CCSM CONNECTIONS: December 11, 2024

Image from Stonewall Columbus

Beloved Community,

Last Sunday, as we explored how "a threefold cord is not easily broken," we witnessed the truth of those words coming alive through our community as our CYF ministry led caroling after church, and several of you delivered poinsettias to members all over the peninsula. This week, our calendar brims with opportunities to strengthen this sacred cord – from sharing cookies at our Christmas exchange, to delivering more poinsettias, or gathering for Las Posadas next Wednesday evening. Each action, no matter how simple, reminds someone they're not alone.

As we light the candle of Joy on this third Sunday of Advent, we're called to "Do the Good that Is Yours to Do." Sometimes that good is as simple as showing up – at a worship service, a coffee hour, or to serve a meal in Kloss Hall with Samaritan House. Other times it's selecting an ornament from our Wish-List tree or hanging a warm scarf on our Blessing Tree. Maybe your good is not falling into the consumer culture of "more is better" this holiday season. Through each act, we braid our lives together, creating something stronger and more beautiful than any of us could achieve alone.

In this busy season, remember: you don't have to do everything, but each small gesture of connection matters. Choose one way to reach out, one way to remind another that they're not alone, one act of loving kindness to share. That is enough. You are enough. Remember, you are a blessing.

With gratitude and love,

Jessica

Image: Rev. Jessica's Gingerbread House Pick-a-Party

Image: Gordon and Maggie Smith who received a poinsettia at their new home in Belmont

Image: Our CYF carolers bring holiday cheer to Mike and Lee Mullery

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for last Sunday's entire service.

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon,

"WE CAN'T GO ALONE"

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Thursday, December 12

10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Christmas Coffee at Alison Schwandt's house (Contact Linda Skromme)

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

No Bell Choir Rehearsal Tonight

Friday, December 13

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

No Samaritan House Meal Service

Saturday, December 14

8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (Contact Peter Held)

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM — Coffee with CC Riders, Village Hub in Woodside (3154 Woodside Road)

4:00 - 5:30 PM — Masterworks Chorale Children's Concert, Sanctuary

Sunday, December 15

9:45 - 10:15 AM — Joyful Noise, CE Bldg., Community Room

10:15 AM - 12:00 PM — Christmas Wish-List Tree, Loggia

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

10:30 - 11:30 AM — 60 Minutes - High Schoolers, Fireplace Room

10:45 - 11:30 AM — Children's and Youth Programs, CE Building

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM — Coffee Hour & Christmas Cookie Exchange, Kloss Hall

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM — Poinsettia Sunday, Loggia

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM — 2025 Happy Coffee Hour Sign-Ups, Loggia

4:00 - 5:30 PM — Masterworks Chorale Concert, In the Stillness, Sanctuary

5:00 - 6:30 PM — Advent at the Table Worship Service, Kloss Hall

Monday, December 16

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

Tuesday, December 17

10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service To Go, Buckham Room

6:30 - 8:00 PM — Board of Directors Meeting, Buckham Room and Zoom

Wednesday, December 18

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service To Go, Buckham Room

6:30 - 7:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary (Note time change for this week.)

7:00 - 8:45 PM — Las Posadas Bilingual Worship Service, Front Lawn, Buckham Room, Kloss Hall

View our full calendar on our website

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

Join us this Third Sunday of Advent as we explore the sacred call: "Do the Good that Is Yours to Do." In a time when headlines bring daily heartbreak and the world feels fractured, we remember that each act of compassion creates ripples of hope. Like Jesus who engaged a world of inequality with radical love, we too are called to action rooted in deep compassion.

We're excited for Krystal Burndon to share her musical gifts with us through a sung adaptation of Luke 3:7-16 as we light the candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy. Together we'll lift our voices in beloved carols including "Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn" and "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." We'd love for you to join us in person or online at 10:30am as we draw closer to welcoming the Christ child into our world once again.

Advent at the Table:

A New Way to Worship Together

Experience Advent together! Join our bilingual family worship service Sundays at 5 pm in Kloss Hall (Dec 1-22). Gather around tables for meaningful conversation, prayer, communion, and song. Come at 5 pm for a light supper and holiday crafts before worship. All ages welcome to this interactive celebration of the season.

This week we will "Do the Good that is ours to Do" through acts of service and advocacy!

