First U Think

Send us Fan Mail Our theme for our July 5 service is America’s 250th birthday. Listen to reflections by church members about what our nation’s 250th birthday means to them. Todd L. and Oge N. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like for queer joy to flourish in our shared community? We take time this week to hear perspectives on the myriad ways that queer joy presents itself and how we can help it grow and thrive together. with Barb & Deidre, David & Walter, and Jaycie Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What are the conditions necessary for flourishing?  How do our pasts – even across generations – affect our capacity to flourish?  Join us as we honor the Summer Solstice, Father’s Day, and the deep work of nourishing and repairing the soil in which we grow Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to truly flourish? We'll explore three introspective personal stories that reveal the many ways people experience growth, purpose, resilience, and joy. Together, we'll reflect on how flourishing can look different for each of us—and how we might cultivate it in our own lives. Marsha Carty, Jim Carty, Elijah Evans If you notice any differences in sound q...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to Flourish Together? Join us for Annual Meeting Sunday as we explore the interplay of resources that makes a garden flourish, and celebrate the work our church does to love, grow, and serve. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail 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? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Memorial Day is a complicated holiday for many of us. How do we honor those who serve without glorifying war? How do we build a peaceful future for our children? This morning we will hear perspectives on military service and war from a variety of UU voices with Paige Shivvers, Megan Klee, David Witke Support the show

Send us Fan Mail As we explore our May theme, Awakening Curiosity, our youth take the lead in imagining a more fully inclusive, multigenerational church. Through their reflections, they’ll share what helps them feel truly seen and valued—and what could help us grow. Come ready to listen, learn, and be inspired by their vision. Featuring Thea, Penny, and Simon. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail 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? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail 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 wise? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail 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? Support the show

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Send us Fan Mail The Green Sanctuary Team is highlighted as we celebrate the upcoming Earth Day 2026 and our church's commitment to environmental action. Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sUSN080hWFqv2uSb1Ux-IZrp-6LEvU1L/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115773222253600430449&rtpof=true&sd=true Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We’ve been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we’re keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail 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.   Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We’ve been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we’re keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail It takes courage to see which possibilities might emerge out of present challenges.  Join us for an Easter service that explores abundance as a mindset, the art of improv, and the power of radical acceptance. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this month of Paying Attention, this Sunday we honor the power of being seen and heard.  We’ll begin with a 30-minute service focusing on Trans Day of Visibility, and then move into small groups for an hour to support AMOS’ work to listen to what’s on the minds of  “we the people” in Iowa. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail How does our work of paying attention affect our relationships with others? How might the practice of attention deepen our capacity to love one another? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Speaking: Aaron Rosenfeld When we cultivate our capacity to pay attention, we may start to notice patterns in ourselves or our relationships. How can this practice support us in growing ethically and spiritually together? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We are drowning in input to compete for our attention. How do we navigate the constant distractions of contemporary life to steward our attention where we want it to go? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What we choose to attend to is where we direct our time, energy, and love. How can we be good stewards of the resource of our attention? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What does resilience look like in community? Join us this Sunday as we explore stories of communities that have faced remarkable challenges and found ways to spring back, let go, and transform.    Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Age, wisdom, experience, with reflections from the congregation Support the show

Send us Fan Mail As we deepen our exploration of resilience, what role do our expectations play in our ability to adapt and respond to life’s challenges?  Support the show