UUABQ Voice

February 18, 2024 "Thriving Together" The Rev. Christine Robinson

We 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 well.
Music: Chalice Choir, directed by Susan Peck. Nicia Rae, piano.

February 11, 2024: "Love, Not Legalism" The Rev. Bob LaVallee

We 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

February 4, 2024: Eulogies – The Ministers with Kathryn Probasco and Spare Parts

The 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.

January 28, 2024: Question Box Sermon

The 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

January 21, 2024: “A Liberating Love” The Rev. Angela Herrera

Love 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

January 14, 2024: “A Preference for the Poor” The Rev. Bob LaVallee

Liberation 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

January 7, 2024 Sunday Worship: “Spiritual Autobiography, Part II” The Rev. Angela Herrera

UU 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

December 31, 2023: Sound Healing

A 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.

December 17, 2023 Sunday Worship: “Solstice” The Rev. Angela Herrera

At 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

December 10, 2023: “Religious Experience” The Rev. Angela Herrera

One 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