A Unitarian Universalist Church | 1800 Bell Ave. Des Moines, IA 50315

515-244-8603

CORRECTED

The link under Host Ohio Youth has been corrected.

Transitions

with Birch Cue

What gifts can give us the courage to embrace a life full of changes? Please join Birch Cue, our Faith Formation and Congregational Life Coordinator, as we explore the sometimes frightening transitions of life.

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before

the service begins!)



Zoom may not be available.

Human Trafficking is everywhere. Learn about Polk County’s efforts to tackle human trafficking in central Iowa from Meggan Guns of the Polk County Attorney’s office who prosecutes these cases. Meggan is also the Democratic candidate for the Dallas County Attorney seeking election in November 2024.

Visit the Caring Community Webpage for the following options:

• Caring Ministry – for temporary assistance, such as meals or rides, or to volunteer (515-244-8603 ext. 108)
• Pastoral care - for support through a difficult time

Check the news feed in Realm if you missed last Sunday's Joys & Sorrows.

Laura Berardi is the Pastoral Care Associate available for this service time. Please email pastoralcareteam@ucdsm.org for assistance during the week.

FAITH FORMATION

Children & Youth Programming

Children and Youth programs happen on Sundays!

• Elementary-aged (Kindergarten-4th Grade) children of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to go to the One Room SchUUlhouse during services after the Story for All Ages.
• Middle-school aged youth of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to join their own group after service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.
• High-school aged youth of visitors, friends, and members are welcome to join our youth group after service every Sunday morning.

Host Ohio Youth

Dear First Unitarians, We have the opportunity to extend hospitality to fellow UU youth and their facilitators. Fourteen youth & adult facilitators from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent (Ohio) will be traveling to Pine Ridge, SD, for a service trip. They have asked to stay overnight at First Unitarian on Friday, May 31st and Friday, June 7th. Please look at this list of ways you can help.

Adult Programming

Our Adult Programs webpage has our exciting Spring courses and groups. Be sure to register now!

• Bird Walks
• Circle Suppers
• Connection Circles
• Metaphysical Awakening Book Study
• UU Wellspring Sacred Earth
• Tai Chi



CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

THIS WEEK'S

EVENTS & NEWS

If your group will be taking a break for the summer, please let the office know by emailing your information to calendar@ucdsm.org. This way we can remove your group from the calendar.

The staff have been working hard to clean up the office space and now we have empty filing cabinets that need a new home. Please contact admin@ucdsm.org if you are interested in any of the following: one 4-drawer metal cabinet, two 2-drawer filing cabinets, and two small under-desk cabinets with two drawers and one file drawer, each.

We have recently purchased step stools and potty inserts to be more accommodating to our younger members. You will find these in the main level Women's restroom in the handicap stall and in the main level All-Gender restroom. We hope this makes our little ones more comfortable!

We had a glorious day planting with Brookview Elementary at Iowa’s first Mini-forest. We had good coverage from all three of the major TV stations, a major radio station, and an excellent article in the Des Moines Register (with an acknowledgement to First Unitarian)!

The Iowa Mini-Forest Project team really appreciates the financial support and the active volunteer work from First Unitarian members.

Talent Limited/A Monthly Reading Group

Sunday, May 12th at 5:00 p.m.

at The Towers Club

Our small group of would-be thespians has been meeting since June 2023 on the 2nd Sunday of each month. We invite you to join us on Sunday, May 12th, for a play chosen, directed and read by our members. We gather at 5:00 p.m. for a potluck so bring your beverage of choice and something to share. The reading begins at 6:00 and we are usually finished by 7:00 p.m. The event is held in the party room at The Towers Club, 3663 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. All are welcome!

UU Women's Lunch Bunch

Tuesday, May 14th from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

at Little Brother Restaurant

Please join our monthly women's luncheon held the second Tuesday every month at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Little Brother, 6587 University Ave, Windsor Heights, IA 50324. It's a great place for lively conversation and connection. RESERVATIONS are required. Please contact admin@ucdsm.orgif you plan to attend.

Unity Circle

Thursday, May 16th at 12:00 p.m.

We will be meeting at noon on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, for lunch and a program. Our speaker will be Josh Mandelbaum - Des Moines City Council Member. Please bring a dish to share, and your own table service and a cup for your beverage. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Volunteer Sustainability Training:

Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining

Saturday, May 18th from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Griffin Hall

We will meet Saturday mornings: May 18, June 1, and June 15. Everyone is welcome and leaders are particularly encouraged to attend. We will use the UUA curriculum "Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining" in the form of webinars. If you're part of a group, but not a leader, you'll come away with a better understanding of healthy group dynamics. If you can't commit to all six sessions, you can catch up by watching the webinars on your own.

Women's Wednesdays

Wednesday, May 22nd from 12:30-3:00

The General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend! You can find out more about the assembly, including the programs, schedules and how to register to attend by clicking the button below.

We can send eight voting delegates. Delegates are certified to vote on behalf of the church and attend the business portion of the assembly. If you would like to be considered to be a voting delegate, please send an email to admin@ucdsm.org indicating your interest. The board will then approve and credential the delegates chosen to represent our church.

