Shows
UUABQ VoiceFebruary 16, 2025: “The Good Old Days” The Rev. Christine Robinson, Minister EmeritaWhat 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
2025-02-181h 17UUABQ VoiceFebruary 9, 2025: "Eulogies" The Ministers and Spare PartsEulogies 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.
2025-02-111h 18UUABQ VoiceFebruary 2, 2025: "Our UU Theologies" The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenEach 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
2025-02-041h 13UUABQ VoiceJanuary 26, 2025: "Our Stories, Ourselves" Ron Ahnen, Intern MinisterStories 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
2025-01-301h 19UUABQ VoiceJanuary 19, 2025: “Covenant and Story” The Rev. Bob LaValleeThe 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
2025-01-211h 12UUABQ VoiceJanuary 12, 2025: "Best Foot Forward" EmmaLia Mariner, Board of DirectorsOur 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
2025-01-131h 00UUABQ VoiceJanuary 5, 2025: “Religion vs. Myth” The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenWhy 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
2025-01-081h 09UUABQ VoiceDecember 22, 2024: “Present to the Moment” The Rev. Bob LaValleeWe can only have an impact on the things that we are present to. What does this present moment ask of us? How do we even stay present in this distracting life?
Music: Chalice Choir with Tania Hopkins
2024-12-231h 07UUABQ VoiceDecember 15, 2024: "Community & Purpose" The Rev. Jane Davis, Affiliate MinisterHow can our community service be grounded in Unitarian Universalist fellowship?
Music: Hymn singing with Susan Peck
2024-12-191h 06UUABQ VoiceDecember 8, 2024: "Sacred Seasons” The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenThe 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
2024-12-191h 15UUABQ VoiceNovember 24, 2024: "Repairing Separateness" The Rev. Bob LaValleeWe have an epidemic of separateness, more commonly called loneliness. How do we reverse this devastating trend?
Music: Intergenerational Band
2024-11-261h 24UUABQ VoiceNovember 17, 2024: "How We Heal" The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenHow 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
2024-11-191h 07UUABQ VoiceNovember 10, 2024: "Now What?" The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenIt 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
2024-11-101h 11UUABQ VoiceNovember 3, 2024: “What If?” The Rev. Bob LaValleeTalk about a liminal space. We are watching our country enter a crossroads and take one of two very different directions. What should we consider as we wait? This service includes a candlelighting ritual of remembrance for those who have died.
Music: Lydia Clark
2024-11-041h 11UUABQ VoiceOctober 27, 2024: “Listening for Truth” Ron Ahnen, Intern MinisterOur 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: Lydia Clark
2024-10-291h 15UUABQ VoiceOctober 20, 2024 "The Light of the Soul of the World Is Everywhere" Sister Joan BrownWith so many headlines and heartbreaking notes around hurricanes, floods, fires, and the intersectionality of justice concerns we care about related to climate change and environment, we are invited to explore light within the darkness. If we believe that our work is Loving the World we must hold the All of it. We must pay attention in new ways and in deeper levels. We are "refugia" in this stormy moment. There is great beauty and tender joy in holding the suffering of our current realities. We are not living in a challenging Era - we are Living into a New E...
2024-10-221h 01UUABQ VoiceOctober 13, 2024: “Voices of a Church” The Rev. Bob LaValleeAs we begin another operating pledge campaign, can we listen for the messages that call to us from our community, our campus, our congregation, and our hearts?
Music: Intergenerational music with youth and members of Spare Parts
2024-10-151h 01UUABQ VoiceSunday, October 6, 2024: "Reproductive Freedom By Any Means Necessary” Rev. Erika FergusonWhat 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
2024-10-081h 22UUABQ VoiceSeptember 29, 2024: "Dreamings on Our 75th Anniversary" Beth ElliotFormer 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.
2024-10-011h 18UUABQ VoiceSeptember 22, 2024: "Moving from 'Othering'" Rev. Randy GrangerOur pulpit guest series continues with Reverend Randy Granger—a professional musician, storyteller, workshop facilitator, educator, and licensed massage therapist—speaking about moving from "Othering" towards understanding differences in our world's rich tapestry. Healing through hearing each other's stories, stories of grace and transformation.
