Chalice News and Notes 5.22.26
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 24 - Grateful Gathering Drop In Meeting - Noon in the Nest
May 24 - Chalice Climate Action Team (CCAT) meeting - 12:30 pm on Zoom
May 24 - Starting Point Session #3 - 11:30 - 2:30 in the Nest
May 31 - Neighborhood Networks - 11:30 various rooms at Chalice
June 5 - Community Forum: “VC Voices at the UN” - 7 pm hybrid
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/VCVoicesattheUN
June 12 - Moss and Moonlight Annual Cabaret - 7pm at Chalice
June 14 - Save the Date: Annual Congregational Meeting - after service
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
with Rev. Nica Eaton
Life As A Pilgrimage
What if life is not a race to be won, or a destination to arrive at, but a pilgrimage to be walked with presence, courage, and wonder? Drawing on stories and insights from her sabbatical travels to pilgrimage sites across Europe, Rev. Nica explores what it means to live life as a pilgrimage, and how we might be transformed when we learn to walk through life with openness, intention, and awe.
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
To Be a Unitarian Universalist
To be a Unitarian Universalist means we’ll never be done with the work:
the work of telling the truth about oppression
the work of resisting any laws, policies, or practices that deny anyone their humanity
the work of stubbornly seeking out the spark of the divine each other, no matter what
the work of creating heaven on earth
To be a Unitarian Universalist also means we’re not alone in the work:
we are not alone because of our promises to love one another
we are not alone because we are companions on the journey
we grow ourselves into allies,
helping one another get free —
because none of us is truly free until we are all free.
Inspired by Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen’s chapter, “Our Work for Social Justice,” in The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide.
Gratitude from our Minister
Beloved Chalice Community,
To walk back into Chalice and be welcomed with such beauty, care, joy, and love was profoundly moving. I honestly do not know if I have adequate words for what I felt seeing everything you created together. The flowers, the music, the tea, the tapestry, the tables, all the details, the laughter, the warmth, the sheer generosity of spirit. It was extraordinary. But more than that, it felt deeply thoughtful and loving. Thank you all!
On this ten year anniversary since I first arrived to candidate at Chalice, standing there surrounded by all of you, I felt immense gratitude for the journey we have shared together. We have grown together, weathered difficult seasons together, laughed together, mourned together, dreamed together, and continued becoming a community rooted in love.
Thank you for reminding me, so powerfully, what a gift this community is.
With all my love and gratitude,
Rev. Nica
UUTHEVOTE
Thanks you for your generosity!
The special collection last Sunday raised over $1600 for postage and towards our matching grant. We thank you for your generous donations in support of the work of democracy. We couldn’t do it without you!
Chalice was awarded a special matching grant from Spirit Level Foundation of nearly $10,000 to fund our UU the Vote work! This is a 3:1 grant (which means every dollar we raise, we are given an extra $3!). Thanks to our special collection last week, we have nearly made the match. If you want to participate, we welcome your donations! If you ever wondered, this is how we pay for stamps.
Cards are coming back very, very soon. For mid-June, we have ordered another 1,000 cards in support of increasing voter turnout Florida’s upcoming special election. (Those cards will be mailed in July.). Shortly after that, we will resume our postcarding for Reclaim the Vote.
So far we’ve sent 2,800 cards. And we want to know the additional work you’re doing. Will you be a poll worker, a poll watcher? Have you made calls to voters or knocked on doors? Have you registered voters or texted voters? Please let us know so we can track our congregation’s activities.
We’re so proud of our amazing team of activists. Thank you for all you do!
Pamela Lopez and Jill Lewis
A Shared Message in Solidarity with Our Muslim Siblings
The following message was sent on behalf of the Chalice community to those who are suffering as a result of the recent tragedy at the Islamic Center in San Diego. We hold all in care in these difficult times.
Dear Imam and members of the Islamic Center of Conejo Valley, and dear friends in the Conejo Valley Interfaith Association,
I wanted to reach out with heartfelt condolences and care in the wake of the tragic shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego yesterday. My heart aches for the fear, grief, and pain that violence directed toward Muslim communities continues to cause.
