UUABQ Voice

February 22, 2026: “Lessons from My Dog” The Rev. Stacey Mitchell

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. 

February 15, 2026: “Democracy & The Super Bowl” The Rev. Stacey Mitchell

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.

February 8, 2026: Eulogies

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). 

February 1, 2026: “Joy Is Resistance” Nate Clark

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.

January 25, 2026: "The Transient and the Permanent" The Rev. Nathan Ryan

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.

January 18, 2026 : “Proud to Be Maladjusted” The Rev. Stacey Mitchell

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

January 4, 2025: “Toothless” The Rev. Beth Elliot

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

December 21, 2025: “Wintering” The Rev. Beth Elliot

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

December 14, 2025: “Choose Your Own Adventure Sermon” The Rev. Beth Elliot

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

December 7, 2025: Sermon in Song

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.