We will also have our Backpack Blessing today for children and adults alike. Bring your backpack, bag, or other symbol of your learning or work to the service.
Music: Lydia Clark and Susan Peck
2024-09-241h 12UUABQ VoiceSeptember 15, 2024: “Reflecting On Our Reflection” The Rev. Jane Davis and Carissa McGeeYou are not your thoughts. You are so much more than the fleeting thoughts you experience, and the world is more than what we see; reflection can help put self and the world into perspective.
Music: Spare Parts: Vance Bass, Tania Hopkins, Keith Morris, Chris Paul, and Susan Peck.
2024-09-161h 20UUABQ VoiceSeptember 8, 2024: “Building Bridges: From Conflict to Community” Cathryn McGillCommunity Leader and performer Cathryn McGill joins us with a sermon that explores our personal responsibility to overcome conflict and confront biases. It calls for both individual and collective efforts to foster understanding, unity, and connection, emphasizing that building bridges within our communities is essential to transforming division into harmony.
Music: Cathryn McGill will be joined by John Mangel on piano and Lydia Clark.
2024-09-101h 20UUABQ VoiceSeptember 1, 2024: “Stained-Glass Spirit” The Rev. Bob LaValleeThriving 21st-century spiritual communities are like strong and beautiful stained-glass windows. They’re composed of many individual people who come together to create a deep and meaningful experience where everyone cocreates together but each person can ALSO shine as themselves at their best.
Music: Guest Musician Celia Farran, with Susan Peck.
2024-09-031h 08UUABQ VoiceAugust 25, 2024: "A Stone of Hope" Rev. Erica Lea-SimkaThe sabbatical guest preacher program continues with Rev. Erica Lea-Simka of the Albuquerque Mennonite Church.
August 28, 2024 will be the 61st anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous speech- I Have A Dream. In these times of global unrest and interpersonal uncertainties, it is extra challenging to "hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope". How might Elijah's Dark Night of the Soul in 1 Kings 19:4-9, MLK's vision in his 1963 speech, and our own wisdom help move us as communities of faith and consciousness toward deeper spiritual centering?
Music: Michael Mandrell and Susan...
2024-08-261h 02UUABQ VoiceAugust 18, 2024: Rabbi Celia Surget "Here We Are/We Are Here"The sabbatical guest preacher program commences with Rabbi Celia Surget of Albuquerque’s Congregation Albert.
Even the Rabbis of the Talmud agreed- it can be difficult to live in community- as individual members, we often risk facing the challenge of not being truly seen, of feeling (or being) ostracized, and yet… they also acknowledge that there is power and strength when we take the time to look at each other, acknowledge each other and hold each other accountable.
Music: Lydia Clark & Susan Peck
2024-08-191h 12UUABQ VoiceAugust 11, 2024: “Five Years at First U” The Rev. Bob LaValleeIt’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since Rev. Bob joined the
First U staff as Associate Minister. What have we co-created in that
time?
Music: Lydia Clark and guest musician Issa Noor.
2024-08-121h 07UUABQ VoiceAugust 4, 2024: "Supporting Each Other" The Rev. Bob LaVallee and Musicians from the AUUMMParticipants from the Association of UU Music Ministries annual conference will join the First U worship team for a service about mutual support, a positive vision for the future, and covenant. The Rev. Bob LaVallee preaches.
2024-08-051h 11UUABQ VoiceJuly 28, 2024: “Refuge” The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenPlaces of refuge are important for nurturing our spiritual lives. But what counts as one, and where do we find it? This is Angela’s last Sunday in the pulpit before her sabbatical. She will return November 3.
Music: Guest musicians Sue Young and Rusty Nelson
2024-07-2954 minUUABQ VoiceJuly 21, 2024: "Reincarnation"What happens after death? We don’t know for sure, but many people believe in reincarnation (including a surprisingly high number of Christians!) Let’s explore this ancient idea.
Music: Spare Parts, with Laura Bartolucci, Vance Bass, Keith Morris, Chris Paul, and Susan Peck.
