Chalice News and Notes 12.26.25
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
Dec 28 - Grateful Gathering Drop In Group - noon in the Nest
Dec 28 - Chalice Climate Action Team (CCAT) - 12:30
Dec 31 - New Year’s Eve Queeraoke & Cupcakes - 6pm-9pm in the Lounge. Sing, Eat & Celebrate the Ball Drop (East Coast time!)
Jan 3 - Pizza and Undeck the Halls - 12-3 pm Chalice
Jan 10 - Citizen’s Climate Lobby - 9 am hybrid
Jan 11 - Bagel Buddies - after service
Jan 11 - Pride Squad Meeting - noon, upstairs in room 1
Jan 11 - Open Mic Nite - 6 pm in the Lounge
Jan 16 - PIJ Event “A Future in Gaza” - 7 pm on Zoom
Please register in advance here: https://tinyurl.com/AFutureinGaza
Jan 18 - Book Study Group: “Social Change Now” by Deepa Iyer - 12-2 pm Sanctuary
Jan 18 - Voices at Dusk - 5 pm in the Lounge
Jan 19 - MLK Freedom March & Chalice Tabling at Ventura County’s 40th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - 8:00 am offsite
Jan 25 - Mid-year Congregational Meeting - 11:30 -1:00 pm Sanctuary
Jan 25 - Grateful Gatherings Drop In - 1:00 pm in the Nest
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Melanie Bowe & Tim Snowber
Channeling Love
As the season of new beginnings arrives, how do we recognize and nurture the sacred energy that permeates all existence - the spirit of life and love that flows through every breath and relationship. Through sharing her personal narrative, Melanie will explore how this spirit is not distant or reserved for exceptional circumstances, but rather inherent within each individual, compelling us to live with purpose, empathy, and openness. Together, we’ll explore what it means to channel the spirit of life and love into the world.
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
Grateful Gathering Drop in Circle - All Are Welcome!
December 28th - Noon to 1:30pm
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, December 28th 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.
New Year’s Eve Queeraoke and Cupcakes!
All are Welcome!
Join this joyful all ages celebration from 6pm-9pm on Wednesday, December 31st in the Lounge . We’ll ring in the New Year with singing, noshing on pizza & sweet treats, glitter tattoos & watching the East Coast Feed of the ball drop. All are welcome!
Undeck the Halls Pizza Party
Saturday, January 3 noon to 3pm
At Chalice
Do you like pizza? Do you like to hang out with others? Do you like to have fun? Are you a fabulous person? Come join us, eat pizza, help put away our holiday decor and be fabulous! We’d love to see you there. For more information, contact Sam Dickerson at d...@chaliceuu.org
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
We call forth the life of our faith by igniting our chalice.
This spark of new beginnings invites us into a sacred space
to reflect where we have been and where we are going.
Even knowing that this particular flame will intentionally end
with our ritual extinguishing, we fear not its end…
For we know, with brave hearts,
that from every ending of our lives,
We are sent forth to make a new beginning.
~ Katie Sivani Gelfand
Sabbatical FAQ’s
Reverend Nica’s sabbatical started today 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
Other contact information and answers to questions are available at the link below:
https://www.chaliceuu.org/blog/minister-sabbatical/
Citizen’s Climate Lobby
January 10th 9 am
Citizen’s Climate Lobby
Hybrid - upstairs room 1 and on Zoom
Meets Saturday, January 10th at 9am
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
Join us for a lunchtime meet-up on
Sunday, January 11th , 12-1 pm, in Room 1.
Help us to organize and lead the many events and activities offered throughout the year that support and affirm our fabulous LGTBQIA+ community.
Are you a planner? An organizer? A historian? An excellent cheerleader? Share ideas, and find out what our LGTBQIA+ family and friends need from us now. We hope you can join the squad for a fruitful and fun filled meeting!
The Racial & Cultural Justice Team hosts
A Palestine/ Israel Justice (PIJ) Event:
A Future in Gaza: Building on Shared History
with
Reverend Dr. Kathy McCallie
Friday, January 16 - 7pm PT (via zoom)
Rev. Dr. McCallie will present a review of contemporary history and politics of Palestine and Israel with a focus on ongoing grassroots peacemaking efforts. McCallie teaches seminary courses in the contested territory of Palestine and Israel and provides knowledge of the current geo-political and ethical issues. She explores military industrial economic drivers in the U.S. economy that contribute to the conflict. Her studies include wisdom of Jewish thinkers, leaders in the movements of Palestinian liberation theology, and interfaith peacemakers to connect prophetic teachings with ongoing struggles for justice. McCallie earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma with special focus on Latin America and the Middle East. She is a member and supporter of Jewish Voice for Peace and is committed to fighting antisemitism and islamophobia.
Reverend McCallie is Associate Professor of Ministerial Leadership and Ethics,
Phillips Theological Seminary.
Please register in advance here: https://tinyurl.com/AFutureinGaza
Chalice Book Study
Will read “Social Change Now” by Deepa Iyer
Meetings on Jan 18, Feb 1 & Feb 15th
12-2 in the Sanctuary - Open to ALL!
The book is available for purchase at the UUA bookstore linked here:
UUA In Spirit Bookstore Social Change Now
If you would like to participate but cannot purchase the book or need help getting it, please contact Sam Dickerson, our Director of Wisdom Exploration, at d...@chaliceuu.org
This quarterly community experience centers on music and poetry followed by a potluck. Bring a dish to share or just yourself to listen and enjoy the good company! Music and poetry starts at 5pm at Chalice with the potluck to follow.
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.
Contact Justice...@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 2025
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.