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.
Episodes
218 episodes
Bending and Breaking with Rev. Steve Sieck
As 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?&...
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16:49
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 11: Gabby Guerra, Executive Director, Al Éxito
www.alexitoiowa.org
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20:46
Righting the Ship with Rev. Steve Sieck
Join 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?
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22:59
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 10: Courtney Dufford, Lead Organizer, AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy)
https://www.amosiowa.org/Upcoming Events: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QezrU0h9kXqJM4gUL19j6QqAYN2AUwpEHiYp_jU8wjU/edit?usp=sharing
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14:58
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The Calculus of Resistance with Rev. Steve Sieck
In 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?
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21:13
Holding Your (Moral) Ground with Rev. Steve Sieck
As 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 ...
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18:02
The Sun Also Rises: The Power of Active Hope with Rev. Steve Sieck
Hope – 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...
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16:12
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 9: Robby Collier, CEO of Urban Bicycle Food Ministry of Des Moines
To donate or volunteer: https://ubfmdsm.com/donate-volunteer
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21:44
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Choosing Hope with Rev. Steve Sieck
If the future is unknowable, why choose hope? What value does a hopeful outlook bring to our lives? Join us for a celebration of possibility.
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22:40
It's Great to Meet You Episode 8: Katie Kamienski, Executive Director, YMCA Supportive Housing Campus
Volunteer: https://www.dmymca.org/locations/supportive-housing-campus/volunteerDonate: https://tinyurl.com/4au85ndm
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26:27
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Reality Check with Rev. Steve Sieck
Is 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.
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16:50
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 7: Amy Landrigan, Executive Director, The Beacon
Donate to 26 For Her: https://thebeacondm.org/26forher/Volunteer: https://thebeacondm.org/volunteer/
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31:39
In a World... with Rev. Steve Sieck
It 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.
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16:41
Practice Makes Grateful with Rev. Steve Sieck
What 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.
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22:21
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 6: Melissa O'Neil, CEO of Central Iowa Shelter and Services
CISS donations: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cissgeneralfunddonationsCISS upcoming events: https://centraliowashelter.org/events/
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19:52
The Last Gift We Give with Rev. Steve Sieck
This 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 serv...
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17:38
Cultivating Compassion in a Challenging World with Rev. Steve Sieck
What 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 ou...
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22:08
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 5: Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement, DMARC
Links from the Show:Donate to DMARCDonate food to DMARC
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19:37
Compassion in Community with the Celebrant Team
We would move out of defensiveness, see another's perspective; we would honor silence; be more curious; not keep score.
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24:42
Shining Your Light with Rev. Steve Sieck
What 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 o...
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21:10
It's Great to Meet You, Episode 4: Mark Stringer, Executive Director, ACLU of Iowa.
Links from the show:https://www.aclu-ia.org/get-involved/https://onrealm.org/FirstUnitarian/give/ITMAF
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18:47
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What is Compassion? with Rev. Steve Sieck
What 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.
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22:10
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