2024-07-261h 10UUABQ VoiceJuly 14, 2024: "Always Widening the Circle"Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed has been a parish minister, seminary professor, and prolific writer on UU history. On this Sunday Rev. Bob will speak on what his work tells us about the experiences of People of Color in UU spaces.
Music: Lydia Clark and Susan Peck
2024-07-261h 00UUABQ VoiceJuly 7, 2024: "Our Spiritual History" The Rev. Angela Herrera Koren & The Rev. Christine RobinsonWe each have spiritual autobiographies or stories of the spiritual influences and growth that have shaped us. So does the church itself! Our Minister Emerita the Rev. Christine Robinson will join Angela in the pulpit today to tell that story.
Music: Lydia Clark
2024-07-221h 12UUABQ VoiceJune 30, 2024: "The Good News Is..." The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenHave you heard the good news? There are great things happening in the world. They don’t make the headlines as often as the bad stuff. Come and be lifted as Angela preaches “the good news” today.
Music: Susan Peck
2024-07-221h 112024-06-2458 minUUABQ VoiceMay 26, 2024: “Connection in a Creedless Faith” The Rev. Bob LaValleeUnitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith, and every UU congregation has a covenant. During this year, we’ll gather as a community to develop a new covenant to meet the needs of our new reality and awareness. Rev. Bob will explain how the church will do this important work.
Music: Lydia Clark
2024-06-101h 13UUABQ VoiceJune 9, 2024: "Living Passionately" The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenOn this Pride weekend, a sermon for everyone who dreams of embracing courage, vulnerability, playfulness, and self-expression.
Music: Susan Peck
2024-06-101h 18UUABQ VoiceJune 2, 2024: "Bridging" UU Youth, The Ministers, and Alana RodriguezSome of the most important things we can do for our youth to support them into adulthood are to keep them connected to Unitarian Universalism, and to continue to minister to them as they become adults. Our Bridging Ceremony celebrates this important transition and reminds the congregation of our commitments to our youth. We will honor Yony Mostoller and Evan Sadek. We will also celebrate Founders Day!
Music: UU Youth Band
2024-06-041h 08UUABQ VoiceMay 19, 2024: “Altar of the Everyday” The Rev. Bob LaValleeSimple rituals, practices, and sacred objects can be incorporated into each day. They help us live more deeply, without necessarily “doing more.” This enriches our lives in good times and becomes a source of strength in hard times.
Music: Lydia Clark with jazz violinist Muni Kulasinghe
2024-05-191h 05UUABQ VoiceMay 12, 2024: "The Names of God” The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenThere are countless names for the Ultimate or Divine. Let’s explore some! How do they help us understand existence? In what ways are they true?
Music: Chalice Choir
2024-05-141h 17UUABQ VoiceMay 05, 2024: "Beltane" The Rev. Bob LaVallee with Sara WoffordLike better known Christian holidays, Pagan holidays have common names but many different beliefs and rituals. Sara Wofford and the First U Covenant of UU Pagans will join Rev. Bob to explore pluralism in Pagan beliefs.
Music: Vance Bass, Keith Morris, and Susan Peck
2024-05-051h 18UUABQ VoiceApril 28, 2024: ““Disobedience” The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenSometimes we have to break a few rules. Good thing there are so many good role models!
2024-04-281h 15UUABQ VoiceApril 21, 2004: The Common Living Dirt: Celebrating Earth Day, The Rev. Bob LaValleeMarge Piercy’s poetry is celebrated by Unitarian Universalists for the way it weaves across the breadth of politics, gender, and environmentalism. We’ll use her poetry and more to celebrate this Earth Day.
Music: Chalice Choir, with Nicia Rae and Susan Peck
2024-04-221h 04UUABQ VoiceApril 14, 2024: "How We Change" The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenHow does change happen in a person’s life? How much change is possible? A sermon about the spiritual and the psychological.
Music: Lydia Clark
2024-04-161h 00UUABQ VoiceApril 7, 2024: “Calling All Holy Troublemakers” Heather Vickery, UU Service CommitteeAs many of you know, our trans and gender expansive beloveds are under attack and being criminalized in many US states right now. This is so serious that they fit the criteria to be designated as internally displaced people (IDPs) by the United Nations. This isn’t the first time fascism has reared its ugly head, and we at UUSC know how to respond. UUSC has been dedicated to aiding people being targeted by fascism since our founding in 1940. Our faith calls us to make holy trouble for the powers that would deny anyone’s full humanity and divinity. Join...
