1. family and parenting
2. children

Sung Response
Comfort me…O my soul.
Sing with me…O my soul.
Sharing Our Abundance
Meditation (Linda Barnes)
Spoken
Silence
Sung Response #352
Reading
“Sweet Darkness” by David Whyte
Find a Stillness
“Orion” adapted from Ron Yazinski
Margaret Schultz
Special Music
Bell Ave. Ringers
“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” by
John A. Behnke
Sermon
Linda Barnes, Ministerial
Intern
“Winter Solstice: A Promise in the Dark”
*Hymn #1057
Go Lifted Up
*Closing Words
Words from Hafiz
*Extinguishing the Flame
Leader: I extinguish the symbolic flame
of this gathering. May we carry its light
into the world.
People: Let us go from this place, open to life,
expecting to love, and prepared to serve.
*Reprise #1057
Go Lifted Up
*Please stand as you are able
Thank You to all Service Participants and to Today’s Hospitality Teams:
Bell Ave. Ringers: Tammy Irelan, Barb Martin, Mary Hayes, Scott Ehlinger,
Ellen Taylor, Deidre Fudge, Kellie Patterson, Sarah Chang, Natalie Hutchinson,
Andrea Quinn, Julianne Lawrence
9:15 a.m. Team Leader: Sue Huber, Cathy Mussett, Kathy Jorgenson, Chris
Jorgenson, Maggie McGill, Ned Miller, Susan Bridgford, Jean Tauber, Nate
Hoogeveen, Vicki Hoogeveen, Amy Anderson, Dana Sorensen, Diane Baker, Jim
Baker, Kathryn Smorodinsky, Monte Kastler, Brandi Kastler
11:00 a.m. Team Leader: Connie Muetzel, Dagny Fidler, Jo Fitz, Sean
Petersen, Stephanie Petersen, Blanche Winegar, Micah Winegar, Wendy Wilson,
Gabrielle Eaton, Linda Dietz, Jeanne Bowles, Nancee McDowall, Hilary HippenLeek, Jason Textor, Terry Lowman
Sound Board Operator: 9:15 a.m. - Doug Hoffman; 11:00 a.m. - Rob Malcomson
Hearing Impaired: We have radio receivers available at the rear of the
auditorium near the audio board.
Visually Impaired: Full page magnifiers may be found at the rear of the
auditorium near the sound board.
Second Basket: Children and Family Urban Movement’s (CFUM) mission is to create
a community to support the potential of children, youth and families through educational success, healthy living and community engagement. This is carried out
through after school programs for children who reside in a near Des Moines
North side neighborhood who are between the grades of K through 12. Planned
Parenthood of the Heartland’s mission is to be a leader in providing accessible reproductive health care, education, and advocacy; responsive to the needs and rights of
families and individuals.
CALENDAR
Sunday, December 21
Welcoming Newcomers Meeting 9:15 a.m., Room 105
RE Classes 9:15 & 11:00 a.m., Lower Level
Service: "Winter Solstice" with Linda Barnes, Ministerial Intern; Celebrant:
Margaret Schultz 9:15 & 11:00 a.m., Auditorium
Who Are UU? 10:15 a.m., Mary Safford Room
Christian Fellowship Meeting 12:15 p.m., Room 111
High School Youth Group OWL 5:00 p.m., Room 107
Yule/Winter Solstice Potluck and Pagan Caroling Sing-a-long 6:30 p.m.,
Channing Hall
Monday, December 22
Social Justice Council 6:30 p.m., Peace Conference Room
Tuesday, December 23
Dungeons & Dragons 6:30 p.m., Peace Conference Room
Wednesday, December 24
"Christmas Eve Services"5:00 & 7:00 pm, Auditorium (NOTE: no child care is
available during either of these services.)
As the darkness envelops the land on this night of memory and tradition for so
many of us, we’ll share in a 5pm family-friendly service of the story of the birth
of Jesus, as it could have been told by those present that magical, mythical night
more than 2,000 years ago (think animals, angels, etc.). We will sing carols and
share in some traditional (and playful) holiday cheer and candlelight.
At 7pm, we will hold our familiar evening service, complete with carol singing,
a Christmas Eve homily from Mark, and candlelight.
Following both services, you are invited to linger and enjoy cookies (brought by
those attending) and holiday fellowship.
Sunday, December 28
Service: "Sing Out the Old, Sing in the New!" with Barb & Bruce Martin;
Celebrant: Mike Shaw 10:00 a.m., Auditorium (one service only)
Come be with your church family as we sing in the approaching new year with favorites of your choosing from our hymnals. Just one service this week, so that we
can fill the auditorium with song. Fun for all those who like to sing, and for those
who like to listen!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Save the Date: Tomorrow Team Presentation/Discussion
The Tomorrow Team has been busy examining our building space needs, current
and future. We’ve got some great information to share and would like to get your
feedback. These meetings are an opportunity to learn about usage of our facility
and growth of our congregation. We will provide an informational presentation
and have an opportunity to share ideas. If you have any interest at all in our future
space, please show up for one of the sessions listed below:
Sunday, Jan. 11 - 9:15 & 11:00 a.m. - Channing Hall
Wednesday, Jan. 14 - 6:30 p.m. - Large Activity Room (103)
Sunday, Jan. 18 - 9:15 & 11:00 a.m. - Channing Hall
Wednesday, Jan. 21 - 6:30 p.m. - Large Activity Room (103)
Church Office Closed for Holidays
The office at First Unitarian Church will be closed for the holidays from December 24, 2014 - January 2, 2015.
