— View this email as webpage —

CONNECTIONS: July 17, 2024

Rev. Jessica is attending her family reunion and will return this Thursday, July 18.

This week, I read a compelling quote by Wendell Berry, environmental activist and author. He says, “When we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.” There have been several times in my life when I no longer knew what to do or which way to go. I wonder if you can relate? It can be a temptation to think that we are already doing our real work, that we are already well into our real journey. For me, thinking that I might need to start my real work is a daunting process.  I would prefer to remain comfortable. I kind of like some status quos. The journey has already been challenging enough for my tastes. But if we stop a moment to consider it, there is also great opportunity in no longer knowing what to do or which way to go. It is a creative time, isn’t it? Suddenly space opens up, possibilities arise, opportunities appear.

Although I pulled the plug on my cable TV (like I was starting a lawnmower) in early November 2016, from what I understand, the news recently has not been good. Some of us may be feeling that we no longer know what to do or which way to go. There is a temptation toward hopelessness and fear. Or, as in Luke’s gospel from this week, we try and avoid showing up because we suddenly have to check on our oxen or the new field we just purchased. But it seems possible we are being called to begin our real work, to begin our real journey. 

I invite you this week to take a contemplative moment to reflect on Wendell Berry’s quote, to feel what arises in you (resistance, curiosity, exhaustion, excitement?), and to engage with the Holy Spirit to imagine what work you are being called to, and what your real journey may be inviting you to prepare for.  It might not be what you think. Take courage in knowing that our community will be a source of encouragement for one another along the way, and we will be sustained in our work and on our journeys by a faithful and loving God.

Peace,

Chase Montara

Director of Operations

Did you miss worship?

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE for Rev. Álvaro's sermon, "More than a Meal"

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Wednesday, July 17

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
• 7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall

Thursday, July 18

• 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group (off site)
• 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM — Hospitality: Tools of the Trade (ZOOM link: tinyurl.com/Zoom-Hospitality)
• 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM — Bell Choir: What's Ringing All About? Choir Room

Friday, July 19

• 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM — Music & Art Summer Meeting, Buckham Room
• 2:00 PM — Jo Buckham Memorial, Sanctuary

Saturday, July 20

• 8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)
• 10:30 AM — Coffee with CC Riders, Village Hub in Woodside (3154 Woodside Road)

Sunday, July 21

• 10:30 - 11:30 AM — Worship Service in person and online
• 10:30 - 11:30 AM — Youth and Children's Programs, Memorial Garden
• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall
• 11:45 AM — Second Hour: Plastics Recycling, Buckham Room
• 3:00 PM — Summer Singalong, Kloss Hall

Monday, July 22

• 11:00 - 12:30 PM — Women's Group, Fireplace Room

Tuesday, July 23

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

Wednesday, July 24

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
• 7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall

PLATE OFFERING for SUNDAY, JULY 21:

At the Crossroads

At the Crossroads cultivates long-term relationships with unhoused young people who would otherwise be disconnected from consistent support. Clients are counselled to help obtain stable housing, improve physical health and find employment. Basic needs like food, hygiene supplies, condoms, clothing, shoes etc. are distributed through outreach.

MUSIC AND ART - SUMMER MEETING

Friday, July 19, at noon in the Buckham Room 

There will be no hostess or programs, just getting together for fellowship; please bring your own lunch. RSVP to Pat Pepper at: pjpepper31@gmail.com or by phone: 650-343-4286. Our custodian will need to know how many tables and chairs to set up. Hope to see you there – All are welcome!

SONGS IN WORSHIP

Help us craft the Soundtrack of Summer: share your favorite hymn!

We're excited to celebrate summer by singing some of our community's favorite hymns. To help us create a joyful and meaningful experience, we'd love to hear from you! Submit your favorite song below, and take a moment to tell us why you love it. 

In concert with the launching of the CCSM Precious Plastics Recycling Project, the CCSM Environment Justice Ministry and Youth Group co-present a special in-person Second Hour program on Sunday July 21 after worship service in the Buckham Room. The program will feature a slide presentation and group discussion on the history of plastics, the explosive growth of plastics pollution, and what can be done to help solve the problem.

We hope you can join us to learn more about this vexing problem.

New Ministry Partnership with Peninsula Precious Plastics

We’re excited to announce a new and innovative recycling program at CCSM, called the Precious Plastics Project or P3. The program will enable the church and its members to turn hard-to-recycle plastics into new, usable products. The local P3 group in San Carlos has agreed to partner with CCSM and its members to collect the plastics and create new products.

So, if you’re interested in contributing to this program, here's what to do:

• Sort and collect your plastic products, looking for the number inside the triangular recycling logo. P3 will only be able to use #2, #4, and #5 plastics:
• #2's include milk jugs, cleaning product and detergent containers, shampoo bottles
• #4's include plastic shopping bags, bread bags, snack bags, squeezable bottles and tubes
• #5's include yogurt cups and tubs, margarine tubs, syrup bottles, plastic bottle caps, food containers and straws, plastic furniture
• Remove any labels, wash and dry them.
• Bring them to CCSM and place them in the P3 collection boxes in Kloss Hall, the hallway outside Kloss, or the Narthex.