2024-04-081h 09UUABQ VoiceMarch 31, 2024: “A Hope You Can Count On” The Rev. Angela Herrera KorenIf you wonder what hope there is, if you’re feeling hopeless, if you’re afraid being hopeful will only lead to disappointment, or if you think of hope as a form of wishful thinking, then this intellectually honest, nourishing sermon is especially for you. And everyone else will probably appreciate it too! With an uplifting message and an easter egg hunt for kids, this is a great day to invite new friends to try our church.
Music: Lydia Clark and special guests.
2024-04-011h 07UUABQ VoiceMarch 24, 2024: "A Principled Decision" The Rev. Angela HerreraIn a few months UUs will have a big decision to make at our denomination’s annual general assembly: whether to transform the Seven Principles into a new kind of statement for our new era. Here’s what’s being proposed, and how our congregation can get involved.
Music:Chalice Choir, Nicia Rae, piano
2024-03-251h 21UUABQ VoiceMarch 17, 2024: "A Pandemic Elegy" The Rev. Bob LaValleeFour years ago, our lives were upended by a virus. The most deadly phase has passed, but we haven’t returned to “normal” and we certainly haven’t acknowledged all that was lost in that time.
Music: Spare Parts, with Keith Morris, Chris Paul, Susan Peck, and Evan Sadek-Kennedy
2024-03-201h 14UUABQ VoiceMarch 10, 2024: "Another Way Is Possible" The Rev. Angela HerreraIn the polarized rhetoric around Israel and Palestine, each side gets dehumanized in the service of “justice.” Fathers Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan, a Palestinian and an Israeli who both lost daughters to the violence, want us to know that another way is possible.
Music: Lydia Clark
2024-03-111h 20UUABQ VoiceMarch 3, 2024: "Less Is More" The Rev. Bob LaValleeThe global economy is built on constant growth, creating and consuming more regardless of whether we need it or not. The result is the devastation of our planet and the creation of a tiny class of ultra-rich and the impoverishment of the rest of us. Degrowth is the idea that we scale down this destructive cycle and focus instead on human needs and the planet’s well-being.
Music: Linda Myers, singer-songwriter
2024-03-051h 06UUABQ VoiceFebruary 25, 2024: "Repentance and Repair" The Rev. Angela Herrera“Repent” is a religious word with a lot of baggage. It brings to mind shame and threats of punishment. But there is another side to it: one that has to do with healing, repair, and peace. This sermon draws from the UUA’s Common Read, On Repentance and Repair by Danya Ruttenberg. You can learn more about the Common Read program here. (https://www.uua.org/read)
Music: Lydia Clark & Tom Godfrey
2024-02-281h 22UUABQ VoiceFebruary 18, 2024 "Thriving Together" The Rev. Christine RobinsonWe all want to thrive, and what that means differs during our lifespan. There are plenty of hints and tips about that, and I have a few of my own, especially about the life stage of “retirement.” However, almost all the thinking I can dig up about thriving assumes that we can thrive all by ourselves, and I doubt that. We believe we are all connected, after all… and that would mean that we need to put some thought into how the thriving and non-thriving of others impacts us. The puppets will have some thoughts to share about thriving as wel...
2024-02-211h 05UUABQ VoiceFebruary 11, 2024: "Love, Not Legalism" The Rev. Bob LaValleeWe are a covenantal faith, but what does that even mean? First U’s Mission Covenant has great aspirations but very little on specifics. How do we know when we’re out of covenant? How do we return to covenant?
Music: Lydia Clark and Susan Peck
2024-02-121h 14UUABQ VoiceFebruary 4, 2024: Eulogies – The Ministers with Kathryn Probasco and Spare PartsThe popular, annual service dedicated to regular yet notable people who died in the last year. We’ll celebrate some of the people whose lives touched ours, even if we never knew their names. Inventors, activists, scientists and more… come for good music and good stories; leave with a spring in your step.
