Chalice News and Notes 7.24.26
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
July 26 - Chalice Climate Action Team (CCAT) - 12:30 on Zoom
July 26 - Voices at Dusk - 6 pm at Chalice
August 2 - Pride Squad Meeting - 11:30 am, Hybrid (library & Zoom)
August 8 - Citizen’s Climate Lobby - 9am Hybrid (room 1 & Zoom)
August 8 - PIJ Potluck and Discussion - 5:30 potluck, 6:30 discussion at Chalice
August 16 - Open Mic Nite - 6 pm in the Lounge
August 21 - Community Forum “Save Our Starry Nights” - 7 pm on Zoom
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/saveourstarrynights
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Reverend Nica Eaton
Staying Open in a Hurtful World
In a time of uncertainty, conflict, and emotional exhaustion, many of us wonder how to stay compassionate without becoming overwhelmed. Drawing on personal story, spiritual wisdom, and the UUA's invitation to “meet the moment,” Rev. Nica reflects on how we can face life’s heartbreak and hurt with honesty and compassion, while still making room for joy, wonder, and hope.
As you enter on Sunday, we invite you to come in keeping silence.
There will be time for conversation afterwards, or in the lounge,
but today we're experimenting with something our culture rarely gives us:
a place for quiet, peace, and inner listening.
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
Wave of sorrow, / Do not drown me now:
I see the island / Still ahead somehow.
I see the island / And its sands are fair:
Wave of sorrow, / Take me there.
~Langston Hughes’ poem, Island
Stamping party this Sunday (and every Sunday through September) upstairs in Room 1. If you have any Environmental Voter Cards (dark green) going to Florida, we must have them back by this Sunday for stamping. They will be mailed on 7/30.
Though the rest of our cards have early fall mailing dates, please write your cards with some urgency. We have committed to 16,000 cards (the amount we did in 2024). So, as you complete your packets, be assured there are plenty more to come. So far, we've distributed 6,300 cards, and are in the process of giving out the next thousand. So have fun with it! Have card writing parties. It's always great to have you join us for stamping upstairs.
Pamela & Jill
Please note that Reverend Nica will be out of office for study leave from Monday July 27th through Monday, August 10th and back in the office on August 11th. Ana, our administrator will be out of office from Thursday July 30 through Saturday, August 8th and back at Chalice on Sunday, August 9th.
Anthony, our music director will be attending AUUMM conference
from Tuesday July 28th through Monday, August 3rd.
In their absence, you may reach out to Tom Wolf, our congregation president at pres...@chaliceuu.org or to Sam Dickerson at d...@chaliceuu.org
Pride Squad Meeting
Sunday August 2nd 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
Chalice Racial & Cultural Justice Team
Hosts
Palestine/Israel Justice Gathering
Please join us in person at Chalice
Saturday, August 8 - 5:30 pm Potluck, 6:30 pm Discussion
with
Andrew Ceco
Andrew will talk about his journey from a birthright citizenship trip to Israel to becoming a member of IfNotNow. IfNotNow is a grassroots organization campaigning to stop the flow of US weapons to Israel and calling for “a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis.”
A Message from CIPL: Virtual Advocacy Day
In June, many of you joined us in Sacramento to help move our priority bills along in the legislative process. Your advocacy made a real difference and together we helped ensure that faith voices were heard in Sacramento.
Now, we're heading back, virtually, to meet with legislators and their staff to provide updates on where our priority bills stand in the legislative process and to encourage continued support to get these bills over the finish line!
Please let us know if you can join and we will schedule you meetings with your own representatives – so likely just two meetings. They will take place between 10am and 3pm so please sign up if you can be available during that time.
We hope hope to see you for our Virtual Advocacy Day:
Tuesday, August 11th
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
On Zoom
Whether you joined us in June, or last year, or if this will be your first advocacy event, we'll provide everything you need to participate, including training, talking points, and support throughout the day.
To participate you will need to Register here.
Please register no later than August 4th
People of faith have a vital role to play in advocating for policies that protect our communities, care for creation, and ensure a just future for all. We hope you'll lend your voice with us on August 11th.
SpiritRest Silent Retreat August 16-21
SpiritRest Silent Retreat
SpiritRest is a facilitated five-day silent retreat for Unitarian Universalists and other spiritual seekers. Our 2026 gathering will be August 16-21 in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. This retreat is led by UU ministers Lucy Bunch, Batya Dale, Arvid Straube, and Sharon Wylie.
Retreatants meet with a spiritual director for a half hour each day. In addition to the practice of silence, there is guidance for meditation, labyrinth walks, prayer, art journaling, Qi gong, and InterPlay. There is also time for singing together. Each day closes with a vespers service at sundown.
Learn more at our website www.spiritrestretreat.com.
Blessings,
Rev. Sharon Wylie
SpiritRest Coordinator
Save Our Starry Nights
Why light pollution matters and what we can do about it
Celeste Andersen, JD
David Newman
City Councilmember and Former Mayor, City of Thousand Oaks
Friday, August 21, 7pm PT (via Zoom)
Find out:
· What is light pollution?
· How it affects us all
· What are the solutions?
· Local ordinances and efforts
· Easy actions you can take
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/saveourstarrynights
Chalice, Santa Monica & UU Neighbors Retreat
Camp deBenneville Pines
Friday, October 2 - Sunday, October 4, 2026
https://bit.ly/ChaliceRetreatRegistration
Several UU congregations in the greater Ventura County area are retreating together at the UU Pacific Southwest Service Area's beautiful camp in the San Bernardino Mountains. (www.uucamp.org). This is your opportunity to relax, hike, meditate, play games, enjoy nature, and participate in other activities that may be organized by fellow campers, all in the company of members of neighboring congregations.
In addition to campers, we are looking for volunteers to conduct workshops, children's activities, and other programs that would interest our fellow campers.
Registration includes meals: Friday Dinner - Sunday Grab & Go Lunch. For an extra fee, campers are welcome to come up on Thursday, October 1st*, however, no meals will be served until Friday evening.
Fees start at $217 per adult, $142 for youth, $82 for children 3+ yrs.
Scholarships available!
For more information: https://bit.ly/ChaliceRetreatEvent
For registration: https://bit.ly/ChaliceRetreatRegistration
Contact all three at Cluster...@chaliceuu.org or one of the following at:
David Barker (Co-Dean), davida...@gmail.com, 805-415-4919
Annie Barker (Registrar), anniez...@gmail.com, 805-415-4918
Cynthia Littleton, (Co-Dean/Programs), cynthia....@variety.com
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, 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.