Faith Formation

Stay up to date with important Faith Formation news, reminders, updates, and opportunities for children, youth, families, and volunteers.

No class Sunday, October 25!
If you would like to receive a link to this newsletter via text each month, please email Anne Sieck, Faith Formation Coordinator, at faithformation@ucdsm.org.

Find upcoming Faith Formation events, activities, special gatherings, and opportunities for children, youth, and families to connect, learn, and have fun together!

Parent Support Groups will be the third Wednesdays (5:30pm) and fourth Sundays (11am) of the month, starting this month!
September 26- Scrappy Hour from 9-11 a.m. Scrappy Hour is an informal opportunity for families to gather at the church where adults can get to know each other and kids can play and explore their church home. Please bring a food item to share (no cooking necessary- it can literally be a jug of apple juice from the fridge or half box of granola bars.
October 11: Trick-Or-Treat for UNICEF: The children will learn about the mission of UNICEF and will be able to take home their own collection box. These boxes can be taken along when children trick-or-treat to collect money. Children will also have a chance to "trick-or-treat" from the congregation on November 1st. This year, First Unitarian Church will return to the annual tradition of Trick-Or-Treat for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF is the largest humanitarian organization focused on children. Click here for more information about UNICEF or the Trick-Or-Treat for UNICEF program.

This month, we will continue to learn about our church and the people in it! We will create a book together about the church that your child can bring home and share with you.

The Explorers will learn about our UU values, beginning with Interdependence. They will create art and explore activities that follow the framework of Doing, Belonging, Becoming, and Making.

The youth will engage with the Soul Matters theme of Beginnings. We will explore the work that we are beginning as a class, as part of a congregation, and as individuals, and how we may change over this program year.

YRUU: Young Religious Unitarian Universalists

Wednesday, October 14, at 6 p.m.

All 9th–12th grade students are invited to YRUU on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.

Meet up with your peers & friends, we'll brainstorm activities and service opportunities for the coming year. YRUU will meet on the same Wednesday nights as the Wednesday Night Dinners throughout the year.

Introducing the Faith Formation Table

Please be sure to stop at the Faith Formation table first to sign your children into their classes. If you have questions, please contact faithformation@ucdsm.org.

Important Dates for 2026-27

Classes:

August 23 and 30
September 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18
November 8, 15, 22
December 6, 20
January 10, 24, 31
February 7, 21, 28
March 7, 21
April 4, 11
May 2, 9, 16

Special Events/All Ages:

September 13- Water Communion (children will start in class but join the adults for the ceremony)
November 1- Halloween Party
December 13- Music Service with Karen Kraemer
March 28- Easter Party, Easter Egg Hunt
April 18- Youth Service
May 23- Flower Communion

Additional childcare provided:

September 6- Labor Day
January 3
May 30- Memorial Day

Faith Formation Registration

Families have three choices for Sunday morning programming for their children. These choices will have age recommendations for enrollment but will not be age- or grade -restricted.

Classes will begin downstairs on Sunday mornings with drop-off starting at 9 a.m. Parents are always welcome to keep children with them during the service as well.

Parents, please, please register your child or children using the link below because this allows us to keep you up-to-date on any schedule changes, identify any additional supports children may need, and plan for allergies or other health needs. There is no fee for your child to participate.

If you would be interested in supporting our young people on Sunday mornings, we would love to have you. We are looking for lead teachers to sign up twice per month and assistants to sign up once per month. If you are willing to work with our children this year, please speak to Anne Sieck after the service or grab her business card at the welcome table.

Thank you for investing in Faith Formation here. Together, we will raise future generations to love radically, grow ethically and spiritually, and serve justly.

First Unitarian Church of Des Moines | 1800 Bell Avenue | Des Moines, IA 50315 US

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