First U Think

Send us Fan Mail "God" is, most usually and commonly, a noun. Last week we explored how to think of "god" as a verb. This week we'll look at the adjective option. It’s not about what exists; it’s about the qualities of existence: is it wondrous, mysterious, beautiful, awesome? Those adjectives are the crux of the matter. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We gathered to celebrate the church year ahead in the waning days of summer (autumn begins on September 22). Each brought a small sample of water to represent the last 12 weeks. We then reflected together on our September theme: hospitality.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon Railcar magnate George Pullman was a Universalist, born and bred. He had a certain recognizable Universalist idealism – but it went horribly, instructively, awry. As a result, we have Labor Day.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Member Louise Alcorn will discuss growing up Unitarian Universalist, the confusion and freedoms that brought, and how she "cherry-picked" her way to now. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail  It’s often at life’s extremes of joy and pain that we become most in tune with our spirituality or at least experience a strengthened drive to seek meaning. Sarah will reflect on this and how her beliefs have helped her weather the storms of life and find hope.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Al Powers’ story of his journey to becoming a UU and Humanist, and his reflections on what Humanism means to him today Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Bill Brauch’s reflection on the pathway of his own free and responsible search for truth and meaning.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In a world where spirituality and self-identity often find themselves at odds, queer individuals have faced the challenge of balancing their faith and self-identity. Today's speaker, our very own Faith Formation and Congregational Life Coordinator, Faithyna Leonard, will discuss her path navigating her spiritual journey while learning to be true to herself. As she shares her...

Send us Fan Mail Join Elliott Nolte for an exploration of developing a personal prayer practice based on attentiveness to story and spirit. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to weave a spiritual life? What are the strands would you call your own? Join member Sally Boeckholt for an exploration of four aspects of life that have come together to build a personal theology about possibility and change. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this presentation, Amy Landrigan, Vice President of Strategy & Venture for Central Iowa Shelter and Services, will explore the comprehensive range of services provided by the organization. Learn how these initiatives work together to not only address immediate needs but also empower individuals to move from merely surviving to truly thriving. Discover the impactful ways in...

Send us Fan Mail The picture is called "Enso." This image has been associated with the Zen tradition and represents what can be described as "the mind before thought," "the awareness that exists behind thought," or, in my particular case, "the secret in our hearts." Support the show

Send us Fan Mail  with Rev. LoraKim Joyner Today, we will briefly review the scientific and cultural aspects of how people relate and respond to nature, and specifically to birds. Being intentionally mindful of birds reaps benefits not just for humans but for the birds themselves. As people come to understand and connect to birds, they increase their resilience and health by being with birds and,...

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon Shunryu Suzuki said, "You are perfect just as you are, and you could use a little improvement." Or, we might say, "...and you're still growing." So how should a perfect person live? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon We’re an LGBTQ welcoming congregation because it’s the right thing to do, because it’s what justice requires, but also out of sheer gratitude for what diversity of attraction and of identity teaches all of us about ourselves. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Meredith Garmon "Hope is not a plan" (attributed to Anderson Cooper, Harrison Jones, and others), the saying goes. Without hope, however, we may not make and carry out plans. Active hope, as opposed to passive hope, can have a positive function. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon How about a celebration of the flowering of truth? We'll have our flower communion and acknowledge the Buddhist holiday, Vesak. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon Reflections on the courage to choose change, and to face the changes we don't choose. Changing means the death of the person that you used to be, so facing ultimate bodily death is integral to facing change (chosen and not). Note:  We experienced an audio cut-off after the interlude, which may affect the sound quality. We apologize for the technical...

Send us Fan Mail with Birch Cue What gifts can give us the courage to embrace a life full of changes? Please join Birch Cue, our Faith Formation and Congregational Life Coordinator, as we explore the sometimes frightening transitions of life.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon We are built, it seems, to be creatures of both aspiration and fear. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail  with Rev. Meredith Garmon  Freedom is ever the half-won blessing. We have overcome some constraints – but "chains still there are to break."  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon Every day is Earth day, of course. But we don't always talk about it in our Sunday service. This Sunday, let's talk about it! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with  Rev. Meredith Garmon Our commitment, as members of First Unitarian, is to "grow ethically and spiritually, serve justly, and love radically." Let's look at what the "grow ethically" part and the "love radically" part have to do with each other. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon Sometimes we opt to ignore the Christian story and focus on fertility, eggs, bunnies, springtime, and the resurrection of life and hope. But there's something worth our attention in that story of how Jesus died, and it has nothing to do with substitutionary atonement. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail with Rev. Meredith Garmon Where do emotions come from? Understanding our emotions is a key part of self-understanding and hence of wisdom. Support the show