Contributions for 2014 Tax Deductions
Any pledge payments or other contribution must be received no later than Sunday, December 28, 2014 to be tax deductible on your 2014 income tax return.
(Please note office is closed December 29-31.)
It’s Time for a New Semester of Adult R.E.!
A new roster of Adult R. E. Classes at First Unitarian is now set for January March 2015. If you have not received the Programming Brochure in the mail yet,
you can pick one up at Church or see the complete list of classes at ucdsm.org/
winter-spring-2015.
Classes beginning in January are:
-Spiritual Renewal for the Justice Minded (Jan. 7, & 24, Feb. 19 - attend one or
all!)
-Christian Book Group (Jan. 25 - March 1)
-Rise Up and Call Her Name Again (Jan. 13 - Mar. 3)
-Israel/Palestine Conflict (Jan. 7 - Feb. 25)
-HOW Can You Think That?! (Jan. 7 & 14)
-Bones for Life - Advanced (Jan. 28 - Feb. 18)
Register for these and the other Adult R. E. Classes at ucdsm.org/adult-reregistration
Tell Us About It!
You know you’ve done it. You’ve gone out to the gathering area and have complained to one another about...well, whatever. Or you have wondered about how
you get involved in...well, whatever. Or you have exclaimed in admiration
about...well, whatever. Instead “Tell us about it”. We want to know!
In the gathering area near the Caring Ministry table you will find a stand with a
book for you to write down your complaints, questions or kudos or...well, whatever. Between Sunday Services, your written comments with your name will be
gathered and given to Mark Stringer and if need be, forwarded to the appropriate
person. That way those complaints, questions, and kudos get to the right person.
So… “Tell us about it.”
Our Whole Lives Facilitator Training in January
First Unitarian Church, along with Plymouth UCC, will offer Our Whole Lives
Trainings for Elementary, Middle and High School the weekend of January 23-25
at Plymouth UCC (Ingersoll Ave in Des Moines). Meals will be provided and the
training is free of cost to members. Please note, the Elementary training will begin
the afternoon of Jan. 23 and end Saturday evening, Jan. 24. The Middle/High
School Training is more intensive—beginning early evening Friday, approximately
twelve hours on Saturday and about eight hours on Sunday. Registration is due
by January 10. Email Tracy Beck at [email protected] for more information!
RE Email
Interested in receiving a weekly email from the RE program? Email Tracy Beck at
[email protected] to be added to the list.
(Announcements continued on the back)
Shoppin’ ’Til You’re Droppin’...Online?
Don’t forget to take the church along to earn some extra cash for our great programming and staff support. When you make purchases from Amazon, use the
link on the First Unitarian website - ucdsm.org - and part of your purchase price
is donated to the church. So far in 2014 the church has received over $700
through your Amazon sales! Your price is the same, either way. This way, Amazon keeps less profit, giving some of it to us!
Endowment Note Cards for Sale on Sunday
Notecards will be for sale between services this Sunday, Dec. 21, with proceeds
invested in the Endowment Fund. Contact committee chair Heidi Lackmann
([email protected]) for more information or if you’d like to make a longterm gift to the Endowment fund.
WHO ARE UU?
Briefly, the idea behind WHO ARE UU? is to make audio recordings of the life
stories or defining life moments of our members. Those of us who have discussed
it have talked about making the recordings accessible through the church website,
and keeping them to 3-5 minutes in length. There seems to be agreement that the
stories shouldn't be a chronology of life, but more about what makes one who one
is: a moment, an event, a personal remembrance, etc.
On Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:15 a.m., Jim Baker will be in Mary Safford with name
tag attached. For an agenda, we'll discuss how to start: what we want to do, how
we want to do it, and how much time it will take. We'll choose a leader.
Call Jim Baker, 556-1936, if you have questions.
Caring Ministry and Joys and Concerns
To have a joy or concern shared during services, or if you are in need of assistance,
please go to ucdsm.org/joys-and-concerns by noon on Friday.
First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
A Unitarian Universalist Church
1800 Bell Ave, Des Moines IA 50315
Phone: 515.244.8603 Fax: 515.244.9761
Website: www.ucdsm.org
First Unitarian Church of Des Moines invites people into
a respectful, authentic, and joyful religious community that
nurtures meaningful connections, pursues justice, and inspires service.
