First U Think

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith Garmon ft. Church Choir Community is the gift always there — the challenge is to make ourselves able and ready to receive it. Support the show

Send us a text⚠️ Volume Warning:  The volume increases significantly around the 12 minute mark. with Rev. Meredith GarmonWar has been a significant part of human history — as conflicted as we may feel about that fact. It has shaped us into who we are. Perhaps we can build a world without war, though I'd like to hope we could still have a warrior's virtues (courage, determination, sacrifice) without actual war. In the meantime, let us remember the warriors who modeled those virtues.Support the show

Send us a textThis Sunday, our Coming of Age students (7th/8th Grade) share their statements of faith and values with the congregation. Join us to learn about our students' journeys of understanding themselves and their place in the world. Youth Faith Statements: Greta Hayes, Penny Guenther, Oliver Stamper, Simon Forman Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev Meredith GarmonVesak is the Buddhist holiday commemorating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death, as legend has it that Siddhartha Gautama — the Buddha — was born, became enlightened, and died all on the full moon of the lunar month Vesakha. We'll be observing this Buddhist holiday while also having our annual Flower Communion.Support the show

Send us a text The work of building the Beloved Community always seems impossible... until it isn't. Join us for a service that affirms our call to Love.  Support the show

Send us a text What's the natural response, and what's the effective response? Why do we gather together as a church? How do we stay grounded in our values in these difficult times? Join us to explore the power of counterintuitive joy.  Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonWe pride ourselves on diversity of viewpoints — and that means we're going to see things differently, in ways that sometimes conflict. Through conflict we learn and grow, and, if handled well, bond more deeply.Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. LoraKim JoynerExperiencing nature can do wonders for ourselves, our relationships, our communities, other beings and the planet. With a dash of intentionality and practice we can grow our wonder, our resilience, and our impact in the world. Join us today to share joyous wonder and to practice connecting to all of life.Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith Garmon Our April theme is Caring. Everybody cares about something, but do we care for ourselves, others, and our world in the most effective ways? Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonThe book, Authentic Selves, is more than an introduction to gender identity. It will be useful to those seeking to promote our shared values: our places within an interdependent web of existence; the inherent worth and dignity of all people, whatever their identity or life experiences; and justice and compassion in how we treat one other and ourselves.Support the show

Send us a textElijah Evans, a member of our Celebrant Team, shares a reflection on Dignity.Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonWealth tends to have the effect of disconnecting us from others. Intentional generosity counteracts that effect.Support the show

Send us a textwith Meredith Garmon There's widespread agreement that it's vitally important. But ask us what exactly it is and we're often a bit stymied. Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonIt's our culture's central religious and spiritual text. And it does have some great stories. Even the parts we tend to like the least have some lessons for us.Support the show

Send us a textwith Meredith GarmonThe realm of Social Justice has many regions.Support the show

Send us a text with Rev. Meredith GarmonAs a new wave of cruelty toward immigrants unleashes harms and anxiety, what is ours to do? Perhaps some guidance be found in an ancient story. Zoom for the Service: Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonNegotiating the boundaries to respect and the borders to cross.Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonWe'll be exploring Desert Theory —which is pronounced like the sweet dish at the end of a meal and is spelled like an arid region. But desert theory is about neither of those. It's aboutdeservingness. What theory of deservingness do we follow?Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonThere's acceptance. Then there's resistance to acceptance. Then there's resistance with acceptance.Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonEven if determinism is true, one of the determinants at work on us is a concept of freedom. But what is it?Support the show

Send us a textwith Rev. Meredith GarmonNew Year's resolutions are famously short-lived. Still, it's helpful to reflect on what changes you want to make. It helps to put those changes in the context of the overall purpose of your life. Which begs the question: What is the overall purpose of your life?Support the show

Send us a textCelebrate the season at our Christmas Eve Service, where we'll share the story of Jesus' birth through fun and unique perspectives—including the wise musings of a curious camel! Come experience the wonder and magic of Christmas Eve! Support the show

Send us a text Join us for a heartwarming Christmas Pageant Service as we celebrate the season with a joyful retelling of the Nativity story! Featuring participation from all ages, music, and festive cheer, this beloved tradition brings the spirit of Christmas to life. Come be a part of the magic and wonder! Support the show

with Rev. Meredith GarmonWe probably would agree that we could use a little more wonder in our lives. But why? And how?Support the show

with Rev. Meredith GarmonThe living tradition we share draws from many sources. One of them, explicit in the UUA bylaws adopted in 1985, is: "Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason ad the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of mind a spirit." We'll celebrate our humanist heritage, exploring especially this warning against idolatry.Support the show

Our November theme is Reason. We're not very good at it. We can train ourselves to be better at it, but do we want to?Support the show

with Rev. Meredith Garmon Our November theme is Reason. We're not very good at it. We can train ourselves to be better at it, but do we want to?Support the show

with Rev. Meredith GarmonDía de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a festive celebration in memory of those who have died. Its origins in Mesoamerica go back over 3000 years, even though it was shaped by two Roman Catholic holidays: All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). We will honor this tradition and reflect on the loved ones who are no longer with us.Support the show

with Rev. Meredith Garmon Come be a part of something bigger than yourself. Climate Justice intersects with all other forms of justice– economic justice, racial justice, social justice and more. Together we are enough!Support the show

We're still living out lessons the great Universalist Minister Hosea Ballou (1771-1852) preached.Support the show

Paul Nelson is a member of First Unitarian Church, and was formerly an ELCA/Lutheran pastor (1994-2009). He is looking forward to offering some thoughts on our monthly theme, "Fear."Support the show

with Meredith GarmonOur theme for October is "fear." We all fear. What lessons can we learn from fear — and how can we prevent it from hijacking our better judgment?Support the show

We'll be looking at Danya Ruttenberg's insights from her book "On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World." The book is the UUA Common Read for 2023-24.Support the show

"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

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

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

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.

 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.

Al Powers' story of his journey to becoming a UU and Humanist, and his reflections on what Humanism means to him todaySupport the Show.

Bill Brauch's reflection on the pathway of his own free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Support the Show.

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 story, we will gain insights into the struggles and triumphs of remaining faithful to her spiritual beliefs while also remaining true to herself.Support the Show.

Join Elliott Nolte for an exploration of developing a personal prayer practice based on attentiveness to story and spirit.Support the Show.

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.

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 which CISS supports our community members on their journey to a better life.Support the Show.

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.

 with Rev. LoraKim JoynerToday, 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, in so doing, increase their capacity to care for themselves and others. The mindful practice of birds can take only minutes a day but conversely also involves a lifetime of commitment, exploration, and wonder. Rev. Joyner will share how her lifetime working with birds has changed her and others with whom she works. Support the Show.

with Rev. Meredith GarmonShunryu 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.

with Rev. Meredith GarmonWe'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.

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.

with Rev. Meredith GarmonHow about a celebration of the flowering of truth? We'll have our flower communion and acknowledge the Buddhist holiday, Vesak.Support the Show.

with Rev. Meredith GarmonReflections 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 error. Support the Show.