Thank you for participating in P3!

COMING UP!

You Can be a Ding-a-Ling Too!

July 26-28, 2024 - Cabin Weekend for High School Youth

All incoming 9th graders through recent graduates are welcome to join Rev. Jessica, Michele, and Mike for a weekend retreat at Mike and Lee Mullery's cabin on the South Yuba River in Penn Valley!

We’ll have opportunities for swimming in the river, hiking, stargazing, playing cornhole, and relaxing in the cabin. Breathe in the fresh mountain air and soak up breathtaking views as we connect with God and each other.



Email Michele Cinq Mars for more information. The cabin is adjacent to the South Yuba River State Park.

Maybe you didn’t even know that there is a minor league baseball team in the Bay Area! The San Jose Giants are the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and play at Excite Ballpark, a family-friendly venue about 10 minutes off 101 in San Jose. CCSM has sent a group to one of the “little Giants” games the past two summers, and it’s been a great time. For our 3rd Annual trip, we’re going on AUGUST 17, Margaritaville Night! 

3 TICKET PRICE POINTS: 

$44/adult (1 beer or wine) or $38/adult (soda); $27/youth (5-12)*

Group deal Includes: Bowl Reserved group seating, a World Famous Turkey Mike’s BBQ voucher plus drink ticket, and free fireworks following the game. (Plus there are free Hawaiian shirts for the first 1,000 fans.) If you haven’t tried minor league baseball, you need to check it out—prices are much more reasonable, there are fan participation events, and it’s just a whole lot of fun. 

Seats are limited, so sign up soon in Kloss Hall or contact Sandy McNabb .

BBQ available at 5:00 p.m.; Game starts at 6:00 p.m.

*Assistance available to help offset ticket costs. Contact Rev. Jessica for more information.

Dorothy and Richard Kogl celebrated 60 years of marriage on July 11. Happy anniversary to this loving couple! Here is Dorothy receiving a bouquet from the Posey Posse on July 15.

Join Chuck for an evening of somatic self care, Friday, July 26 at 7PM.

The Sound Journey will help you to recalibrate your nervous system- helping you to destress, sleep better, and find that quiet center.

Join CCSMers for a relaxed evening of music, food and fun each Thursday night from 6:00-8:00 pm in San Mateo's Central Park (note special time for July 4). This is a drop-in event, so look for fellow members once you arrive. Bring your own food and drink, or buy something from the vendors. A blanket or beach towel is a must, low camp chairs are a good idea. Bands performing are listed below.  Contact Mike Harris for more info, mypirocks@me.com

Note: On July 18 and 25, we hope you'll join a HOSPITALITY: TOOLS OF THE TRADE discussion on zoom (see above) which ends at 6:30... but there's plenty of time to come to the park after that!

• July 18 - Julio Bravo y su Orquesta Salsabor (Latin)
• July 25 - Electric Rodeo (Country)
• August 1 - Land of Confusion/TAKE 2 (Phil Collins Tribute & Genesis/Party Mix)
• August 8 - Bud E. Luv Orchestra (Swing/Big Band/Party Mix)

PRAY FOR PEACE

Weekly on Wednesdays  • 9:30-10:00am on Zoom

In light of the recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories, we are invited to join Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical partner of the United Church of Christ's Global Ministries, to join others across the world in praying weekly for peace. Registration is free, but required to receive the Zoom Link. 

REGISTER HERE

Make a Gift

You can also make a financial gift to help with humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel through the United Church of Christ’s Wider Church Ministries HERE.

Call for a Ceasefire

 Send a pre-written message to your elected officials through UCC’s “Just Peace Church” program HERE calling for a ceasefire and encouraging Congress to take immediate action for de-escalation in Israel and Gaza, and support steps towards a lasting peace.

The "Blessing Box" outside of the entrance of CCSM is a project of the Ministry of Service and Justice, responding to the need for families in our neighborhood to access food and an expression of our call to be the "hands, feet, and face of God" in our community.

• The container will be in the narthex to collect the following food items:
• canned, dried and boxed
• no fresh food please
• donations must be full UNOPENED containers
• no fruits, vegetables, or bread



• We also collect individually wrapped plasticware!

Thank you for your continuing generosity!

CCSM Council of Ministries

Email COM@CCSM-UCC.org to connect to any ministry!

Kay Harris, Council of Ministries Lead

Jim Schwandt, Building and Grounds

Kim Rey, Troy Grabow, Children, Youth and Families

Melodie Lew, Congregational Care

Sandy McNabb, Connect and Celebrate                       

Gary H. White, Environmental Justice

Alison Schwandt, Engagement/Communications 

Julien Phillips, Latino/a Ministry       

Pam Ridlehuber, Liturgical Arts

Sue Bell, Katie Bylander, Music        

Genel Morgan, Sharon Tobin, Service and Justice

Dave Olsen, Spiritual Life/Adult Ed.

Ivan Raikov, Stewardship

Email Kay Harris to get connected to a Ministry Lead anytime!

Regular Office Hours:

9:00am - 4:00pm

Monday - Thursday