Chalice News and Notes 2.20.26
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
Feb 22 - Breeze Profile Photo Opportunity - after service
Feb 22 - Grateful Gathering drop in group - noon in the Nest (upstairs)
Feb 22 - Pride Squad - noon in room 1 (upstairs)
Feb 22 - Chalice Climate Action Team (CCAT) - 12:30 on Zoom
March 1 - Pledge Drive Launch, Vegan Lentil Stew Luncheon & Neighborhood Networks - after service at Chalice
Sign up if you can bring cookies here:
March 8 - Peace, Love and Song Sing-Along with popcorn - after service
March 13 - Community Forum “Heightened Scrutiny” Film Screening & Discussion - 7 pm Hybrid
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/HeightenedScrutinyScreening
March 15 - Diggin Donuts & Coffee - after service
Sign up here if you can bring donuts:
👉 Yes, I'll Bring Donuts - Sign-Up Here
March 15 - Starting Point Meeting 1 - 12-2:00 pm the Nest
March 15 - Open Mic Night - 6:00 pm in the Lounge
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Reverend Rebecca Benefiel Bijur & Suzanne Freiberg
The Generous Heart
Rev. Benefiel Bijur will be exploring the theme of “The Generous Heart,” anchored in the guiding idea of a critical mind and a generous heart. This service invites us to reflect on how intellect and rational thinking can coexist with openness of heart—how we can hold both at once. Rev. Benefiel Bijur will also speak to the mutuality of generosity and interdependence, as reflected in our Time for All Ages story, "A Special Trade." Then lead us into deeper reflection with several essential questions: Is there a conflict between critical thinking and generosity—and if so, how might we resolve it? And what does generosity truly mean when we think in terms of treasure?
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
Love is the aspiration, the spirit that moves and inspires this faith we share.
Rightly understood, love can nurture our spirits and transform the world.
May the flame of this chalice honor and embody the power and the blessing of the love we need, the love we give, the love we are challenged always to remember and to share.
~ Maureen Killoran
Profile Photos for Breeze
After Service on February 22nd!
We have a generous photographer who is willing to take photos for those members who do not have a profile picture posted in Breeze. This will happen after service on February 22nd. Come with your best smile and ready to pose if you would like to have your photo taken!
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting
Meets 4th Sunday of the Month
next meeting Sunday, February 22 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.
UUTHEVOTE
Our Chalice Justice team is on fire! We had 1,000 WI Supreme Court postcards on Sunday, and there are fewer than one hundred left today – 3 days later.
We have now acquired five hundred more, and they are available now. We will also have them on Sunday at Chalice to pick up. You can email your order, so we will have it ready for you.
Email us at: contactu...@chaliceuu.org
Co-chairs
Pamela Lopez and Jill Lewis
You’ll want to be here for this.
A month of gathering, gratitude,
and possibility begins March 1!
Come be part of it.
This will be a Pledge Season like no other.
Neighborhood Networks Gathering
Sunday, March 1 • After Service
with Vegan Lentil Stew & Rice Lunch
After service on March 1st we’ll be serving a vegan lentil stew luncheon.
Bring cookies to share with your neighbors.
You’ll connect with Chalice members and friends who live near you and get to connect in a smaller group setting.
Because together is where the good stuff happens.
Sign up here to bring cookies to share:
Toastmasters Comes to Chalice
Wednesdays 6:30 am in the Nest
Toastmasters International is an informal, non-profit organization in which members help each other develop public speaking and leadership skills in a relaxed, fun environment. Chalice has kindly invited the Daybreakers of Westlake Toastmasters Club to hold our meetings at Chalice. We meet every Wednesday from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM in “The Nest” and everyone is invited to attend.
Contact: Dick Elsley
“Heightened Scrutiny”
Film Screening and Discussion
Friday, March 13th – 7:00 p.m. PT
Discussion Moderator: Celia Sandhya Daniels (she/they)
Founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting LCC; and serves on the Boards of Stonewall Dems, Diversity Collective, Workforce Development Board, and PFLAG in Ventura County
Friday, March 13th – 7:00 p.m. PT (In person* and online)
HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY follows Chase Strangio, ACLU attorney and the first out trans person to argue before the Supreme Court, as he fights a high-stakes legal battle to overturn Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth (United States v. Skrmetti). The film exposes the dangerous role of mainstream media in fueling anti-trans legislation, uncovering how biased coverage drives hate, endangers lives, and threatens democracy itself.
Co-sponsored by Chalice Pride Squad
*Event location: Chalice UU – 3331 Old Conejo Rd, Newbury Park
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/HeightenedScrutinyScreening
Our Mission: To nurture spiritually courageous people who transform the world through justice and compassion.
OUR PROGRAM IS FREE BUT DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED
Chalice Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Conejo Valley, fo...@chaliceuu.org
Starting Point Sessions Begin on March 15th!
Do you want to explore Unitarian Universalism
and your Spiritual Path more deeply?
Starting Point is a three session series, designed to deepen your spiritual understanding of Unitarian Universalism and to connect newcomers with members, creating a web of interconnection at Chalice. Additionally, newer people will experience Chalice’s small group culture, thereby deepening your spiritual engagement with our community.
All are welcome to this class by prior registration. We request, to the best of your ability, a commitment to all three sessions.
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
Why Interfaith?
March 17 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
$15
Image Attribution: “University of Rochester, Interfaith Chapel 1” by RLHyde is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
On Tuesday, March 17th at 7PM, the Ventura County Interfaith Community will try to answer the question of why we do interfaith dialogue. It will do so by suggesting that interfaith dialogue is a pathway both to peace and to personal growth.
Responding to this question will be Dr. Tim Helton, Rabbi Michael Lotker and Imam Muhammed Shoayb Mehtar.
The event will take place as part of the Catholic University Series at Padre Serra Perish (5205 Upland Road, Camarillo, CA 93012). The organizers of the University Series charge a nominal $15 per class (or $10 prior to February 16th if you register at www.theuniversityseries.org) with an accompanying friend attending free.
All are welcome to attend whether Catholic or not, so please consider sharing this information with friends and family!
Winter Retreat at Camp de Benneville Pines
February 27th-March 1st, 2026.
Registration is now open! Click HERE to register
Journaling Group
Coming this April!
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/
Put this on your Calendar!
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.
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.