2024-02-071h 30UUABQ VoiceJanuary 28, 2024: Question Box SermonThe Rev. Angela Herrera & The Rev. Bob LaVallee
You’ve got questions, and we’ve got... well, we’ll do our best! Today the ministers draw your questions out of a hat.
Music: Susan Peck
2024-01-311h 12UUABQ VoiceJanuary 21, 2024: “A Liberating Love” The Rev. Angela HerreraLove is a liberating gift, but it doesn’t come for free. A sermon about what love—especially self-love—asks of us. We’ll also collect questions today for next week’s “Question Box” sermon.
Music: Chalice Choir, directed by Susan Peck. Nicia Rae, piano. Anthems include O Love by Elaine Hagenberg, and Show Us How to Love by Mark Miller
2024-01-221h 29UUABQ VoiceJanuary 14, 2024: “A Preference for the Poor” The Rev. Bob LaValleeLiberation Theology was created by Catholic clergy working in the global south. Witnessing the results of colonialism and militarism, they reframed the message of the New Testament to call for a renewed focus on the plight of the poor. Is there a similar theology in Unitarian Universalism?
Music: Susan Peck and Tania Hopkins share music from Las voces del camino
2024-01-161h 01UUABQ VoiceJanuary 7, 2024 Sunday Worship: “Spiritual Autobiography, Part II” The Rev. Angela HerreraUU ministers, like other UUs, sometimes have “both/and” religious identities: Buddhist-UU, Christian-UU, Hindu-UU … But how does that work? Angela will share her personal spiritual story, and what it means that she has begun to identify as UU and Jewish.
Music: Spare Parts, with Vance Bass, Laura Bartolucci, Jayson Capps, Keith Morris, Chris Paul, Susan Peck
2024-01-091h 15UUABQ VoiceDecember 31, 2023: Sound HealingA special and unusual in-person service, featuring sound healing with our own staff musician, Lydia Clark, and her brother, Mark Clark, percussionist. Join Lydia, Mark, and Rev. Bob LaVallee for a peaceful morning filled with instrumental sounds.
2024-01-021h 02UUABQ VoiceDecember 17, 2023 Sunday Worship: “Solstice” The Rev. Angela HerreraAt this time of year, there are so many winter holidays, so many twinkling lights. But the oldest tradition of all—one that has been largely lost in mainstream US culture—is celebrating the winter solstice.
Music: Chalice Choir
2023-12-181h 10UUABQ VoiceDecember 10, 2023: “Religious Experience” The Rev. Angela HerreraOne of the sources of UU faith is “the direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder.” What does that mean? How do you know if you’ve had one?
Music: Lydia Clark, Chris Paul, Susan Peck
2023-12-121h 19UUABQ VoiceDecember 3, 2023 Sunday Worship “Mysterious Beliefs” The Rev. Bob LaValleeIt’s estimated that there are more than 4,000 religions in the world. Why do people choose to believe what they do, and why do they join the religious communities that they do?
Music: Doug Cowan and Sharon Stepler
2023-12-101h 16UUABQ VoiceNovember 26, 2023 Sunday Worship “Experience, Strength, and Hope” The Rev. Jane DavisEarly in life, we are taught to share our material possessions, and to share the spotlight—giving everyone a chance to be seen. However, it is not until we have experienced struggles and challenges that we learn to share our humanity.
Music: Susan Peck
2023-12-031h 00UUABQ VoiceNovember 19, 2023 Sunday Worship “All God’s People” The Rev. Angela Herrera & The Rev. Bob LaValleeWhere is the holy in the conflict between Israel and Palestine? In this time of grief, a message from the ministers about deepening our compassion and understanding.
Music: Lydia Clark
2023-12-031h 09UUABQ VoiceNovember 12, 2023 Sunday Worship ”Gifted” The Rev. Angela HerreraEvery day, we receive from the earth and her creatures, and from the labors of our fellow humans. The commodity economy does not encourage us to think of these things as gifts. Yet doing so is both life-changing and soul satisfying.
