Reverend Nica Eaton-Guinn
Today we celebrate the wonder of the new. New life, new experiences, new growth all teach us important lessons. Today, we will be honoring our newest Chalice members and dedicating the lives of newborns and children in our congregation. Join us to wonder what newness might bring to our lives. Please stay after the service for a congregational conversation with our Site Visioning Team.
Opening Hymn – #1000 Morning Has Come (all 3 verses)
Welcome – Reverend Nica Eaton-Guinn
Introduction – Annie Barker
Call to Worship – Reverend Nica & Annie Barker
Chalice Lighting – Reverend Nica & Annie Barker
Opening Hymn – #338 I seek the Spirit of a Child
Child Dedication Ceremony – Sam Dickerson & Reverend Nica Eaton-Guinn
Scarlet and Chloe Niebergall & Family
Ellis Ruiz
Chad Darden
Ndzole Contini
Aria Frankel
Hunter Dubois (via Zoom)
Manna Collection – Sam Dickerson
Offering Words – Annie Barker
Offering Music – Video: Nina Simone “Feeling Good”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHRNrgDIJfo
Joys and Sorrows – You may write your Joys and Sorrows in the chatbox during the service if you are online. If you are in person please fill out an index card.
Memorial Candle – For Mark Grisez
Singing Our Children Out – Reverend Nica Eaton-Guinn
Meditation – Reverend Nica Eaton
Meditation Hymn – Hymn: #402 From You I Receive
New Member Ceremony – Reverend Nica Eaton-Guinn & Annie Barker
Mike Bloebaum
Silvia Garcia Hutchins
Birgit Gros
Alex Holland
Laurie & Russ Martin
Julie Mohr
Melisa Sharpe
Frederik Sisa
Reprise – Hymn: #402 From You I Receive (2x)
Homily – Wonder of the New – Reverend Nica Eaton-Guinn
Closing Hymn – #301 Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky! (Vs. 1-4)
Benediction – Reverend Nica Eaton-Guinn
Announcements – Annie Barker
Postlude – Anthony Concepcion
Meet Chalice’s New Members:
Mike Bloebaum
Education:
AB Washington University, St. Louis 1963
MFA film production, UCLA 1970
Ed.D higher education and work, UCLA 1988
My work career has been largely in communication. First, as a copywriter and producer of advertising at D’Arcy Advertising in St. Louis. Vietnam interrupted my career. There I served as an Army Intelligence officer and was awarded the Bronze Star. After a medical discharge from the army, I went to UCLA for a Masters degree in film production, after which I began my media career in documentary film.
That career included everything from small educational films to major documentaries for network television. However, production work was occasionally interrupted by trips to the unemployment office. Big career decision. I spent the next 23 years in education, first teaching television production and related classes and, finally, as Dean of the Communication division at Pasadena City College. After retirement in 2004 we moved to Northern California where I returned to my filmmaking passion and produced a number of half hour documentaries for Sacramento PBS which were then uploaded to the PBS stations around the country.
My wife Margaret and I enjoy traveling. She boasts having visited all seven continents! Margaret’s daughter and two granddaughters live in Dallas, and my two daughters, husbands and grandsons are in Pasadena.
Birgit Gros
I was introduced to Unitarian Universalism through a close friend about twenty years ago. I’ve been part of several UU congregations since that time. When a close friend invited me to join her to attend Chalice a few months before the Pandemic I knew that this was the right place for me. I chose Unitarian Universalism because it most closely aligns with my own values. Several years ago I developed a mindfulness practice that helped me get through 2020 and continues to enrich my life. I also enjoy hiking the trails of our local mountains, traveling with my husband and visiting our grandson. I recently started drawing and writing again.
Alex Holland
Hey I’m Alex, I’m 17 and I’ve been at Chalice my whole life. I’m into all forms of music and science and may want to combine the two and study music scientifically in the future. I also enjoy video games. What I like about Chalice is that it’s my spiritual home and the people are wonderful.
Silvia Garcia Hutchins
I am a Southern California woman who loves hiking, weaving, gardening, and learning about people. I have painted houses, was a career counselor for a while, and taught elementary school for several years. I have been a UU all my life, but only joined a UU church in 1984. 2022 was a year of changes. My beloved husband died, my son and daughter-in-law moved in with me, and I joined Chalice. I love the music, the beauty of the sanctuary, and the wisdom in the sermons at Chalice, and hope to grow spiritually and fit into the Chalice community.
Russ and Laurie Martin
We met in a church and have been looking at different churches over time. In researching for a spiritual and not-religious-specific church (open to the world’s ideas), we came across the website for Chalice and were very intrigued to explore. We have been very happy with both the ideas expressed and the people we have met. We are excited to explore both further. Thank you for allowing us to join with you on your journey! We are humbled to do so and hope to support both the church and its missions as best we can!
-Russ has a degree in business/technology and enjoys graphic and web design on the side
-Laurie is a social worker and provides support for those receiving dialysis
-We both love our Labrador/Australian Shepherd (Kota – an indigenous word for “friend”/”ally”)
Julie Mohr
My name is Julie Mohr and I live in Camarillo with my two Siamese Cats. I am working part-time in the area of hospice and home healthcare as a case manager which I find very fulfilling. I am a political and social activist and belong to several community organizations. I’ve written children’s books about food and nutrition (and these are available in your Chalice library). I promote good health and healthy eating through Juice Plus and get all of my fresh food through my tower garden which is my hobby. I joined Chalice because it offers many opportunities to expand my spirituality, particularly in the area of social justice.
Melisa Sharpe & Frédérik Sisa
Melisa
As a lifelong Angeleno, it has been hard for me to find a local community in Ventura County since my husband, Frédérik, and I moved to Camarillo at the end of 2019. While I’ve never been a member of a church before, I’ve had the occasion to attend a variety of different services with friends over the years exploring different paths. The openness and acceptance of Chalice has made me feel welcome and I’m happy to find a community here, with people who care about the world and each other. I look forward to deepening my Buddhist and Pagan practices as I get to know more of my fellow congregation members.
Frédérik
Originally from Canada, specifically Montreal and Toronto, I’ve called California home for over 20 years. My personal spiritual practice is Buddhist and secular humanist, with pagan influences. I’m excited to join Chalice with my wife Melisa and find here a new spiritual home after the meditation society we practiced with in LA fell apart. I particularly look forward to strengthening my connection with our congregation through efforts such as the Living Dharma Connection, social justice work, and fellowship with open-minded, loving, and activist people.