Chalice News and Notes 3.6.26
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
March 8 - Daylight Savings Time (set clocks ahead one hour) - 2:00 am
March 8 - Peace, Love and Song Sing-Along with popcorn - after service
March 13 - Community Forum “Heightened Scrutiny” Film Screening & Discussion - 7 pm Hybrid
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/HeightenedScrutinyScreening
March 15 - Diggin’ Donuts & Coffee - after service
Sign up here if you can bring donuts:
👉 Yes, I'll Bring Donuts - Sign-Up Here
March 15 - Starting Point Meeting 1 - 12-2:00 pm the Nest
March 15 - Open Mic Night - 6:00 pm in the Lounge
March 15 - Deadline to contact Anthony for Hollywood Bowl Interest. Please email him: musicd...@chaliceuu.org
March 22 - Community Celebration & Potluck - after service
March 22 - Grateful Gathering Drop In Meeting - 12:30- 2:00 pm the Nest
March 22 - Chalice Climate Action Team (CCAT) Meeting - 12:30 on Zoom
March 29 - Pride Squad - noon (location Chalice tbd)
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Reverend Tom Owen-Towle & Merlin Snider
The Ten Commandments Are Still Relevant!
Although 3500 plus years old, these ten imperatives—examining God, Sabbath, family-life, adultery, killing, robbery, lying, and greed—furnish a lodestar for the moral agenda and spiritual life of 21st century progressives. The Rev. Dr. Tom Owen-Towle is grateful to be preaching again at Chalice and will have his latest book, Living with Purpose and Integrity: A Fresh Perspective on the Ten Commandments, available for purchase following the service.
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 Peace, Love & Song Sing-Along
March 8th (this Sunday) after service
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
We light this chalice, here in the darkness of winter as we wait.
This temporary space is one filled with prayers to be answered,
love to be given and received, miracles to be witnessed.
May this light guide us until the light of the sun returns again.
~ JeKaren Olaoya
meets the first Monday of Each Month
Next meeting Wednesday March 4th, 5:30 to 7pm
Join us by Zoom, as we consider developing resources for these challenging times.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/95038163842?pwd=Z08zK3piTDkrNVhvTFFBZWNncVhwZz09
One tap mobile
Meeting ID: 950 3816 3842
Passcode: 734802
Celebration of Life for Bea Ornstein
Sunday, March 8th
Time: 10am-2pm (drop in anytime)
Address: 1374 Uppingham Drive, Thousand Oaks
Dear Chalice family and friends,
It is with great sorrow that we share of the passing of former Chalice member, Bea Ornstein. Bea brought a spirit of life and enthusiasm to everything she did. She regularly attended the Gardenias women's group, was an active member of the Chalice Players, and participated with brilliance in The Vagina Monologues (who can forget the passion in her delivery when she said "Down there?!?!). Bea brought her bright and creative ideas to our community forums. She was a treasure to our community. We send love to her family.
You are invited to celebrate her life with us. Please forward this to any of Bea's friends.
UUTHEVOTE
We have been busy! As of this week, we have distributed 2,000 Wisconsin postcards. If you have completed cards, please return them this Sunday.
Up next are 500 cards to Virginia urging voters to vote for their redistricting measure. Following that we have another 500 cards going to Pennsylvania environmental voters in conjunction with the Environmental Voters Project. As always, you are welcome to get them from Jill (Newbury Park) or Pamela (Thousand Oaks). Just call or text to arrange.
We are going strong. And the stamping begins...
On Sunday, March 8, we will begin Stamping the Cards after service in Room 1 upstairs. Please join us then. We usually chat it up and have fun. If you're joining after the singalong, come upstairs afterwards, it's possible we'll still be at work.
We've also sent out more than 20,000 texts through Vote Riders so far this year. Those texting opportunities come up frequently and will continue. until the end of October 2026. Please let us know if you are interested. It is an effective way to reach hundreds of people in a brief time.
