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

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.

Letting Love, Not Fear, Lead the Way

We all feel fear and the pressure to cave to it. What helps us strengthen our ability to put fear in its place? What helps us choose courage when facing difficult decisions and dangerous actions? Speaker Katy Swalwell lives in Beaverdale with her husband and two children. A former social studies teacher and education professor, she is now an educational consultant, author, and book publisher. She has been a member of First Unitarian for almost a year.

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

  • Childcare

    October 4, 2026  9:15 am - 12:15 pm
    Little Sprouts Room on the Lower Level

    Childcare is always available during Sunday services for children aged 0-4 years-old

    See more details

  • Sunday Service (Hybrid)

    October 4, 2026  9:15 am - 10:30 am
    Auditorium

    Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/@firstucdsm/streams

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

    NOTE: Faith Formation classes for children are offered during the 9:15 a.m. service, and nursery care is available during both services.

    See more details

  • UU Explorers

    October 4, 2026  9:15 am - 10:45 am
    Woods (213)

    This class is recommended for children ages 7-10 or children who are ready to explore simple abstract concepts through artistic and constructive play. Activities in this class will require the ability to follow simple directions.

    See more details

  • UU Foundations

    October 4, 2026  9:15 am - 10:45 am
    Creek (214)

    This class is recommended for children ages 10 and up or children who are ready for and interested in exploring more advanced concepts within Unitarian Universalism and in other religious traditions. The children in this class will have the opportunity to take on roles in the services and provide leadership for the Youth Service.

    See more details

  • UU Friendship

    October 4, 2026  9:15 am - 10:45 am
    Acorn Room (211)

    This class is recommended for children ages 4-7 or children who need additional support for learning or behavior. The goals of the class include developing the skills needed to participate in Faith Formation classes, establishing caring and trusting relationships, and becoming familiar with the church building, staff, and leadership.

    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.