Beloved Community,

Early this week I was able to take a quick trip with my sister, nieces, and nephews to Monterey. My sister commented on Monday night that it was the last night of summer- and as a teacher who reported back to school yesterday, it essentially was.

I know that culturally Labor Day has historically marked the last day of summer, kids would head back to school and people would wrap up their summer vacations or work hours. I had to chuckle this week because of a post Anne Lamott shared on her Facebook page lamenting how August is not her favorite month, and amongst her list of humorous complaints was that August is now when kids go back to school: “This is just so wrong. Everyone knows that school starts the Tuesday after Labor Day, it says so in the bible. Somewhere, possibly in Ecclesiastes, right after ‘To everything there is a season, turn, turn, turn.””

August now feels like a season of new beginnings, rather than the lazy final stretch of summer.

Ecclesiastes reminds us, "For everything there is a season." Seasons change, and so do the rhythms of our lives. Students now begin school weeks before Labor Day. Families return from vacations earlier. Retirees often wait until September to travel when things quiet down. As our lives change, so too must the ways we gather as a church.

At CCSM, we are feeling that same shifting in rhythms. For many years, our “Homecoming” Sunday has been held after Labor Day, the 2nd Sunday in September, after summer unofficially comes to an end. But since our program year now begins earlier and it’s gotten harder to find volunteers to host Homecoming in September, we’re trying something new this year: a Back-to-School Sunday as our “new” Homecoming. It better reflects the rhythm our community is already living and allows us to gather before the busy fall season is fully underway.

Later this fall we also have a community wide potluck meal on Sunday, October 4, as part of our World Communion Sunday celebrations. Another chance to slow down, share a table, and remember we're part of something much bigger than our own calendars.

We could still use a few volunteers to help with our Back-to-School Festivities, where we will gather on the lawn for a delicious time of fellowship and connection. Worship will have a special lesson for all ages and blessing of the backpacks for all students, teachers, school staff, and all who are beginning a new season of learning- so please invite your family and friends. If you are able, we would love for you to bring a side dish or dessert to share, but most importantly, bring yourself.

As summer wraps up, and school begins, I hope you’ll join us as we mark this new season together.

In hope,

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

High energy, big smiles, and tons of sandwiches made for Open Cathedral!

Betsy Woodward and Phil Lind receiving a Posy Posse delivery as we keep Andrew in our prayers.

Summer Youth Group Finale: Making Slime!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Village Pub is Back with a New Day & Time 🍻

Friday, August 14 from 6 - 7:30pm on the front lawn

Join us for our next Village Pub on Friday, August 14th from 6:00pm – 7:30pm! We’re shaking things up with a new day, time and location! We'll be bringing tables onto the front lawn and firing up the grill with hot dogs, burgers, and grilled veggies. As always, there will be meaningful conversation and connection. All ages welcome. Childcare will also be provided! Please email Dave Olsen, if you need childcare.

This is a perfect, low-key opportunity to connect with new people, catch up with familiar faces, and enjoy a summer evening with your community.

Back to School Sunday is Coming This August! 🎒🍔

Volunteers Still Needed; Sunday, August 16

This August, we are excited to introduce Back to School Sunday—our new take on our traditional Homecoming Sunday! We have shifted this beloved event up from its usual date in early September to better align with the start of the school year, but it will carry the same warm, high-energy vibe you know and love.

Event Highlights:

10:30 AM Worship & Blessing: We'll kick things off in the sanctuary with a special backpack blessing for all students, teachers, and school staff.
Front Lawn BBQ & Fellowship: Immediately following worship, join us outside for lunch, music, and plenty of fun and games for all ages.

We Need Volunteers! 🤝

An event this fun takes a village! We are looking for volunteers to help with setup, food serving, and running games. Click here to pick a volunteer slot and help make this event a success!

Volunteer

Second Hour: Transit for a Green World

Sunday, August 23 after worship in the Buckham Room

Join us for our next second hour with Una Fonte! Una grew up legally blind in rural Vermont, an hour's walk from a bus that came when it felt like it. After a transformative time abroad in Germany, she began organizing in the US for climate and mobility justice. Una turned that experience into a body of work arguing that transportation access is the thread connecting climate, disability, and social justice more broadly.

Una is a friend of Zoe Neil from Smith who majored in Environmental Science and Policy and is a disability, transit, and climate activist.

Faith, Fellowship, & Baseball: Join Us at the SF Giants Game! ⚾

Wednesday, September 23

Join your CCSM friends along with others from area UCC churches and help express our expansive faith at the upcoming SF Giants game on Wednesday, September 23 (12:45pm start) and for the 10:00am pre-game discussion on the intersection of faith and sports. Tickets are available for $14 each and will be available only via the following link through August 24.

Buy Tickets

LEARN & TAKE ACTION

A big thank you to everyone who has hosted our Happy Coffee Hour! We are now looking for volunteer hosts for the rest of the year .

Hosting is simple, fun, and a wonderful way to support our CCSM community. Never hosted before? We’ll gladly pair you with an experienced host so you can see just how easy it is! You can also team up and sign up with a friend.

Thank you for helping keep this cherished community time available to all. Please email Melodie to get the sign-up link or to ask questions!

Looking for Donations: Tech Upgrade for Our Team! 📱

Do you have an old iPad or tablet lying around that you haven't gotten around to recycling or donating just yet? We would love to give it a second life!

Our team is currently looking for two iPads or similar tablets to help our ministries run more smoothly. Here is how they will be used:

Tablet 1 (Audio/Visual Team): To help manage our sound, lighting, and media systems during services.
Tablet 2 (Events & Operations): For staff and volunteers to handle check-ins at special events (like our upcoming concert!), and to help our team utilize Church Center, payroll apps, and more.

If you have a functioning tablet you’d be willing to gift to the church, please drop it off at the main office or reply directly to this newsletter. Thank you for your continued generosity and support!

Bench Project Update: Benches are Fully Sponsored!

Support Still Needed for Plants and Planters

A huge thank you to our community—all of our Cedar Benches have been fully funded! We are still accepting gifts for planters, plants, and soil to complete this warm, welcoming space designed for conversation, reflection, and rest on the loggia.

Note: Renderings are concepts only; final planter styles and plant selections will be finalized after bench installation.

Remaining Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsor a Complete Planter: $500
Co-Sponsor a Planter: $250
Sponsor Plants & Soil: $200
Co-Sponsor Plants & Soil: $100
Gift of Any Amount: Every contribution helps!

How to Give

To make a donation, simply open the Church Center app (or the Give page of our website) and select "Loggia Bench Project" from the Fund drop-down menu. Please click the "Add a memo" and make a note of what you would like to support.

Thank you for your generosity in helping our community space grow!

Inspiring Delegation to El Salvador

November 9 - 15

Join a transformative journey of solidarity to El Salvador. Walk in the footsteps of Saint Óscar Romero and connect with local communities fighting for environmental justice, LGBTQI+ inclusion, disability rights, and workers’ dignity. It’s more than a trip—it's a pilgrimage to renew your faith and commitment to justice.

Cost: $2,000 (covers lodging, meals, ground transport, and translation; airfare not included)

For more information, please contact Rev. Rhina Ramos.

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