Congregational Response Led by Margaret Schultz, Board President Hymn #346 Extending the Hand of Fellowship We, the members of First Unitarian Church, welcome you to our shared journey of fellowship, discovery, and celebration. We invite you to contribute to our concern for justice and pledge to join our strength and talents with yours, believing that through our common effort we may better share the meaning of our lives. May we work together to sustain this church—this workshop of common endeavor—a place of comfort and challenge...a home from which to journey and return once again. Come Sing a Song with Me Milo Bottenfield-Biehn Joys and Concerns Rev. Mark Stringer Children’s Benediction (see inside back cover of hymnal) [submit on Sunday or via http:// ucdsm.org/joys-and-concerns] Comfort me…O my soul. Sing with me…O my soul. Sung Response Sharing Our Abundance Offertory “We Gather Together” by Joel Raney Bell Ave. Ringers, Karen Kraemer, director Meditation Spoken Rev. Mark Stringer *Hymn #322 (verses 1, 2 and 4) Thanks Be for These *Closing Words Words of Wayne Arnason Rev. Mark Stringer *Extinguishing the Flame Jared Dowdell Terry Lowman Dana Stuehling Thank You to all Service Participants and to Today’s Hospitality Teams: 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. (continued in next panel) Wednesday, November 19 Channing Chimes 5:00 p.m., Auditorium Bell Ave. Ringers 5:45 p.m., Auditorium Wednesday Night Dinner 5:30 p.m., Channing Hall Sparks Choir 6:00 p.m., Room 105 7-8 Grade OWL (section 1) 6:15 p.m., Room 114 7-8 Grade OWL (section 2) 6:15 p.m., Room 107 Bowen Theory Discussion 6:30 p.m., Room 108 Chalice Choir 6:30 p.m., Room 105 Spirit Play 6:30 p.m., Room 111 Humanist Book Discussion Group 6:45 p.m., Room 108 Enviroscouts 7:00 p.m., Room 103 SOULCOLLAGE 7:00 p.m., Mary Safford Room UU Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m., Channing Hall 5-6 Grade OWL 7:00 p.m., Room 113 Thursday, November 20 Unity Circle 12:00 noon, Channing Hall RE Council 6:00 p.m., DRE’s Office 11:00 a.m. Team Leader: Ellen Taylor, Jean Rommes, Karen Kittell, John Ringland, Elaine Ringland, Mary Christopher, Bill Dunlop, Kate Garst, Leland Searles, Jane Flagler, Martha Sherick Shen, Margaret Petosa, Dave Hurd, Trudy HolmanHurd Friday, November 21 Progressive Voices Concert: Monroe Crossing 7:30 p.m., Auditorium Sound Board Operator: 9:15 a.m. - Rob Malcomson; 11:00 a.m. - Ryan Beck Sunday, November 23 Long Strange Trip 9:00 a.m., Peace Conference Room Welcoming Newcomers Committee 9:15 a.m., Room 105 Service: "To Rest in the Grace of the World" with Rev. Mark Stringer, Rev. Erin Gingrich and Linda Barnes, Ministerial Intern; Celebrant: Susan Jellinger 9:15 & 11:00 a.m., Auditorium For this pre-Thanksgiving, all-ages service, featuring our adult and children’s choirs, we’ll share in an apple communion and consider with gratitude the grace all around us. You may have your child dedicated at either of these services. 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. Visually Impaired: Full page magnifiers may be found at the rear of the auditorium near the sound board. CALENDAR From All the Fret and Fever of the Day “The Grace of Non-Anxious Presence” Sermon New Members recognized today are: Adam Clement Tyler Dillion Hilary Hippen-Leek Sarah Letourneau Natalie Mason Kay Scott Hearing Impaired: We have radio receivers available at the rear of the auditorium near the audio board. Including “A Meditation on Anxiety and Connection” by Carissa Fields Silence Sung Response #90 *Please stand as you are able 9:15 a.m. Team Leader: Gene McCracken, Judy Davis, Kay Hertz, Cat Morris, Curt Simmons, Barb Klubal, Jan Svec, Margaret Wills, Bob Brunia, Mark Adams, Dan Purcell, Shawn Purcell, Kevin Hanigan, Emma Hanigan, Kay Becker, Dennis Becker, Linda Krypel “Grumpy Goat” by Brett Helquist Singing the Children to Class Thanks Be for These Thanks be for these, we celebrate; Sing and rejoice, our trust declare; Press all our faith into our fate; Bless now the destiny we share. Dessert: Bob Baker Rev. Mark Stringer, Lori Emison Clair, Ellen Taylor, Margaret Schultz Story for All Ages *Closing in Song #322 (verse 5) Sunday, November 16 Long Strange Trip: UU History Film Series 9:00 a.m., Peace Conference Room RE Classes 9:15 & 11:00 a.m., Lower Level Service: "The Grace of