First U Think
First U Think is a weekly podcast from the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, Iowa, designed for listeners as they are. It explores topics that matter, such as living with values, caring about the world and people, and making a difference. The show also highlights prophetic people and their work, encouraging listeners to think before acting. Brought to you by the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines IA.
Episodes
Stepping into the River with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailHow do our Unitarian Universalist commitments support us in this season of beginnings? Bring water to share in our annual Water Communion ritual, bring energy and curiosity to find something new to begin at the Community Faire after the service!Support the show
What Do You Think? Episode 1: Dr. Tim Knepper
Send us Fan MailDr. Tim Knepper, Drake University Professor of Philosophy, director of the Comparison ProjectUpcoming events: https://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu/events/ Support the show
Where Does a Humanist Turn?
Send us Fan MailAs a long-time agnostic secular and member of the Humanist Society, Paul Derrick doesn’t rely on any God or gods to watch over and comfort him, to hear and answer prayers or to intervene in human affairs. So, where does he turn for strength, comfort, solace, support and consolation? This Sunday we welcome back the Westphals for horn duet music. Support the show
11 Minute Meditation to Let Go and Forgive
Send us Fan Mail11 Minute Meditation to Let Go and Forgive with Rev. Steve SieckSupport the show
9 Minute Meditation to Understand our Feelings
Send us Fan Mail9 Minute Meditation to Understand our Feelings with Rev. Steve SieckSupport the show
5 Minute Meditation for Awareness
Send us Fan Mail5 Minute Meditation for Awareness by Rev. Steve SieckSupport the show
All Things in Time with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailAt First Unitarian we're in a season of big changes: to faith formation, service schedules, architecture, and more! How do we hold a sense of peace and community when everything is in flux? Join us this Sunday for a service of grounding and visioning.Support the show
We the People with AMOS
Send us Fan MailFor many, the word politics has come to mean division, spectacle or partisan warfare. But, politics, at its best, is the work of the people for the common good. Come hear how ordinary people learned to turn private pain into public action, and believe that good power grows where people are connected and ready to act together.AMOS: https://www.amosiowa.org/with Elaine I., Eileen J.,
The Theology of Play with Faithyna L.
Send us Fan MailWhat if play is not something we outgrow, but something that helps us grow? This sermon explores the theology of play—the role of imagination, wonder, and joy in developing faith, strengthening mental health, and building beloved community. Through humor, personal stories, and Unitarian Universalist values, we’ll consider how staying curious and a little silly can be a sacred pract
Making It Up As We Go Along with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan Mail We joined together for a fully improvised service! With a few prompts from the audience, we created a story for all ages, along with meditations, sermons, and music. Support the show
Artists in Our Midst with Katherine V.
Send us Fan MailJoin us as we celebrate the creativity within our own congregation. Support the show
Space, Science and Spirituality--The Overview Effect with the Celebrant Team
Send us Fan MailThe Celebrant Team explores how space exploration, science, and spirituality intersect.Diane F., Faithyna L., and Louise A.Support the show
Attention is a Precious Resource with Dave Busiek
Send us Fan MailJoin us for “Attention is a Precious Resource” with longtime Iowa journalist Dave Busiek. Being an informed citizen these days demands a lot of our attention. To protect their sanity, too many people have tuned out the news. What should we pay attention to and how should we do so to stay aware but not overwhelmed?Support the show
America at 250 with Members of the Congregation
Send us Fan MailOur theme for our July 5 service is America’s 250th birthday. Listen to reflections by church members about what our nation’s 250th birthday means to them.Todd L. and Oge N.Support the show
Flourishing in Queer Joy with Members of the Congregation
Send us Fan MailWhat does it look like for queer joy to flourish in our shared community? We take time this week to hear perspectives on the myriad ways that queer joy presents itself and how we can help it grow and thrive together.with Barb & Deidre, David & Walter, and JaycieSupport the show
Conditions for Flourishing with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat are the conditions necessary for flourishing? How do our pasts – even across generations – affect our capacity to flourish? Join us as we honor the Summer Solstice, Father’s Day, and the deep work of nourishing and repairing the soil in which we growSupport the show
The Different Faces of Flourishing with The Celebrant Team
Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to truly flourish? We'll explore three introspective personal stories that reveal the many ways people experience growth, purpose, resilience, and joy. Together, we'll reflect on how flourishing can look different for each of us—and how we might cultivate it in our own lives.Marsha Carty, Jim Carty, Elijah EvansIf you notice any differences in sound qual
