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

P: 515-244-8603

UUs, Buddhists, and Ecosattvas: Reflections on the 2023 UU

Buddhist Convocation

with the Karen Massetti Miller

Celebrant: Heidi Levine

Pianist: Bruce Martin

Director of Choirs: Karen Kraemer

Music: Barb Martin & Sarah Chang

Song Leader: Barb Martin

A/V volunteer: Bill Allen

Pastoral Care: Laura Berardi

Hospitality Coordinator: Terry Meek

Join the live service on Zoom!

Zoom Passcode: Safford

(Please mute your mic before the service begins!)

Joys & Concerns for Sunday should be submitted by noon on Friday.

Click on the Caring Community webpage for the following options:

• Caring Ministry – for temporary assistance, such as meals or rides, or to volunteer 
• Please note: the Caring Ministry phone number is now
• 515-244-8603 ext. 108
• Pastoral Care – for support through a difficult time 

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

NEWS THIS WEEK

This section holds events happening this week, as well as articles submitted in the past 7 days. Be sure to continue scrolling to read about other upcoming events, church news, and social justice efforts!g

Annual Meeting

of First Unitarian Church

The Annual Meeting of First Unitarian Church of Des Moines will take place on Sunday, June 4 at 11:00 a.m. in the Auditorium and on Zoom. All are encouraged to attend and participate; members are urged to attend, participate and vote. At this meeting, the congregation will hear the report of the president; elect members of the Board of Trustees and Endowment Committee; approve an operating budget for FY2024; consider a bylaw change concerning Membership; celebrate this year's "Unsung UU," choose Faith in Action partners for 2023-24; and conduct other business. The Annual Meeting packet will be available on Realm on May 21; paper copies will be available by calling the church office, or at the Meeting itself. With questions, contact our President, Reba Eagles; our Minister, Victoria Safford; or the Director of Finance and Administration, Alice Stewart.

Interim Ministry Update

Wanted to give a quick update from the Interim Ministry Committee. As some of you may have heard – we have a match! We are excited to announce that Reverend Dr. Meredith Garmon will be our new interim minister.

He was born and raised a UU by rationalist humanist academics and has been a Zen practitioner for over 20 years. He is married to Reverend Dr LoraKim Joyner, a UU community minister, she is also a veterinarian and conservationist. No children at home – they’re all grown and out on their own. He has served a number of congregations including his most recent congregation in White Plains New York for 10 years.



Our committee would describe him as funny, personable, intelligent, collaborative, humble, and grounded. There will be a video introduction from Reverend Garmon during our Annual Meeting on June 4^th. We look forward to everyone meeting him, and continuing our work together living into our mission.

Thanks for all you do!

Crystal Loving, Doug Aupperle, Elliott Nassif, Scott Emison Clair, Shelly Kaldenberg, & Steven Herwig

A Letter from Rev. Victoria

My ministry at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines is drawing to a close, and I am writing with sadness and confident hope as you carry forward the beautiful work of this congregation: to grow your souls in community and serve the world in love.

Read more

Survey: Children & Youth Faith Formation 2023-24

Dear First Unitarian Families,

Our current church year has been a year of trying new things, including moving all children & youth programming to Sunday mornings after service. With nearly a whole programming year over, we know this works well for some families and less-well for others. We'd like to know what works best for you and your family, so please take the time to fill out this survey by June 30.

Ceremony of Dedication

for Older Children

& Those with New Names

Our service on Sunday, June 4, will include a Child Dedication Ceremony. Most often we hold Dedications for families with infants and toddlers, but this time we’re extending the invitation to children of all ages, right up through high school. Some families arrive at the congregation long after their children are little; others, for lots of reasons, choose not to have a dedication when their kids are small, or didn’t get around to it in the bustle of those early years. For others, this can be a welcome opportunity to mark and celebrate a new name for their child (perhaps one the child has chosen for themself as they’ve come into new and truer identity). If you’d like your family to be included in this special dedication, or just want to know more, send me a note at vsafford@ucdsm.org. (And of course: if your child is an infant and you’d like to take part, we’ll welcome them too, with joy, on this day!

