UUABQ Voice

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 

The holy is present in each season of life, offering us a source of comfort and trust. Music: Spare Parts: Vance Bass, special guest Doug Cowan, Chris Paul, Susan Peck

How does healing happen? What do personal healing and collective healing have in common? Music: Chalice Choir, with youth trio featuring Puck Magnusson, Carson Mayo, and Emi Shadowspeaker

It has been a very difficult week. In the aftermath of the election, what do we do now? Music: Spare Parts: Vance Bass, Keith Morris, Chris Paul, Susan Peck, Celia Yapita

Our multi-religious approach to religion and faith provides many possibilities to understand ourselves and our place in this life. Listening with deep intention to our inner voice allows us to discover our personal wisdom and truth. Yet truths emanate from both our lived experiences and the shared experiences of others. We explore ways of deep listening in our search for truth and meaning. Music: ...

What does it mean to live for reproductive freedom? How can we use the strength of our convictions to move forward in faith for reproductive freedom, and what would it look like to lean into what is necessary? Today’s talk will focus on three ways we can advance reproductive freedom. Hint it has to do with - Clarity, Willingness and Possibility! Music: Lydia Clark

Former First U staff member and now minister Beth Elliot preaches on our dreams for the future of First Unitarian.  Music: Chalice Choir, directed by Susan Peck and accompanied by Nicia Rae on piano.