UUABQ Voice

How does our spiritual journey call us to live our values? How can we support each other’s spiritual callings in our multi-religious faith? Music: Lydia Clark and Susan Peck

“Where are all the new protest songs?” They’re everywhere, just not on the local AM radio stations like they were in the 60s. Also, what protest music are we missing due to cultural blinders? Susan Peck and Vance Bass will lead a service full of justice and union songs, with old familiars and new songs from thriving song circle communities. Music: Susan and Vance share protest songs old and new, i...

We live in a culture that puts a lot of emphasis on being happy, but should that be our goal? Eudaimonia is an ancient idea that provides a way of living that doesn't chase fleeting emotion or temporary gratification but instead focuses on deep relationships, creativity, and meaning. Let's explore the idea of eudaimonia and how it promotes a more robust idea of human flourishing. Music: Lydia Clar...

What it means to not just imagine an end to nightmares, but to ground our dreams of better tomorrows. Music: Special guests Rusty Nelson and Sue Young, with Susan Peck.

Untangling ourselves from old systems of oppression can feel daunting, but it is actually liberating. Music: Susan Peck and Laura Bartolucci

A quarter of the way through the 21st century, how are we doing on anti-racist efforts in our community, state, and country? How can we overcome anti-DEI policies to live out our values of racial justice? Music: Susan Peck with Rodney Bowe and Clarissa Crowe.

A special service marking the last day of Rev. Angela’s fifteen-year ministry with First Unitarian. Join us for great music, gratitude, and words of blessing and farewell. Music: Chalice Choir, directed by Susan Peck, with Lydia Clark, Vance Bass, and Chris Paul

A poetic and pictoral exploration of how “mother” is expressed in the universe. Music: Women’s chamber group, songs for Mother’s Day

Can you imagine what it looks like to be in Beloved Community? If we can imagine it together, we can create it together. We will look at Pagan teachings about community and what magic has to do with turning imagination into reality. We will also engage in our traditional Clay and Water Blessing. Music: Ad hoc choir will lead chants for Beltane and Earth Day, including an original “Blessing Chant”...

Like many other faith traditions, Unitarian Universalists celebrate our youth as they move from childhood into adulthood. Our youth will share homilies and music in this annual favorite.

An Easter sermon of hope during a challenging time in our congregation, community, and country. Music: Chalice Choir, directed by Susan Peck; with Lydia Clark, piano and David Schepps, ‘cello

Perhaps you’ve met Christina. Or perhaps you’ve noticed the woman knitting during services— that’s her! For Christina, knitting, spinning, and other fiber arts are a daily practice that bring a reliable joy. This joy is a powerful tool that helps her to stay grounded as she navigates mental health issues including PTSD, and all the challenges that living in the world brings. She will discuss the i...

Friend of First U—and the Executive Director of the NM Black Leadership Council—returns to our pulpit to kick off a month of “JOY” as a spiritual practice. Music: Bassist Rodney Bowe joins Lydia Clark to celebrate joy in resistance.

We want to be safe. We want our loved ones to be safe. We want our streets and schools and congregations to be safe. We want to think the food we buy is safe. Of course we do. Is it possible? Is it even always good? And how do we live well in a world that feels increasingly unsafe? The Rev. Christine Robinson was the minister of this congregation from 1988-2017. Music: Gamelan Encantada, Jenny DeB...

 Chloe Koren, Guest Preacher Too often, when a person needs religion in their life, the place they find offers darkness couched as hope. Now, more than ever, progressive religion needs to shine where it can be seen. Chloe Koren is a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She is also the wife of our Senior Minister!

Let’s reflect on what makes us trustworthy and why it is a vital spiritual practice in these chaotic times. Music: Special guest Reggie Harris, a singer-songwriter, storyteller and world-renowned song-leader who is a powerful interpreter of the global music narrative. 

Rainer Maria Rilke said, “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves... like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now.” A sermon about change, growth, and trusting the process....

How can we maintain civic trust in a way that continues to cultivate social justice? How do we re-commit ourselves to collective action when civic trust is broken? Music: Chalice Choir, with Susan Peck.

What are your good old days? Your carefree childhood? The Civil Rights years? Sweet 16? We all have good (if incomplete) memories that we go to in moments of nostalgia. We all know that the past is a great place to visit but not a great place to dwell in, and Christine has some thoughts about that. Music: Lydia Clark, with Irene Fetherston, violin, and Lauren Harris, flute 

Eulogies is our annual service celebrating the people who passed in the last year who had an impact on us, but who might be lesser-known. Our house band, Spare Parts, will be sharing songs by musicians we lost in 2024.

Each Sunday, our Order of Service includes the words, “During worship, we may speak of God, mystery, the spirit of life, love, or the ground of being. Our membership includes atheists, agnostics, and believers in many kinds of divinity. Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, welcome...” How do we do it? And why do we call it “worship?” Music: Lydia Clark

Stories help and limit our ability to understand ourselves; how do our past stories affect how we see ourselves today Music: Nicia Rae, piano and Chalice Choir, directed by Susan Peck

Our Board of Directors will share information with the congregation about what to expect for this transitional year, and how we can all put our “best foot forward” in 2025. Music: Susan Peck & Vance Bass

Why do ancient Greek and Roman gods belong to “mythology,” while other gods belong to “religion?” What’s the difference? And if someone says all religion is myth, should UUs get mad? Music: Lydia Clark & Susan Peck

How can our community service be grounded in Unitarian Universalist fellowship? Music: Hymn singing with Susan Peck