Our Renovated Kitchen

is Ready to Serve and Reserve!

The Kitchen Care Team has been busy! We’ve trained dozens of church members how to operate the new equipment and how to keep the kitchen clean, lean and green! The Kitchen Care Manual with step-by-step instructions can be found in the drawer labeled “manuals” underneath the microwave. Fern Stewart and Elaine Imlau from the kitchen care team brilliantly organized and labeled all the drawers and cupboards. They even labeled one drawer “Oh, Shoot, I forgot it at church!“

We expect the kitchen will be in demand for all kinds of events. Please reserve early! The kitchen is reserved separately from Griffin Hall. If you want to use the kitchen, you need to make a specific request for it. You can reserve the kitchen just like any other room by contacting Hannah Notch at hnotch@ucdsm.org.

We hope you enjoy your new church kitchen, thanks to all the generous donors and tireless volunteers.



The Kitchen Care Team

First Unitarian Building Team:

Help Wanted

Do you love our building? We Do!

It takes a lot of love – and maintenance – to keep it looking beautiful and being useful to so many people. The Building Team assists the church admin in overseeing building needs.

Want to Help? We are looking for friends with the following SKILLS OR who are willing to be general helpers to those with skills! Follow this link to the Volunteer Opportunities form, and checkmark "Grouds & Building Work" to get involved with the Building Team.

Skills Needed:

· Light Carpentry/Woodwork

· Plumbing

· Electrical

· Painting

· Mechanical

· Assisting with any of the above and general help

Current and Upcoming (Possible) Projects:

· Restoring the front of the stage in the sanctuary (sanding, varnishing, cleanup)

· Restoring the window seats in Griffin (sanding, varnishing, cleanup, light carpentry?)

· Rethinking storage issues post-kitchen reno (tables, etc.)

· Floor repairs post-lift renovation

· Parking Lot work

Upcoming events:

• June 10 – Grounds Help Day
• June 17 – Building Help Day
• Sign up for one or both of these specific events here!

Current Building Team: Al Powers (Chair), Louise Alcorn, Doug Aupperle, Walter Pearson, and Tom Thurtell

Green Sanctuary

Our Vision: Congregational Evolution; Anti-Oppressive Climate Work; Collaboration and Mobilization with organizations throughout the state of Iowa and the UUA.



Our Mission: Bring forth an environmentally sustainable, socially just, spiritually resilient world where we share and use resources to benefit all. Dedicate time and space for education, action, and reflection. Living our UU Values and the Seven (and proposed 8th) Principles into our climate and social justice activism.

We Believe We Should: treat environmentally responsible practices as a spiritual discipline; educate ourselves, our children, and future generations on sustainable ways to live interdependently; and practice environmentally responsible consumption and encourage voluntary simplicity among members.

Meetings: The Green Sanctuary team meets monthly on Zoom (usually the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm). Our team uses a Shared Leadership model. The roles include: Facilitator, Centering/Time Keeper, and Recorder. We offer Forums and classes.

:

Statement of Conscience and Reusables: We recognize the UUA Statement of Conscience and suggest that our church follow sustainable practices by using washable, reusable tableware for serving and consuming food on site and at events sponsored by the church. We understand there may be rare instances when washable, reusable tableware cannot be used. In those cases, we recommend the use of compostable products that congregants will compost in local bins. 

Composting: There will be a one-gallon collection bin in the kitchen in the food prep area. Acceptable compost includes fruits and vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds and filters, paper tea bags. Our compost bins are for First Unitarian kitchen material only.

Recycling (Waste Management Rules): cans; cardboard (no food residue); paper; paper cartons (waxy, coated food and beverage cartons like milk, juice, and soup broth); plastic containers that have twist-off lids.

Welcome: We welcome new members to help us on this journey. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Find us on Facebook!

March with First Unitarian

at Capital City Pride!