Flourishing in Community with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to Flourish Together? Join us for Annual Meeting Sunday as we explore the interplay of resources that makes a garden flourish, and celebrate the work our church does to love, grow, and serve.Support the show
Flower Communion with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailThis Sunday we honor the 103rd annual ritual first designed by Unitarian minister Norbert Capek. How might this beloved tradition help us become more curious citizens in an interdependent world?Support the show
Gathered in Remembrance: Held in Hope with the Celebrant Team
Send us Fan MailMemorial Day is a complicated holiday for many of us. How do we honor those who serve without glorifying war? How do we build a peaceful future for our children? This morning we will hear perspectives on military service and war from a variety of UU voiceswith Paige Shivvers, Megan Klee, David WitkeSupport the show
Curious Voices: A Youth-Led Awakening
Send us Fan MailAs we explore our May theme, Awakening Curiosity, our youth take the lead in imagining a more fully inclusive, multigenerational church. Through their reflections, they’ll share what helps them feel truly seen and valued—and what could help us grow. Come ready to listen, learn, and be inspired by their vision.Featuring Thea, Penny, and Simon.Support the show
A Mother's Love with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailThis Sunday we honor all those who are or have been mothers. How might the experience of motherhood help us all awaken our curiosity for the world and one another?Support the show
Awakening with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailAs we begin this month’s theme of “Awakening Curiosity”, we take this Sunday to honor Vesak and the Buddha’s quest to understand suffering in the world. How might the Buddha’s journey help us to become more curious and wise?Support the show
Open to Life with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIt takes preparation, stamina, and patience to embrace possibility. In a world that seems to measure possibility in quarterly earnings, how do we reclaim the perspective to plant trees whose shade we will not be here to enjoy?Support the show
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 14: Jamie Seitz, Communications Coordinator
Send us Fan MailSupport the show
Embracing Possibility with the Celebrant Team and Green Sanctuary
Send us Fan MailThe Green Sanctuary Team is highlighted as we celebrate the upcoming Earth Day 2026 and our church's commitment to environmental action.Slides:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sUSN080hWFqv2uSb1Ux-IZrp-6LEvU1L/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115773222253600430449&rtpof=true&sd=trueSupport the show
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 13: Faithyna Leonard, Faith Formation & Congregational Life Coordinator, First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
Send us Fan MailWe’ve been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we’re keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work!Support the show
The Risks of Possibility with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailSometimes difficult experiences in life teach us to be cautious of embracing possibilities. Join us for a powerful service focusing on the work to nurture a trauma-informed community. Support the show
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 12: Tracy Aukes, Church Administrator, First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
Send us Fan MailWe’ve been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we’re keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work!Support the show
Embracing Possibility with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIt takes courage to see which possibilities might emerge out of present challenges. Join us for an Easter service that explores abundance as a mindset, the art of improv, and the power of radical acceptance.Support the show
To Be Seen and Heard with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIn this month of Paying Attention, this Sunday we honor the power of being seen and heard. We’ll begin with a 30-minute service focusing on Trans Day of Visibility, and then move into small groups for an hour to support AMOS’ work to listen to what’s on the minds of “we the people” in Iowa.Support the show
The Transformative Power of Attention with the Celebrant Team
Send us Fan MailSpeaking: Aaron RosenfeldWhen we cultivate our capacity to pay attention, we may start to notice patterns in ourselves or our relationships. How can this practice support us in growing ethically and spiritually together?Support the show
The Connective Power of Attention with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailHow does our work of paying attention affect our relationships with others? How might the practice of attention deepen our capacity to love one another?Support the show
The Work of Attention with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWe are drowning in input to compete for our attention. How do we navigate the constant distractions of contemporary life to steward our attention where we want it to go?Support the show
The Gift of Attention with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat we choose to attend to is where we direct our time, energy, and love. How can we be good stewards of the resource of our attention?Support the show
