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PODCAST

First U Think

First U Think is a podcast designed for you, just as you are. We"re bringing you weekly talks about the topics that matter. Living with values. Caring about the world and the people in it. Making a difference. Learning about prophetic people and their work. Want to change the world? First you think. First U Think is brought to you by the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines IA.

religion & spirituality religion

All Episodes

21:19

Our Church as Home and Garden

First U Think ·

2025/07/15

Send us a text with Al Powers and Theresa Miller A look at our church home and garden through the lens of history. Support the show

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14:33

Love at the Center: Confronting Bias, Choosing Courage

First U Think ·

2025/07/09

Send us a text with Faithyna Leonard In 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

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10:39

Internal Community with Elijah Evans

First U Think ·

2025/07/01

Send us a text 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

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15:18

Radical Hospitality with David Yurdin

First U Think ·

2025/07/01

Send us a text 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 tracks, in a hole dug in the side of a hill, or in temporary housing. Most importantly, the UBFM ...

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15:02

Transitions Part II

First U Think ·

2025/06/17

Send us a text Rev. 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 the process. Support the show

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33:51

You Can't Take It With You

First U Think ·

2025/06/10

Send us a text with Meredith Garmon What 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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24:56

Community

First U Think ·

2025/06/03

Send us a text with 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

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24:54

War, Peace, and Remembrance

First U Think ·

2025/05/29

Send us a text ⚠️ Volume Warning: The volume increases significantly around the 12 minute mark. with Rev. Meredith Garmon War 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 virtue...

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16:13

Coming of Age 2025

First U Think ·

2025/05/20

Send us a text This 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

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16:28

Flowers and Vesak

First U Think ·

2025/05/13

Send us a text with Rev Meredith Garmon Vesak 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

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20:37

Bone-Deep Hope with Steve Sieck

First U Think ·

2025/05/06

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

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20:38

Counterintuitive Joy with Steve Sieck

First U Think ·

2025/04/29

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

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22:34

Conflict is a Good Thing

First U Think ·

2025/04/15

Send us a text with Rev. Meredith Garmon We 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

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26:07

Nurturing Nature Through Wonder

First U Think ·

2025/04/08

Send us a text with Rev. LoraKim Joyner Experiencing 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

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19:46

Who Cares?

First U Think ·

2025/04/01

Send us a text with 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

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3:47

Standing Tall: Reflections on Dignity

First U Think ·

2025/03/25

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

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25:32

Common Read: Authentic Selves

First U Think ·

2025/03/25

Send us a text with Rev. Meredith Garmon The 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

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24:13

Money, Money, Money

First U Think ·

2025/03/11

Send us a text with Rev. Meredith Garmon Wealth tends to have the effect of disconnecting us from others. Intentional generosity counteracts that effect. Support the show

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22:16

Dignity

First U Think ·

2025/03/04

Send us a text with 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

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24:41

UU Uses of the Bible

First U Think ·

2025/02/26

Send us a text with Rev. Meredith Garmon It'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

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205 results

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