Chalice News & Notes 7.4.25
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
July 6 - Grateful Living Circle - noon in the Sanctuary - open to all
Register here: Grateful Living Registration
July 7 - Racial and Cultural Justice Team Meeting - 5:30 pm on Zoom
July 12 - Citizens’ Climate Lobby - 9 am Hybrid
July 12 - RU Game - 2-4 pm upstairs room 1
July 12 - Community Forum Mando Youth Development - 7pm Hybrid
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://bit.ly/MANDOYouthDevelopmentGroup
July 13 - Open Mic Nite - 6pm in the Lounge
July 19 - All Ages Scavenger Hunt! - 4-6 pm in the Lounge.
Register here: bit.ly/ChaliceHideNSeek
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Reverend Nica Eaton
Beyond the Pulpit: Unveiling Ministry
What does a minister really do all week? And how is that work connected to the well-being of the whole congregation? Join us, as Rev. Nica shares a behind-the-scenes look at the joys, demands, and sacred responsibilities of ministry. She explores the visible and invisible aspects of her role, and why sustainable rhythms like sabbaticals and study leave matter, not just for the minister, but for the health and vitality of the entire community. Tim Snowber will also offer reflections on the importance of shared ministry and how we grow stronger together.
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
NOTE: This week’s special collection will benefit the Ventura County Foodshare. To learn more about this organization you can visit :
Grateful Living Circle
First Sunday of the Month
Noon to 1:30 in the Sanctuary
July 6
Open to Anyone
Join Reverend Nica and Sam for this month’s Grateful Living Circle which will focus on being "Open to Awe." This gathering is open to anyone who would like to join. Please register using the link below to receive the materials in advance of this Sunday’s meeting.
We hope to see you there!
CHUCK THOMAS
Dear Chalice Members,
It is with sorrow we share that Rev. Chuck Thomas, a member of this Fellowship, died peacefully on June 25 at age 89.
Chuck joined Chalice in 2014 after living most of his life in Ohio. Before his retirement Chuck often filled our pulpit while visiting his family in California, and he may currently hold the record for most appearances as a guest preacher.
That deliberately sounded like a baseball statistic: Chuck was a Unitarian since the '50s, and a UU minister since the '70s, but he became a Dodgers fan in the 1940s.
Longtime Fellowship members may recall that Chuck presided at our Child Dedication service in 1992, for Allison Hess, Aaron & Asher Lober, and Ben Champion.
Chuck is survived by his 2 daughters, Lorella and Linda, and 3 grandchildren, their spouses, and 4 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Chalice at 3 pm on August 23rd. In the meantime, his family invites you to enjoy a banana split and/or a Dodgers game in his honor.
For donations in Chuck’s memory, his family recommends:
The UUA’s Rev. Chuck and Nancy Thomas Scholarship
Checks can be sent to the UUA, Stewardship & Development, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210 with Thomas Scholarship in the memo line;
or
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/community/foundation/support/donation
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
~Nick Wilbourn (adapted)
Visiting or New to Chalice?
If you would like to connect and share more about yourself, take this survey: Let's Get Connected
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.
Join the fun! On Saturday, July 12, 2-4 pm. We’ll be playing upstairs in room one (up the stairs and to the left). This is an opportunity to get to know more of the Chalice community, laugh with them, play Mexican train, and have a fun time.
There is no cost to join, however, we do ask that you bring your own snacks and drink.
Please Contact Jill L. to let her know if you will be attending so that we can set up the tables appropriately.
Hope to see you there!
Jill
MANDO Youth Development Group
Marcos Aviles
MANDO Founder & Executive Director
Saturday, July 12th – 7:00 p.m. PT (In person* and via Zoom)
Growing up in Newbury Park, Marcos Aviles spent his adolescence in the juvenile detention system surrounded by gang life with few alternatives and little positivity to turn to. Now he’s mentoring youth, helping parents, and working with community partners across the county to help other youth stay out of the system and build successful lives. Come hear his story of founding MANDO Youth Development Group and its work empowering youth, strengthening families, building safer communities, and reducing recidivism.
Topics to include
· MANDO mentorship and other programs
· Success stories
· Volunteer opportunities
Co-sponsors: &
*Event location: Chalice UU – 3331 Old Conejo Rd, Newbury Park
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://bit.ly/MANDOYouthDevelopmentGroup
Scavenger Hunt All Ages Event! Register Here:
Help show our welcoming love!
Volunteer for a shift at the Chalice table for Ventura Pride on August 16
As we work to put our faith into action as a welcoming congregation, it is important to show our solidarity with our rainbow coalition family. We’re requesting support from you, our Chalice beloveds, to show those being persecuted that they belong, they are appreciated, they are loved. Come join in the fun and community by visiting the Oxnard pride event or by tabling with us at the Ventura Pride event on August 16th.
August 16 - Ventura Pride Contact: Sam at d...@chaliceuu.org
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
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 Monday 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/
meets the first Monday of Each Month
Next meeting Monday July 7th, 5:30 to 7pm
Join us by Zoom, as we consider developing resources for these challenging times.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/95038163842?pwd=Z08zK3piTDkrNVhvTFFBZWNncVhwZz09
One tap mobile
Meeting ID: 950 3816 3842
Passcode: 734802
Citizens Climate Lobby
Meets Saturday, July 12th 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
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.