Resilient Community with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat does resilience look like in community? Join us this Sunday as we explore stories of communities that have faced remarkable challenges and found ways to spring back, let go, and transform. Support the show
Embodying Resilience with Mike Smith and Barb Royal
Send us Fan MailAge, wisdom, experience, with reflections from the congregationSupport the show
The Problem with 'Should' with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailAs we deepen our exploration of resilience, what role do our expectations play in our ability to adapt and respond to life’s challenges? Support the show
Bending and Breaking with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailAs we begin our February theme of Embodying Resilience, we look at the nature of resilience and how it differs from resistance. In a world that frames most conflicts in win-lose zero-sum terms, how might embodying resilience improve our lives? Support the show
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 11: Gabby Guerra, Executive Director, Al Éxito
Send us Fan Mailwww.alexitoiowa.orgSupport the show
Reflections on Resistance with the Celebrant Team
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Righting the Ship with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailJoin us as we honor Rev. Dr. King and lift up the ongoing work to build the Beloved Community. As we work to resist racism, what might each of us have to change?Support the show
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 10: Courtney Dufford, Lead Organizer, AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy)
Send us Fan Mail https://www.amosiowa.org/Upcoming Events: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QezrU0h9kXqJM4gUL19j6QqAYN2AUwpEHiYp_jU8wjU/edit?usp=sharingSupport the show
The Calculus of Resistance with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIn the abstract, it’s always right to resist injustice or harm. In reality, it can often be risky, even dangerous, to resist. How do we navigate these daily decisions? How might our UU values guide us through the thorny calculus of resistance?Support the show
Holding Your (Moral) Ground with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailAs we begin our January theme of Practicing Resistance, we acknowledge that “resistance” is a term and set of practices used by many different people to justify many different actions. What makes resistance good or bad? This service includes a special Turning of the Year ritual to release 2025 and welcome 2026.Support the show
The Sun Also Rises: The Power of Active Hope with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailHope – and despair – are ‘contagious’. We usually feel more or less hopeful depending on how those around us feel. Join us this Winter Solstice Sunday to claim the power of Active Hope together, to celebrate that even in the darkest time of the year, the sun still shines.Support the show
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 9: Robby Collier, CEO of Urban Bicycle Food Ministry of Des Moines
Send us Fan MailTo donate or volunteer: https://ubfmdsm.com/donate-volunteer Support the show
Choosing Hope with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIf the future is unknowable, why choose hope? What value does a hopeful outlook bring to our lives? Join us for a celebration of possibility.Support the show
It's Great to Meet You Episode 8: Katie Kamienski, Executive Director, YMCA Supportive Housing Campus
Send us Fan MailVolunteer: https://www.dmymca.org/locations/supportive-housing-campus/volunteerDonate: https://tinyurl.com/4au85ndmSupport the show
Reality Check with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIs the glass half-full, half-empty, or twice the container for the volume required? Join us this Sunday as we explore how gratitude helps us see the world more clearly and shake us from habitual resentment. Support the show
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 7: Amy Landrigan, Executive Director, The Beacon
Send us Fan MailDonate to 26 For Her: https://thebeacondm.org/26forher/Volunteer: https://thebeacondm.org/volunteer/ Support the show
In a World... with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIt 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
Practice Makes Grateful with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat 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
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 6: Melissa O'Neil, CEO of Central Iowa Shelter and Services
Send us Fan MailCISS donations: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cissgeneralfunddonationsCISS upcoming events: https://centraliowashelter.org/events/Support the show
The Last Gift We Give with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailThis 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
Cultivating Compassion in a Challenging World with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat 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
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 5: Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement, DMARC
Send us Fan MailLinks from the Show:Donate to DMARCDonate food to DMARCSupport the show
Compassion in Community with the Celebrant Team
Send us Fan MailWe would move out of defensiveness, see another's perspective; we would honor silence; be more curious; not keep score.Support the show
Shining Your Light with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat 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
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 4: Mark Stringer, Executive Director, ACLU of Iowa.