Help First Unitarian Church maintain its proud tradition of support for the LGBTQ+ community by marching with your fellow UU's in the Capital City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 12! We invite all church members, both LGBTQ+ and straight/cisgender allies, and including adults, teens, and children, to meet in the parking lot of the Lucas Building at 321 E.12th St. (on the EAST side of the State Capital Building) between 11 and 11:30 a.m. The parade starts promptly at 12:00 p.m., so give yourself ample time to get there and park. Parking will be available in the visitor lots just south of East Walnut & E. 12th Streets and also in the Judicial Branch lot at East 12th St. & East Court Ave. The parade route is about a mile on level and downhill streets.

We also invite everyone to again wear your favorite First Unitarian Pride or Standing on the Side of Love t-shirt. (Don't have one yet? Some are available for purchase in self-serve kiosk in the gathering area after services on Sundays.) 

Some signs, banners, and flags will be available for you to carry in the parade if you wish, or you are welcome to make your own. We are especially encouraging people to make and bring signs that focus on transgender rights, supporting trans-affirming healthcare for youth, DO say gay/trans in schools, NOT banning LGBTQ+ books, etc. Contact tag@ucdsm.org with questions and for more information.

Food Fair Update

We are only $300 from our $13,000 mark raised last year! 10 events still have over 40 seats open. Help us reach $13,000! Check the updated list and email foodfair@ucdsm.org to reserve your space.

Purchases can be paid in one of two ways:

• Online use this link and designate Food Fair under Funds 
• Deliver a check to the church, write FF Bid #s on your check.

Let's Create!

First Unitarian Music

& Art Festival 2023

We're gearing up for FUMAF 2023 in October, and we need your help to make it the most incredible event yet. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and join us in creating something truly special?

We're currently on the lookout for passionate volunteers to assist us in various key areas. Here's how you can get involved:

1. Artist Recruitment: We're seeking art-loving individuals who can reach out to local artists and musicians, encouraging them to showcase their incredible talent at FUMAF. Help us curate an amazing lineup of diverse artworks! Artists and musicians can sign up here.
2. Auction and Live Music Planning: Are you a pro at event planning? Join our team to collaborate directly with church staff, mapping out an unforgettable auction and live music lineup.

If you're bursting with excitement and can't wait to get involved, drop us a line at communications@ucdsm.org. Let us know which area you'd like to contribute to, and we'll get back to you with more information.

FUMAF 2023 is going to be an explosion of creativity, music, and community. Let's come together and make this event a resounding success. Your passion and dedication will be the driving force behind its magic!

Humanist Update

Book Group

The Humanist book group meets at noon on the first and third Sunday of each month, both in person at the church (right after the forum) and via Zoom.  We will begin The Big Picture by Sean Carroll on June 4. It is OK to come in late if the Annual Meeting urns past noon.

Iowa Secular Summit

Plan to join us on Saturday, June 10, when the Humanist Society of Iowa and the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers will host the Iowa Secular Summit. Doors open at noon with the first speaker starting at 1:00 PM. This will be an afternoon of discussion followed by a catered dinner. Community leaders will discuss the importance of human rights, separation of church and state, and education. Speakers will include Mary Jane Cobb, ISEA President; Iowa State Senators Claire Celsi and Sarah Trone-Garriott; and Hemet Mehta, the Friendly Atheist. Click on IowaSecularSummit.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Next Family Promise Hosting Week

July 9 – 16

Volunteer signup will be available mid-June.

Haven’t been an evening or overnight host before, but would like to try it? Background checks must be on file to do so. Please do the following:

• New hosts, please fill out this form and send to Hannah Notch at hnotch@ucdsm.org
• New drivers, please review the driver information and fill out the driver application form. See the volunteer driver information and links to documents here.

Send cash donations directly to Family Promise of Greater Des Moines here:

https://www.familypromisedm.org/get_involved/donate.html

Thanks for your involvement and support!

