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
May 16 - Community Check In with Rev. Nica - 5-6 pm on Zoom
May 17 - Chuck McKinnon Celebration of Life - 3pm in the Sanctuary
May 18 - Starting Point Session 2 - Noon in the Nest
May 23 - Community Forum: “Young Voices for Democracy”- 7 pm Hybrid
Young Adults are invited to come at 6 pm for pizza and conversation. Please Register in Advance:
https://bit.ly/YoungVoicesforDemocracy
Community Check-In with Rev. Nica
TODAY: Friday, May 16th 5-6 pm
Reverend Nica will be hosting a Zoom gathering check-in
on Friday, May 16th from 5 - 6 pm. Join in this time together for sharing what’s on your heart. It will be an opportunity to witness one another, not to solve problems, but to be heard.
Please have a candle or chalice ready to light in your space.
Zoom Link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/2921204025?omn=99913976691
Chuck McKinnon Celebration of Life
Saturday, May 17th 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary
We invite you to join us to celebrate the life of our beloved member Chuck McKinnon at 3 pm in our Sanctuary on Saturday, May 17th. 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.
SUNDAY SERVICE
Onsite & Online ~ 10 am
Reverend Nica Eaton
Dream
What dreams might take flight if nothing stood in your way? In this service of wonder and imagination, we’ll explore what becomes possible when we unshackle ourselves from limitation and dare to envision a life guided by our deepest longings. Join Rev. Nica as we stretch the boundaries of what we believe is possible—within ourselves, our community, and the world.
Link for the Zoom Meeting at 10 am:
https://zoom.us/j/209555249?pwd=dkVSdDE1ZWh5dHBVcXo2ZHVKQUJkQT09
Meeting ID: 209 555 249
Phone: 16699009128
Password: 2020
You can also view our Livestream on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChaliceUUF
Congratulations last week’s special collection for the Autism Society of Ventura County Celebrating the Autistic Mind Art Show raised over $520! Thank you all for your generosity and the difference you make!
Chalice Lighting
To start your day, a meeting, or before a meal
We kindle this flame,
Honoring the doorways in our souls:
The windows through which we gaze at one another
The balconies where we catch glimpses of sky
The thresholds we stand on this morning
Wondering, hoping, fearing, dreaming.
~ Florence Caplow
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.
Starting Point Session 2
May 18th Noon in the Lounge
This Sunday May 18th 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Come join us Sunday to hear from various organizations on how we can support our neighbors who are immigrants in this especially unsettled time. Speakers include:
1. Christine Cardona-Threadgill, Friends of Fieldworkers
2. Beatriz Basurto, 805UndocuFund
3. Peter De Domenico, Immigration Attorney
4. Vallerie Aguilar Quintanilla, Buen Vecino
5. Willie Lubka, Buen Vecino
Flyer is attached. It would be great if we had some leadership from our various communities showing up for this to carry info back to folks!
Thanks,
Pastor Emily Ebert
--
Rev. Emily M.M. Ebert (she/her)
Associate Pastor
Young Voices for Democracy
Jada Johnson – Power California, Field Manager
Shu-Yen Wei - Run For Something, Western Regional Director
Connie “Tie” Gutierrez – Thousand Oaks City Council member
Ashley Orozco – Conejo Recreation & Park District Board member
Lizbeth Naranjo - Oxnard College Fellow with Buen Vecino
Moderator: Mel Espinoza – Buen Vecino, Integrated Volunteer Engagement Organizer
Friday, May 23rd – 7:00 p.m. PT (In person* and via Zoom)
Hear from a panel of young activists and ask your questions!
Our youth are our future!
*Young adults are invited for pizza and connection at 6 pm in the Chalice Lounge! Please pre-register!
Topics to include:
· How young people are strengthening our democracy
· Increasing youth voter engagement
· Introducing and supporting future leaders
Co-sponsor:
*Event location: Chalice UU – 3331 Old Conejo Rd, Newbury Park
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://bit.ly/YoungVoicesforDemocracy
R U Game?
Join Us for an Afternoon of Fun and Connection
You’re invited to a delightful gathering to enjoy Mexican Train games, build connections, and have fun! Here are the details:
· Date: Saturday, June 14
· Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
· Location: Chalice, Room 1 (upstairs, turn left and go straight back)
· We will set up tables for up to 16 players to enjoy Mexican Train games.
· Water will be provided for the first game.
· You are welcome to bring a snack and a beverage of your own.
The event is part of our Community Connections outreach program, aimed at creating meaningful opportunities to engage and have fun with others at Chalice.