Send us Fan MailLinks from the show:https://www.aclu-ia.org/get-involved/https://onrealm.org/FirstUnitarian/give/ITMAFSupport the show
What is Compassion? with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat 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
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 3: Max Mowitz, OneIowa
Send us Fan MailIt's Great to Meet You, Episode 3: Max Mowitz, OneIowaLinks from the show:Oneiowa.orghttps://onrealm.org/FirstUnitarian/give/ITMAFSupport the show
Why I Choose to Belong Here with the Board of Directors
Send us Fan MailFour 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
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 2: Wes Mullins, Executive Director, Capitol City Pride
Send us Fan MailIt’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
Limits of Belonging- Sunday Service with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIn 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
Going Platinum- Sunday Service with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhat 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
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 1: Connie Ryan
Send us Fan MailIt'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
Gathering Streams- Sunday Service with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan Mailwith Rev. Steve SieckThe 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
Music in our Church with Bruce Martin
Send us Fan MailHighly 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
Visions for 2040- Sunday Service with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan Mailwith Rev. Steve Sieck and CompanyWhat 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
Good Question!- Sunday Service with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailIt 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
Why We Sing - Sunday Service with Rev. Steve Sieck
Send us Fan MailWhy do church services have so much music? Why do people in spiritual communities sing? Join us for this summer service, led by Rev. Steve Sieck, where we explore the intersections of creating community and singing together.Support the show
Who Is My Neighbor
Send us Fan MailConnie Ryan, executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, highlights "who is our neighbor" in contrast with the message of Christian Nationalism.Support the show
Food, Glorious Food: or, Potlucks We Have Known
Send us Fan Mailwith Louise Alcorn and friendsWhen you think of church potlucks, does your mouth water? Member Louise Alcorn and many hungry friends will explore food and community, reminisce about potlucks we have known, and discuss how food has been inextricably linked to community here and forever.Support the show
Our Church as Home and Garden
Send us Fan Mailwith Al Powers and Theresa Miller A look at our church home and garden through the lens of history.Support the show
Love at the Center: Confronting Bias, Choosing Courage
Send us Fan Mailwith Faithyna LeonardIn a world marked by division and unconscious bias, how can we show up with courage, compassion, and love? This Sunday, join us for a powerful reflection on bystander intervention, the ongoing work of justice, and the transformative act of centering love—especially in moments of harm and healing.Support the show
Internal Community with Elijah Evans
Send us Fan Mail Member Elijah Evans will comment upon the intersection of mental health and spirituality with a service describing how we can nurture the internal communities of which we are all composed. Support the show
Radical Hospitality with David Yurdin
Send us Fan Mail David Yurnan and Urban Bicycle Food Ministry The Urban Bicycle Food Ministry motto is "Provide radical hospitality one burrito at a time." Every Thursday, all year long, members prepare and deliver hundreds of food and personal items by bike and car to people on the streets in metro Des Moines. They might be living under a bridge, in a tent next to the river or railroad
Transitions Part II
Send us Fan MailRev. Meredith Garmon's last words in the pulpit at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines. Transition: it's not the same as change. Change is always happening. But sometimes we change (externally, superficially) in order to not change (truly grow) – we make changes so we can avoid changing. To transition, rather than merely change, is to bring a bit of intentionality to th
You Can't Take It With You
Send us Fan Mail with Meredith GarmonWhat is yours to do? What is your calling — in life? Now? George Kaufman and Moss Hart won't answer that question, but their 1936 play does help frame the question. Support the show
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