ucdsm.communications@gmail.com

Griffin Hall

Mary Safford
 

Date:   Tuesdays, 7:00-8:45PM, from 09/12/2023 to 12/12/2023.

Registration deadline: Friday, September 8

Members Amanda Kruse and Heidi Lackmann will lead this course of twelve 90-minute workshops arranged around three themes:

• Money and Self;
• Money and Society; and
• Money, Spirit, and Life.

Participants build awareness of their own “money story” and explore their own attitudes and experiences with money. They explore the ways in which money connects us with others, including issues of classism and economic justice, as well as money issues in congregational life, and then delve into ways to align faith, values, and a sense of a life calling with their financial ways of being. This course helps participants understand how money can be a more effective force for living lives of meaning and value and for creating positive change.

Room 114

Ann Mowery

Contact: Karen Kraemer choir@ucdsm.org

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.

Auditorium

  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

Stonewall

Room 111

Zoom

Room 113

Room 114

Room 114

Griffin
Zoom

Room 114
 
 
Frank Bowers

Room 107 (Brown Couch Room)

 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.
 
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

Awakening Heart Sangha is a mindfulness practice group in the Plum Village Tradition of Vietnamese Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, or ‘Thay’. 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. Chairs will be provided. If you prefer a meditation cushion, you are free to bring your own. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to help set up chairs.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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777386156?pwd=ZFFYQUFacTlHOXU4bFk4a0Y4TWxpdz09

Email sangha@ucdsm.org for more information.

Room 114

Jeremy Guenther

Women’s Monthly Lunch 

All UU (and UU-interested) women are welcome to join the monthly gathering of the UU Women’s Lunch Bunch (2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:30). 

Please note:  We have moved from A Dong back to FireCreek Grill

There’s always good food and lively conversation. 


Please be sure to RSVP by the Sunday evening (later than usual because I’m late this month) before the luncheon if you plan to attend:  womenslunch@ucdsm.org

All UU (and UU-interested) women are welcome to join the monthly gathering of the UU Women’s Lunch Bunch (2nd Tuesday of each month). 

RSVP required by the Saturday before the luncheon to: womenslunch@ucdsm.org 

 Meets: Second Tuesday of the month; 2:00 p.m. CT 
 
This group is for book lovers and those who like to talk about what they’re reading. Books are selected by group members from Des Moines, Urbandale and West Des Moines Public Library Book Group Sets. 
 
Contacts: Jean Tauber or Theresa Miller, bookclub@ucdsm.org

Room 113

Mary Safford
 

Date:   Tuesdays, 7:00-8:45PM, from 09/12/2023 to 12/12/2023.

Registration deadline: Friday, September 8

Members Amanda Kruse and Heidi Lackmann will lead this course of twelve 90-minute workshops arranged around three themes:

• Money and Self;
• Money and Society; and
• Money, Spirit, and Life.

Participants build awareness of their own “money story” and explore their own attitudes and experiences with money. They explore the ways in which money connects us with others, including issues of classism and economic justice, as well as money issues in congregational life, and then delve into ways to align faith, values, and a sense of a life calling with their financial ways of being. This course helps participants understand how money can be a more effective force for living lives of meaning and value and for creating positive change.

Contact: Karen Kraemer choir@ucdsm.org

Room 107
 
Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83045131767
Passcode: TAG

Auditorium

  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

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

Stonewall

                                                                                                                       
Contact: Gianfranco Berardi, gamenight@ucdsm.org

Meets: Second Fridays; 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. CT; Griffin Hall

Welcome: All

Please join fellow UU friends for a fun night of board games in Griffin Hall. Bring your favorite game as well as any beverages or snacks you might want to share.

Stonewall

Room 111

Zoom

Room 113

Room 114

Room 114

Griffin
Zoom

Stonewall Conference Room and via Zoom

Send a note to HumanistBookGroup@ucdsm.org if you would like to participate.

Contact: Brenda Trickler/Warren Stine

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87018584456?pwd=Mzl5REczWWRrSXl0QnFDZ3kwdlBTUT09 

Room 107 (Brown Couch Room)

Stonewall

Room 114

Stonewall Conference Room

 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.
 
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

Awakening Heart Sangha is a mindfulness practice group in the Plum Village Tradition of Vietnamese Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, or ‘Thay’. 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. Chairs will be provided. If you prefer a meditation cushion, you are free to bring your own. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to help set up chairs.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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777386156?pwd=ZFFYQUFacTlHOXU4bFk4a0Y4TWxpdz09

Email sangha@ucdsm.org for more information.