First Unitarian Humanist Update

** Book Group

The Humanist book group meets on the first and third Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon in the south conference room. You can join in person or via Zoom.  The next meeting date will be Sunday, May 19th, when we will be discussing chapters 43 and 44 of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll. We’ll be selecting a new book in the near future, so let us know what you would like to discuss next.

**Iowa City Humanist Meeting

The UU Secular Humanists will host their annual meeting with Iowa state congressional representatives on Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 p.m., both in person and via Zoom at Zoom Link. The following legislators have agreed to share their experiences during this past year and give their forecast for the year to come:

- Adam Zabner

- Amy Neilsen

- Dave Jacoby

- Elinor Levin

** Watch Party

Our watch party series will continue on Saturday, May 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines. We will be watching two more episodes of James Burke’s Connections series. Send a note to info@humanistsocietyofiowa.org for more information.

Griffin Hall Artist

Betty Walker is a local artist residing in the Highland Park neighborhood. She is invested in her community as a resident, artist, and public school teacher. Most notably known for her coffee art, Betty also uses other mediums such as watercolor, ink, charcoal, and more. You can find her wall and window murals around town in local businesses, schools, and residences.

Reach out if you are interested in a commission or mural by contacting her through her website.

 For a full list of upcoming meetings and events, please visit our church calendar.

Our Faith In Action partners are Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund and The Freestore. If you would like to donate to Faith in Action partners, please donate directly to them through the links provided.

If you would like to donate to the Freestore, click here.

If you would like to donate to the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund, click here. 

In addition to providing monetary donations for our Faith in Action partners, one of the goals of this committee is to improve relationships through volunteer events that support the organizations. We will announce events that church members can be involved with in the coming months.

Freestore

Our Champion is Mike Smith

Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund

Our Champion is Doug Aupperle

Welcome

Joah Hogan

AV Technician

Joah (he/him) will be starting May 12th and training with Dylan the next two Sundays. Please stop by the AV booth and welcome him! Read below for a little information about Joah!

I have an 18 year old daughter Avery who is about to graduate from Roosevelt High School. I have lived in Des Moines most of my life and currently live in the Lower Beaver neighborhood. I've been an AV dude for over 20 years and currently work at the Iowa Hospital Association as the Director of Digital Media and Communications. Picture attached (The WV does not stand for West Virginia but Wapsie Valley where my brother couches football!)

Helps Us Spread the Word!

REACH Grant Applications

Available for 2024

A program of the Endowment Committee

It’s almost a new year and a new opportunity to share your ideas for Radical Engagements And Creative Happenings!

REACH Grant Applications for 2024 are now available.

REACH grants can be awarded to church members or groups for ideas related to community outreach, educational opportunities for members. This is your chance to plan or improve a program or event beyond our usual budget limitations. We have $13,079 available for grants this year, with each individual grant capped at $2,500. So, what would you like to do?

The REACH grant application form is available on the church website, here.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your project prior to completing the application, please e-mail the Endowment Committee at Endowment@UCDSM.org.

Here it is...Your Moment of Zen

One evening after chanting sutras, Raven said, "Over at Jackrabbit Roshi's community, we were taught that we should be free from birth and death. I've never known how to go about this."

Brown Bear said, "That's because it isn't possible."

Raven said, "There was a clear implication that it is."

Brown Bear lunged at Raven with a horrific snarl.

Raven let out a croak and flew to a gray pine nearby.

Brown Bear looked up at her and asked, "What happened to make you croak?"

Raven hopped down to a lower perch and said, "I would rather ask the robin to explain."

Brown Bear sniffed and said, "Now the robin is taking over."

Raven said, "Only his beautiful song."

Brown Bear asked, "What happened to the stones and trees?"

Raven let out a croak.

Brown Bear asked, "Where did they go?"

Raven croaked and then croaked again.

Brown Bear nodded her big head slowly and showed her teeth at Raven. "The robin seems to have a bad cold this morning," she said finally, and both she and Raven laughed and laughed.

See the full post here.

Who Do I Contact for...?

Please refer to the corresponding email based on your request or inquiry.

Financial Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Pledge Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Administrative Requests: admin@ucdsm.org

Communication Requests: communications@ucdsm.org

Building Use Requests: hnotch@ucdsm.org

All Other Inquiries: mgarmon@ucdsm.org

Intercom Weekly Submissions

Deadline: Wednesday @ 12 noon

Two ways to get your message across:

1. Submit your Intercom Weekly article to communications@ucdsm.org.
2. Want more of a "boost?" Select from an entire menu of communications using Our Events form! Staff LOVES to receive these forms!

Helpful Hints:

• In the body of an email, please include a title, relevant dates and times, contact information, and a brief description of your event or announcement.
• Please proofread your article before submitting
• An image can help make your article stand out! Please feel free to attach an image to your email. (JPG or PNG files are preferred.) Note: images that violate copyright laws will be rejected.
• The Intercom Weekly is sent out to our mailing list on Friday at 12:00 p.m.
• We run announcements for no more than three consecutive weeks, so please plan accordingly.
• Per church policy, we do not share private email addresses or phone numbers in our communications. We will set up an @ucdsm.org email address for you. Please contact the office for more information.