Please know that you are not alone. We are holding your communities in our thoughts and hearts, and standing with you in solidarity. At moments like these, it feels especially important to reaffirm our shared commitment to compassion, human dignity, and the protection of all people’s right to worship safely and freely.
We are also mindful that, in recent months and years, Jewish, Muslim, and Latter Day Saints communities alike have all experienced acts of violence and fear directed toward their congregations. In our interfaith community, we stand together in grief, solidarity, and shared resolve that no one should ever fear gathering in prayer, worship, or community.
As people of faith and conscience, we grieve together, and we also recommit ourselves to building communities rooted in love rather than hatred, understanding rather than fear.
Please extend our care and condolences to all those affected.
With love and solidarity,
Rev. Nica Eaton
Chalice Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Grateful Gathering Drop in Circle - All Are Welcome!
May 24 - 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
in the Library
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!
Starting Point Session #3
This Sunday May 24th
11:30 am - 2:30 pm in the Nest
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting
Meets 4th Sunday of the Month
next meeting
Sunday, May 24th at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom
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.
Neighborhood Networks Gathering
Sunday, May 31 • After Service
It is a great opportunity to connect with Chalice members and friends who live near you and get to know each other in a smaller group setting.
These meetings will be held on site at Chalice.
Any questions? Reach out to Community Life at
Neighborhood Groups will meet in the following rooms:
Newbury Neighbors - In the Lounge.
Ten Degrees Cooler - Upstairs in Room 1.
Suddenly Seymour and Eastenders - Upstairs in the Library.
Meadowood and Wildwest - Upstairs in the Nest.
VC Voices at the UN
Local activists report on progress at the 2026 UN Women’s Conference
Vanessa Frank – Mariposa/Youth Right to Rise
Primitiva Hernandez & Leslie Marin – 805 Undocufund
Elaine Ibarra – Diversity Collective VC
Johanna Martinez – CSU Fullerton Student, Society of Women Engineers
Moderator: Kim Marra Stephenson – Ventura County Women’s Forum Collaborative
Friday, June 5th – 7:00 p.m. PT (In person* and online)
Hear from a panel of VC activists who attended CSW70 as delegates – taking local to global!
World leaders gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City for the 2026 UN Women’s Conference, CSW70 (Commission on the Status of Women) to discuss, report progress, and make commitments regarding justice and equity for women and girls. For the first time, a group of twenty Ventura County activists attended this conference as delegates of the Ventura County Women’s Forum Collaborative (VCWFC) whose mission is to improve the lives of Ventura County women and girls around the UN Women’s Strategic Priorities, such as governance and participation in public life, economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, peace and security, humanitarian action, and disaster risk reduction.
*Event location: Chalice UU – 3331 Old Conejo Rd, Newbury Park
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/VCVoicesattheUN
Chalice's annual Summer Cabaret will be held on
Friday, June 12th at 7:00pm
and tickets will soon be available! We’ll have lovely conversation, nosh and drinks at the intermission and a delightful evening of music and other talents for your entertainment. It is a not-to-be missed event and we hope you will join us!
Upcoming UU Assembly Opportunity!
Please let pres...@chaliceuu.org know if you plan to attend General Assembly on line, 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! This year the meeting is online. 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
Chalice at De Benneville
October 2-4, 2026
Save the Date!
It is with much excitement that we announce the reopening of Highway 38, which will allow us access to Camp DeBenneville Pines. We have started the process of planning our Chalice retreat for the weekend of October 2nd through the 4th and we hope you will join us. Put the date in your calendar and stay tuned for further details!
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
The Citizen’s Climate Lobby Meeting: 2nd Saturday of the month at 9 am Hybrid
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting: 4th Sunday of the Month @ 12:30 on Zoom
Community Forum Team Meeting: 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Pride Squad Meeting (LGBTQ+ and allies): 2nd Sunday of the month - noon Library
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.