Staff
April Zackary
Worship technology Director
April Zackary is glad to be part of the FCUCC staff, and wishes to dedicate her accomplishments in the position of Worship Technology Director to her late mother, Vici Anderson. April has a long history in performing arts, dating all the way back to her first play when she was only eight years old. With skills gained as a UNM Film Production major, April brings something special to services every Sunday.
Paul Morbitzer
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
I am overjoyed by the incredible inclusion and teamwork that I consistently receive from this brilliant congregation. After spending many years in retail book sales, my hope is that the gifts I bring can come close to matching the gratitude I feel to this community and the individuals in it. Though generally reserved, I am delighted to share my thoughts on my sources of pleasure—family, food, travel, hiking, architecture and opera. I relish this opportunity to join you as we continue along our journey together.
Ruth Striegel
Director of Music
I’ve been directing the church choir since 1996! Over time, I’ve taken on more responsibilities and become the church music director. I love exploring the growing edges and deep traditions of congregational song and making music with our singers and instrumentalists. I’m retired from a career teaching public school orchestra, and currently sing with Quintessence, A Community of Singers. Aside from music, my passion is environmental justice, so I serve on the church Green Justice team and on the board of New Mexico/El Paso Interfaith Power and Light.
Venessa Vogel
Nursery Attendant
Hello my name is Venessa, and I was born and raised here in Albuquerque New Mexico. I have been with First Congregational Church since I was a little girl. I attended here with my grandparents. I've always loved working with children. Watching them grow and learn is the best part of being in their lives. I started in the nursery here at First Congregational Church as soon as I could, way back in high school, and have been here since. I absolutely LOVE it. Seeing some of these kiddos grow up and graduate is amazing. And I look forward to seeing many more of these lovely kids grow up and do great things!
Kelia Ingrahm
Accompanist
Kelia Ingraham is an accompanist, performer, and piano teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A newcomer to FCUCC, she already loves the warm, inclusive community and welcoming people. She has accompanied various churches for ten years, and currently also accompanies singers at UNM. Kelia holds a BM in Piano Performance from The Hartt School and a MM in Collaborative Piano from Carnegie Mellon University. When not playing piano, she can be found hiking, reading, or dancing tango.
Billie Grace Berry
Facilities Manager
I am Billie Grace Berry, the new Facilities Manager. I am responsible for maintenance, repairs and safety at our church. For things more than I can handle but don’t require a contractor, I work with Building and Grounds to schedule work parties. We have a beautiful facility at our church and should all take pride in keeping and making it beautiful and functional. I have 34 years in the Mechanical Contracting profession and ran a handy person business in Southern California before moving to Albuquerque.
Rev. Sue Joiner
Senior Minister
I began serving this congregation in 2014 and I am full of gratitude for the deep commitment to love, justice, and inclusion that is expressed in so many ways. I am learning and growing as we respond to the needs of the world. I care deeply about building community and connecting people. I love camping and hiking. I love kayaking and my stand-up paddle board. I love great novels and good chocolate.
I love pickleball and exercising in the gym at church. I love honest conversations and exploring new places. I love my cat Otis and early morning walks with my dog Rosie.
I drink hot tea when it is cold and iced tea when it is hot. I am grateful to end each day with my amazing wife, Anne Marie Strangio, talking about where we saw God in our day. It is a powerful reminder to me that every day is a gift.
Rev. Clara Sims
Associate Minister
I am a relative newcomer to First Congregational UCC Albuquerque but a lifelong New Mexican, growing up just down the valley in Los Lunas. As a recently ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, I am thrilled to answer my first call to serve in the new role of assistant minister here. In college and graduate school, I focused on understanding the spiritual, historical, and social underpinnings of the climate crisis.
From this background, I bring to this work a passion for environmental justice and social healing and I am excited and grateful to join and contribute to the dedicated work already unfolding in this community.
I also serve as part-time Assistant Executive Director with New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light, which mobilizes faith communities and people of faith for climate justice. On any day, I love to be outside – backpacking, gardening, and running (especially in our rare and precious rain). I am on a lifelong search for the best hot-chocolate, I welcome conversations from the silly to the serious, and I am grateful to be learning and growing alongside this community.
Rev. Dr. Ryan Tate
Children, Youth and Family Minister
A newcomer at the FCUCC but a lifetime New Mexico Native. Ryan is thriving with his newfound spiritual community and striving to make an active difference in his community and put compassion and prayer back into praxis (direct action).
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from UNM with a minor in music. He attained a Masters of Christian studies at the university of the southwest and will be graduated the winter of 2023. When not engaged in schooling, Ryan enjoys singing with NM Peace choir and opera southwest, writing poetry and long walks in the beautiful climes of rustic New Mexico. From the Rio Grande River valley to the top of the sandias. Exploring nature is very important to Ryan, and a very vital aspect of his spiritual relationship to Creator. Ryan is excited and eager to be of service, and can’t wait to make powerful difference. In July, 2025 Rev. Ryan Tate (now Rev. Dr. Tate!) completed his final capstone project in his Doctorate of Ministry program. Ryan’s capstone project was a documentary entitled “Holy Ground: Sacred Ecologies of Place.”