Stonewall

Mary Safford
 

Date:   Tuesdays, 7:00-8:45PM, from 09/12/2023 to 12/12/2023.

Registration deadline: Friday, September 8

Members Amanda Kruse and Heidi Lackmann will lead this course of twelve 90-minute workshops arranged around three themes:

• Money and Self;
• Money and Society; and
• Money, Spirit, and Life.

Participants build awareness of their own “money story” and explore their own attitudes and experiences with money. They explore the ways in which money connects us with others, including issues of classism and economic justice, as well as money issues in congregational life, and then delve into ways to align faith, values, and a sense of a life calling with their financial ways of being. This course helps participants understand how money can be a more effective force for living lives of meaning and value and for creating positive change.

Room 114

Birch Spick

Contact: Karen Kraemer choir@ucdsm.org

Room 114
 
 
Doug Aupperle and Sally Boeckholt

Auditorium

  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

Griffin Hall

 
Meets: Third Thursdays Sept-May; 12:00 noon potluck, 1:00 p.m. CT speaker program; $10 yearly dues
 
This informal social and general interest group’s motto is “We eat well, talk much, sit long, and laugh lots!” while also learning from our guest speakers. Unity Circle-Alliance (often referred to as “Unity Circle”) began as a women’s service group at First Unitarian in 1879. The group has a very proud heritage of contributions over the years to our church, our city, our state, and our national culture. From the women’s suffrage movement to social issues in early Des Moines; through post-World War II support for war refugees via the national Unitarian Service Committee and into the current group’s monthly speakers, the organization has worked to improve church life and the lives of others.
 
Contacts: Theresa Miller or Nancee McDowell, unitycircle@ucdsm.org

The UCDSM Board of Trustees

Meets in Stonewall Conference Room 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81039646421

Stonewall

Room 111

Zoom

Room 113

Room 114

Room 114

Griffin
Zoom

Room 107 (Brown Couch Room)

 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.
 
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

Mary & Barb

Room 113

Awakening Heart Sangha is a mindfulness practice group in the Plum Village Tradition of Vietnamese Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, or ‘Thay’. 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. Chairs will be provided. If you prefer a meditation cushion, you are free to bring your own. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to help set up chairs.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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777386156?pwd=ZFFYQUFacTlHOXU4bFk4a0Y4TWxpdz09

Email sangha@ucdsm.org for more information.

Room 113

Room 103/ Large Activity Room

Mary Safford
 

Date:   Tuesdays, 7:00-8:45PM, from 09/12/2023 to 12/12/2023.

Registration deadline: Friday, September 8

Members Amanda Kruse and Heidi Lackmann will lead this course of twelve 90-minute workshops arranged around three themes:

• Money and Self;
• Money and Society; and
• Money, Spirit, and Life.

Participants build awareness of their own “money story” and explore their own attitudes and experiences with money. They explore the ways in which money connects us with others, including issues of classism and economic justice, as well as money issues in congregational life, and then delve into ways to align faith, values, and a sense of a life calling with their financial ways of being. This course helps participants understand how money can be a more effective force for living lives of meaning and value and for creating positive change.

Peace Library
 
 Chosen by Women, About Women, Discussed by Women 

RSVP's sent to wednesdaywomen@ucdsm.org

Contact: Karen Kraemer choir@ucdsm.org

Auditorium

  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

 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

Stonewall

Stonewall

Room 111

Zoom

Room 113

Room 114

Room 114

Griffin
Zoom

Room 107 (Brown Couch Room)

 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.
 
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

Awakening Heart Sangha is a mindfulness practice group in the Plum Village Tradition of Vietnamese Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, or ‘Thay’. 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. Chairs will be provided. If you prefer a meditation cushion, you are free to bring your own. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to help set up chairs.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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777386156?pwd=ZFFYQUFacTlHOXU4bFk4a0Y4TWxpdz09

Email sangha@ucdsm.org for more information.

Patio April-March, Zoom December-March

“A Word With You” meets once a month in person and discuss topics that interest members. We would like to invite new-comers (or old ones) to our church who could join us or just visit with us. We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 10:30 am. The topics vary from environment to personalities.

Please contact Sachiko Murphy (wordwithyou@ucdsm.org) if you are interested.

Stonewall