Chalice News and Notes 4.24.26
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 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 3 - WE Market - after service Chalice youth will be selling one of a kind art and crafts!
May 3 - Pride Squad Meeting - Noon in Room 1
May 9 - Citizen’s Climate Lobby - 9 am virtual and room 1
May 16 - Community Forum: "Children of Las Brisas" film screening and Q&A with the filmmakers- 7pm at Chalice
https://tinyurl.com/ChildrenofLasBrisas
May 17 - Open Mic Nite - 6pm in the Lounge
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
with Rev. Maddie Sifantus & Rick Wells
Everything Possible
Strong and bold, or quiet and kind, every one of us is unique and filled with possibilities. Our service today is based in part on Fred Small's iconic folk song that became an anthem for generations. Everything Possible celebrates love and friendship, encouraging us to dream our own dream, choose our own path, and embrace our possibilities, wherever they may take us.
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
Symbol of light and knowledge,
Symbol of warmth and freedom;
We light this chalice as a symbol of our faith.
Here we gather to celebrate hope, and the infinite possibilities of love.
~ Rev. Tom Goldsmith
UUTHEVOTE
Hi Friends,
Well, guess what! The New York cards arrived today. Distribution will be a little different this time because a) there are only 300 cards and b) the list they sent was such a pain to adjust that I had to print it as is - meaning most lists have 34 cards, one has 33 and one has 29.
AND, there are only NINE packets to distribute.
Environmental Voter Project cards are easy to do. There is less to write. Since each packet will have slightly more cards, you may want to pair up with someone. These have a definite mail-on date of June 4th. As usual, we will be providing the stamps for these postcards.
Please have the cards back to Chalice to stamp and turn in by Sunday, May 31 at the latest.
Since there are so few packets for this campaign, I have to limit distribution to Chalice members, and request that you take only one bag. We will distribute them on a first come, first served basis. Due to the women’s retreat this weekend, we request you reach out to Matthew (matt...@yahoo.com or 818-429-5033) and he can bring them to Chalice on Sunday.
If you can't do cards this time, no need to be concerned -- Matthew and I packed up 6,000 cards this week for our upcoming Reclaim Our Vote campaigns. We've got plenty to do!
Warmly,
Pamela, Matthew and Jill (in absentia)
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!
__________________________________________________________________________
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
WE Market
Art & Craft Fair
Sunday May 3rd after Service
On Sunday, May 3rd after service our Chalice youth will be selling one of a kind hand made crafts and artwork that they have been working on 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!
Pride Squad Meeting
Sunday May 3rd at noon
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
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
Citizens Climate Lobby
Meets Saturday, May 9th at 9am
Upstairs in room 1 and online
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
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!
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.