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

Christmas Eve Services

Unitarian religious education leader Sophia Fahs wrote, “each night a child is born is a holy night.” Come celebrate Christmas at First Unitarian with a service that celebrates the wonder of human possibility.

Our 4:00 p.m. service is specially designed for families and children and is in-person only; our 7:00 p.m. service will offer a traditional mixture of readings and carols and will be livestreamed.

Join our Livestream! (7:00 p.m. only)

Click here for the Order of Service for the 4:00 p.m. service

Click here for the Order of Service for the 7:00 p.m. service

No Forum

Martin Family Hymn Sing

Come join Bruce and Barb Martin (and their family) in singing your favorite songs selected from our hymnals. Promises to be a good time. Please join us in-person!

Holding Your (Moral) Ground

As we begin our January theme of Practicing Resistance, we acknowledge that “resistance” is a term and set of practices used by many different people to justify many different actions.  What makes resistance good or bad? This service includes a special Turning of the Year ritual to release 2025 and welcome 2026. 

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: Iowa Legislative Process Training

The presentation was developed by the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice to ensure that as many people as possible understand the protections available to them.
Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Office Closed

    December 24, 2025 - January 1, 2026  

    See more details

  • Soul Matters- Emerging Adults (OFFSITE)

    December 24, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Facilitated by Faithyna Leonard

    See more details

  • Christmas Eve Service

    December 24, 2025  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    See more details

  • Christmas Eve Service

    December 24, 2025  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    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.