PLATE OFFERING for

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15:

Second Harvest of

Silicon Valley

Each month, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank provides nourishment to an average of 500,000 people in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Over half of this food is donated, and helpful volunteers sort around eleven million pounds of food each month. Second Harvest strives to make sure that everyone can enjoy a nutritious variety of sustenance, including proteins and fresh produce. From Daly City to Gilroy, Second Harvest is reaching out to address food insecurity for those in need.

Make a Gift

CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE Sunday, Dec. 15, Kloss Hall

Share the sweetness of the season! Bring a dozen cookies before service, then select an assortment afterward from others' treats. Perfect for enjoying at home, sharing at coffee hour, or delivering to homebound church members. Please use paper plates or label yours with your name. Recipe cards welcome! You don't have to be a celebrity baker — it's the spirit of sharing that's important. Questions? Contact Mike Harris (650) 572-8378. December 15 is a coffee hour you won't want to miss!

BLESSING TREE

STAY WARM, SHARE WARMTH

Visit our "Blessing Tree" in Kloss Hall this Advent season! Please hang new or gently used hats, scarves, gloves, umbrellas, etc., on its branches to help neighbors stay warm and dry. Like our Blessing Box, anyone can take what they need.

Thank you for all your donations so far! They've already gone to good use, so we welcome more donations this week, which can be placed directly on the Blessing Tree.

MASTERWORKS CHORALE CHILDREN'S CONCERT

CAROLS, COOKIES & CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 14 at 4 PM

CCSM Sanctuary

Full to the brim with fun and whimsy, this family holiday concert features songs, sing-alongs, and a holiday story that will delight our youngest music fans and their families! Children FREE, Adults Pay What You Will. For advance tickets, go to https://masterworksbayarea.org/.

MASTERWORKS CHORALE CONCERT

IN THE STILLNESS

Sunday, December 15 at 4 PM

CCSM Sanctuary

Experience the serene beauty of the season with music evoking moments of stillness and beauty, reflection and contemplation, and joyful togetherness and celebration. Featuring works by Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, Sally Beamish, and more. Embrace the warmth of the holiday season with this treasured Masterworks tradition. Tickets: $30/adult (advance), $35/adult (door), $15/student. For advance tickets, go to https://masterworksbayarea.org/.

CHRISTMAS WISH-LIST TREE

December 15 on the Loggia

Before and After Church

Please look for the lighted Christmas tree with paper ornaments either before or after the service, and select an ornament to provide a gift for someone who may otherwise find little under the tree. If you cannot attend the service and would like an ornament selected for you, please contact Melodie Lew at boygie.m2000@gmail.com.

POINSETTIA SUNDAY

December 15

11:30 AM on the Loggia

Share the joy of Christmas! We have approximately 15 beautiful poinsettias that need to be delivered to members this Sunday. Simply choose a name from our list, pick up a poinsettia, and brighten someone's day with a cheerful holiday visit. Your simple act of kindness will mean so much to our church family.

2025 HAPPY COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UPS

December 15

11:30 AM on the Loggia

Please sign up to help host Happy Coffee Hour in 2025! You can sign up for more than one Sunday and space your volunteering over a few months.

Organized by the Latino Ministry, Las Posadas, "Making Room for Christ in Our Hearts," has become a joyous and fun-filled annual tradition at CCSM. We invite you to join us on Wednesday, December 18, at 7 pm on the church lawn to participate in this special experience filled with music, community spirit, delicious food, piñatas, and much joy. This is a fantastic opportunity to invite friends of all ages and help them connect with the true essence of the season! If you plan to attend, we kindly ask that you bring a side dish or dessert to share, making this gathering a truly communal celebration of our faith.

Children and families will meet in the Buckham Room at 7pm to choose a costume and do some crafts before participating in the procession around the church to remember Mary and Joseph looking for a room at the Inn.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Tuesday, December 17, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Buckham Room and Zoom

Hello CCSM! At next week's regular Board of Directors meeting we will discuss and approve two items that will be coming before you at the Annual Congregational Meeting scheduled for January 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm in Kloss Hall. The first item will be some Bylaw changes coming from our Leadership and Governance Committee in an effort to realign two ministries into more prominent roles as Board of Directors Committees. We believe that the importance of the Building and Grounds Ministry and the Stewardship Ministry warrants making those two part of the Board of Directors Committees, making them the direct responsibility of the Board. The second item, from our Finance Committee, will be the proposed budget for 2025. With rising costs to operate the church and declining pledging, it has been a challenge this year (like the last few) to get to a budget, but we believe we have a sound plan for 2025 and continue to strive to make our operations more sustainable.

