Chalice News and Notes 4.17.26
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
April 17 - Queeraoke Night (hosted by Pride Squad) - 7 pm in the Lounge
April 19 - Starting Point session #2 - Noon to 2 pm in the Nest
April 19 - Open Mic Night - 6:00 pm in the Lounge
April 24-26th - Women’s Retreat - off site
April 26 - Grateful Gathering Drop in Meeting - Noon -1:30 the Nest
April 26 - Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting - 12:30 on Zoom
April 26 - Gaza Eyewitness Report - UU Church of Ventura - 2:00 pm
May 2 - Spring Cleaning (coordinated by Claudia B.) - Chalice 9 am- 4 pm
May 16 - Community Forum: "Children of Las Brisas" film screening and Q&A with the filmmakers- 7pm at Chalice
https://tinyurl.com/ChildrenofLasBrisas
TONIGHT! QUEERAOKE
** Singing! ** Beading Table! ** Learn how to sprout seeds!**
Bring a snack to share!
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
with Suzanne Freiberg & Bethany Simonsen
I Would Love to Live Like a River Flows
As we recognize Earth Day, and with the words of John O'Donohue, Celtic philosopher, poet, and nature lover guiding us, we will explore our relationship with rivers and our interdependence, focusing on the integral role they play in our spiritual journeys. We recognize the flow of these rivers of life as a metaphor for the flow of our own lives, and we honor the ecosystem of wisdom they offer; one that holds life lessons for each of our journeys. "I would love to live like a river flows. Carried by the surprise of its own unfolding." ~John O'Donahue
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
We Gather As Many Drops
We gather as many drops, each winding our own path down life’s surfaces and ruts.
Here we pool together as a single body, flowing together for a time.
Together we are a stream, at times even a river,
for with our shared force we can travel toward oceans of meaning and seas of connection.
~ Leslie Takahashi
UUTHEVOTE after Service
Upstairs in Room 1
Starting Point Session #2
This Sunday April 19th noon - 2 pm in the Nest
Do you want to explore Unitarian Universalism
and your Spiritual Path more deeply?
All are welcome to this class by prior registration. We request, to the best of your ability, a commitment to all three sessions, however, even if you missed session 1, you are welcome to join us starting with session 2 on April 19th!
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
Grateful Gathering Drop in Circle - All Are Welcome!
April 26 - 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!
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Upcoming UU Assembly Opportunities!
Please let pres...@chaliceuu.org know if you plan to attend any of the Conferences listed below, and are willing to be a Delegate. You can also call or email Annie Barker for more information.
PSW Assembly April 24-26th information here: https://www.pswassembly.org
Register Here: Register for PSW Assembly
And…
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
Spring Cleaning
May 2nd 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
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
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
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/
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!
17 APR, FRI
7 pm Queeraoke Night with Pride Squad
18 APR, SAT
7:30 am AA Meeting - Lounge
10 am OA Meeting - Women’s Stag
19 APR, SUN
10 am Chalice Worship Service - Hybrid
12 pm Starting Point - Nest
5 pm Newcomer AA Meeting - zoom
6 pm Open Mic Nite - Lounge
20 APR, MON
7 pm Community Forum Team Meeting - zoom
7 pm LCC Meeting
21 APR, TUES
6:30 pm ACA Meeting - Nest
7 pm Board Meeting - zoom
7 pm Grateful Gatherings - zoom
22 APR, WED
6:30 pm Toastmasters Meeting - Library
7 pm Chalice Choir
23 APR, THURS
7 pm Moonflower Women’s Group
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.