Music: Lydia Clark
2023-11-121h 01UUABQ VoiceNovember 5, 2023 Sunday Worship “Generosity of Spirit” The Rev. Bob LaValleeNovember’s theme at the church is generosity, and Rev. Bob will kick the month off talking about the ways that we can cultivate more generous spirits. This service includes a candlelighting ritual for those who have died. Zoom participants are encouraged to have a candle ready at home.
Music: Chalice Choir
2023-11-051h 17UUABQ VoiceOctober 29, 2023 Sunday Worship “Welcome Back, Rev. Bob” The Rev. Bob LaValleeWe’ll welcome Rev. Bob back into the pulpit today, after a four-month sabbatical. What will he talk about? Come and find out. Family-friendly Halloween costumes are encouraged. There will be a multigenerational costume parade at the end of the 11:00 am service.
Music: Lydia Clark
2023-10-291h 16UUABQ VoiceOctober 22, 2023 Sunday Worship “Demons” The Rev. Angela HerreraHere’s something we don’t talk about much at First U. Where did the idea of demons come from? What do they do? And are they real?
Music: Spare Parts
2023-10-221h 03UUABQ VoiceOctober 15, 2023 Sunday Worship “How to Cast a Spell” The Rev. Angela HerreraJust in time for Halloween, a sermon about magic and the mysterious power of words. From the archive, this sermon was originally preached in 2013.
Music: Rafe Pearlman
2023-10-151h 13UUABQ VoiceOctober 8, 2023 Sunday Worship “The Salem Witch Trials” The Rev. Angela HerreraThe phrase “witch hunt” has been used in the news by certain politicians lately and, well, that’s pretty ironic. Here’s why.
Music: Lydia Clark
2023-10-151h 16UUABQ VoiceOctober_1_2023_Sunday_Worship_Heritage_The_Rev_Angela_Herreramp3a1o25.mp3We are born into families and cultures that shape us, often in ways that are invisible to us. Drawing from the fields of family systems and trauma, a sermon about developing an intentional, life-affirming relationship with your heritage.
Music: Chalice Choir sings music by Sweet Honey in the Rock
2023-10-151h 09UUABQ VoiceSeptember 24, 2023: “Welcoming the Disenfranchised and the Rejected”The Rev. Jane Davis
A reflection about welcoming those in recovery and those re-entering our community from incarceration. Jane is an Affiliated Minister of First Unitarian.
2023-09-261h 12UUABQ VoiceSeptember17, 2023: ”Here, Hold My Fear” The Rev. Angela HerreraWe’re taking some chances in this church: trying to make a difference when the odds seem stacked against us; siding with love when hate is so threatening; and stepping up to hard work when people can always just opt out. Where do we get the guts?
Special Musical Guest: Peter Mayer
2023-09-191h 11UUABQ VoiceSeptember 10, 2023: “The ‘Welcome’ Paradox” The Rev. Angela HerreraWelcoming each other means practicing hospitality, compassion, and non-judgment. But what if the person we would welcome does not share those values? Is it unwelcoming to set boundaries?
2023-09-1251 minUUABQ VoiceSeptember 3, 2023: ”Atheists Do TOO Have Songs”The Rev. Christine Robinson, Minister Emerita
We started the summer series on a wide variety of world faiths with a song called “Atheists Ain’t Got No Songs,” which was funny in the context of the service, but I found myself frowning …. because it’s just plain wrong! Come and hear some good atheist songs, and about the wide variety of human faiths which don’t center on a spiritual figure—Atheism, Agnosticism, Humanism, Stoicism, Taoism … among many. Music: Lydia Clark, Vance Bass, Susan Peck
2023-09-051h 08UUABQ Voice8/27/2023 “Exploring Native American Religion as Place, Power, and Protocol”Rev. Randy Granger explores Native American spirituality and religions through creation stories, music, and common beliefs amongst Native Peoples, sharing with us how Native American ideas of the 7th Generation and Walking in Beauty resonate still in our society and can help guide us in our personal lives.
2023-08-301h 04UUABQ VoiceAugust 20, 2023: ”Barbenheimer? or Being Jewish in the USA” Rabbi Darah LernerThis Sunday, in the 8th installment of our “summer seminary sermon series,” we welcome pulpit guest Rabbi Darah Lerner, a rabbi in the Reform Movement of Judaism. In 2022, Rabbi Lerner returned to Albuquerque from Bangor, Maine, where she is the Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth El after serving there for 17 years.
