UUABQ Voice

Author Robert Fulghum, who wrote “All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten” in 1988, is also a UU Minister. Inspired by this book, Rev. Stacey will give a sermon about what she has learned from her dog, Copper. Music: Lydia Clark,Erika Nielson, and Michele Spiro share some great dawg-friendly songs. 

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 for some light classical duos. Lydia Clark will cover congregational hymns.

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 (keyboard, vocals), featuring Larry Alei (flugelhorn/trumpet) and additional vocals by Cantabilis (Tania Hopkins, Michele Spiro, and Erika Nielson). 

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 up a Unitarian Universalist in Dunstable Massachusetts. He is currently living in Westford, MA with his wife and their rambunctious cat. Nate's calling is to parish ministry, and they hope to serve a congregation in their native New England.  Music: Guest musician, Francisco Ruíz. Francisco is an award-winning singer-songwriter from LA and long-time UU music leader. He studied circle singing with Bobby McFerrin and can turn a roomful of people into a magical vocal orchestra.

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 Rouge as Assistant Minister in 2012. He was called as their Senior Minister in 2020. Music: Chalice Choir, under the direction of Susan Peck.

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 Backpack Blessing this Sunday for children and adults alike. Every child and youth should bring their backpack, and everyone, regardless of age, is invited to bring something that symbolizes their work for a blessing.  Music:Chalice Choir

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 the 21st century? Music: Lydia Clark

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.

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, in the tradition of making good (musical) trouble. 

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 Clark Prayer:Troublemakers Blessing

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” composed by Susan Peck

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 importance of having your own practice of daily, reliable joy. Christina is a member of First U and an essayist. You can find links to her published works at https://christinasocorroyovovich.com/. Music: Spare Parts, our contemporary worship band

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 DeBouzek, director, with Lydia Clark.  

 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. Music: Lydia Clark & Susan Peck

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.

We are besieged by toxic messages telling us what our bodies should look like. How do we perform that ultimate act of resistance: loving ourselves as we are? Music: Leslie Bowen, Tania Hopkins, Susan Peck, Pauline LaBar-Shelton, and Celia Yapita  

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

The week after this Sunday we will meet as a congregation to vote on our new covenant. How do our stories inform how we are together as a religious community? Music: Lydia Clark and Rodney Bowe

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