In Unity and Community,
Pamela Lopez and Jill Lewis
“Heightened Scrutiny”
Film Screening and Discussion
Friday, March 13th – 7:00 p.m. PT
Discussion Moderator: Celia Sandhya Daniels (she/they)
Founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting LCC; and serves on the Boards of Stonewall Dems, Diversity Collective, Workforce Development Board, and PFLAG in Ventura County
Friday, March 13th – 7:00 p.m. PT (In person* and online)
HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY follows Chase Strangio, ACLU attorney and the first out trans person to argue before the Supreme Court, as he fights a high-stakes legal battle to overturn Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth (United States v. Skrmetti). The film exposes the dangerous role of mainstream media in fueling anti-trans legislation, uncovering how biased coverage drives hate, endangers lives, and threatens democracy itself.
Co-sponsored by Chalice Pride Squad
*Event location: Chalice UU – 3331 Old Conejo Rd, Newbury Park
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/HeightenedScrutinyScreening
Our Mission: To nurture spiritually courageous people who transform the world through justice and compassion.
OUR PROGRAM IS FREE BUT DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED
Chalice Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Conejo Valley, fo...@chaliceuu.org
Diggin’ Donuts & Coffee
March 15 after service
One of the best parts of Chalice is the time we spend together after the service—lingering, laughing, and connecting. On March 15, we’re making that time a little sweeter with Diggin’ Donuts & Coffee.
Please help make this time together sweet by bringing donuts to share.
Sign up here if you can bring donuts:
👉 Yes, I'll Bring Donuts - Sign-Up Here
A quick sign-up helps us plan so there’s enough for everyone.
Thank you for helping create the warmth and hospitality that make this community feel like home.
Hollywood Bowl Concerts, Picnic & Fellowship
The most magical time of year is here, and no I don’t mean Christmas…it’s summer under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl! Join your UU friends and family from Chalice, Emerson and Studio City for a picnic, fellowship and world class concerts in the iconic Hollywood Bowl amphitheater. The deadline to submit interest is 3/15/26. For more information, email Anthony Concepcion at musicd...@chaliceuu.org.
Starting Point Sessions Begin on March 15th!
Do you want to explore Unitarian Universalism
and your Spiritual Path more deeply?
Starting Point is a three session series, designed to deepen your spiritual understanding of Unitarian Universalism and to connect newcomers with members, creating a web of interconnection at Chalice. Additionally, newer people will experience Chalice’s small group culture, thereby deepening your spiritual engagement with our community.
All are welcome to this class by prior registration. We request, to the best of your ability, a commitment to all three sessions.
Session 1 will explore our personal spiritual journeys.
Session 2 will examine UU and Chalice’s history.
Session 3 will look at our UU Theological journey.
For more information, or to register, you can email SPi...@chaliceuu.org
Why Interfaith?
March 17 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
$15
Image Attribution: “University of Rochester, Interfaith Chapel 1” by RLHyde is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
On Tuesday, March 17th at 7PM, the Ventura County Interfaith Community will try to answer the question of why we do interfaith dialogue. It will do so by suggesting that interfaith dialogue is a pathway both to peace and to personal growth.
Responding to this question will be Dr. Tim Helton, Rabbi Michael Lotker and Imam Muhammed Shoayb Mehtar.
The event will take place as part of the Catholic University Series at Padre Serra Perish (5205 Upland Road, Camarillo, CA 93012). The organizers of the University Series charge a nominal $15 per class (or $10 prior to February 16th if you register at www.theuniversityseries.org) with an accompanying friend attending free.
All are welcome to attend whether Catholic or not, so please consider sharing this information with friends and family!
Grateful Gathering Drop in Circle - All Are Welcome!
March 22nd - 12:30 pm - 2:00 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, March 22 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.
Pride Squad Meeting
March 29th at noon
Journaling Group
Coming this April!
Sabbatical FAQ’s
Reverend Nica’s sabbatical started on December 26, 2025. We have provided some answers to most frequently asked questions about her time away on our website (follow the link at the bottom of this post). Please note that in her absence, 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/
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/
Put this on your Calendar!
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.
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.