Chalice News and Notes 5.15.26
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 16 - Community Forum: "Children of Las Brisas" film screening and Q&A with the filmmakers- 7pm hybrid
https://tinyurl.com/ChildrenofLasBrisas
May 17 - Reverend Nica is back in the pulpit - 10am in the Sanctuary
May 17 - WE Market Reprise - after service
May 17 - Welcome Back Celebration for Rev. Nica - after service
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
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
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
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
with Rev. Nica Eaton
Return Again
Today, Rev. Nica returns to Chalice from her sabbatical. Please join us in welcoming her back and beginning to get a sense of her adventures.
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
Please plan to stay after service (if you can) for a special surprise as we celebrate Reverend Nica’s joyful return!
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
Light calls to light. It longs to spread, to multiply.
Like the pinch of salt that seasons the whole dish,
like the rock dropped into a still pond that creates a spreading series of ripples,
One small candle has the power to hold back the darkness.
Whether you are one small candle or a flaming bonfire, your light matters.
~ Tim Snowber
WE Market Reprise!
Art & Craft Fair
Sunday May 17th after Service
On Sunday, May 17th after service we will reprise the WE Market.
If you missed it the first time, our Chalice youth will be selling one of a kind hand made crafts and artwork that they have created, 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!
Grateful Gathering Drop in Circle - All Are Welcome!
May 24 - 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.
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 7:00 pm, 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, 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
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.