Send us a text It was the best of times; it was the worst of times… Join us for a service that imagines what the world might look like if everyone made gratitude an integral part of our daily practice – and what it might look like if no one did. Support the show

Send us a text What is the difference between feeling gratitude and practicing gratitude? Join us on Sunday as we dive deeper into our theme of Gratitude, reflecting on how the active practice of gratitude helps both the giver and receiver. Support the show

Send us a text CISS donations: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cissgeneralfunddonations CISS upcoming events: https://centraliowashelter.org/events/ Support the show

Send us a text This November we explore the practice of Nurturing Gratitude. On this weekend traditionally associated with All Souls Day, we remember those we have lost, and we consider how to express our gratitude for those we love. Come for a heartfelt service of gratitude and remembrance and stay for the forum to learn more about putting together your end-of-life documents. Support the show

Send us a text What does it mean to cultivate compassion in a challenging world? As national figures debate whether empathy is a sinful weakness, how do we as Unitarian Universalists respond to challenges with compassion? Join us for a service that engages our hearts and minds to love radically, grow ethically and spiritually, and serve justly. Support the show

Send us a text Links from the Show: Donate to DMARCDonate food to DMARCSupport the show

Send us a text We would move out of defensiveness, see another's perspective; we would honor silence; be more curious; not keep score. Support the show

Send us a text What does it take to give the same compassion to ourselves as we do to others? What drives our resistance to self-compassion? How do we balance the need to care for ourselves with the need to care for the world? Join us for a powerful service of light and love. Support the show

Send us a text Links from the show: https://www.aclu-ia.org/get-involved/ https://onrealm.org/FirstUnitarian/give/ITMAF Support the show

Send us a text What is compassion? What does it feel like to receive compassion? What does it look like to be compassionate? This Sunday we welcome in the October theme of Cultivating Compassion by exploring what it means to be fully present for one another. Support the show

Send us a text It's Great to Meet You, Episode 3: Max Mowitz, OneIowa Links from the show: Oneiowa.org https://onrealm.org/FirstUnitarian/give/ITMAF Support the show

Send us a text Four Board of Trustee members will introduce themselves and tell you why they chose to belong to this church, and why they chose to take the leap and landed on the Board. Support the show

Send us a text In order to build a sense of belonging, we need covenants to keep ourselves safe in community. Hear the stories of Jonah, Jonah, and Karl as we explore the limits of belonging. Support the show

Send us a text It’s Great to Meet You, Episode 2: Wes Mullins, Executive Director, Capitol City Pride Links from the Show: Capitol City Pride: Home - Capital City Pride Pride Storyteller Event, Nov. 13: Apply to Be a Pride Storyteller - Capital City Pride Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund fundraiser: Give Now Support the show

Send us a text What does a college writing class, Doug, and the Platinum Rule have to say about building belonging? Join us this Sunday at 9:30 as we explore the commitments we make to one another to create a community of belonging. And then find your places of belonging at our Community Faire after the service! Support the show

Send us a text It's Great to Meet You, Ep. 1 - Connie Ryan, Executive Director of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. Rev. Steve Sieck has a new podcast! Welcome to "It's Great to Meet You!" where he gets to know the good people of Des Moines doing the good work in our city. Enjoy Episode #1 today! Support the show

Send us a text with Rev. Steve Sieck The Water Ritual, a tradition we share with UUs around the world, was created by leaders in the UU feminist movement more than four decades ago to help us all remember how deeply we are each connected to one another, and to all life. Support the show

Send us a text Highly selective account of the music in our church from its founding until today. What may it have been like, what have been its purposes, and who were the musicians? Support the show

Send us a text with Rev. Steve Sieck and Company What is your vision for First Unitarian Church of Des Moines for 2040? In that future, what do you see? Who do you see? What is familiar, and what has changed? Join us as we look into the future together. Support the show

Send us a text It is good to ask questions! Unitarian Universalism believes that wonder is an important spiritual practice, and so we continually support one another in learning and growing. Support the show