Non-Anxious Presence" with Rev. Mark Stringer; Celebrant: Carissa Fields 9:15 & 11:00 a.m., Auditorium Forum: People’s Climate March 11:00 a.m., Channing Hall Grounds Council 11:00 a.m., Minister’s Office World Religions & Their Cultures 11:00 a.m., Room 105 Young Adult Small Group Ministry 11:00 a.m., Room 107 First UU Christian Fellowship 12:15 p.m., Room 111 High School OWL Class 5:00 p.m., Room 107 Monday, November 17 Small Group Ministry 10:00 a.m., Kitchen Paganism 101 6:00 p.m., Mary Safford Room Concert Committee 6:30 p.m., DRE’s Office Tuesday, November 18 PFLAG 6:30 p.m., Channing Hall (Calendar continued on next panel) Saturday, November 22 PlayUU Thanksgiving Potluck 5:30 p.m., Channing Hall Contact Rev. Stringer for more information. Energy & Justice 11:00 a.m., Room 107 Great Decisions 11:00 a.m., Minister’s Office World Religions & Their Cultures 11:00 a.m., Room 105 LGBT Rights Action Group 12:15 p.m., Peace Conference Room Social Justice Think Tank 12:30 p.m., Channing Hall High School Youth Group 6:00 p.m., Room 107 ANNOUNCEMENTS The Season of Giving This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported First Unitarian Church this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to the year ahead together. This season would be the perfect time to give a special gift, catch up on your pledge, or give a gift in memory of a loved one. There are numerous ways to make a gift - by check, through the website or using your smartphone to scan the QR code on the back of the Order of Service. Visit www.udcsm.org or contact the church office for more information. Giving Tree Coming on November 23 The annual Giving Tree will be in the Gathering Area at First Unitarian beginning Sunday, November 23 through December 7. First Unitarian is working with Children & Families of Iowa’s Adopt-a-Family program, Children & Family Urban Movement (a second basket collection organization) as well as providing for the needs of church members. Gift wishes can be fulfilled by individuals, families, groups of friends, a Soul Matters group, or any other group. All gifts should be returned to the church by Dec. 14 for delivery to the families. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Amy Knudsen at gumby123490@msn.com. (Announcements continued on the back) Grounds Planning Are you interested in helping to make our church’s 4 acres of grounds more interesting, inviting, native, and sustainable? Your ideas and energy are welcome! Please join us for grounds project planning discussions in the Rev. Stringer’s office at 11:10 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 16, following a short Grounds Council business meeting. Going forward, we’ll meet the third Sunday of each month through May. I-Con Youth Conference at First Unitarian The 7th annual I-Con is Des Moines’ YRUU’s weekend-long gathering of Unitarian Universalist youth (grades 9-12) from around the Midwest. It will be held at First Unitarian December 12-14. The schedule includes workshops, youth-led worships, meals, games, community-building, and a coffeehouse (open mic). Complete details and registration form are now available at www.ucdsm.org. Registrations are due by December 1. Telling the Stories of our Lives How nice would we, as a congregation, be if we had the stories of our members’ lives recorded and archived? Several members have been asking themselves that same question, and we think we’ve found an answer. We plan to create a local version of National Public Radio’s StoryCorps (or perhaps, “This is Your Life,” for those who remember the Ralph Edwards show). It’s pretty simple in concept. We’ll create a space to record our life stories, and then either write them ourselves and record them, or go in front of the mic with the help of an interviewer. If you would be interested in helping develop this project for the church, please write or call Jim Baker at 556-1936 or james.baker47@gmail.com. Thank You for Your Food Pantry Donations! From the size of the boxes we filled, workers at the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s Food Pantry estimated the UU donation last Sunday at 1,000 cans of food and packaged items. Cash and checks totaled $785. Wow! The spontaneous generosity says a lot about UU character. The folks at the pantry asked that we relay their appreciation