Chalice News and Notes 5.1.26
Chalice Admin
We Nurture Spiritually Courageous People
Who Transform the World through
Justice and Compassion
Explore our website to learn more about everything we are doing.
Upcoming Events
May 2 - Spring Cleaning (coordinated by Claudia B.) - Chalice 9 am- 4 pm
May 3 - WE Market - after service Chalice youth will be selling one of a kind art and crafts!
May 3 - Pride Squad Meeting - 12:30 hybrid (library and zoom)
May 9 - Citizen’s Climate Lobby - 9 am virtual and room 1
May 16 - Community Forum: "Children of Las Brisas" film screening and Q&A with the filmmakers- 7pm at Chalice
https://tinyurl.com/ChildrenofLasBrisas
May 17 - Reverend Nica is back in the pulpit - 10am in the Sanctuary
May 17 - Open Mic Nite - 6pm in the Lounge
May 24 - Grateful Gathering Drop In Meeting - Noon in the Nest
May 24 - Chalice Climate Action Team (CCAT) meeting - 12:30 pm on Zoom
Spring Cleaning
May 2nd from 9 am - 4 pm
At Chalice
In preparation for Reverend Nica’s return on May 12th we will be hosting a day of spring cleaning at Chalice on Saturday, May 2nd from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Your helpful hands can participate in just an hour or two, or whatever works best for you and your schedule. Please contact Claudia B. to let her know if you intend to participate so she can coordinate tasks and let her know if you have any limitations (like no heavy lifting) or special skills that would be helpful. We so appreciate you!
Contact Claudia at: cla...@barton-designs.com
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
with Bethany Simonsen
One Small (Side) Step
The language we use has a much larger impact on the people around us than we realize. Today we'll talk about small steps we can take to change our defaults and be more inclusive in everyday life - and why it matters
The registration link below will allow you to register for the service with your preferred email address. A service link will then be sent to that email. This service link will be active 5 minutes prior to the service. As an added benefit, you’ll be sent a recording of the service after it is done streaming!
Registration Link for the StreamYard Meeting:
You can also view our Livestream on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChaliceUUF
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
Until “All” Means All
The chalice, as a symbol of Unitarian Universalism,
arose as a beacon of hope in an atmosphere of tyranny.
The chalice arose as a sign of promise
that the marginalized would neither be forgotten nor ignored,
because they are beloved and precious from the perspective of the Holy.
This morning, we remember all of the people
who have been told explicitly—
or implicitly, through police violence or government policy;
through derision or dehumanization;
that they’re anything less than whole; anything less than beloved.
As we each light a chalice in our homes,
may we make of our lives a beacon:
a symbol of our promise to draw the circle wide;
a sign that we will not rest until “all” means all.
~Erika Hewitt
UUTHEVOTE
We are distributing the final packet of the New York primary cards that came in last week. We are expecting campaigns for the November elections to begin mid or late-May or early June.
Nationally, here is the statement from the UUA on the horrible voting rights decision from the Supreme Court.
Statement on Louisiana v. Callais & the Ongoing Struggle for Voting Rights — Side With Love
In response to the Supreme Court's decision, we have an opportunity to join a text bank to voters in North Carolina. Texting is EASY. If you join, please let us know, so we can track our numbers.
North Carolina Text Bank w/ New Rural Project & VoteRiders! · VoteRiders
Locally, ballots for the California primary will be mailed on Monday, May 4. Please research carefully, as polling changes regularly. Everyone is encouraged to vote closer to Election Day - June 2.
Please note: USPS rules have changed. If you drop off your ballot there is no guarantee your ballot will be postmarked the day you drop it off. If you want to send your ballot through the post office, please mail early or stand in line and have them postmark it in front of you. Ballots will be picked up at drop boxes daily, and you can always vote in person. The polling places will open May 23.
Since we don't have any campaigns for you right now, we encourage you to find the candidates you like and go out and enthusiastically support their campaigns.
Warmly,
Jill and Pamela
WE Market
Art & Craft Fair
Sunday May 3rd after Service
On Sunday, May 3rd after service our Chalice youth will be selling one of a kind hand made crafts and artwork that they have been working on as well as some delicious treats. All proceeds of the Wisdom Exploration Market will be donated to worthy causes that will be voted on by the youth. Youth are given the opportunity to express their unique talents, make decisions as a group and contribute to their community. We hope to see you there!
Pride Squad Meeting
Sunday May 3rd at 12:30
Hybrid: Upstairs in the library and on Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/96865510420?pwd=rAV3PiKjlEs1ZuVO4yNv7lBbzuvr74.1
If you would like to attend this meeting virtually, you may do so via this Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/96865510420?pwd=rAV3PiKjlEs1ZuVO4yNv7lBbzuvr74.1
Chalice's annual summer cabaret will be held on June 12th at 7:00 pm, and we need you to share your talents! "Moss & Moonlight" is a nature themed cabaret, so let the brainstorming begin!
Please email Anthony if you're interested in participating by May 3rd at musicd...@chaliceuu.org
Citizens Climate Lobby
Meets Saturday, May 9th at 9am
Upstairs in room 1 and online
Meetings are open to anyone interested in saving our planet!
