Chalice News and Notes Dec. 11, 2020
Chalice Admin
We Nurture Spiritually Courageous People
Who Transform the World through Justice and Compassion.
Next Service Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 - 10 AM
We have added some new and exciting break-out rooms! You can choose what break-out room you want to be in based on your interest and need. We hope this will be a powerful way for people to deepen their connections at Chalice.
***After the service please click on the break-out room button and choose the break out room you wish to be in. Then click on the participants number button to join your chosen break-out room. There will be 7 different break out rooms. ***
Service/Sermon discussion with Rev Nica
Check-in/How was your week? ?
Social Justice actions & discussion - Pamela Lopez
Young Adults - Chavonne Estrella
70+ Seniors - Nancy Walters
Parents - Kelly Niebergall
Tech Debrief
Special Collection for Los Robles Medical Team - this Sunday!
This holiday season we are thanking our local overworked, stressed-out healthcare workers at Los Robles Hospital with a luncheon provided by Chalice members through our gifts and special collection.
The hospital is delighted with our offer and has suggested that we provide 100 boxed lunches. Priority will be given to the staff in the emergency room and ICU. Please help us in creating this gift of love and gratitude to those who are putting their lives on the line to protect us every day.
We have programs for our middle schoolers and elementary kids. For now, we have put a pause on meetups for YRUU. Family Chapel continues on Sundays at 9am.
Family Chapel
Sundays 9-9:30am
Enjoy music, stories, and checking in with friends. Ideal for younger children through 3rd grade, but all are welcome!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81860584057?pwd=SkppaGd1TlhraEh0b3BSemdrUGtidz09
Please share this information with your children and youth!
Send any questions to d...@chaliceuu.org.
Coming up for January – Crossing Paths: Quakerism
Registration opens December 15
Sessions start January 10
Open to 4th through 8th graders, we explore a different religion each month through videos, discussions, and activities. This is highly recommended to youth in 7th and 8th grade, offering a strong base when they begin Coming of Age in the 2021-22 church year.
For more information contact your DRE Sam Dickerson at d...@chaliceuu.org.
Join us for our annual Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 5pm. The choir will sing, the candles will glow, and the story of Christmas will be shared – virtually! Rev. Nica Eaton-Guinn (Chalice UU) and Rev. Julia Hamilton (USSB) are bringing our congregations together for this special evening. Music from the Chalice/USSB combined choir, along with carols to sing along to at home. Don’t forget your candles for Silent Night!
A massive thank you to our Chalice Holiday Helpers!
You made a lot of families very happy. You are all a wonderful example of the generous and loving community we are a part of.
YA @ Chalice
18 - 30 Somethings… We are excited for our first virtual event on December 15th at 7:00 pm, the theme will be: “Ugly Top Party” so come in the ugliest top you can find with your favorite beverage and let’s get to know each other. Invite your friends and family for an evening of fun! If you have any questions send an email to ad...@chaliceuu.org.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85377157764?pwd=b0tBK3lYTVAwZEsrY0M5MEtrdnoyZz09
One tap mobile
Dial by your location
Meeting ID: 853 7715 7764
Passcode: 240227
Don’t forget to take our survey so that we can get to know what you are interested in and what will be best for us as a whole. https://chaliceuu.breezechms.com/form/886281
Winter Vespers: A Midweek Contemplative Service
Wednesday, December 16th @ 6-7pm
A collaboration of our local UU congregations: Live Oak in Goleta, Unitarian Society of SB, Ventura, Santa Paula & Chalice UU.
Restore your spirit with an hour of music, readings, and time for quiet reflection. Join the UU ministers from our area (including a chant from our own Rev. Nica and a reading from Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford) as we gather for a special winter service. No Christmas carols – just good company, wise words, and beautiful music. Turn your lights down, get comfortable, and let the quiet glow of candlelight create a sanctuary wherever you are.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 925 7730 2445
Meet with Rev Nica to Check-in and Meditate
(Last Meeting of the Year)
5 pm on Thursday December 17th
How are you doing? What are your challenges during the holidays and how can we best support you? Last chance this year to meet with Rev Nica for spiritual practice and check-in on Thursday, December 17 at 5 pm. We will be doing a special meditation focused on this month’s theme of stillness, helping you find a deeper stillness at this busy time of year. Hope to see you!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/401646659?pwd=VGhkVXc2MkxIbWQxSE81Wkw5QVZVZz09
Meeting ID: 401 646 659
Password: 2020
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,401646659# US (San Jose)
Happy Holidays, Chalice members and friends!