on behalf of the needy—to which the Monday Small Group Ministry adds its small voice. New Group at First Unitarian: Christian Fellowship The First Unitarian Christian Fellowship offers opportunities for participants to explore, practice, appreciate and critique Christian theologies, rituals and spiritual disciplines. We provide a safe environment to heal spiritual wounds and to redirect the lost energies from these wounds into spiritual growth, maturity, caring ministry and service. We seek creative interchange across theological divides (so all are welcome). Our group meets at 12:15 p.m., the third Sunday of each month in Room 111. Our first meeting, on Nov. 16, as a tie-in with Thanksgiving, will focus on developing a mindset and theology of gratitude and understanding some of the obstacles that keep us from doing this. Join us to explore what this means. First time visitor or life-long member: All are welcome! RE Email Interested in receiving a weekly email from the RE program? Email Tracy Beck at dre@ucdsm.org to be added to the list. 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. UPCOMING EVENTS Dungeons & Dragons Tuesday, Nov. 25, 6:30 p.m., Peace Conference Room Scriptease: Mr. Marmalade by Noah Haidle Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7:00 p.m., Auditorium Small Group Ministry Monday, Dec. 1, 10:00 a.m., Kitchen UU Book Club Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7:00 p.m., Smokey Row coffee Co. (1910 Cottage Grove) Bridge Friday, Dec. 5, 7:00 p.m., Channing Hall (go to www.ucdsm.org for more information on these and other events) 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. STAFF Rev. Mark Stringer, Minister minister@ucdsm.org Rev. Erin Gingrich, Associate Minister of Social Justice sjminister@ucdsm.org Linda Barnes, Ministerial Intern intern@ucdsm.org Deb Dessert, Director of Finance & Administration dfa@ucdsm.org Tracy Beck, Director of RE for Children & Youth dre@ucdsm.org Megan Salley, Youth Program Coordinator youthcoordinator@ucdsm.org Laura Thomas, RE Assistant reassistant@ucdsm.org Lori Emison Clair, Dir. Of Congregational Life dcl@ucdsm.org Carissa Fields, Congregational Life Assistant congregationallife@ucdsm.org Terry Lillie, Caring Ministry Coordinator caring@ucdsm.org Abby Chungath, Communications Coordinator communications@ucdsm.org Moira Leu, Director of Music music@ucdsm.org Bruce Martin, Pianist brucekmartin85@gmail.com Amy Anderson, Choir Accompanist amymarieanderson@gmail.com Connie Price, Bookkeeper bookkeeper@ucdsm.org Jane White, Office Assistant officeassistant@ucdsm.org Don Werner, Groundskeeper Michelle Plymate, Pre-school Teacher monkgirl12@hotmail.com BOARD OF TRUSTEES Margaret Schultz, President mgrahamschultz@gmail.com Jean Rommes, Vice President jmrommes@edge-life.com Zac Bailey, Co-Secretary zac.bailey@yahoo.com Amy Luebbert, Co-Secretary aluebbert@gmail.com Charlie Ahern charlieahern@gmail.com Bob Belosky bbelosky@qci.com Brandon Bundt bbundt@gmail.com Ross Loder Ross.Loder@gmail.com Barb Royal royalbl@mac.com COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES Scott Emison Clair, Stewardship seclair@gmail.com Chris Jorgensen, Facilities CJorgensen@BSBDesign.com Sally Boeckholt, Councilor at Large salgal23@yahoo.com Kate Allen, Social Justice ka65@live.com Ellen Taylor, Congregational Life eltaylor@dwx.com Julie Brown, Religious Growth And Learning iamjulieb@gmail.com Bill Paxson, Worship & Arts iowapaxson@gmail.com A Unitarian Universalist Church ORDER OF SERVICE Sunday, November 16, 2014, 9:15 & 11:00 a.m. Bruce Martin, pianist Andrew Curl & Moira Leu, song leaders - 9:15 a.m. Kat Smorodinsky, Sarah Chang & Moira Leu, song leaders - 11:00 a.m. November Theme: What does it mean to be a people of grace? Intoning the Chime Centering Music Bruce Martin Opening Words Carissa Fields Inspired by “Otherwise” by Jane Kenyon Chalice Lighting 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 #303 We Are the Earth Upright and Proud Welcome Carissa Fields 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. New Member Recognition Welcome - Rev. Stringer Roll Call of New Members Lori Emison Clair, Director of Congregational Life Responsive Reading #728 Led by Ellen Taylor, Councilor for Congregational Life Blessed Are Those (congregation reads plain type; new members read italics)