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

The Different Faces of Flourishing

What does it mean to truly flourish? We’ll explore three introspective personal stories that reveal the many ways people experience growth, purpose, resilience, and joy. Together, we’ll reflect on how flourishing can look different for each of us—and how we might cultivate it in our own lives.

Join our Livestream!

Click here for the Order of Service (updates every Friday afternoon)

No Forum: Join us for the Pride Parade!

Conditions for Flourishing

What are the conditions necessary for flourishing?  How do our pasts – even across generations – affect our capacity to flourish?  Join us as we honor the Summer Solstice, Father’s Day, and the deep work of nourishing and repairing the soil in which we grow.

Join our Livestream!

Click here for the Order of Service (updates every Friday afternoon)

Forum: ACLU

Erica Dubin-Barz, ACLU of Iowa Community Engagement Manager, will share the organization’s analysis of this year’s legislative session and talk about what the results will mean for Iowans’ lives. She’ll also share ways to take action and protect civil liberties in the coming months.
Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Capital City Pride

    June 12, 2026 - June 14, 2026  
    East Village

    You can be part of the 2026 PrideFest! The QTAG team will have a booth that needs staffing from enthusiastic volunteers handing out literature & swag, answering general questions about UUs & our church & joining in celebrating Pride!

    Schedule:

    Friday June 12- Booths & Vendors open 5-9 p.m.

    Saturday June 13- Booths & Vendors open 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

    Sunday June 14- Booths & Vendors open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

    See more details

  • Wedding

    June 13, 2026  3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

    See more details

  • Capital City Pride

    June 12, 2026 - June 14, 2026  
    East Village

    You can be part of the 2026 PrideFest! The QTAG team will have a booth that needs staffing from enthusiastic volunteers handing out literature & swag, answering general questions about UUs & our church & joining in celebrating Pride!

    Schedule:

    Friday June 12- Booths & Vendors open 5-9 p.m.

    Saturday June 13- Booths & Vendors open 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

    Sunday June 14- Booths & Vendors open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

    See more details

  • Youth Summer Programming

    June 14, 2026  9:15 am - 10:45 am
    Room 111 and 113

    See more details

  • Childcare

    June 14, 2026  9:15 am - 12:15 pm
    Room 105

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

    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 our Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. CT in-person or via livestream. You can also click here for directions to our building!
  2. 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.
  3. Join us after the service 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.
  4. Check out our Affinity Groups for adults. We also have programs for children, youth, and adults.
  5. 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.