For those of you looking to get into the Christmas spirit, Friday, December 18 at 7pm Chalice is hosting a Christmas Carol Singalong led by our Music Director, Anthony. In addition to the evening’s heartwarming music, we will have a special visit from Santa who will read us the timeless classic “The Night Before Christmas.” Ho ho hooope to see you there!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99866548206?pwd=SnJwb0FGUU1NbnBmOXdNUlNLRWxhQT09
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86485278419?pwd=NDlYZHR1ZU83b2drR0NwVFFrK09SZz09
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,86485278419#,,,,,,0#,,764577# US
Dial by your location
Meeting ID: 864 8527 8419
Passcode: 764577
Starting Point V Journey Circle
Begins Sunday, January 17th, 1 - 3 pm
Are you new to UUism, or have you been here a while and would like to deepen your Chalice connections and UU understanding? If so, we invite you to join our UU journey program called 'Starting Point'. This monthly group is a hybrid between Chalice Circles and our Membership class. It will be a three session group. It is aimed at visitors, as well as long-time members. The idea is to deepen everyone’s spiritual journey and connect new and old with one another, creating a web of interconnection in our Fellowship. An additional hope is to help newer people deepen their spiritual engagement at Chalice and with small groups.
All are welcome to this class by prior registration, although preference will be given to newcomers. A commitment to all three sessions is requested.
Each session is from 1 - 3 pm on Zoom (link to be sent after registration):
Sunday, January 17 - Session 1 will explore our personal spiritual journeys.
Saturday, February 28 - Session 2 will examine UU and Chalice’s history.
Sunday, March 21 - Session 3 will look at our UU Theological journey.
Please let us know if you can join us by emailing SPi...@chaliceuu.org. It will be fun, we promise! Please register by January 10th.
Weekly Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
Stillness
By Michael Faudet
There is a certain stillness, when even the gentle flutter of a butterfly’s wing feels like a hurricane.
The moment when crashing waves fall asleep, peaceful, lost to the serenity of salty dreams.
When tall trees stand to attention, and every leaf pauses, takes a deep breath and holds it.
We light our chalice for that magical stillness.
AmazonSmile is a program that donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases on Amazon to a charity of your choice.
Give to Chalice while you shop!
All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. You can then choose to donate to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Conejo Valley at no extra cost to you. It's an easy way to support this congregation.
Thank you for your support!
Taking Social Action Online
Consider joining the Chalice Social Justice Facebook group. To learn about latest events supporting Black Lives Matter and other concerns, click on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1260868657268458/
Next Racial & Cultural Justice Team:
(Next meeting on Wed. Jan, 13, 2020 at 5:30 pm)
The Racial and Cultural Justice Team meets monthly to reflect on issues and develop action plans for education/service, advocacy/coalition and witness/protest. For more information contact Randall Edwards rcjco...@chaliceuu.org.
Chalice Climate Action Team - (Zoom meeting 4th Sunday at 12:30pm, December 20, 2020 CCATC...@ChaliceUU.org)
CCAT Movie Recommendation: I Am Greta
“The story of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is told through compelling, never-before-seen footage in this intimate documentary from Swedish director Nathan Grossman. Starting with her one-person school strike for climate action outside the Swedish Parliament, Grossman follows Greta—a shy student with Asperger’s—in her rise to prominence and her galvanizing global impact as she sparks school strikes around the world. The film culminates with her extraordinary wind-powered voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to speak at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City.”
Available for free on hulu.com! Follow the link for more information: https://hulu.tv/3lYRTBH
The Citizens Climate Lobby meetings are open to anyone interested in saving our planet! The meetings will continue on the 2nd Saturday of the month indefinitely. Next meeting on Saturday, January 9 @ 9 am.
Here is the sign-on info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82274752266?pwd=YUR1enR2RXFQLzN1a0xTK0NiYXRqZz09
Or:
Meeting ID: 822 7475 2266
Passcode: 271577
THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO CHALICE
Here’s how to make your gifts go farthest...
We are so grateful for all and any gifts to Chalice! Thank you for helping our beautiful Fellowship thrive!
What you might not be aware of is that some of your gifts are subject to fees that reduce the funds that we get. Here are the ways that we get donations, and the associated fees, in ascending order of fees.
Cash: No fees. But we don’t generally know who it comes from, so you won’t get credit at tax time.
Checks to Chalice: No fees. Be sure to indicate on the memo line if they are for pledge fulfillment or a gift. A popular means of paying by check is to use online bill pay from your bank, which can be set up as a recurring payment. Chalice is not one of the bank’s regular payees (like a utility), but if you use “Chalice” as the name and our office address (3331 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320-2115) it will work fine.