To ensure we set up the tables accordingly,
Please RSVP to Jill no later than Wednesday, June 11.
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing a memorable afternoon of FUN and camaraderie!
Jill Lewis
Do you have a notice you’d like to post: a request or a service you can offer, a spare bedroom to rent, a ride to share? We have a new bulletin board called “Community Connections” available in the Chalice foyer to share information such as the need for dog sitting, Handy person, rides etc. Feel free to post your flyers there… just remember to take the notice down when the need is filled!
Help show our welcoming love!
Volunteer for a shift at the Chalice table for these events:
June 7 - Camarillo Pride Contact: Laurie at Oberla...@yahoo.com
June 28 - Oxnard Pride Contact: Randall at randalled...@gmail.com
August 16 - Ventura Pride Contact: Sam at d...@chaliceuu.org
General Assembly 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. Each year in June. This year, it will be held in Baltimore with the option to attend in person or virtually. You can learn more at: https://www.uua.org/ga
Chalice has 4 delegates based on our membership. These Delegates represent Chalice and vote on our behalf during the General sessions.
I hope one of them will be you!
General sessions are the Business meetings of our Faith. They can be cost-free for Delegates and are as follows.
General Session I: Wed. June 18th at 3:00 - 4:00 pm PST
General Session II: Thur. June 19th at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST
General Session III: Fri. June 20th at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST
General Session IV: Sat. June 21st at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST
General Session V: Sun. June 22th at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST
Each year, Delegates vote on Congregational Study Action Issues (CSAI). Here are this year's issues for consideration:
Fat Liberation: Building Justice and Inclusion for Larger Bodies
Housing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
These General Session meetings are conducted by a Moderator who serves for a single term of six years. This year, we will elect a new moderator or co-moderators, who take office immediately after GA 2025. The term of the current co-moderators, Rev. Meg Riley and Charles du Mond, ends after GA 2025
Learn more about the candidates' qualifications and goals in their own words in the candidate statements and interviews linked below:
Natasha Walker, Developmental Board Chair at Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), who is running as an individual candidate. Read the statement. Read the interview.
Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson, minister of the UU Congregation of the South Fork on Long Island in Bridgehampton, New York, and Bill Young, a trustee on the UUA Board who also served as the UUA Secretary from 2020–2024, who are running as a team. If elected, Johnson and Young will serve as co-moderators. Read the statement. Read the interview.
Aside from the General sessions, the weekend is filled with worship, workshops, music, and collaborations. It’s truly a wonderful way to deepen your faith, explore passions, and understand the works of our denomination. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience it at some point.
Please let me know if you plan to attend and are willing to represent Chalice as a Delegate. To share your thoughts regarding the issues or candidates, please email GADel...@chaliceuu.org
In Fellowship, Annie Barker, pres...@ChaliceUU.org
Always Something Special Happening at
DeBenneville Pines!
SAVE the DATE for Chalice Camp Weekend
Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28, 2025
A special time for Chalice members and neighbors to enjoy the calm and beautiful mountains with hikes, archery, crafts, connections, and conversations.
Chalice Weekend Retreat: Sept. 26-28
Reach out to Annie or David Barker at:
Anniez...@gmail.com or Davida...@gmail.com
More Info Here:
www.uucamp.org https://www.uucamp.org/camp-calendar/?blm_aid=692875265
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.
Hi Chalice Members!
You may have seen the announcement in News & Notes on February 28th regarding the clean-up work at Chalice. If not, here is a link to that N&N: N&N 2.28.25.
This link will take you to pictures of the current items we wish to remove from the building: Pictures of Chalice Items:
Please take a look, and reach out to BBU...@chaliceuu.org if you or your committee/group use them at Chalice, or want them for yourself.
Timing is of the essence.
Please keep your eyes on News & Notes for future items, or save the “Pictures of Chalice Items” link to see latest items up for grabs.
Thank you,
Your Better Building Use Team
(aka BBUT)
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/
Is there anyone who should support this more than “the Love People?”
Please join us for the Love Run to benefit Senior Concerns’ Meals on Wheels Program!
You don’t even have to run!!!
The in person event takes place on June 1st.
But join the Chalice UU virtual run team and run/walk whenever you want!
Register here, selecting “Carol’s Tribe Virtual Run” and then “Chalice UU:”
https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-1765369?raceId=14443
Questions? Email randalled...@gmail.com
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
Visiting or new to Chalice and wish to receive and share more about yourself? Take this survey: Let's Get Connected
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:
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.