UUABQ Voice

Music: Lydia Clark

The mural of spiritual symbols which forms the backdrop of our worship has formed and informed this congregation for 62 years. Christine will tell us about some of its history, its many meanings, and how it can remind us of who we are as Unitarian Universalists. The Puppets will also have some opinions to share.
Music: Tom Godfrey, jazz guitarist.
Christine was the minister of First Unitarian from 1988-2017. She still helps out around the place when asked, but mostly enjoys participating as a member of the congregation.

Susan Peck celebrates her retirement after 10 years as Director of Music at First Unitarian, in a musical service featuring Chalice Choir, Cantabilis, Spare Parts, and plenty of congregational singing.

A few years back, Bryan began directing his prayers to the Great Mother, having spent most of his life in Patriarchal religion with prayers directed to ‘Our Father’. Bryan keeps an eye out for synchronicities (in a pagan sense) and will share a story or two. His best practice is to just go out for a few hours of silence to hear what the trees are saying!
Music: Susan Peck and Jess Martin, with a Sol Singers sound bath in the foyer before worship.
Bryan Hackett is First Unitarian’s Director of Finance & Operations, first joining the staff as our Accountant in November 2022. A lifelong New Mexico native with over 30 years in ministry, Bryan has journeyed into Unitarian Universalism over the last 10 years or so.

Heartwork invites us to live our values by planting seeds of compassion and radical love—nurturing ancestral strength for future generations. Understand how storytelling can be medicine and remember that serving others is sacred work grounded in our commitment to be healing beings.
Music: Lydia Clark
Tanaya Winder is an author, singer/songwriter, poet, motivational speaker and educator who comes from an intertribal lineage of Southern Ute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Diné and Duckwater Shoshone Nations where she is an enrolled citizen. She blends storytelling, singing, and spoken word to teach about different expressions of love (self love, intimate love, social love, community love, and universal love). https://tanayawinder.com

The amazing youth in our congregation chose the theme, music, and readings for this service,  and wrote reflections to guide the congregation. The service also includes a child dedication ceremony for seven children and youth, and a special ritual to say goodbye to our Director of Congregational Life, Laira Magnusson, and her family.

Music: Susan Peck with Cantabilis.

How did rejecting the shame and stigma surrounding their mental illness help Christina root more fully into our beloved community? How can listening to all the parts of yourself bring you strength? Come contemplate through story and reflection. The service will include a farewell ritual for Rev. Beth Elliot, our departing Associate Minister. After the service, there will be a short reception for her with some special music led by Susan Peck.
Music: Lydia Clark, Staff Musician.
Christina Socorro Yovovich’s pronouns are she/her/they/them. She has been a member of First Unitarian since 2014. Their family roots begin in Mexico and Montenegro and the labels they claim for themself include writer, mother, artist, bipolar, autistic, fat, person with PTSD, and wisdom seeker.

A reflection for Easter on resurrection and reincarnation, through a look at Jesus, Buddhism, and the earth.
Music: Susan Peck and Chalice Choir, with Lydia Clark, Vance Bass, Chris Paul.

Rev. Stacey will reflect on how Jesus related to power, and what was historically happening that led to his death.
Music: Lydia Clark & Susan Peck