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

Ring Out with Christmas Cheer!

Join the UU Singers and Bell Ave. Ringers for an intergenerational music service for children and adults of all ages with the UU Singers and Bell Ave. Ringers! The service will be livestreamed in Griffin Hall for those with auditory sensitivities or those who prefer a calming environment.

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: Board of Trustees

Join us to explore the Board of Trustees’ goal to explore methods of telling our story within the congregation and to the wider community.
Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • DMARC Book Group

    December 8, 2025  8:30 am - 10:00 am
    Stonewall Conference Room

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89454166012?pwd=UVJGR2RlQzZqWExjd1o5VFFseXpBZz09


    Meeting ID: 894 5416 6012
    Passcode: 231074

    See more details

  • Tai Chi

    December 8, 2025  9:30 am - 10:30 am
    Griffin and Gathering Area

    See more details

  • Grief Support Circle

    December 8, 2025  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
    Minister's Office

    Meets in the Minister's Office

     
    The Grief Support Circle will start meeting on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 6-7 p.m. Any who are dealing with the loss of a loved one are invited to attend as many or as few sessions that work for you. Feel free to bring your dinner, if you'd like. If this group doesn't work for you but you need help working through your grief, please reach out to the Pastoral Care Team

    See more details

  • AMOS @UCDSM

    December 8, 2025  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
    Stonewall Conference Room

    See more details

  • Awakening Heart Sangha

    December 8, 2025  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.


    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777386156?pwd=ZFFYQUFacTlHOXU4bFk4a0Y4TWxpdz09

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


    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.