If you have an interest in either or both of these items, please make plans to join us either in person or via Zoom on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 pm.

ZOOM LINK

AGENDA

STEWARDSHIP 2025

Thank you for being part of "Imagining Together" as we envision God's liberating love working through our community in 2025. Your generous support fuels our shared dreams.

To date we have received:

127 pledges totaling $494,780

We need approximately $65,220 more to reach our 2025 goal. It's never too late to make your estimate of giving for 2025 – just click the button below or reach out to Cheryle Matteo.

2025 Pledge

Questions about the budget? Reach out to any member of the Finance Committee.

COMING UP

MUSIC AND ART

Christmas Holiday Meeting

Friday, December 20 at Noon

Following a short business meeting, get in a festive mood by gathering together to hear our own Kibbie Ruth share a Christmas story. We will sing Christmas carols to round out the afternoon together. Bring your own lunch. Coffee/tea and dessert will be provided. Please RSVP to Genel Morgan at

(650) 759-7318 or glmrn12@gmail.com so we know how many tables to set up and have a count for dessert. Merry Christmas everyone!

SECOND HOUR: OUR HOME SAN MATEO

Sunday, December 22 at Noon

Buckham Room

Join us for an informative Second Hour as the Latino Ministry presents the “Our Home San Mateo” advocacy campaign, dedicated to fostering housing justice in our community. This initiative is a collaborative effort led by One San Mateo, the Housing Leadership Council, and our Latino Ministry. Together, we aim to rally support for expanded renter protections, focusing on amplifying the voices of those most affected by the housing crisis. Listen to personal stories, understand the issue's urgency, and discover how you can get involved in advocating for change.

This is an opportunity for our congregation to come together and deepen our understanding. Your participation is crucial as we unite to create a stronger base for housing justice in San Mateo. We look forward to your presence and active involvement in this vital conversation!

ENGLISH TOGETHER

Training: January 6 or 7

Sessions: January 13 – March 10

After a successful launch of English Together this fall, we are excited to bring together the next group of Practice Partners & English Learners. As a reminder, CCSM partners with a nonprofit based in Palo Alto to bring a structured conversational approach to improve confidence, build connections, and enhance community. To learn more about the program, please sign up for an upcoming interest meeting on ZOOM here: https://englishtogether.org/interest/. When registering please note that you are part of CCSM. Those who haven’t been practice partners before are encouraged to join a Training Session January 6th or 7th @7pm via Zoom. Our sessions will run Monday evenings, January 13 – March 10, 7-8pm. There will be holiday breaks and hybrid options. IMPORTANT: If you are interested, please reach out to Katherine at vegastultz@yahoo.com for additional information.

INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING TRIP

Immigrant Welcome, Tuscon, Arizona

CCSM is planning an intergenerational service-learning trip June 15 - 20, 2025 to Tucson, Arizona, focusing on Immigration in coordination with UCC and an affiliated non-profit, Be the Neighbor.

On the Immigrant Welcome, Tucson trip, we “will immerse ourselves in a week of education, collaboration, and hands-on service to help understand what it means to welcome and support our immigrant neighbors.” On the trip, participants will “engage in desert walks to gain perspective on the challenges faced by those crossing the border, participate in humanitarian aid efforts, and contribute to building projects that support local communities."

Rev. Jessica Vacketta is quite familiar with the Be the Neighbor programs and envisions participation by youth (middle school, high school, and college students) and adults on this mission trip which matches well with CCSM’s guiding principles and understanding of Who Is Our Neighbor?

A planning team is working out the details of Itinerary, Group size, Transportation, Costs and Funding and will host a Second Hour on Immigrant Welcome, Tucson in the new year.

Stay tuned for more information on how to participate in this exciting opportunity on a very relevant issue!

GREEN TIPS

Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, and nylon are made using fossil fuels. Because of their low cost, these synthetic materials are commonly used in fast fashion. Synthetic fibers do not biodegrade.

Washing synthetic clothes results in microplastics entering our waterways, as the small plastic particles escape filters and end up in our rivers and oceans. Approximately 35% of microplastics found in the oceans are synthetic fibers. (TheRoundup.org)