"Life becomes religious whenever we make it so:
when some new light is seen,
when some appreciation is felt,
when some larger outlook is gained,
when some nobler purpose is formed,
when some task is well done.
The function of the church for both young and old is not to give us on Sunday certain religious kinds of experiences…(but) rather to teach us how to put religious and ethical qualities into all kinds of experiences."
--Sophia Lyon Fahs |
Welcome to First Unitarian of Des Moines. We are glad you have chosen to visit our web page. We would like to extend an invitation to attend one of our services and or programs.
This page and the links connected to it have been designed to answer many questions you may have as a visitor to our church. It can also serve to guide you through the process if you decide that ours is the right spiritual or philosophical comunity for you.
If at any time you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Membership Coordinator, Lori Emison Clair at dcl@ucdsm.org or via phone at 515-453-2999.
Services
During the church year (Mid September through mid May) we have THREE services each weekend. Those services are on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. All services are essentially the same. You would hear the same sermon and readings; occasionally there may be some slight differences in the music. Generally there are coffee and treats after both services. Saturday services end May 8 and will return on September 11.
During the summer months (June 20 through September 5) there is one service on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. with a social hour after where coffee and treats are shared.
What to Expect
Many of our services include:
- a responsive reading as a call to gather with a family lighting of the chalice
- a welcome to visitors where the visitor is given the option of introducing themselves
- voluntary sharing of Joys and Concerns
- readings
- singing of hymns by the congregation
- special music provided by our choir and/or professional musicians from the church or wider community
- an offering to support the church operating fund and the community organizations we have voted to support
- a sermon.
We are an informal congregation. While a few might put on a tie or dress, others come in clothes suitable for weekend activities. Children are encouraged to dress casually as they may be engaged in arts and crafts or outdoors activities.
Sunday morning there is an infant room for 0-18 months, a toddler room for 18-36 month olds and a preschool class for 3 & 4 year-olds. We begin Religious Education classes for children at age 5; however these children begin in the auditorium with their parents and are dismissed to RE classes after the first 15 minutes. Children’s classes are dismissed 10 minutes after the service ends so that you have a few moments to visit before picking up your children. We welcome the whole family to stay for coffee and treats.
While we have around 500 members, we average 90-120 for each service on Sunday during the church year. During the summer our attendance is lower due to the joys of summer travel, etc.
When you visit for the first time please take a moment and stop by the visitor table and let us welcome you. If you are comfortable, we would love to have you complete a visitor form so that we may know that you have visited and invite you to other visitor programs that might interest you.
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Attending With Children
Children are always welcome and valued at First Unitarian of Des Moines. It is the parent’s choice whether they would prefer to have their children with them in the services or attend the regularly scheduled children’s programming.
We provide our children’s programming through volunteers. As you become a regular in attending the children’s programming, please feel free to get involved and volunteer as you are able. You may contact Tracy Beck, Director of Religious Education at dre@ucdsm.org if you have any questions about children’s programming.
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Directions
http://www.ucdsm.org/map.php
Public transportation is not available on Sundays in Des Moines.
Parking
You have four options when selecting parking:
- Visitor parking lot is the small lot at the south of the building off Casady Drive - Handicapped Accessible
- Main parking lot at the back (East) of the church.
- Park on the street on Casady Drive.
- Park in the Wells Fargo lot across Bell Avenue from the church.
Accessibility
We
have recently had a lift installed so that all levels of our
building are now handicap accessible.
We
have handicap bathrooms available on both the upper and lower levels
of our building.
We
have hearing devices available with the Ushers upon entering the
auditorium
Please contact Lori Emison Clair, dcl@ucdsm.org, if you need other accessibility arrangements.
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