Here is the sign-on info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82274752266?pwd=YUR1enR2RXFQLzN1a0xTK0NiYXRqZz09
Or:
Meeting ID: 822 7475 2266
Passcode: 271577
Chalice Community Forum presents
“Children of Las Brisas”
A musical dream in Venezuela on the verge of collapse
Film Screening and Discussion
with
Marianela Maldonado, Director/Author
Robin Todd, Cinematographer
Saturday, May 16th – 7:00 p.m. PT (In person* and online)
Children of Las Brisas follows three Venezuelan children from the impoverished Las Brisas neighborhood in their quest to become professional musicians within the ranks of “El Sistema” music program. The film reveals their perseverance and resilience over 10 years as they struggle amidst the Venezuelan crisis and represent a society taken over by an autocratic regime.
*Event location: Chalice UU – 3331 Old Conejo Rd, Newbury Park, CA
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/ChildrenofLasBrisas
Sabbatical FAQ’s
Reverend Nica’s sabbatical is almost at an end. We are happy to announce her return to Chalice on Tuesday, May 12th and her return to the pulpit on Sunday, May 17th. Please note that she will have a lot of email to go through upon her return and it may take some time for her to get settled back in. In the meantime, you can contact pastoral care at pastor...@chaliceuu.org; Ana Johnson our administrator at ad...@chaliceuu.org; Annie Barker, our president at Pres...@chaliceuu.org and the board at bo...@chaliceuu.org
Committee on Shared Ministry at CO...@chaliceuu.org Other contact information and answers to questions are available at the link below:
https://www.chaliceuu.org/blog/minister-sabbatical/
Grateful Gathering Drop in Circle - All Are Welcome!
May 24th - 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
in the Nest
Join this month’s Grateful Living Circle. This drop in group will offer the warm bond of small groups we are all familiar with, while bringing fresh new material from Grateful Living. Together, we will be in awe of the beauty around us, hold one another gently in the tender moments, and be open to all the wondrous things waiting just around the corner as we explore what it means to live a life of gratitude.
This gathering is open to anyone who would like to participate.
We hope to see you there!
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting
Meets 4th Sunday of the Month
next meeting Sunday, May 24th at 12:30 p.m.
Join us for a discussion on action items to help tackle the climate crisis.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/873183426?pwd=K3FiL1VrYVJDM25zdjdTdHZXb0E4QT09
Or by smart phone - One tap mobile+16699009128,,873183426#
Or dial in: +1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 873 183 426
Password: 715302
CCAT: Respecting the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, the Chalice Climate Action Team educates ourselves and connects with others to advocate for a just and sustainable future for life on Earth.
Upcoming UU Assembly Opportunity!
Please let pres...@chaliceuu.org know if you plan to attend General Assembly, and are willing to be a Delegate. You can also call or email Annie Barker for more information.
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), where participants gather to worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy decisions for the Association through a democratic process. Anyone can attend! Members interested in being delegates may communicate interest to: pres...@chaliceuu.org
Learn more here: https://www.uua.org/ga
Register Here: https://www.uua.org/ga/registration
Democracy In Action
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the political climate and unsure of how to take action, you're not alone. To help sift through all of the information, the Democracy in Action Team is sending out details each week on what actionable items you can take to fight political division and its threats to equal rights, our values, and democracy. It lists upcoming in-person, local events, as well as important calls you can make to your representatives. If you'd like to receive these emails, please email Kelly Niebergall at kellyni...@gmail.com. Let's resist together.
Love In Action Link
Looking for ways to put your love into action? Check out these opportunities!
https://bit.ly/LoveInActionOpportunities
Chalice has many Social Action groups
to engage with on a monthly basis!
Racial & Cultural Justice Team: 1st Wednesday Zoom meetings at 5:30pm each month.
The Citizens Climate Lobby Meeting: 2nd Saturday of the month - 9 am
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting: 4th Sunday of the Month @ 12:30 Community Forum Team Meeting: 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Pride Squad Meeting (LGBTQ+ and allies): 2nd Sunday of the month - noon
Contact Justicecom...@chaliceuu.org for more information
Consider joining the Chalice Social Justice Facebook group. To learn about latest events supporting Black Lives Matter, Climate Justice, and other concerns, click on:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1260868657268458/
Joys & Sorrows
Please email any joys and sorrows prior to service by 8 am on Sunday mornings to this address: j...@chaliceuu.org.
You may still fill out cards if you are attending in person.
Put this on your Calendar!
Visiting or New to Chalice?
If you would like to connect and share more about yourself, take this survey: Let's Get Connected
Stay informed as a Chalice Member
Leadership Documents can be accessed from our website, click on the Members pull-down, then Members Resources to reach our Google Members Shared Drive. Members Shared Drive
Get more involved, connected and learn more about Chalice structure & Governance as a member: view links here: Making Connections 2026
We hope this is helpful. Please feel free to reach out if you need assistance or have questions: Pres...@chaliceuu.org, and Trea...@chaliceuu.org for Financial questions.
If you have special news to share with the congregation in Sunday services please write to j...@chaliceuu.org.
Or reach out to us here:
Chalice Office # (805) 498-9548 - Messages will be checked regularly.
Rev. Nica Eaton, our Minister, is currently on sabbatical, in her absence you can reach our congregation president, Annie Barker, at pres...@chaliceuu.org
Anthony Concepcion, Music Director: musicd...@chaliceuu.org
Samantha Dickerson, Director of Wisdom Exploration: d...@chaliceuu.org
Ana Krista Johnson, Office Administrator: ad...@chaliceuu.org or Bookkeeper, bookk...@chaliceuu.org
Explore our website to learn more about everything we are doing.