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

Our Blue Boat Home- Embracing Possibility

The Green Sanctuary Team is highlighted as we celebrate the upcoming Earth Day 2026 and our church’s commitment to environmental action.

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: Currents of Change: Water Quality

The Green Sanctuary Team invites you to learn more about what’s happening to our drinking water in Central Iowa. Bethany Kohoutek from the Iowa Environmental Council will present a video of Iowa scientists discussing the results of the 2025 Central Iowa Source Water Resource Assessment. Also participating in the forum are Jake Deutmeyer, Technical Lead for the Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources Program, and Ginny Malcolmson from Polk County will explain how you can become a water quality monitor. Action steps from recent materials produced by the Harkin Institute and IEC will be shared.

Open to Life

It takes preparation, stamina, and patience to embrace possibility.  In a world that seems to measure possibility in quarterly earnings, how do we reclaim the perspective to plant trees whose shade we will not be here to enjoy?

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: Review of the Budget

The board will propose a “realistic budget” at the annual meeting based on the pledges in hand. The board will set out the aspirations of the church should we receive additional pledges. What should those aspirations be?

Awakening

As we begin this month’s theme of “Awakening Curiosity”, we take this Sunday to honor Vesak and the Buddha’s quest to understand suffering in the world. How might the Buddha’s journey help us to become more curious and wiser?

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: Strategic Planning

A Mother’s Love

This Sunday we honor all those who are or have been mothers.  How might the experience of motherhood help us all awaken our curiosity for the world and one another?

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: What is up with Dare to Dream?

Flower Communion

This Sunday we honor the 103rd annual ritual first designed by Unitarian minister Norbert Capek.  How might this beloved tradition help us become more curious citizens in an interdependent world?

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: Annual Meeting Packet Review by Board

At the annual meeting on June 7, the annual packet contains decisions the board is recommending. Come hear what the board is thinking and share your thoughts.

Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Griffin Hall Construction

    March 23, 2026 - May 1, 2026  

    (not usable during carpet installation beginning April 17th?)

    See more details

  • Tai Chi

    April 16, 2026  9:30 am - 10:30 am
    Mary Safford

    See more details

  • Unity Circle

    April 16, 2026  12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
    Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA

    We will be gathering at the Des Moines Art Center Cafe’ on Thursday April 16 at 12 p.m. for our luncheon. The menu can be found here. People will be able to make their selection from the Cafe’ menu and pay individually. There will be a 20% gratuity. 

    If you plan to join us, please RSVP back to Lynne no later than Mon April 13 so we can call in our head count. With the exception of unexpected illness or emergency, if you sign up, please plan to show up. 

    We look forward to this special event together every year. 🌺

    See more details

  • Small Group Ministry

    April 16, 2026  6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
    Stonewall Conference Room

    Facilitated by Steve Evans

    See more details

  • Book Group: Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil

    April 16, 2026  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Mary Safford

    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.