Connection Groups are how we create community and belonging at First Unitarian.
Along with regular participation in worship, involvement in social and service opportunities will help you know others and be known, engage in meaningful service, deepen your relationship with the church, and create a spiritual home for yourself and your family. As you explore your relationship with the church and seek connections, we encourage you to try out groups of interest and to visit several times. Find at least one to join and call your own.
Joining a Connection Group is Easy with Realm
Realm is our church app and communication platform, designed for real-time connection. You can search for new Connect Groups to join by going to Groups > Find Groups and browsing the different categories.
Browse Connection Groups on Realm
Activity Groups: get together and do something!
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- Arts Committee: Arrange and hang rotating fine art exhibits in the Social Hall and staff the sales table. Meets every 4th Sunday at noon in RE Room 3.
- Sip ‘n’ Sup: Enjoy monthly dinners in members’ homes, October-May. Locations and participants rotate.
- Social Justice Rapid Response Network: Want to hear about upcoming opportunities to fight for social justice? Join this group to get alerts about protests, marches, advocacy opportunities, and more
- T’ai Chi Class: Join a weekly T’ai Chi practice for all levels of experience at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays.
- Theology on Tap: Deep and insightful conversation over brews and food. We meet the third Monday of each month at Rio Bravo Brewing (1912 2nd St NW) at 6pm. All are welcome, and beer drinking is not required to participate.
Fellowship & Support: make friends, find support, have fun!
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- ¡Hablamos Juntos!This is a monthly program of in-person activities where we use our understanding of the Spanish language to connect. All levels of fluency are welcome.
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- Bread & Wine Book Club: Enjoy treats and discuss fiction and nonfiction at monthly meetings in members’ homes.
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- Coyote Willow Covenant of UU Pagans: Celebrate pagan spirituality in a family friendly environment.
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- Lavender Family: We provide an opportunity for LGBTQ+ church members, their families & friends to get to know one another in a safe and loving place. We gather for potlucks, dinners at local restaurants, attending community events and other activities.
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- Penguins Extended Family: One of our oldest extended families, the Penguin Family, formed in 1995. They are a strong family with over 30 members. They have lots of fun together, and provide support through all of life’s changes. While most of their members are retired, they are eager to welcome some younger members and families into their group.
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- People of Color Group: We welcome all self-identified people of color in our congregation to join us in creating and holding a safe, confidential, and brave place for self-reflection and for the sharing of our individual experiences, to be held in community and compassion.
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- Senior Women: We offer community and friendship to each other, and will meet on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 1:00 pm in the RE building. We are open to new members, so come join us! Bring your own drink and be ready to share experiences and insights!
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- Wisdom Circle: Monthly potluck brunch & conversation on select topics of special interest.
Music: find a place to share your sound!
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- Chalice Choir: Chalice Choir is our youth/adult SATB choir, which rehearses Thursday evenings 6:30-8:00 and sings in worship once a month. Ability to match pitch and hold your part in 4-part harmony recommended.
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- Sol Singers: Sol Singers is our pastoral care choir. All voices welcome. Our song circle meets every Monday 5:30-6:30 pm in Memorial Room/Garden, and occasionally visits folks in hospital, and care facilities. “Learn music by heart. Share love with the community.”
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- String Band: For musicians who play ukulele, guitar, mandolin, bass, hand percussion, and throat. Meets Sundays after worship in the Arnold Room or courtyard, option to play in worship quarterly. All ages and abilities welcome. Repertoire includes folk songs & popular songs.
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- Spare Parts Band (by audition): Spare Parts is our contemporary worship band, rehearsing on Tuesday evenings and playing in worship once a month.
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Youth Band: Our younger musicians have an opportunity to share their musical talents for special worship services (Coming of Age, Bridging). This is a new program, in need of intergenerational support!
- Concert production: UUABQ hosts a variety of visiting musicians every year. We need volunteers to help with concert production, publicity, AV, and ticket sales.
Service Groups: get together to serve the church and the community.
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- Adult Literacy & Citizenship Classes: Tutoring English as a Second Language students in language skills, and helping them study for the citizenship exam.
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- Afterschool Tutoring Program: Tutor neighborhood elementary students after school two days a week.
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- Audio Visual Team: Set up and monitor the sound system, or setup and run the video feed for Sunday services & church events.
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- Camp Fundraising Team: Help plan and run events throughout the year to build the UU Kids Camp scholarship fund!
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- Coffee Crew: Prepare and serve coffee and other drinks for the after-service social time.
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- Earth Web: Address the climate crisis through sustainability practices and education.
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- Family Promise: Help families experiencing homelessness by providing meals and supplies while they shelter at area churches.
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- Food Pantry: Prepare and distribute sacks of food to our clients for our weekly pantry.
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- Social Justice Council: Social Justice is a key element in our Unitarian Universalist DNA. Our Social Justice Council coordinates and sponsors a variety of programs that allow First Unitarian volunteers to make a difference in our community and in the world, and “walk the talk” of our covenant.
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- UU the Vote: Whatever issues speak to your heart and your spirit, we invite you to find your place alongside the thousands of Unitarian Universalists who will be working together to UU the Vote!
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- Rainbow Network: The mission of the Rainbow Network is to involve the church community through education and insights into the experiences of LGBTQ+ identified people, while being mindful of the process of spiritual growth and the goal of working for justice and equality.
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- Widening the Circle: We seek opportunities to support the members and friends of First Unitarian on our journey of creating a space committed to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism.
