Chalice News & Notes 7.26.24
Chalice Admin
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We Nurture Spiritually Courageous People
Who Transform the World throughĀ
Justice and Compassion
Explore our website to learn more about everything we are doing.
Upcoming Events
July 27 - Family Pool Party - Off site
August 3 - Dave Buss Memorial - Off site 3-7pmĀ
Please RSVP: http://evite.me/davebuss
August 10 - SāMores & Games - Off site 4-8 pm
SUNDAY SERVICEĀ
Onsite & Online ~Ā 10 amĀ
Samantha Dickerson, Dana Ryon & Group
Braiding Sweetgrass
How do you connect with Mother Earth? Is it through science? Through nature? The ancestors? Perhaps something else? Over the past year, Chalice's Braiding Sweetgrass group has explored these questions and more with the guidance of Robin Wall Kimmerer's book of the same title. Join us as members of this group share their own stories and reflections of their relationship with our Dear Mother.
Link for the Zoom Meeting at 10 am:
https://zoom.us/j/209555249?pwd=dkVSdDE1ZWh5dHBVcXo2ZHVKQUJkQT09Ā
Meeting ID: 209 555 249
Phone: 16699009128
Password: 2020
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You can also view our Livestream on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChaliceUUF
Thanks for your donations!
This past week we dropped off 216 pounds of food at the Manna food bank!Ā
Thank you so much for your generous donations and for making this such a successful partnership with this community organization.Ā
Now that we are using our space more efficiently, we are trying to avoid having to store too many weeks of donations at a time. If you have time or are headed toward that part of Thousand Oaks, we could use your help transporting the donations on a weekly basis. Please see Ana in the administration office if you can provide assistance in bringing the donation to Manna (located at 95 N. Oakview Dr. in Thousand Oaks). They are open M-F from 8am -4 pm and on Saturday 9-1. Even if you can only help once in a while, any assistance is appreciated.Ā
As always, be sure that your donations are fully sealed and unused foods. We are so grateful for all the ways that you show love in action!
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
Spark of the spirit
cupped in earthās embrace,
Light of love
alive in all creation,
As we kindle this flame,
we rekindle our connection
to the sacred web of life.
~ Shari Woodbury
Ministerās Schedule
Rev. Nica will be taking her annual vacation and study leave starting Monday, July 15 and returning Tuesday, August 13th.
Our wonderful worship services will continue with special guest speakers. Please refer general matters to our Administrator, Ana Krista Johnson at ad...@chaliceuu.org or reach out to Board President, Annie Barker, with any urgent issues at Pres...@chaliceuu.org.
Our Pastoral Care team is also available at pastor...@chaliceuu.org. Thank you.
Celebration of Life for Dave BussĀ
Saturday, August 3rd at 3pm to 7pmĀ
at the Lakeside Pavilion at Conejo Creek North
1379 E. Janss RdĀ
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360Ā
The family kindly requests that you RSVP on this link, as it will be helpful for them to get a head count:Ā
Do you want to explore Unitarian Universalism and your Spiritual Path more deeply? Ā
Sign up for our next Starting Point Journey CircleĀ
For newcomers to Chalice and existing membersĀ
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We invite you to join our UU journey program called 'Starting Pointā.Ā
Starting Point is a three session series, led by Rev. Nica, 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 Chaliceās small group culture, thereby deepening your spiritual engagement with our community.
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All are welcome to this class by prior registration.Ā
A commitment to all three sessions is requested.
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Each session is from 1 - 3 pm
Sunday, September 22 - Session 1 will explore our personal spiritual journeys.
Sunday, October 27 - Session 2 will examine UU and Chaliceās history.
Sunday, November 17 - Session 3 will look at our UU Theological journey.
For more information, you can email SPi...@chaliceuu.org
Young Adult CampĀ
at Camp deBenneville Pines
Young Adult Camp is an annual summer retreat for 18 to 35 year-old Unitarian Universalists and people of all faiths.
Meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, learn alongside social justice volunteers all while dancing your heart out and laughing out loud. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountain views, starry night skies, and a welcoming community, you will find your space and your place in this magical mountain top retreat center.
Register here! Scholarship assistance is available through Chalice RE and de Benneville Pines.
THE CHALICEĀ & NEIGHBORS WEEKEND RETREATĀ
at Camp deBenneville Pines is coming Soon!
Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29, 2024
Registrations are open for the "Chalice and Neighbors 2024 Retreat at Camp deBenneville Pines"!
We look forward to reuniting with many of our Chalice members and neighbors to enjoy the calm and beautiful mountains with hikes, archery, crafts, connections, and conversations.
