Dear Saints,

I’d like to thank you once again for taking me on a journey back to the sweetest and happiest moments of my childhood, to those days when magic and wonder made me believe that anything was possible, and that, with just a little magic, everyone in the world could be happy and safe.

Whenever, as an adult, the world around me becomes cruel and difficult to bear, and the suffering of others breaks my heart, I find that I can return, if only for a few moments, to those memories. There, I find renewed hope and a deeper trust in God.

We live in a world that quietly teaches us where to look and, just as importantly, whom not to see. Too often, people experiencing homelessness, refugees, those living with mental illness, people in prison, older adults, and so many others become invisible, not because they have disappeared, but because our culture has trained our eyes to pass them by. Others have learned to hide themselves simply in order to survive.

Jesus invites us into another way of seeing.

As you continue through this week, I invite you to slow down, take a deep breath, and look again. Notice the people whose stories are easy to miss. See Christ in those whom the world overlooks.

And don't forget to look again at yourself. In Sunday's blessing, I invited you to become like children for a little while: fly a kite at the beach, eat an ice cream, wear your favourite hat, visit a park, call a childhood friend, laugh, play, and remember the person God created you to be before the world told you who you had to become.

May we recover the freedom to see ourselves beyond fear, trauma and oppression, to recognise the image of God in those around us, and to help others see more clearly as well.

Perhaps this week, the greatest miracle will not be magic. Perhaps it will simply be that we learn to be ourselves authentically and to look again.

Rev. Álvaro

Look Again...

Wrapped in a blanket on a park bench, he appears to be just another person without a home. Only the nail wounds in his feet reveal that this is Christ.

Created in 2013 by Canadian sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz, Homeless Jesus is inspired by Jesus' words in Matthew 25. Today, more than fifty castings of the sculpture can be found in churches, cathedrals, universities, and public spaces around the world, inviting people to stop and look again.

If Jesus were sleeping on a park bench today, would we recognise him, or even see him?

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Carol Boes with a posy from our posse. Carol will soon move to Omaha. She will be missed!

A blessed moment at St. James AME Zion Church as Pastor Bussey prays over the Gran’its.

A spoon full of sugar! Huge thanks to Kay and Annette for the incredible Mary Poppins table decor and attention to detail.

THIS WEEK

Jessica is Out of Office

Wednesday, July 22 - Sunday, August 2

Rev. Jessica will be on vacation from July 22 - August 2.

For pastoral care and worship needs, contact Rev. Álvaro Durán.

For office or facility questions, contact Chase Montara.

For Connections/Bulletin submissions, contact Kim Rey.

Join our UCC Cluster Church Summer Picnic

Sunday, August 2 from 12:30 - 2:30pm at College Heights Church

This special gathering is a collaborative event with our sister churches in the Peninsula Open and Affirming Cluster of the UCC, hosted this year by College Heights. Those who attended last year had a wonderful time connecting with fellow CCSMers and our wider UCC family—we hope you'll join us for the fun and fellowship this year!

If you'd like volunteer to set up at 11:30am at College Heights, please email Rev. Álvaro.

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!

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! 🎒🍔

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!

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!

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.

Help Us Stay Connected!

Join Our Digital Church Directory

Let’s get connected!

We’re building a digital directory in the Church Center App so our church family can support one another.

Why join? It’s secure, private, and 100% customizable. You decide what stays private and what gets shared—only verified members have access. Sign up today!

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