2023-08-221h 08UUABQ VoiceAugust 13, 2023: ”Science & Religion”The Rev. Angela Herrera
Why do religion and science often seem to be at odds? And why does First U have a science display right in the front of our sanctuary? From the “greatest hits,” this is the sermon Angela preached when the display was installed five years ago.
Music: Lydia Clark, piano & vocals
2023-08-141h 09UUABQ VoiceAugust 6, 2023: ”What Is Religious Liberalism?”The Rev. Christine Robinson, Minister Emerita
We call ourselves religious liberals but have a hard time explaining what we mean. There’s a national effort afoot to help us understand ourselves better by focusing on our values.
Music: Spare Parts Trio with Vance Bass, Tania Hopkins, and Susan Peck
2023-08-081h 21UUABQ VoiceJuly 30, 2023 ”Christianities” The Rev. Angela HerreraHow many kinds of Christianity are there and why are there so many? What do they have in common and where do they differ? A sermon about the religion we probably think we know best.
2023-07-311h 12UUABQ VoiceJuly 23, 2023 ”Islam”Imam Abdur’Rauf Campos Marquetti, of Minara Muslim Community, is our pulpit guest today, with a message about Islam. Minara shares First Unitarian’s campus, along with the Abq Center for Spiritual Living. He will be joined by the Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon.
Music: Susan Peck & Nicia Rae, with a special performance by the Roots Summer Leadership Academy.
2023-07-251h 00UUABQ VoiceJuly 16, 2023 “Noble Truths”The Rev. Angela Herrera
The Zen Priest angel Kyodo williams asks, “What does it mean to be born in this human life and so bothered by it?” Buddhism has wisdom about life’s big questions, and encourages each person to test those teachings out to see whether they feel true.
2023-07-171h 03UUABQ VoiceJuly 9, 2023 ”The Third Largest Religion” The Rev. Angela HerreraFifteen percent of the global population identifies as Hindu—that’s one billion people! In this first Sunday of our “summer seminary sermon series,” we’ll learn more about the oldest of the world’s major religions.
2023-07-111h 06UUABQ VoiceSunday, July 2, 2023: ”RESTORATION 8.7.8.7” Susan PeckOur hymnals include many tunes from the Southern Harmony and shape note tradition. These tunes support a variety of texts, from traditional to modern. Susan Peck and guest singer Peter Tras will lead the congregation in singing through a history of these American hymns.
2023-07-0553 minUUABQ VoiceSun, Jun 25, 2023 ”What Is Religion?”Sun, Jun 25, 2023 "What Is Religion?"
The Rev. Angela Herrera
Is Unitarian Universalism a religion? How is religion defined, and by whom? (It’s trickier than you might think.) A message to get us ready for a “summer seminary” sermon series, where we’ll explore major world religions one Sunday at a time in July and August.
Music: Spare Parts
2023-06-261h 11UUABQ VoiceSun, Jun 18, 2023 “Wiser Now” The Rev. Angela HerreraWhen we embrace new approaches to inclusivity and justice, does it diminish the work of the past, or build on it? How do we become good ancestors, knowing that things will continue to change? This service also includes a Fathers Day candle lighting ritual. (To participate on Zoom, have a candle nearby!)
Music: Lydia Clark
2023-06-221h 07UUABQ VoiceSun, Jun 11, 2023 “Delight-full”The Rev. Bob LaVallee
On Rev. Bob’s last Sunday before taking a four-month sabbatical, he’ll tell stories about the wonderful things that the First Unitarian congregation accomplished in the last four years.
2023-06-141h 07UUABQ VoiceSun, Jun 4, 2023 “All the Flowers”Kristin Famula, Intern Minister
100 years ago (on this exact day) a new UU tradition was born: The Flower Ceremony. Bring a flower (from your garden, the store, the farmers market) this Sunday as we bring back this special ritual marking the diversity and beauty of us all.
We will also celebrate our “Bridgers,” honoring the graduating seniors moving from youth to young adulthood.
