Chalice News and Notes 9.25.26
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
Sept 27 - Starting Point Session #1 - Noon - 2:00 pm in the Nest
Sept 27 - UU the Vote Stamping - 11:30 room 4
Sept 27 - Climate Action Team - 12:30 on Zoom
October 2-4 - DeBenneville Weekend
October 4 - Pride Squad Meeting - 11:30 hybrid (Nest / Zoom)
October 9 - Community Forum: “The Changing Shape of US-Israel Relations” - 7 pm on Zoom
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/ShapeofUSIsraelRelations
October 11 - Starting Point Session # 2 - Noon - 2 pm in the Nest
October 11 - Bagel Buddies WE Fundraiser - after service
October 11 - Voices at Dusk - 6 pm Sanctuary & Lounge
October 18 - Congregational Conversation - after service
October 18 - Open Mic Night - 6 pm Lounge
Nov 7th - Chalice Annual Auction - 5-9 pm ArtTrek -
buy your tickets now! - Tickets, donations and childcare now available here: PayBee Link
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Rev. Nica Eaton & Sam Dickerson
Animal Blessing Service
The unconditional love we receive from our animal friends and family members is a gift. In honor of all they have given us, today we offer them a blessing of love, happiness, and good health as we are reminded that our lives are so much better with animals. Please send us photos of your beloved pets, indicating whether they are alive or with the ancestors.
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 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 light this chalice in honor of the animal realm,
Furred and hoofed, two-legged, four-legged, many-legged,
Fanged and clawed, gentle and fierce, wild and tame.
May we remember that all animals are our relatives,
Worthy of our care and respect.
~ Rev. Florence Caplow
FOR NEWCOMERS - Register Now!
A Chance to Explore Unitarian Universalism
and your Spiritual Path more deeply during Starting Point
All are welcome to this class by prior registration. We request, to the best of your ability, a commitment to all three sessions (Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Nov. 1)
Session 1 begins on September 27th at Noon, upstairs in the Nest. We hope you can join us!
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
Dear UUTHEVOTE Team and Democracy Advocates,
Way to go activists and friends! We are coming toward the end of another season of UUtheVote. All Postcards have been distributed.
The Reclaim our Vote postcards have mail dates of October 5-13 (including Virginia).
The Environmental Voters Project mail date is exactly October 15.
Please continue bringing all completed cards on Sundays. Our Stamping Parties will be in room 4 for the remainder of our stamping (Upstairs, all the way in the back.)
Buen Vecino is looking for poll watching volunteers. Let us know if you're interested.
We can connect you with ample opportunities for texting, phone banking and poll monitoring.
(Pamela has PERSONALLY texted 72,000 people and is lonely and wants you to join her!)
Voter Information
Your voter information guides will be mailed this week.
Ballots go out in the mail on October 5.
Hold the date for the next No Kings Rally. The theme is Get Out the Vote! It will be on Saturday, October 17 at 4:00 in Thousand Oaks across from the Oaks Mall.
Eleven-Day Vote Centers open on October 24. Four-Day Vote Centers open October 31.
If you can, drop your ballot in a drop box or vote IN PERSON.
October 4, 2-4PM. Thousand Oaks Library. Non-partisan review of ballot measures presented by League of Women Voters and AAUW.
Here we go! We are a strong and determined team. Thanks so much for all your work to help save our democracy.
See you Sundays,
Jill and Pamela
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting
Meets 4th Sunday of the Month
next meeting this Sunday, September 27th 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.
A Special Request from Masayo Honjo
Dear Chalice Friends,
You may have seen me at Chalice with my white cane. As I lose more eyesight over the years, it is apparent I need more training to navigate the cities and learn about updated technologies for computers and phones. My hope is to be able to volunteer, to find employment, and become a productive member of the community.
I have been inquiring about a particular school called Colorado Center of the Blind, a 9-month residential school. It is known as an optimal school for helping the blind succeed.
I submitted a request for funding through the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and find these requests have been placed on hold due to lack of federal funding and the Order of Selection. Many others are experiencing similar delays. We are asking for a hearing in the State Assembly to address these needs.
Please help us by signing the letter.
The link below will take you there.
It is prewritten and you just need to add your name.
We appreciate your support!
Pride Squad Meeting
Sunday October 4th at 11:30
Hybrid: Upstairs in the library and on Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/96865510420?pwd=rAV3PiKjlEs1ZuVO4yNv7lBbzuvr74.1
If you would like to attend this meeting virtually, you may do so via this Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/96865510420?pwd=rAV3PiKjlEs1ZuVO4yNv7lBbzuvr74.1
The Changing Shape of US-Israel Relations under Modern US Presidents
Jason Hensley, PhD, DMin
California Lutheran University
Friday, October 9, 7pm PT (via Zoom)
Since becoming the first nation to recognize Israel—with Harry Truman comparing himself to King Cyrus—the U.S. has maintained a unique relationship with the Jewish State. Yet, this dynamic has transformed significantly across modern presidencies. This presentation examines key inflection points in that relationship: Lyndon B. Johnson and the aftermath of the 1967 War, Ronald Reagan during Yasser Arafat's renunciation of terrorism, and Donald Trump's overt support, which redefined U.S. policy more than any president before him.
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/ShapeofUSIsraelRelations
Congregational Conversation October 18th after Service
On Sunday October 18th, Chalice will have a Congregational Conversation at 11:30 after the service. The Board of Trustees had an impactful August Leadership Retreat, where we discussed the idea of a “Pause” in any potential change to our current location. The Congregational Conversation is meant to share near future possibilities, and to listen deeply to any questions or concerns the congregation has. Please join us for a one hour Congregational Conversation on Sunday October 18th at 11:30 in the Sanctuary.
Link for Auction Tickets is Now LIVE!
We are getting excited for our biggest fundraiser of the year - our annual auction! As always, you determine the success of this event, so we invite your participation. There are three ways you can participate. The first two happen now… donate auction items and activities and buy your tickets.
Consider donating Auction items…
Do you have valuable items, unique experiences, or extraordinary services that could make a tremendous impact? You can come up with something new and creative or if you have hosted a popular event that sold out in the past, you can offer it twice! We love your participation and enthusiasm. YOU are always what makes our auction great. Here are some ideas for donation:
Unique Items, 
Fun events, 
Professional Services, 
Travel Packages, 
VIP Access, 
Dining Experiences, 
Nature Hike , 
Party , 
Concerts, 
Sports or Game Tournament, 
Teach a class.
Buy your tickets to our November 7th event…
The link to buy your auction tickets, donate an auction item or sign up for childcare is below… click on the link and get involved!
Bid on items (both online and at our Nov. 7th event) stay tuned here for details as those options become available…
Questions or help? Just email auc...@chaliceuu.org
With gratitude,
Your Auction Committee
Annual Feast of Faiths
October 11th 4-6 pm
The Ventura County Interfaith Community will hold its annual Feast of Faiths from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on October 11th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 3501 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA.
Registration begins at 3:30 PM. Tickets are available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-feast-of-faiths.
More information is available at https://vcic.info/feast.
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 of the month at 5:30 pm on Zoom
The Citizen’s Climate Lobby Meeting: 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:00 am Hybrid
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting: 4th Sunday of the month at 12:30 on Zoom
Community Forum Team Meeting: 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00 pm on Zoom
Pride Squad Meeting (LGBTQ+ & allies): 1st Sunday of the month at 11:30 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, Minister: Mini...@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.