Chalice News and Notes 2.13.26
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 13 - China Through My Eyes with Susan Seats - 6 pm Potluck, 7 pm presentation at Chalice
Feb 14 - Citizen’s Climate Lobby - 9:00 am Virtual & room 1
Feb 15 - Bagel Flash Sale - after service
Feb 15 - Chalice Book Study (final meeting) - 12-2 pm in the Sanctuary
Feb 15 - Open Mic Night - 6 pm in the Lounge
Feb 18 - Final Day for Women’s Retreat Registration (space is limited, don’t wait!) see registration link: https://chaliceuu.breezechms.com/form/50102a423
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, Lentil Soup Luncheon & Neighborhood Networks - after service at Chalice
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 - Starting Point Meeting 1 - 12-2:00 pm the Nest
The Racial & Cultural Justice Team hosts
China Through My Eyes
with
Susan Seats
Friday, February 13 at Chalice
6 pm Potluck Dinner
7 pm Program
Susan Seats has recently visited China. She has an affection for the country as she had lived and taught there for 3 years. Her passion has been connecting with people globally heart to heart, embracing the quote by Einstein that, “Peace is never achieved by force. It can only be achieved through understanding.” Susan would like to give us a glimpse of China to be able to see it through her eyes and to hopefully come to a better understanding by seeing the beauty of its culture and people. She will be bringing her Chinese friend Hailing, to share the meaning and rituals of the Chinese New Year.
Chalice member Susan Seats taught Conversational English at Hubei University of Technology in Wuhan, China for three years.
Please bring a dish to share with others for the potluck at 6:00!
Citizens Climate Lobby
Meets Saturday, February 14th at 9am
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
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Maddie Sifantus & Rick Wells
Speak With Our Lives
Do you have a book that has informed your life? A long-time favorite of Rev. Maddie’s is Parker Palmer’s “Let Your Life Speak: Listening to the Voice of Vocation.” Is how we live our life congruent with our deepest sense of self and meaning? How does our life speak to us in these times?
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
And thank you all for your generous contributions to 805 Undocufund, Chalice raised over $1300 for this worthy cause!
Bagel Flash Sale!
Sponsored by Chalice Wisdom Exploration Youth
$10 for 3 Bagels
Chalice Book Study Final Meeting
studying “Social Change Now” by Deepa Iyer
Feb 15th
12-2 in the Sanctuary
If you missed the first one, feel free to attend the meetings that you can make. All are welcome and perfect attendance is not mandatory!
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
We light our chalice [tonight, today] knowing that our hope and our passion are needed to change the world. We bring different gifts to the work, but we come together in one faith: that what we do makes a difference, both to our world and in ourselves.
~ Pat Uribe-Lichty
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.
You’ll want to be here for this.
A month of gathering, gratitude,
and possibility begins this Sunday!
Come be part of it.
This will be a Pledge Season like no other.
After the service, stay and share lunch—
vegan lentil stew and rice—
and time together in our Neighborhood Networks.
Good people. Good food. Good vibes.
Neighborhood Networks Gathering
Sunday, March 1 • After Service
with Vegan Lentil Stew & Rice Lunch
After service on March 1st we’ll offer a lentil soup luncheon and cookies (see the sign up below if you can bring some to share). Then we’ll get into Neighborhood Groups.
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:
“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
Chalice Women’s Retreat – April 24 - 26, 2026
Commitment needed by February 18th to reserve the venue
Calling all Chalice women to sign up for our weekend retreat in Atascadero! This year’s theme is Mystics of the Divine Feminine, which is the spiritual concept that embodies the qualities of compassion, intuition, creativity, and nurturing.
The weekend is an opportunity for connection and reflection, with program time, silent time, shared meals, creativity, and lots of conversation.
As our beloved Camp de Benneville isn’t working out for us this year, we are looking to try a new location – a large vacation rental in Atascadero, 6 bedrooms, each with 3 or more beds.
The property is 2.5 – 3 hours North of Chalice, just inland from San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast. There is no mountain driving required and no high altitude to contend with.
The cost will be $270 per person, and we need 3 more women to commit by February 18th in order to make it work. If you’re interested but haven’t signed up yet, now is the last chance. Don’t wait. The weekend is all inclusive – lodging, meals, and materials.
We have a survey and registration link on Breeze:
https://chaliceuu.breezechms.com/form/50102a423
Reach out to Jill Schlaus [jills...@gmail.com, 805-504-5802] or Andy Pletcher [andypl...@gmail.com, 805-551-0456] with any questions.
UUTHEVOTE IS BACK
Our Chalice Justice hub is excited to announce
Chalice UUtheVote 2026 is launching now!
UUtheVote is a democracy action sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association. We have participated since their launch in 2020 and have twice been honored as a Good Trouble Congregation.
Each election year cycle, UUthevote is active throughout the year. For those who are new to it, Chalice members write postcards, send texts, and make phone calls to voters in states identified though the UUA. Locally, we help register voters and work at the polls. We do make democracy fun!
We are hoping for full participation in our congregation. To join, please send your email to contactu...@chaliceuu.org and you will be added to our UUTHEVOTE email list.
Postcard campaigns are coming up! We will have everything you need to participate!
Co-chairs
Pamela Lopez and Jill Lewis
Winter Retreat at Camp de Benneville Pines
February 27th-March 1st, 2026.
Registration is now open! Click HERE to register
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.