Beloved Community,

Today is the last day to complete the Innovation Culture Index, a brief but important questionnaire that will help guide the launch of our Innovation Lab at CCSM. Your voice matters! Follow the link below to take the survey by midnight, tonight.

Take the questionnaire here: https://mqxazakjof6.typeform.com/CCSanMateo

Access Code: 9indicators

The Innovation Lab is a Lilly Endowment funded initiative through the Ministry Leadership Center (formerly the Center for Youth Ministry Training). It empowers churches to imagine and build bold, responsive ministries shaped by theology and community needs. At CCSM, our Innovation Lab Team will focus specifically on strengthening our Children, Youth, and Families Ministry.

This Sunday we're excited to welcome Meghan Hatcher, Senior Director of Ministry Strategies and our Innovation Lab Coach, to CCSM! Meghan will preach during worship, where we'll also commission our CCSM Innovation Team as they begin their work following the service.

I hope you will join us for worship, and hold this team in prayer as they begin their journey of discernment, imagination, and action.

In hope,

Jessica

Wondering what the Innovation Lab is all about?

“The Innovation Lab is a Lilly Endowment grant-funded initiative of the Ministry Leadership Center, a Christian nonprofit based in Nashville, Tenn. We walk alongside all types of ministries, not just youth ministries! The Lab partners with individuals and faith communities to develop innovative ministries that are responsive to people’s needs and assets, theologically informed, and transformative. We do this by guiding Innovation Teams, made up of people from a church/ministry, through our Theological Innovation Process while attending to the organizational culture of the ministry setting so that innovation is effective and sustainable.”

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for Last Sunday's Entire Service

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon,

"Planting Hope"

CHURCH SNAPSHOTS

Thank you to everyone who helped support our Service Learning Trip to Tucson by attending the Spaghetti Fundraiser Lunch this past weekend, and thank you to our trip participants (and friends) for hosting such a fun and delicious lunch!

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Thursday, May 1

9:00 AM — Casual Bike Riders, CCSM Parking Lot (Contact John Ebneter, jebneter@aol.com)

10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Food Court at Hillsdale Mall (Contact: Linda Skromme)

NO Samaritan House Meal Service today

Friday, May 2

1:30 - 3:00 PM — Bella Voce Rehearsal, Fireplace Room

NO Samaritan House Meal Service today

Saturday, May 3

8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (Contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)

Sunday, May 4

9:45 - 10:15 AM — Joyful Noise Kids' Choir/Music Program, Fireplace Room

10:45 AM — Children / Youth Program

10:30 - 11:30 AM — Worship Service, in person and online

11:30 AM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall

Monday, May 5

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

Tuesday, May 6

10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Food Court, Hillsdale Mall (Contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM — Our Home San Mateo, 3rd floor conference room

Wednesday, May 7

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship Service, Kloss Hall

View our full calendar on our website

COMING UP

Healthy Homes:

Replacing Fossil Fuel Gases

Saturday, May 10, 10am-1pm

A free event at CCSM!

(Sponsored by Peninsula Interfaith Climate Action & CCSM Environmental Justice Ministry)

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Did you know that the air circulating in your kitchen and throughout your home is some of the most polluted air you breathe due to burning & the leakage of fossil fuel gas?

Come hear from environmental scientist Professor Rob Jackson, Ph.D of Stanford University, Doerr School of Sustainability discuss his work on measuring & reducing GHG emissions as outlined in his new book, Into the Clear Blue Sky.

Learn about resources from Peninsula Clean Energy to help you in your effort to make your home both greener and healthier.

Hear from a panel of local homeowners who will share their journeys to fully electrify their homes.

*To reserve a seat for this free in-person event, please click HERE to register.

RSVP for

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT!

May 10, 6-8pm

(Childcare from 5:30-8:30pm at CCSM)

Join other CCSM parents for a casual evening of connection (with food and drinks!) at the Grabow home.

RSVP to Troy at grabowt@gmail.com.

Learn About Church Friends

You may have read in a recent issue of Pine Tree about an important community-building initiative at CCSM called “Church Friends”. The initiative is an effort to facilitate the building of new friendships at CCSM and the strengthening of existing ties. Both longer-standing members as well as new members of CCSM are being matched for a set timeframe to help provide them with mutual support, companionship, and friendship.

To learn more about the program and to hear from current church friends on their experiences, please join us for a Zoom event on Monday, May 12 from 7-8pm. We hope that as more CCSM folks become familiar with Church Friends, they will also participate. You can also read more about Church Friends on page 5 of the latest Pine Tree newsletter.

To attend this Zoom event, simply click on the following link at 7pm on Mon May 12: (https://us02eb.zoom.us/j/84452134017). Hosted by Gary H. White and Carol Henton.

CCSM & YOU: NEW MEMBER LUNCH

Sunday, May 18, 12:00–2:00 pm

Whether you're new to CCSM or have been around a while, this lunch is a chance to learn more about our church, explore ways to get involved, and connect with others finding their place in our community. Contact Rev. Jessica at jessica@ccsm-ucc.org to learn more or RSVP—we’d love to welcome you more fully into the life of our church!

Order your CCSM Hat!

Would you like a CCSM hat to help block the sun and show CCSM pride wherever you go? Reach out to Tony Gallo to place your order today! (Prices will vary based on hat size and total order)

UCC 2024 DONOR HIGHLIGHTS

Take a look at this report from the United Church of Christ to be encouraged at the ways our denomination is making a difference globally.

Click HERE to see the latest newsletter on this topic.

Remembering Genevieve Parsons

Genevieve West Parsons, a member of CCSM since 1951 and beloved aunt to Tina, Carter, Bill, Peter, and JW Lowrie, passed away on April 25, 2025, three days short of her 93rd birthday. Genevieve and her husband John were married here at CCSM in 1963 and spent many happy years here.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Job Position: Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Director

We're seeking a creative and passionate leader to guide our children and youth in their faith journeys. Our CYF Director will cultivate an inclusive, engaging environment where young people and their families explore spirituality, build community, and engage in social justice. If you're called to nurture the next generation's faith development through innovative programming and meaningful relationships, we invite you to learn more about this opportunity.