In recent years, UUs have made a commitment to reconsider the cultural and colonial foundations of the Thanksgiving tradition, in counsel and relationship with First Nations and Indigenous communities. This virtual worship service is intentiona

Change the World with Love

Dec 1st, 2022 22m 39s

Whatever happens in our elections, there will be change afoot. Life continuously presents us with challenge and change, whether that’s aging, our politics, or even the upcoming changes around our Sanctuary. Today we explore trusting that we can

Climate Healers – Learn How You Can Be One!

Dec 1st, 2022 27m 10s

See the video that inspired this service. How animal agriculture is a leading cause for climate change, and how we can make a difference. https://youtu.be/8YQa3u5ZWvY There’s so much doom and gloom about the climate changes our planet is facing

It takes Courage to be UU

Oct 23rd, 2022 25m 33s

What does it take to be a Unitarian Universalist? How has our history taught us about courage? Today we explore the courage required to be UU and what it takes to be willing to keep growing, changing, reinventing, and pushing society’s edges.

Was that me roaring?

Oct 9th, 2022 22m 36s

Courage? I take heart from the cowardly lion, in the Wizard of Oz. What if we all have the courage needed for life but we find reason to disempower our super power. Join us as we explore what courage is versus our internal conversation.

Courage for the Future

Oct 2nd, 2022 25m 27s

Does the future feel uncertain and perhaps even scary to you? With growing climate issues, social division, wars and violence all increasing, how do we find courage and hope for the future? Join us to help nurture courage and resilience for the

Why go to church or a spiritual community?

Sep 25th, 2022 21m 30s

Why do you attend Chalice? Is it for the community, the spiritual growth, or the commitment to justice work and love in action? Is it because of the friendly people of all ages, our wonderful children and elders, reminding you, you are not alon

Covenanting to Belong

Sep 18th, 2022 21m 13s

Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith , as opposed to a creedal one. This means we covenant how to be together in community, how we treat one another, how we care for each other and the wider world. Our covenants emerge from our values.

We Belong Together ~ Ingathering

Sep 11th, 2022 9m 47s

Ingathering is our annual service celebrating our community. We will share a special water ceremony, enjoy amazing music, and celebrate Chalice folk coming together after years of pandemic and separation.

Navigating Change

Aug 28th, 2022 24m 57s

This week Rev. Nica has returned from dropping her son off at college, and her summer break. Families are returning from summer vacations and sending kids back to school. It’s a time of big transitions for all. We will bless the backpacks we us

Tales from Camp: Lessons Learned in the Woods

Aug 21st, 2022 23m 13s

DeBenneville Pines is a beautiful UU camp in the San Bernardino mountains. This summer saw the first youth camps held since the pandemic began. Ayanna Gaines had the opportunity to serve as a staff member for both elementary and high school cam

Getting into Good Trouble

Aug 14th, 2022 22m 18s

We will explore the obstacles affecting our sacred rights to vote, and are invited to Get Into Good Trouble by UUing the Vote. Our member and good trouble activist, Pamela Lopez, will be leading the service. Our Special Collection will benefit

Finding Kindness in a Cruel World

Jul 24th, 2022 25m 34s

Today we explore how to find and create more kindness and compassion in a world that is often cruel and filled with suffering. Join us to explore ‘nurturance culture’ and the possibility of more loving lives.

Inspiration from our Wider Faith – our UU General Assembly

Jul 10th, 2022 25m 14s

Last month several Chalice members attended our annual Unitarian Universalist General Assembly. Today Rev. Nica and members share inspiration, updates, and lessons about our wider faith tradition with our Chalice community.

The True Meaning of Independence

Jul 3rd, 2022 25m 35s

Time flies by in the blink of an eye. We’ll explore how freedom and independence of thought creates, as a UU, a life designed with interdependence on independence.

In It Together – Celebrating Our Community’s Blessings

Jun 12th, 2022 23m 1s

As we navigate these challenging times, we are so grateful to have community with whom we can share our ups and downs and grow together. Today we celebrate the many blessings of our community, and share the strength, gifts, and blessings we mig

Blessed By Your Gifts

Jun 5th, 2022 19m 52s

Today we honor those who have gifted us their commitment, curiosity, and fellowship. Our Bridging Seniors encourage us to adapt with the times and remind us to welcome the seeker. Our RE volunteers are love in action, reminding us that “church

Rooted Together

May 29th, 2022 16m 44s

The natural world is a beautiful teacher of the possibility of relationship surrounding us — and the harmony possible in community. What truth and connection might we find just outside our back doors? How might we learn some powerful lessons fr

Nurturing Beauty in a Broken World

May 1st, 2022 22m 20s

“In a time of destruction, create something: a poem, a parade, a community, a school, a vow, a moral principle; one peaceful moment,” writes Maxine Hong Kingston. During difficult times, how do we find what is beautiful and allow that to nouris

Love is Stronger than Death

Apr 17th, 2022 10m 51s

This Easter Sunday we explore the nature of love and its power to outlast even death. Join us for a Unitarian Universalist interpretation of the Easter story, as well as our traditional, annual Flower Celebration. Please bring a flower to share

Awakening our Bodies

Apr 10th, 2022 24m 13s

Our bodies are extraordinary vessels through which we experience life and this existence. Yet often we struggle with our bodies, seeing them as somehow separate from our mind and heart. Today, we explore how we awaken our bodies, listen to, and

Renewing Faith: What’s THAT Supposed to Mean?

Mar 27th, 2022 13m 1s

Renewing Faith- It sounds obvious enough. But once you begin to think about out it, all sorts of questions pop up. What is our faith? As individuals? As a denomination? Does it change over time? And how does one go about renewing it? Join us as

Faith, the Good, the Bad, and the Daily

Mar 20th, 2022 33m 59s

A whole and happy life is impossible without faith, or trust, that in a world that often seems senseless, there is indeed good reason to get up in the morning and carry on. What keeps you going? When I was 14 my Dad gave me J.B. Phillips’ littl

Love your Neighbor

Mar 13th, 2022 33m 12s

Most religious texts call on us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This week, we join with many Santa Barbara and Ventura County religious institutions to celebrate “Love your Neighbor” weekend. Willie Lubka will be joining Reverend Nic

Faith in our Future

Mar 6th, 2022 32m 3s

“We are the ones we have been waiting for,” wrote June Jordan in her “Poem for South African Women,” which she presented at the U.N. in August 1978. Today, we hear from long time members as well as younger, newer members about what inspires the