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 Risks of Possibility

Sometimes difficult experiences in life teach us to be cautious of embracing possibilities. Join us for a powerful service focusing on the work to nurture a trauma-informed community.  

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: QTAG

Together we’ll increase our understanding and practices around being a more trauma-informed community.

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?

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

  • Childcare

    April 5, 2026  9:15 am - 12:15 pm
    Room 105

    Childcare is always available during Sunday services for children aged 0-4 years-old

    See more details

  • Sunday Service (Hybrid)

    April 5, 2026  9:30 am - 10:45 am
    Auditorium

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  • cUUriosity Conversations

    April 5, 2026  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Minister's Office

    Join us after the service for cUUriosity Conversations! This is an open and welcoming time for visitors and friends to ask questions, share thoughts, and learn from one another about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. We look forward to seeing you there!

    See more details

  • Sunday Forum

    April 5, 2026  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Griffin Hall

    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.