Contact: Elaine Imlau, Chair | familypromise@ucdsm.org

Rev. Victoria's Spring Calendar

Friends, you may always reach me at vsafford@ucdsm.org or at 612-405-3318 (a cell number dedicated to church work). We can schedule a Zoom appointment when I am working remotely from St. Paul, or we can meet at church or in your home when I’m here in Des Moines, or simply talk by phone. If you’d like to meet in person during an upcoming visit, please reach out to schedule an appointment! reach out to schedule an appointment. Weekends remaining for in-person visits: May 5-7, June 2-4, June 9-12. You can view my calendar here.

Submissions to the Intercom Weekly are due on Wednesday at 12 noon. Submissions after the deadline cannot be guaranteed a spot in that week's newsletter.

Want to publicize your church event? We have a form for that!

Visit our "Our Events" page to fill out the form.

Email communications@ucdsm.org with any questions.

Women's Wednesdays – May 31

Topics chosen by women, about women, discussed by women.

Meets the last Wednesday of every month from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the Peace Library.

1:30-2 p.m: General meet and greet, catch-up.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m: Discussion

This month's topic: "Fairy Tales"

Spring & Summer Programming:

Closer Than You Think!

Warm weather is approaching, and the Adult Programming Committee has lined up some great classes for these Spring and Summer months! Some of these groups begin meeting this month, so sign up today!

May 15 – September 11

Facing Death with Life

This is a facilitated process of personal reflection, learning, and spiritual growth focused on death and dying, helping participants move from viewing death as an abstract concept to developing a personal recognition of its meaning in their lives.

This free course meets in person for 8 ninety-minute workshops. Meets from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on the first and third Mondays of the month, starting May 15, and ending September 11.

Read more

Led by Hilary Hippen-Leek and Elliot Nassif.

Register here

_______________________________

Mistakes and Miracles

"UU Common Read" book discusses the joy, disappointment, and growth of multiculturalism and anti-racism work in our congregations and movement. The UUA common read is titled Mistakes and Miracles by Palmer and Lin. 

Please sign up for a free 90-minute Zoom session in late May. We will watch a 45-minute video overview of the book that includes the two authors and two UU ministers. Then, we will discuss next steps. 

Wednesday, May 24 at 2:00 pm

or

Thursday, May 25 at 6:30 pm.

You can sign up for either; a Zoom link will be forthcoming.

Read more  

Led by Gene McCracken

Register here

_______________________________

Hindsight, Humor, and Hope: Who, Me, an Elder?

Helps participants design their later years through reflection, discernment, soul stretching, and exploration of new life possibilities.

This free course meets for 6 two-hour workshops on Tuesdays, starting August 22 and ending September 26. Meets 1:30–3:30 pm in-person at First Unitarian Church.

Read more

Led by Barbara Royal and Dagny Fidler.

Register here

Sacred Bridges CUUPS is looking for people to be a part of our Pagan Jubilee: Beltane May 4, 2024 committee. We are going to be planning a huge festival for next years Beltane Celebration. We are hoping to have vendors, food, speakers, drum makers, and lots of fun.

To join the committee, please send us an email at sacredbridgescuups@gmail.com.

Griffin Gallery Artist May

Luis Guzmán Montano captivates viewers with his use of colors and mastery of oil paint. Born in El Salvador, Guzmán Montano incorporates Salvadorian and American culture in his surrealist paintings. The work shares the artist's perspective on life using symbolic images like birds, barbed wire, trees, and figures. His signature blended lines and borders can be found in all of his pieces.

-Cindy Barahona Roth – Witter Gallery. Storm Lake, IA

Faith In Action Nominees 2023-24

Al Exito 

Champion: Dave Witke, Gene McCracken

Al Éxito serves 6th grade - college-aged youth in over 18 communities across Iowa. Facilitators are contracted, trained, and paid to run the programs at each site. Parent programs, entitled Padres Unidos, were developed to better inform and equip Spanish-speaking partners to help their students succeed in school. Al Éxito advances the success of Latinx youth through programs that focus on college preparation, career development, civic engagement, family support, and celebration of culture. By gaining knowledge, skills, opportunities, and support, our young leaders achieve higher education and career goals, engage in leadership and civic activities that build equitable Latinx representation in our communities and nurture well-being through cultural identity development. First Unitarian Church has had been active in supporting Al Exito in the past and would like to support them again this year. https://www.alexitoiowa.org