A Unitarian Universalist Church
ORDER OF SERVICE
Sunday, December 21, 2014, 9:15 & 11:00 a.m.
Bruce Martin, pianist
Sarah Chang & Moira Leu - song leaders (9:15)
Ed Hotchkin & Moira Leu - song leaders (11:00)
STAFF
Rev. Mark Stringer, Minister
[email protected]
Rev. Erin Gingrich, Associate Minister of Social Justice
[email protected]
Linda Barnes, Ministerial Intern
[email protected]
Deb Dessert, Director of Finance & Administration
[email protected]
Tracy Beck, Director of RE for Children & Youth
[email protected]
Megan Salley, Youth Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Laura Thomas, RE Assistant
[email protected]
Lori Emison Clair, Dir. Of Congregational Life
[email protected]
Carissa Fields, Congregational Life Assistant
[email protected]
Terry Lillie, Caring Ministry Coordinator
[email protected]
Abby Chungath, Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
Moira Leu, Director of Music
[email protected]
Bruce Martin, Pianist
[email protected]
Amy Anderson, Choir Accompanist
[email protected]
Connie Price, Bookkeeper
[email protected]
Jane White, Office Assistant
[email protected]
Don Werner, Groundskeeper
Michelle Plymate, Pre-school Teacher
[email protected]
December Theme: What does it mean to be a people of wonder?
Intoning the Chime
Centering Music
Doug Hoffman
Opening Words
Margaret Schultz
Meet the Artist: Ann Mowery and Margaret Marshall Sunday, Jan. 4, 10:15
a.m., Art Gallery Wall
World Religions & Their Cultures Sunday, Jan. 4, 11:00 a.m., Room 105
First Steps Class for Visitors Sunday, Jan. 4, 11:00 a.m., gather by the Welcome Table
Windbreakers Sunday, Jan. 4, 6:00 p.m., Channing Hall
NEW! Israel/Palestine Conflict Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m., Room 110
NEW! Spiritual Renewal for the Justice Minded Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m.,
Minister’s Office
Humanist Book Discussion Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6:45 p.m., Room 108
NEW! HOW Can You Think That?!Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:00 p.m., Room 105
Board of Trustees Thursday, Jan. 8, 5:30 p.m., Channing Hall
ShUUterbugs Photography Group Thursday, Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m., Room 107
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Margaret Schultz, President
[email protected]
Jean Rommes, Vice President
[email protected]
Zac Bailey, Co-Secretary
[email protected]
Amy Luebbert, Co-Secretary
[email protected]
Charlie Ahern
[email protected]
Bob Belosky
[email protected]
Brandon Bundt
[email protected]
Ross Loder
[email protected]
Barb Royal
[email protected]
COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES
Scott Emison Clair, Stewardship
[email protected]
Chris Jorgensen, Facilities
[email protected]
Sally Boeckholt, Councilor at Large
[email protected]
Kate Allen, Social Justice
[email protected]
Ellen Taylor, Congregational Life
[email protected]
Julie Brown, Religious Growth And Learning
[email protected]
Bill Paxson, Worship & Arts
[email protected]
Leader: Life is a gift for which we are
grateful.
People: We gather in community to celebrate
the glories and the mysteries of this great gift.
Leader: So let us kindle now the flame
of our liberal religious heritage.
People: In its glow, may our reason and our
passion lead us to be true to ourselves, true to
each other, and true to what we can together
become.
*Hymn #1063
Winter Solstice Chant
Welcome
Margaret Schultz
Spotlight
11:00 a.m., Channing Hall
Energy & Justice Meeting Sunday, Jan. 11, 11:00 a.m., Minister’s Office
Doxology
(tune: Old Hundredth #371)
From all that dwell below the skies
let songs of hope and faith arise;
let peace, good will on earth be sung
through every land, by every tongue.
Story for All Ages
“The Yule Faeries - A Winter Solstice
Story” – Adapted (author unknown)
Isabelle Stamper
Singing the Children to Class
Children’s Benediction (see inside back
cover of hymnal)
Joys and Concerns
[submit at the Caring Ministry Table or
via http://ucdsm.org/joys-and-
Grounds Council Meeting Sunday, Jan. 11, 11:00 a.m., DRE’s Office
Interweave Monthly Potluck Sunday, Jan. 11, 12”15 p.m., Channing Hall
Strings Attached Sunday, Jan. 11, 12:30 p.m., Auditorium
(go to www.ucdsm.org for more information on these and other events)
MS Mediation Program—1/9
Harvey Harrison
PlayUU Saturday, Jan. 10, 9:00 a.m., Rooms 110 & 112
NEW! Tomorrow Team Presentations/Discussions Sunday, Jan. 11, 9:15 &
“The First Day of Winter” by Laura
Lush
Chalice Lighting
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bridge Friday, Jan. 2, 7:00 p.m., Channing Hall
“White Christmas” arranged by Doug
Hoffman
Linda Barnes, Ministerial
Intern