Beloved Community,

I can’t believe Christmas Eve is less than a week away! I’m not sure if it’s because I've been sick, or because Thanksgiving was late, but it seems like just last week we began our Advent journey. While we are busy preparing for Las Posadas (this Sunday at 5pm), delivering Angel gifts (thank you Melodie, Donna, Oscar, and everyone who picked up a gift), and preparing for our Christmas Eve celebrations- amid all the generosity, joy, and love being shared- I want to pause and acknowledge something we might be fearful to say out loud: this week leading up to Christmas is difficult for many of us.

Whether you are exhausted from balancing parties or school activities, finalizing shopping lists and travel arrangements, or preparing yourself for those relatives that always seem to know which button pushes you over the edge, as author Kate Bowler writes, the holidays have a way of pressing on our tender places, don’t they? In between the sparkling lights and spirited caroling, some of us are just trying to make it day to day without breaking down. The empty chair, the canceled plans, the strained relationships…the “most wonderful time of the year” isn’t so wonderful.

If you need a soft place to land when the holidays feel too heavy to carry alone, I encourage you to join us for our Blue Christmas service this Saturday at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Whether you find yourself navigating grief, illness, anxiety, estrangement, financial stress, or simply the exhaustion of trying to hold it all together, come for a collective exhale and a quiet space to sit with all you are feeling, and know you aren’t alone. We’ll share scripture, song, and a ritual of naming what we are holding and returning it to God.

Even in our hurt. Even in our fear. Even on the longest nights, God is near.

As we walk these last few days to Christmas, be gentle on yourself and those around you- we never know what they might be navigating as well. I hope you find comfort and peace in remembering that God’s love breaks into the messy, ordinary, unexpected places.

In hope,

Jessica

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!

On Sunday we welcomed four new members to our church! Rev. Dr. Arlene Nehring and Stephanie Spencer join us with a lifetime of experience in ministry, public health, and immigration advocacy. Taylor and Sarah Hansen live in Foster City with their two sons and enjoy hiking, scouting, and community service.

We are so glad to have both couples—and the unique gifts they bring—as part of our church family!

THIS WEEK

⛪️ Budget Conversations 💵

Thursday, December 18 at 6:30pm and Sunday, December 21 after worship

We invite you to join us for an overview of this year’s draft budget. Our “Big Dream” budget expresses our hopes for equitable staffing and strong, sustainable ministry. At this point, we are projecting an $80,000 gap between that vision and making it a reality. During these meetings, we will walk through the numbers, share the story behind them, and offer a clear picture of where we are as a church.

If you haven’t received the separate email with this year’s budget, or if you have questions ahead of time, please reach out to our Treasurer, Martha Bronitsky, who will gather and share them with the Finance Committee and Board.

Zoom Budget Meeting

Thursday, December 18 at 6:30pm
Zoom Link HERE

In-Person Budget Meeting

Sunday, December 21 after worship in the Buckham Room

🎶 Music & Art Guild's Christmas Gathering 🎄

Friday, December 19 at 12pm

Everyone is invited to attend a special December gathering of the Music and Art Guild. Bring your own lunch and come at noon (dessert will be provided), followed by a special reflection from the Reverend Polly Moore. She will highlight stories that we often hear at Christmas time (such as "It's a Wonderful Life") and invite us to a conversation about them. We will also enjoy a carol sing, accompanied by Don Harper. Polly is a member of the College Heights Church UCC in San Mateo and currently serves as their volunteer associate pastor.

🙏 Blue Christmas 💙

Saturday, December 20 at 7pm

You are invited to a quiet service called Longest Night: Christmas in a Time of Loss. This gathering is especially for those who are finding it hard to navigate the holidays. Sometimes, the brightness of the season only deepens the ache.

If that’s where you find yourself, you are not alone. Come for a gentle, low-key time of worship, a quiet space held within the peace of the Christmas story and the deep hope it still offers.

The service will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.

🌟 Las Posadas 🕯️

Sunday, December 21 from 5 - 8pm

Las Posadas is a tradition of Latin American popular religiosity celebrated during Advent. It represents Mary and Joseph's journey in search of shelter before the birth of Jesus, a journey that echoes our own spiritual quests.

This special evening is filled with music, dancing community spirit, delicious food, piñatas,
and lots of joy.