Clive Community Services

Champion: Jack Hacket

Clive Community Services (CCS) offers a Food Pantry, a Clothing Closet, a Free Medical Clinic and Educational Services.  We began operation in 2016 through the leadership of local citizens who were concerned about the growing level of need in the neighborhood near Crestview School of Inquiry.   Our offices are located within walking distance of many apartments and the Crestview School of Inquiry which provides convenience and familiarity to those seeking services.  In addition to serving immigrant populations, it should be noted that CCS maintains a commitment to all low-income families in the area who are seeking food, other support services, and stability in their lives.  Besides a paid director, we are entirely volunteer-run.  Volunteer opportunities of all types are available. Donations of all kinds accepted.   www.clivecommunityservices.com

Family Promise

Champion: Elaine Imlau

Family Promise of Greater Des Moines strives to create a safe, stable and nurturing environment for the children as well as to support the efforts of their parents in securing employment and housing. We partner with 14 host congregations, volunteers and donors to help homeless families with children find steady income and stable housing. At First Unitarian, as a host congregation, we flip classrooms into bedrooms and offer overnight shelter, evening meals and transportation for up to 3 families for one week every season. https://www.familypromisedm.org/welcome.html

FreeStore

Champion: Mike Smith

The FreeStore is an all-volunteer organization supporting children and families who have escaped domestic violence and those suffering from other forms of trauma including natural disasters and criminal assault. We provide donated furniture and household goods as these families begin new lives in a safe environment. FreeStore volunteers collect gently used furniture and furnishings from homes in the Des Moines metro area. We collaborate with other non-profits and social-service agencies. Their advocates make appointments for their clients to select furniture and furnishings from our warehouse and we deliver it to their new home. https://thefreestore.org

Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund

Champion: Doug Aupperle

The Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund's goal is to provide financial assistance to transgender, non-binary and other gender diverse individuals in the state of Iowa to assist in accessing gender-affirming healthcare. This includes trans minors and their families now forced to seek gender-affirming healthcare out of state due to recent changes in Iowa law. https://iowamutualaid.org/iowa-trans-mutual-aid

Just Voices

Champion: Harvey Harrison

Just Voices mission is to work to build a platform that educates, advocates, and collaborates to end racially biased policing in Iowa. Just Voices envisions a society free from racial oppression. It is the hope that a partnership with First UU will continue the growth and impact of our programs. That this partnership will offer opportunities for education in our congregation, communicate our values to the greater community and create a forum for face-to-face engagement. We will also seek to reach out to other local churches in an effort to broaden the base for our work. https://justvoicesia.org

Our current partnerships run from September 2022 through August 2023. They were selected by our members at our June 2022 annual meeting. The organizations are:

Hawthorn Hill

Our Champion is Sally Boeckholt

Let's Talk

Our Champion is Ellen Taylor

Rev. Victoria Safford, Transitional Contract Minister

vsafford@ucdsm.org

Office phone: 515-244-8603 ext. 102

Cell: 612- 405-3318

Alice J. Stewart, Director of Finance and Administration

director@ucdsm.org

515-244-8603 ext. 101

Mondays: by appointment

Tuesdays – Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fridays: by appointment

Zoom meetings available upon request

Birch Spick, Faith Formation Coordinator

& Congregational Life Coordinator

FFOffice@ucdsm.org

CLOffice@ucdsm.org

515-244-8603 ext. 106

Off Mondays

Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Emily Petty, Communications Coordinator

communications@ucdsm.org

515-244-8603 ext. 103

Off Mondays

Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

To submit an item for the Intercom, email communications@ucdsm.org by Wednesday at noon.

Hannah Notch, Social Media and Executive Support Specialist

hnotch@ucdsm.org

Tuesday - Friday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm

To have an event or meeting added to the church calendar, email Hannah at calendar@ucdsm.org