Chalice News and Notes 8.22.25
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
August 22 - Community Forum “One Person, One Vote” - 7 pm on Zoom
RSVP Here: One Person One Vote RSVP
August 23 - Chuck Thomas’ Celebration of Life - 3 pm in the Sanctuary
August 24 - Chalice Climate Action Team has been cancelled for this month - will resume next month (4th Sunday)
August 31 - Neighborhood Networks - after service in various rooms
August 31 - Choir Camp - 4 pm in the Sanctuary
Sept 7th - Ingathering Service - Sanctuary 10 am
Sept 7th - Ingathering Potluck Picnic - after service Borchard Park area C
Sept 12th - Community Forum “Long Term Care - What You Need to
Know” - 7 pm on Zoom - Register here: https://bit.ly/LongTermCareWhatYouNeedtoKnow
Sept 26-28th - Chalice and Neighbors DeBenneville Retreat
Don’t Wait, Register! https://bit.ly/ChaliceRetreatRegistration
Chuck Thomas - Celebration of Life
Saturday, August 23rd 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary
We invite you to join us to celebrate the life of our beloved member Chuck Thomas at 3 pm in our Sanctuary on Saturday, August 23rd. After the service there will be refreshments and time to spend with community, honoring our memories and sharing what he meant to us here at Chalice.
If you are not able to attend onsite and would like to attend virtually, you may register for a virtual link here:
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Reverend Nica Eaton
What Does Love Ask of Us Now?
Today we reflect on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and consider how we might respond. How can we stay grounded in our UU values while honoring the complexity, grief, and courage this moment demands? Join us as we open our hearts to a difficult conversation and explore thoughtful paths forward.
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 10 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
Please Note that our special collection this week will benefit the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. You can find out more about this organization here: https://www.pcrf.net/about-us
Visiting or New to Chalice?
If you would like to connect and share more about yourself, take this survey: Let's Get Connected
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
We light this chalice for truth, even when it is painful.
We light it for compassion, even when our hearts are weary.
We light it for courage, even when we feel afraid.
May this flame guide us through the shadows of injustice and fear.
May it illuminate both grief and grace, complexity and clarity.
We light this flame in love, not soft love, but fierce, bold, justice-seeking love,
The kind of love that asks us to see clearly, act bravely, and stay tender.
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.
Welcome to Grateful Gathering Circles!
"Living gratefully helps you navigate the joys and difficulties that accompany life. This is not an exercise in avoiding the hard stuff you experience by pretending things are okay when they’re not. Instead, living gratefully is being fully present to your life so that your perspective can be expanded, your compassion enhanced, and your purpose discovered in this moment. This is what makes every day more meaningful." ~Grateful Living
Previously known as Chalice Circles, Grateful Gathering Circles 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.
Registration for Grateful Living Circles will open Sunday August 24. If you are unable to sign up for a regular group, we will hold a drop in group on the 4th Sunday each month. Please see Sam Dickerson with any questions, d...@chaliceuu.org.
Neighborhood Networks Dot Sunday
Stay after service Sunday August 31st
to connect with your neighbors!
It is a great opportunity to connect with Chalice members and friends who live near you and get to know each other in a smaller group setting.
These meetings will be held on site at Chalice.
Any questions? Reach out to Sharon Slentz who is our
Neighborhood Network Director.
Please join us in community as we celebrate coming together in this new Fellowship cycle at our annual Ingathering on September 7th .
We’ll enjoy a special service at our regular time (10am) and then reconnect with a joyful congregational potluck picnic at Borchard Park (area C. see map below). We are excited to hear about your summer adventures and look forward to seeing you there!
Help us make our Ingathering Picnic at Borchard Park after services on September 7th a warm and welcoming community wide event. If you are able to contribute to our potluck, please sign up to bring a dish or pitch in funds to help buy picnic perfect fried chicken. CLICK LINK BELOW TO SIGN UP:
Long Term Care
What You Need to Know
Friday, September 12 – 7 p.m. PT (via Zoom)
Lori Martin
Principal, Envision Benefit Specialists, LTC and Medicare Insurance
Kelila Heller
Board of Directors, Senior Concerns; Senior Living Advisor, Assisted Living Connections; Administrator, Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly
Keith Gosselin
Executive Director, Long Term Care Services of Ventura County
Ombudsman Program
Topics to include:
· Understanding long-term care options
· What Medicare does – and doesn’t – cover
· Different – and new – LTC insurance plans
· How to prepare ahead
· Resources
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://bit.ly/LongTermCareWhatYouNeedtoKnow
Chalice, Santa Monica & UU Neighbors Retreat
Camp deBenneville Pines
Friday, September 26 - Sunday, September 28, 2025
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, September 25th
however, no meals will be served until Friday evening.
Fees start at $210 per adult, $130 for youth, $80 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
Food & Toiletries Drive for Adelante Comunidad Conejo
Donations are needed for vulnerable families. Needed items: Baby Formula, Bagged Beans, Bagged Rice, Deodorant, Diapers, Dish and Laundry Soap, Feminine Hygiene Products, Paper Towels, Reusable Grocery Bags, Shampoo, Soap and Toilet Paper.
Drop donations inside the Chalice lobby on Wednesdays from 10am to 8pm or after service on Sundays.
Please make sure the items are not expired.
If you can help with temporary storage and/or pick up and delivery of items, please contact Clint at citize...@protonmail.com
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.
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.
BIPOC UU Tri-County Collaborative: currently on hiatus
The Citizen’s 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.
Contact Justice...@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/
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 2025
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 Lifespan Religious 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.