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.

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Upcoming Service

The State of the Media & Envisioning the Future

Join us for “The State of Media and Envisioning the Future” with longtime Iowa journalist Dave Busiek. During his 43-year career, Busiek served as a reporter, anchor, and for 30 years as News Director at KCCI-TV in Des Moines, leading coverage of major events from the Iowa caucuses to the floods of 1993. An award-winning broadcaster and member of the Iowa Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Busiek will share insights on today’s media landscape and what the future of journalism might hold.

Forum: The State of Media & Envisioning the Future with Dave Busiek

Join us after the service to continue our conversation with longtime Iowa journalist, Dave Busiek.
Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • DMARC Book Group

    July 6, 2026  8:30 am - 10:00 am
    Stonewall Conference Room

    First Unitarian is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

    Topic: DMARC Book Group
    Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89454166012

    Meeting ID: 894 5416 6012
    Passcode: DMARC

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    Join instructions
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89454166012/invitations?signature=kKJDj2dHs_leQCavlbMdJuXU-V87Z7PrQAOTDFD0N00

    See more details

  • Tai Chi

    July 6, 2026  9:30 am - 10:30 am
    Griffin, Gathering Area

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  • Awakening Heart Sangha

    July 6, 2026  7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
    Zoom Only

    Awakening Heart Sangha is a mindfulness practice group in the Plum Village Tradition of Vietnamese Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh, or ‘Thay’.  We meet by Zoom on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 pm Central Time.  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. 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.


    Zoom:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83919185060?pwd=q1mGPZkWva8jnmTbKLk7JRfIls2Z0b.1

    Email sangha@ucdsm.org for more information or to be added to the weekly Sangha meeting announcement email list.


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  • D2D Meeting

    July 7, 2026  10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Stonewall Conference Room

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  • Caring Ministry Planning Meeting

    July 7, 2026  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
    Stonewall Conference Room

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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.