First U Think

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with Faithyna Leonard

In a world marked by division and unconscious bias, how can we show up with courage, compassion, and love? This Sunday, join us for a powerful reflection on bystander intervention, the ongoing work of justice, and the transformative act of centering love—especially in moments of harm and healing.

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 Member Elijah Evans will comment upon the intersection of mental health and spirituality with a service describing how we can nurture the internal communities of which we are all composed. 

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 David Yurnan and Urban Bicycle Food Ministry 

The Urban Bicycle Food Ministry motto is "Provide radical hospitality one burrito at a time." Every Thursday, all year long, members prepare and deliver hundreds of food and personal items by bike and car to people on the streets in metro Des Moines. They might be living under a bridge, in a tent next to the river or railroad tracks, in a hole dug in the side of a hill, or in temporary housing. Most importantly, the UBFM builds personal relationships with those who are overlooked and marginalized. 

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Rev. Meredith Garmon's last words in the pulpit at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines. 

 Transition: it's not the same as change. Change is always happening. But sometimes we change (externally, superficially) in order to not change (truly grow) – we make changes so we can avoid changing. To transition, rather than merely change, is to bring a bit of intentionality to the process. 

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 with Meredith Garmon

What is yours to do? What is your calling — in life? Now? George Kaufman and Moss Hart won't answer that question, but their 1936 play does help frame the question. 

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with Rev. Meredith Garmon ft. Church Choir

 Community is the gift always there — the challenge is to make ourselves able and ready to receive it. 

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⚠️ Volume Warning:  The volume increases significantly around the 12 minute mark. 

with Rev. Meredith Garmon

War has been a significant part of human history — as conflicted as we may feel about that fact. It has shaped us into who we are. Perhaps we can build a world without war, though I'd like to hope we could still have a warrior's virtues (courage, determination, sacrifice) without actual war. In the meantime, let us remember the warriors who modeled those virtues.

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This Sunday, our Coming of Age students (7th/8th Grade) share their statements of faith and values with the congregation. Join us to learn about our students’ journeys of understanding themselves and their place in the world. 

Youth Faith Statements: Greta Hayes, Penny Guenther, Oliver Stamper, Simon Forman 

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with Rev Meredith Garmon

Vesak is the Buddhist holiday commemorating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death, as legend has it that Siddhartha Gautama — the Buddha — was born, became enlightened, and died all on the full moon of the lunar month Vesakha. We'll be observing this Buddhist holiday while also having our annual Flower Communion.

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 The work of building the Beloved Community always seems impossible... until it isn't. Join us for a service that affirms our call to Love.  

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