselves using a pull out of a wheelchair in a hospital setting

It’s Your Story with Rev. Steve Sieck

The healing professions offer support and intervention for healing, but the journey is the care-seeker’s to take. How can we claim our part in our stories? Join us for a celebrant-led service on the courage to heal.

View the Order of Service (PDF)

Updates every Friday afternoon

9:15 a.m. Service: Gather in the Auditorium for a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. Come listen, reflect, sing, and connect.

Join us live on YouTube

(9:15 a.m. Service only)

11:00 a.m. MOSAIC Service: Join us in Griffin Hall for a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection.

For Children & Families: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service ONLY. Childcare for children ages 0-4 will be available during both services.

Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • DMARC Book Group

    September 28, 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

    Join instructions
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89454166012/invitations?signature=kKJDj2dHs_leQCavlbMdJuXU-V87Z7PrQAOTDFD0N00

    See more details

  • Tai Chi

    September 28, 2026  9:30 am - 10:30 am
    Griffin, Gathering Area

    See more details

  • Small Group Ministry- Steve E.

    September 28, 2026  1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
    Stonewall Conference Room

    See more details

  • Steering Committee (ZOOM)

    September 28, 2026  6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

    UCDSM Communications is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

    Topic: Steering Committee (Peace Conference Room)
    Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87661107051?pwd=1Ht2opoT8FVp49FCPJqxJhmy24atNG.1

    Meeting chat link
    https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87661107051

    Meeting ID: 876 6110 7051

    See more details

  • AMOS City Budget Team

    September 28, 2026  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Stonewall Conference Room

    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 one of our Sunday services- 9:15 or 11:00 a.m.
    • Our 9:15 a.m. service is held in our Auditorium and is a full Sunday service featuring readings, hymns, reflections, musical ensembles, and a sermon. This service is also livestreamed and our Faith Formation classes are available during this time.
    • Our 11:00 a.m. Mosaic Service is held in Griffin Hall and is a more intimate, discussion-based service exploring the same themes and questions in a participatory way. MOSAIC stands for Meaning, Openness, Sharing, Authenticity, Inquiry, and Connection. Childcare for children ages 0-4 is available during both services.
  2. Click here for directions to our building!
  3. 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.
  4. Join us between services 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.
  5. Check out our Affinity Groups for adults. We also have programs for children, youth, and adults.
  6. 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.