UUABQ Voice

How is democracy important to our UU faith? Whether we are pondering inclusion, justice, or agency, our faith points the way to a more equitable and compassionate world.  And Rev. Stacey will also ponder the importance of Latino superstar Bad Bunny’s Superbowl performance from a week earlier and why it matters for our country. Music: Clarinetist Robin Korevaar teams up with pianist Maxwell Reilly...

Every year, First Unitarian celebrates the lives of notable, interesting, and sometimes quirky people lost in the previous year. Spare Parts and Cantabilis honor musicians who crossed over in 2025. Musicians: Spare Parts with Laura Bartolucci (tambourine, vocals), Vance Bass (guitar, vocals), Keith Morris (guitar, flute, vocals), Chris Paul (drums), Evan Kennedy Sadek (electric bass), Susan Peck (...

How do we find balance between paying attention to the world and protecting our own capacity to hope? Guest preacher Nate Clark will reflect on how joy can sustain us through anxiety and grief. Nate Clark (all pronouns) is currently serving in Lexington, MA as Follen Church’s Ministerial Intern for 2024–2026. He graduated with his MDiv from Iliff School of Theology in the spring of 2025. Nate grew...

Rev. Nathan Ryan, lead Minister at the Baton Rouge congregation, will delve into our legacy of Unitarianism, and how we honor “The Transient and the Permanent.” Reverend Nathan is a life-long Unitarian Universalist from south Louisiana. He graduated from Meadville-Lombard Theological School in Chicago. After serving in various positions at UU churches in Texas and Maryland, he returned to Baton Ro...

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to the UUA’s annual General Assembly in 1966.  In that speech to UUs he said “There are some things in our nation and in our world to which I’m proud to be maladjusted.”  Rev. Stacey will be exploring what he meant by that statement to UUs almost 60 years ago. Music: Lydia Clark, Mark Clark, and Lewis Winn

Letting go of perfectionism and independence as a spiritual practice. Music: Susan Peck

In all the world’s major faith traditions and throughout nature, there are guidelines around rest, hibernation, and Sabbath. Carving out space and time for quiet and ease is essential for health and honoring the cycles of life. Music: Emily Moore, KJ Patrick, Susan Peck, Michele Spiro

Do you remember the Choose Your Own Adventure Books? Come be part of a service where YOU get to choose where we go and how we explore the foundations, joys, and responsibilities of being part of a faith community. Music: Chalice Choir

Peter Mayer, UU singer-songwriter based in Stillwater, Minnesota, will share his “Sermon in Song,” weaving original songs with his thoughts on the lyrics and music. Mayer is best known in UU circles for the hymn “Blue Boat Home.” Come learn more about the rest of his music.

Rev. Stacey on Buddhist teachings that have inspired her over the years.  Music: Lydia Clark

For our 4th Sunday Speaker Series, New Mexico US Representative Melanie Stansbury spoke to a large group of Unitarian Universalists with a message of hope and the work ahead to ensure that every person has access to food, housing, healthcare, opportunity, and dignity.  

The Rev. Stacey Mitchell This Sunday we will remember and honor our Transgender Community by paying tribute to lives lost due to violence over the last year. Our faith has supported the affirmation of Trans lives for decades. Music: Lydia Clark

Contemplations on “Building Strong Foundations” (inspired by some Buddhist ideas). This is the last Sunday of our 2026 Pledge Drive. Music: Cantabilis, women’s chamber choir.

What is Universalism? As a radical, unapologetic and expansive Universalist, let me continue to share explorations as to why I believe it is the key to our faith’s future. Music: Chalice Choir

Our UUA faith has a motto for the last 20 years: “On the Side of Love.” And, with our new statement of faith passed at General Assembly in 2024, our faith calls us into sacred acts of love around values of justice and more. Let’s explore how to manifest holy love.  Music: Lydia Clark, piano/vocals and Erika Nielson, vocals

Radical Generosity at First Unitarian centers in a continual call for us all to cultivate compassion. How does our faith’s call for extravagant amounts of love impact how we think about generosity? Join us for a joyful, playful take on abundance and the power of community. Music: Susan Peck and Beth Elliot

Author Robin Wall Kimmerer states “Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” In this Sunday message, Rev. Stacey will explore the joys and gifts of our animal world. We will also have our Backp...

What are the differences between confidentiality and secrecy? Why is one virtuous and the other a very big problem? Music: Lydia Clark and Susan Peck

Join us as we explore the mythology of Lilith and how she became a symbol of the rejection of patriarchal domination and limited gender roles. What are the implications when feminine symbols like Lilith and Eve are demonized and blamed for the sins of humankind? We will examine how these ancient stories still have influence in our culture and politics. Music: Cantabilis (women’s chamber choir)

What is taboo and why? There is value in examining our resistance, our disgust, and our rebellion. I swear.  Music: Spare Parts, our contemporary worship band

Interim periods can be a dynamic and reflective time. With Rev. Stacey being here for the next years, formally known as “Interim Ministry,” what can be expected in this time period?  Music:Lydia Clark

Alana Rodriguez, Director of Family Ministry What could family ministry look like? With the many changes and shifts, how do we center joy and taking care of each other? Music: First U Youth Kokiak Hopkins, Puck Magnusson, and Shane Magnusson with guest youth musicians Owen Mease, Josh Trujillo, and Silas Wilber.

In Rev. Stacey’s first sermon at First U Albuquerque, she talks about how with new beginnings, there are new opportunities. Music: Chamber trio: Robin Korevaar (clarinet), David Schepps (‘cello), Susan Peck (piano)

St. Julian of Norwich is the author of Revelations of Divine Love, the oldest surviving book in English written by a woman. She was a deeply spiritual person and knew firsthand the power of the Divine Feminine during tumultuous times. As an anchorite, Julian was a spiritual director to her community, though her guidance lives on mystically. What wisdom does 14th century Julian have for us today in...

Even amid the most horrific of times, people have understood the value of joy. How do we stay grounded and spiritually nourished when the world is falling apart? We find whimsy, we value playfulness, and we recognize rest as resistance.  We also say goodbye to our Intern Minister and Resident, Ron Ahnen. Music: Cantabilis (women’s chamber choir) offers uplifting, whimsical songs for feeling good.