New and exciting this year, we hope to inspire more families with children to attend this retreat. Please notice that we slashed the pricing for youth and children making it more affordable. Also, Chalice and Studio City churches will each be doing a Special Collection during the offertory in August to help scholarship families, making it even more affordable.Ā
A flyer with more information and a link to a registration form can be found at: https://www.chaliceuu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Retreat-Flyer.pdf
A direct link to the registration form is https://www.chaliceuu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Retreat-Registration-Form.pdf
In faith and support of Camp deBenneville Pines,
David & Annie Barker
Ā Save the Date: Sunday, October 27thĀ from 5-9pm
Attention all Chalice members and friends.Ā At this time the auction committee is asking you to start thinking about our yearly Auction (yes, already!). Make sure you save the date now on your calendar: October 27th from 5-9 pm. Next, you might start to speculate about what youād like to offer up for auction. Do you have valuable items, unique experiences, or extraordinary services that could make a tremendous impact?Ā You can come up with something new and creative or if you have hosted a popular event that sold out in the past, you can offer it twice! We love your participation and enthusiasm. YOU are always what makes our auction great. Here are some ideas for donation:Ā
Unique Items, Fun events, Professional Services, Travel Packages, VIP Access, Dining Experiences, Nature Hike , Party ,Ā Concerts,Ā Sports or Game Tournament,Ā Teach a class.Ā Ā
Do you have a hosted event or an item to donate? Please fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/FxmvB7SeZaJyXYJs6
This is always our biggest fundraiser of the year and you make it possible!
Contact: AUC...@chaliceuu.org.Ā
Our UU Cluster Friends in SLO are asking for our helpĀ
for this hard-working immigrantĀ
seeking housing in our area while he attends CSUCI.
Hi Fellow UUs,
Nabeel is a very special person. In many ways, heās become our son; our grandson! We have followed his progress, found him a pro bono attorney through ILDC in Santa Barbara, and advised him in so many ways to help him settle in and assimilate into this country. He has done this without any other Pakistani friends nearby. He has worked hard, graduated from our local community college, worked overnight shifts at a local gas station for over a year, made a lifelong friend with his host, June Minikel, who regards him as her āgrandson.āĀ Nabeel has been able to send money home to his very poor parents in Pakistan, and buy himself an aging hybrid car. He speaks 6 languages fluently and earned straight āAāsā at Cuesta College (maybe a couple āBāsā). And heās so excited to be attending CSU!Ā His self-sufficiency and motivation is remarkable.
He has 69 credits to earn at CSU before his graduation, and he is reasonably certain he can do that in one year plus next summer, so his need for housing will be approximately one year-18 months max. Classes start August 26.Ā
If anyone wants to speak to me about Nabeel, please feel free to reach me by phone number or email:Ā
Gina Whitaker
UU San Luis Obispo
Chalice has many Social Action groupsĀ
to engage with on a monthly basis!Ā
Racial & Cultural Justice Team: 1st Monday zoom meetings at 5:30pm each month.
BIPOC UU Tri-County Collaborative: 2nd Thursday of the month, every other month - Next meeting September 12th 6 pmĀ
The Citizenās Climate Lobby Meeting: 2nd Saturday of the month - 9 amĀ
Chalice Climate Action Team Meeting: 4th Sunday of the Month @ 12:30 (no meeting in July) will resume in August
Community Forum Team meeting: 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.Ā
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, clickĀ on:Ā
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1260868657268458/ Ā
Yes, as we have seen in the updated news cycles, odds have gotten better for a close election in November. We welcome the good news with renewed energy and determination!
Ā We are currently working on the Georgia postcards. There is substantial inventory available, so please continue to order (in bundles of 30) from Jill. Pamela will be out of town for a few weeks. The dates for mailing have been changed due to slower postage delivery in Georgia. Our new deadline is September 15-30, though we hope to have them all back by September 20.Ā
Ā We continue to text with VoteRiders. The next text bank event is Monday, July 29 at 4pm Here is the link to register https://mobilize.us/s/Bx2OYS If you have not done it before, they will explain how it works before any texting is done. Try it! You will be surprised how easy it is.
Ā We have booked a training session with The League of Womenās Voters for registering high school to vote. This is happening at Chalice, upstairs in Room 1, on Saturday, August 24 at 9:30am. Runs about 1 1/2 hours. Some have already registered for this event. But there is still room to attend. If you would like to join, please email me and I will forward the registration link to you, as long as we have spots.Ā
Finally, the service on Sunday, August 11, will be dedicated to UUtheVote. Please join in person or online. Pamela Lopez will present updated information about the history and impact of voting. Pamela and Jill will also talk about where we stand with this year's Good Trouble Congregation.Ā
Ā There will be a special collection to help with funding our UUtheVote Campaign. This is a perfect opportunity for you to donate and add some teeth to our fight to save democracy.
We are hoping to have our after service meeting in The Lounge that day instead of the Board Room. Please come to Stamp, ask quesions, make suggestions or just bring your good energy and join us
then.
Ā Keep the Faith!
Love,
Pamela and Jill
Friday, July 26
7:30pm Movie Group 1 (zoom)
Saturday, July 27
7:30am AA Meeting - Lounge
10:00am OA Meeting - The Nest
Sunday, July 28
10:00am Chalice Worship Service (Zoom 2)
5:00pm Newcomer AA Meeting
Wednesday, July 31
7:00pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, August 1
10:30am Jonquil Women's Group (zoom)
Other ways to get involved or stay connected:
Ā 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
Take the Chalice Involvement in Groups, Committees, Social Justice and more Survey: How you are engaging with Chalice at this time. Click: Here
Visiting or new to Chalice and wish to receive and share more about yourself? Take this survey: Let's Get ConnectedĀ
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.Ā Ā
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.