Automated withdrawal from a checking account (also called ACH). No fees.
Please contact Stewardship Chairperson Don Cooper can set this up for you. It’s a great way to give. Email: don...@roadrunner.com
Online or text-to-give through Breeze using ACH (your bank account): Fee of 1% plus $0.25 per transaction. You give Breeze your bank account number and the bank routing number to set this up.
Online or text-to-give through Breeze using a Credit Card: Fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. This the easiest giving method, but it comes at a cost.
PayPal through the Chalice Website: Fee of 2.2% plus $0.30 per transaction. You access this through the Chalice home page using the “giving” pull-down menu, then “donate.”
If you wish to give via text or online, you may choose to add an additional amount to cover the fees to Chalice - so that Chalice receives the full amount you intended. Thank you!
Again, huge gratitude for any and all gifts.
We could not exist without your generosity.
Are you looking to Connect more deeply with Chalice activities and friends? Or are you currently actively involved in Chalice? There are ways to share this information using Breeze.
1. Take the Chalice Interest and Skills Survey: A way for newer members to find ways to get involved. How would you like to contribute, work with others, be in community and stay involved at Chalice? Click here: https://chaliceuu.breezechms.com/form/a0a810
2. Take the Chalice Involvement in Groups, Committees, Social Justice and more Survey: How you are engaging with Chalice at this time. Click here: https://chaliceuu.breezechms.com/form/d9b495
3. Visiting Chalice and wish to receive and share more about yourself? Take this survey: https://bit.ly/ChaliceConnection
Information from these forms will help both Community Life and the Leadership Cultivation Committee help YOU find ways to connect at Chalice. Thanks!
(Form 1 & 2 can also be found on your Profile page in Breeze)
Have you ever wanted to take voice lessons, learn to play the piano or study music theory? Has the pandemic left you with extra time on your hands and a desire to learn something new? If so, consider contacting Chalice’s Music Director, Anthony Concepcion. Anthony is currently offering zoom lessons at a discounted rate of 20% off for Chalice members and friends. Email him at musicd...@chaliceuu.org to ask any questions and schedule a trial lesson. Peace, love and music!
Weekly Calendar of Events
Friday, December 11
10:00am Orchids Group (zoom)
Saturday, December 12
9:00am Citizens Climate Lobby
Sunday, December 13
9:00am Family Chapel - PreK – 2nd / Lower Elementary (Zoom B)
10:00am Chalice Worship Service (Zoom 2)
11:30am Worship Committee
1:00pm Crossing Paths (Zoom B)
5:00pm Newcomer AA Meeting
Monday, December 14
2:00pm Chalice Circle 2nd Mondays (zoom)
7:00pm Women's Evening Group
7:30pm Book Club (zoom2)
Tuesday, December 15
10:00am Gardenia Group (zoom)
6:30pm Choir Tuesdays (Zoom B)
7:00pm Board Meeting (Zoom)
7:00pm YA Group meetup (zoom)
Wednesday, December 16
6:00 Winter Vespers Service
6:00pm Overeaters Anonymous
6:30pm Choir Rehearsal (Zoom)
7:00pm Bi-monthly Council Meeting (Zoom 2)
7:00pm Chalice Circle 3rd Wednesday (zoomB)
7:30pm Meditation (zoomMH)
8:00pm Website meeting
Thursday, December 17
10:30am Jonquil Women's Group (zoom)
5:00pm Spiritual Sustenance & Community Check-In (zoom2)
7:00pm Men's Discussion Group (Zoom 2)
7:00pm Moonflower Women's Group (Zoom)
Our Community Cares - Pastoral Concerns
It's so important to stay connected during these times. In News and Notes we will share joys and concerns within our Chalice community. Let us know if you’d like to share something here. Also, if you have special news to share with the congregation in Sunday services please write to ad...@chaliceuu.org or Rev Nica at mini...@chaliceuu.org.
May we hold each other up and support our Chalice community.
Staff Contact Information -
Chalice Office # (805) 498-9548 - Messages will be checked regularly.
Rev. Nica Eaton-Guinn, Minister, mini...@chaliceuu.org
URGENT Calls or Texts to Minister (805) 410-3860
Anthony Concepcion, Music Director musicd...@chaliceUU.org
Samantha Dickerson, Director of Religious Education d...@chaliceuu.org
Chavonne Estrella, Office Administrator ad...@chaliceuu.org
Tonya Kulpaca, Bookkeeper, bookk...@chaliceuu.org