First Unitarian has had a long and distinguished tradition as a teaching congregation since we began our ministerial intern program. The generosity of one of our members has enabled us to have twelve interns. Most often interns are theological students and are in the process of completing their ministerial training. Interns and ministerial students are supervised by our Senior Minister, offered additional guidance by our Associate Minister, and are supported by a Ministerial Intern Committee. A number of strong UU ministers today had their first experience preaching from the First Unitarian pulpit as a ministerial intern.
Thanks to our ministerial interns who are listed below, including the years that each were with First U and where they are now.
(2024-2025) The Rev. Ron Ahnen received his MDiv. from Starr King School for the Ministry in May 2025. His interest in religious leadership started early in his youth as he grew up Catholic and wanted to be a Franciscan priest. Rev. Ron’s spiritual and theological reflections led him to discover Unitarian Universalism as his new spiritual home where he could both contribute to and find spiritual nourishment from his UU community. He was ordained on May 3rd, 2026, and he plans on moving into UU congregational ministry in the coming years.
(2022-2023) The Rev. Kristin Famula is a lifelong UU who came to UUABQ from Truckee, CA, where she was completing her MDiv and serving as a DRE at a congregation just over the border in Reno, NV. She completed her internship with us in June 2023, and was ordained by First Unitarian and two other congregations in March 2025.
(2021-2022) Matthew Pargeter-Villarreal is a 2019 M.Div graduate of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, with a concentration in Sexual & Gender Justice, and a Candidate for Ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Association. He is currently serving at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Stockton, CA.
(2018-2020) The Rev. Dr. Jane E. Davis (she/her/hers), is a community minister affiliated with First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque. Rev. Davis currently works for the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Project ECHO as a Program Manager.
(2016-2019) The Rev. Dan Lillie serves as the Minister at the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church.
(2014-16) The Rev. James Galasinski serves as Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton,
(2012-2013) Bryan Ellwood resides in Dallas, TX.
(2009-10) The Rev. Carmen Emerson joined Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL in 2019 as a resident chaplain working with the palliative care team, and currently works with the Spiritual Care Department’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She also serves as spiritual advisor to Nassau County’s “Tipping the Scale” program, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Nassau County, Florida. Prior to her residency with Baptist, Carmen served as a chaplain intern at St. Elizabeth’s and Franciscan Children’s Hospitals in Brighton, MA and as a chaplain intern with Community Hospice and Palliative Care’s Inpatient Unit on Sunbeam. She currently serves as the affiliated community minister for Buckman Bridge UU Congregation, mentoring the congregation’s healthy congregation team and offering leadership development workshops.
The Rev. Andrew Millard(2008-09) serves as Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula.
The Rev. Antonia Won (2008) serves as Minister at Unitarian Universalists of Central Oregon.
The Rev. Ron Hersom (2007-08) retired in Jacksonville, Florida and passed away in 2022.
The Rev. Meredith Garmon (2003) served as Minister at Community Unitarian Church at White Plains. He retired in 2023.
