Chalice News & Notes 4.3.26
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 5 - Flower Communion service (bring a flower!)
April 10 - Community Forum: “Why Celebrate the Earth?” - 7:00 pm Zoom
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/whycelebratetheearth
April 11 - Citizen’s Climate Lobby - 9 am hybrid (rm 1 & zoom)
April 12 - Bagel Buddies - after service in the breezeway - $5 donation recommended to benefit RE scholarships and local charities. THIS will be the FINAL Bagel Buddies of the year.
April 12 - Voices at Dusk - 5 pm in the Sanctuary
April 13 - Journaling Workshop begins - 5:30 pm on Zoom
Please email Barbara at bjj...@verizon.net to register
April 17 - Queeraoke Night (hosted by Pride Squad) - 7 pm in the Lounge
April 19 - Starting Point session #2 - Noon to 2 pm in the Nest
April 19 - Open Mic Night - 6:00 pm in the Lounge
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
May 2 - Spring Cleaning (coordinated by Claudia B.) - Chalice 9 am- 4 pm
May 2 - Community Forum: "Children of Las Brisas" film screening and Q&A with the filmmakers- 7pm at Chalice
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
with Samantha Dickerson & Claudia Barton
Hope In Bloom
During this time of Passover and Easter, we celebrate our Unitarian Universalist tradition of the flower ceremony. As we gather to honor the beauty of nature, let us also be reminded of the seeds of hope planted with our community. Please bring a flower for this treasured ritual of connection and renewal.
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
UUTHEVOTE after Service
Upstairs in Room 1
The UUA has now outlined what activities they require for UU congregations to complete to become Good Trouble congregations. They have safety training and summit meetings at participating UUs and more. We hope to announce further details as soon as we hear.
This Sunday we will be meeting upstairs in Room 1 after service to collect and stamp VA and PA cards. VA cards deadline for mailing is 4/6. If you cannot complete your cards, please return them to us ASAP. If you still have VA cards, we need to replace the sticker on them, so be sure to bring them Sunday or sooner if possible.
The Environmental Voter Project (EVP) Pennsylvania cards need to be mailed EXACTLY on April 15. Please make sure you have them completed and returned by 4/13 for stamping.
We are expecting another 500 EVP cards for New York soon. Interestingly, these are part of a marketing test, and some cards will have a different message and image than others. They hope to determine which approach is more effective.
There is much more to come. Glad we are doing this together. Power to the People!
In Unity and Solidarity,
Jill Lewis and Pamela Lopez
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
As frozen earth holds the determined seed,
this sacred space holds our weariness, our
worry, our laughter and our celebration.
Let us bring seed and soul into the light
of thought, the warmth of community,
and the hope of love.
Together, let us light this chalice in celebration and hope.
~ adapted by Laura Wallace
A beautiful update from Rev. Sofía Betancourt,
a message of hope, respect, and the mutual work we do together.
Be proud that Chalice contributes its fair share to the UUA, and does the work we’re doing!! I hope you find a moment to read her words, or watch it on FB or YouTube, it’s worth it.
You can watch the recording via the UUA's YouTube channel or Facebook page. Alternatively, you can read the text of Rev. Betancourt's address at uuworld.org.
Why Celebrate the Earth?
Wayne Morgan*
League of Women Voters US Climate Action Plan Team Co-Leader
Climate Reality Project South Central Coast Chapter Chair
Ventura Climate Coalition Chair
Friday, April 10th – 7:00 p.m. PT (via Zoom)
Earth month gives us a reminder to appreciate our Earth and to see where we are, where we are heading, and what we can do
to make our environment better.
Topics to include:
• Why appreciate the earth?
• Industrial revolution’s impact
• Environmental concerns + successes
• Our future, our choice
• What we as individuals can do
*Wayne Morgan also is a co-host of the Ask Sean Show which offers help to homeowners who want to electrify their homes. Being an electrical engineer, Wayne is passionate about electrification and has converted his home to all electric.
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://tinyurl.com/whycelebratetheearth
Citizens Climate Lobby
Meets Saturday, April 11th 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
Journaling Group
Coming April 13th!
** Singing! ** Beading Table! ** Learn how to sprout seeds!**
Bring a snack to share!
Starting Point Session #2
April 19th noon - 2 pm in the Nest
Do you want to explore Unitarian Universalism
and your Spiritual Path more deeply?
All are welcome to this class by prior registration. We request, to the best of your ability, a commitment to all three sessions, however, even if you missed session 1, you are welcome to join us starting with session 2 on April 19th!
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
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!
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.
PWR April 10-12 now offers an online option!
Our Bi-annual Regional Assembly is April 10-12.
You can join our Regional Assembly from anywhere with a laptop, tablet, or phone plus an internet connection. With the online platform Whova and the online service Zoom, we’ll be livestreaming and making space for community chats. Register now!
Please let Annie know if you plan to attend.
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
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
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/
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.