2023-06-131h 12UUABQ Voice”Let There Be Light” The Rev. Angela HerreraThis week was Shavuot, the Jewish spring harvest festival and celebration of the giving of the Torah on Mt Sinai. How does Judaism see the creation stories in Genesis that are part of the Torah and that many UUs may be familiar with through a different lens? What do creation stories have to do with our lives?
2023-06-071h 15UUABQ Voice“Primordial Flaring Forth” Kristin Famula, Intern Minister“Primordial Flaring Forth” Kristin Famula, Intern Minister
The creation story told through human exploration and science—a celebration of our inherently mysterious existence and the ever-unfolding creation of life.
Music: Spare Parts
2023-06-071h 12UUABQ VoiceThe Fierce Yes with Rev. Amani MalaikaThe fierce yes is made of Love, feels like joy, and is self-sustaining. Rather than try to manhandle the future into being what if you were so steeped in Love that you grow the future in your womb, incubating it, feeding it, nourishing possibility in the dark, giving it the time, warmth, sweet songs and stories to grow so that it emerges ready and able to live itself into greater and greater capacity constantly living into more and more Love.
2023-06-071h 08UUABQ VoiceSun, Apr 30, 2023 ”Coming of Age”Rev. Bob LaVallee
Coming of Age - 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.
2023-05-091h 06UUABQ VoiceApril 23, 2023 ”Is This a Queer Church Now?”"Is This A Queer Church Now?" The Rev. Angela Herrera Someone asked this recently, which got Angela thinking… how would we know? A sermon about– yep- the field of queer theology, who a “queer church” would (and wouldn’t) be for, and how this all connects to our theological theme of Resistance.
2023-04-261h 13UUABQ Voice”The Boss in Our Head”Rev. Bob LaVallee
The Boss in Our Head - We marinate in capitalism and because of that, judge our own worth by how productive we are. This has devastating effects on our lives and our planet, and especially the historically marginalized. How do we turn off the boss in our head?
2023-04-201h 03UUABQ Voice”Easter: How to Persist”The Rev. Angela Herrera. An easter sermon about cycles of rebirth and renewal, and how to carry on meaningfully in a world that is sometimes overwhelming.
2023-04-181h 09UUABQ Voice”Jesus Christ, Antifascist” Rev Bob LaValleJesus Christ, Antifascist - We know there are many versions of Jesus. As we approach Good Friday and Easter, we’ll talk about the ways that Jesus resisted authoritarian empire, befriended the marginalized, and organized mutual aid.
2023-04-101h 09UUABQ Voice”Love in the Time of Pandemic”Susan Peck. The last three years have been difficult for all of us. Living and singing through an airborne pandemic has been especially poignant for singers, whose art is created by sharing breath. Join Susan Peck and the Chalice Choir for reflections on grief and hope in the time of pandemic.
2023-03-301h 05UUABQ Voice”When They’re Mean”he Rev. Angela Herrera. When we have the courage to show vulnerability, it can transform many of our relationships for the better. But what if others respond with meanness? How do we protect ourselves?
2023-03-211h 09UUABQ Voice”Beautiful, incidental moments”Kristin Famula. Dozens of books were published last year – with the aim of supporting people in managing their time. But is time management really what we’re after? How else might we approach the reality of time in our lives? And yes, make sure you “spring forward” so that you don’t miss this service.
2023-03-131h 08UUABQ VoiceMarch 5 - Vulnerable Planet, Vulnerable PeopleRev. Bob LaVallee - UU principles affirm that the active care of the natural world is fundamental to spiritual life and social justice. In a state driven by extraction economies, what are we called to do?
2023-03-131h 06UUABQ Voice”What Even Is Love?”The Rev. Angela Herrera
Love, like “soul,” is hard to define. We know it when we see it. But it’s also a skill we can get better at. And who doesn’t want to be great at love?
Music: Chalice Choir, directed by Susan Peck, Nicia Rae, piano
2023-03-021h 01UUABQ VoiceLove Wisdom Feb 19 2023For this sermon, Rev. Bob interviewed wise elders at First U for their thoughts about love. Come hear some sage advice about one of life’s mysteries.
Music: Lydia Clark
2023-02-2259 min