Organized by the Latino Ministry, ‘Las Posadas: Making Room for Christ in Our Hearts’ has become a beloved tradition of our church and a symbol of our shared cultural and religious heritage.

Join the Holiday Bell Choir

Weekly Sunday Practice

If you’d like to ring in the season—literally!—join our Holiday Bell Choir for the Jan 4th service (new date). Rehearsals with Dr. Ondine Young will take place in the Choir Room from 12:00–1:00pm each Sunday prior to Jan 4.

To learn more or let her know you’re coming, contact ondine@ccsm-ucc.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

🎄 Christmas Eve Services 🔔

Traditional Communion Service

11am - 12pm

This service reflects the rhythm of a traditional Sunday morning at CCSM. Together we will share communion, scripture, prayer, and beloved carols, with music led by the Albany Consort, featuring string and wind instruments, voice, and keyboards.

Bilingual Family Service, 5-6pm

A joyful, intergenerational celebration designed especially for families and children of all ages. This bilingual service (English & Spanish) includes beloved carols and an interactive Christmas pageant where everyone is invited to participate. Children will receive a special light to take home as we sing Silent Night. Expect warmth, joy, and a little holy chaos.

Candlelight Service 11pm - 12am

Close Christmas Eve in stillness and beauty with our traditional Candlelight Service. Through scripture, beloved carols, choir and instrumental music, and the sharing of light, we gather to hear again the promise: Good News is louder than fear.

Pre-service music begins at 10:35 PM, featuring Chris Yeh, Don Harper, James Koeppen, and Gabby Oberes-Padre.

Rev. Jessica's Installation

Sunday, January 4, at 4pm in the Sanctuary

While Rev. Jessica has been serving as CCSM’s settled Senior Minister for over two years, this installation service, hosted by the Golden Gate Association of the United Church of Christ, offers a moment to publicly bless the shared covenant between Rev. Jessica, CCSM, and the wider church. Held on Epiphany, this service marks not a beginning, but a revealing. It is a time to pause, give thanks, and celebrate the covenant God has already made known among us.

The service also recognizes Rev. Jessica’s Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing within the United Church of Christ, honoring her ordination in the Disciples of Christ tradition and her shared call to ministry within the UCC.

Semi-Annual Styrofoam Recycling Day

Saturday, January 10th from 11am-1pm in the church parking lot

Save your holiday packing materials and join us for the Semi-Annual Styrofoam Recycling Program on Saturday, January 10th! You can bring Styrofoam of any size to the CCSM parking lot between 11am and 1pm, where Environmental Justice representatives will be ready to collect it for you. The styrofoam will be transported to the Newby Island Recycling facility in Milpitas and reused to make picture frames, insulation and other usable products.

Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 11th

MLK Jr Multi-faith Day of Service

Monday, January 19

View Our Full Calendar

TAKE ACTION

Annual Giving Commitment

Your annual pledge provides the essential resources that power CCSM's work—from our outreach programs to weekly worship. Your commitment isn't just a number; it is a powerful statement of confidence and hope for our future.

Join us in sustaining and expanding the life and nourishment CCSM offers to all!

We have 93 households/individuals who have pledged so far, totaling $446,404 of our 2026 goal of $560,000. Our Big Dream Budget Goal is $640,000.

Support Our Shared Dream

Make your Estimate of Giving pledge today and help invest in CCSM's ministry and mission.

Sign Up to Co-Host Happy Coffee Hour

Help sweeten our fellowship!

We invite you to co-host Coffee Happy Hour by bringing sweet and/or savory treats to share during our post-worship connection time. To sign up for Dec 28 or 2026 dates, email Melodie Lew.

Sign Up for Pick-A-Vent

We're excited to announce a new name and date for our annual party-hosting fundraiser! Formerly known as Pick-A-Party, we're rebranding to Pick-A-Vent (to broaden the scope) and shifting the sign up from November to February 22, 2026.

This popular fundraiser is all about connecting with fellow members and supporting CCSM's financial goals by hosting or attending fun, unique activities. Hosts cover the costs and set a fee for guests, and all proceeds go directly to the church.

Submit your activity or party by clicking on "Submit Events" below. If you have questions, reach out to Robert Leung or check out the "Learn More Here" info sheet.