UUABQ Voice

July 4 “Freedom Within” The Rev. Angela Herrera

Whether we are conscious of them or not, negative beliefs about ourselves can become like prison bars around the spir­it. On this holiday, a sermon about freedom of the most personal kind: freedom within.

Sunday, June 20 at 11:00 am “Bridging”

Unitarian Universalists recognize that the transition from youth to young adulthood is a moment to be celebrated, a process to be supported, and requires a lifelong commitment from all of us. This week we honor our congregation's most recent high school graduates with a special Bridging service. Charlotte Clark-Slakey and the Rev. Bob LaVallee will share their perspectives.

Love: Our Teacher

A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Angela Herrera

First Unitarian Church  June 13, 2021

The Rev. Angela Herrera. “Play”

The historian Johan Huizinga once said, "In play we move below the level of the serious, as the child does; but we can also move above it— in the realm of the beautiful and the sacred.” That’s true for everything from "dad jokes" to sacred dance. (Yes, really!) On Angela’s first Sunday back from sabbatical, a sermon about the divine, sometimes ridiculous, act of being playful. 

Music: This Sunday, our service will feature music by our own contemporary band, Disparate Parts, playing music by Todd Rundgren and Los Lobos. 

May 30 “Master of Disaster” The Rev. Bob LaVallee

Late-stage capitalism has fostered incredible income inequality, exacerbating other issues like climate change, racism, and sexism. In addition, it diminishes our hearts, minds, and souls. How can UUs protect themselves and others from this blight?

Music: Classical tracks from Gabriel Longuinhos and friends, and the Petroglyph String Quartet

May 23 “Looking for Bearings”

Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk, Guest Minister

Rev. Kirk is a professor of history at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Dr. Kirk’s first book, Wanamaker’s Temple: The Business of Religion in an Iconic Department Store (NYU Press, 2018), offers a historical exploration of the relationships between religion, commerce, and urban life in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Music: First Unitarian’s Virtual Chalice Choir

May 16 “One Brick at a Time” The Rev. Xolani Kocela, Guest Minister

How do we create the story of our life? We go about it one brick at a time. Our lives are made of many stories which come from many sources. We build stories upon stories as we become who we are. Let’s explore a few stories and ideas about who we are as individuals, a community, and as Unitarian Universalists. This is a joint service with our sibling congregation in Las Cruces!

Music: Special guest Randy Granger, Native multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter.

May 9 “Resilient Democracy” Dr. Mike Hogue, Guest Minister

Mike Hogue is the father of three amazing kids (ages 10, 12, 21) who are growing up too quickly! He is a dog person by nature and upbringing, but his wife, from whom he has learned many things, has taught him to love a couple of cats, too. He is a Professor of Theology at Meadville Lombard Theological School. His most recent book is American Immanence: Democracy for an Uncertain World.

Music: Lasotras, videos of live, socially-distanced performances from this pandemic year

“Story Is a Calling”

Beth Elliot, Alana Rodriguez, & Emily Kuo-Lillie

Sharing stories connects us and helps us better understand each other and what we are called to do together.

Music: Tom Godfrey, guitar. Pauline LaBar-Shelton, soprano

“Story Is a Calling” Beth Elliot, Alana Rodriguez, & Emily Kuo-Lillie

Sharing stories connects us and helps us better understand each other and what we are called to do together.

Music: Tom Godfrey, guitar. Pauline LaBar-Shelton, soprano