CCSM CONNECTIONS: November 13, 2024

Need a moment (or two or three) to center yourself these days?

Step into our peaceful labyrinth, where each winding path offers sanctuary from the noise we cannot silence—a sacred space to reconnect with the Divine.

Beloved Community,

Greetings from Kansas City! I'm here for the annual Board Meeting of the Bethany Fellows, a thriving spiritual community that provides support, inspiration, and renewal for young clergy and congregations across the country. Our fellows and leadership represent multiple denominations from coast to coast. While following our planned agenda, we naturally found ourselves processing the events that have unfolded in our country this past week. We serve diverse congregations and institutions – people whom we know and love of all political choices. Many of our communities have long been committed to embodying God's love through decades of work in LGBTQ+, Civil Rights, Women's Rights, and Immigrant Rights movements.

As we gathered, essential questions emerged: How do we model Jesus' love in our words and actions in the days ahead? How do we lead our people, care for our neighbors, and talk to our children? How do we practice reconciliation and restorative justice? How do we practice peace? We know we must remain grounded in Christian Hope – the hope modeled by Jesus, a hope of resistance, compassion, and mercy. And, we carry genuine concerns for the days ahead.

In our own community, many feel vulnerable – because of immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or political views. These are not abstract concerns of strangers, but worries from within our own faith family. When any among us feels threatened or unwelcome, our whole community bears that burden together.

In it all, we trust in what has held us together for centuries – across continents, languages, wars, and political divisions. When we lean into the Divine and work together to do the next loving thing in each situation, when we practice this one step at a time, we know God walks alongside us. Just as Jesus walked the road to Emmaus with disciples who were grieving and confused, God walks with us now. Though we may not always recognize the holy in our midst, it manifests in every act of kindness, every moment of courage, every gesture of reconciliation.

This week, sitting with my fellow clergy, I was reminded that we are not alone. Across denominations and geographic boundaries, faithful people are asking these same questions, holding these same concerns, and committing to this same work of love and justice.

So, where do we start? Might I encourage you to:

Listen to someone whose perspective challenges you
Show up for a neighbor in need
Take time for prayer and reflection (or at least a break from social media)
Speak truth with gentleness
Take small actions for justice while trusting that others are doing their part too

Remember: You are born in love, by love, and for love. This is our calling and our compass. When the way forward seems unclear, love can always be our next step.

This Sunday, we'll continue to hold space for all that we're carrying – our hopes, our fears, our questions, and our commitment to being God's hands, feet, and face.

With love and hope,

Jessica

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for last Sunday's entire service.

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon,

"Help"

Stewardship 2025

Thank you to all who have joined us in "Imagining Together" how God’s liberating love will work through us and with us in the season ahead!

To date we have received 82 pledges totaling $353,000. THANK YOU! We need approximately $200,000 more to reach our 2025 goal.

Can you join us?

It's not too late to make your estimate of giving for 2025, or modify your original pledge. These gifts help us plan for ministry in the year ahead, and we invite you to prayerfully dream how you might be part of this work. Work like transforming our digital presence and enhancing our website, expanding our worship opportunities to include a service that is untraditional and centered on table conversations and activities for all ages, and continuing our work of building a multicultural, multi-generational beloved community that works together to care for our neighbors and each other.

Thank you for partnering with us on this journey.

If you have any questions about the budget, please reach out to any member of the Finance Committee.

2025 Pledge

Learn More

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Wednesday, November 13

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

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall

Thursday, November 14

10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court (contact Linda Skromme)

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

5:45 - 9:00 PM — Extended Bell Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:00 - 9:00 PM — Sound Bath with Chuck Rosenthal, Kloss Hall

Friday, November 15

12:00 - 2:30 PM — Music and Art, Buckham Room

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

Saturday, November 16

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

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Mary Ann Notz Memorial Service and Reception, Sanctuary

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

Sunday, November 17

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

9:45 - 10:30 AM — Pick-A-Party Sign-Up, Kloss Hall

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

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

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

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall

12:00 PM — Pick-A-Party Silent Auction Closes, Kloss Hall

11:45 AM - 2:00 PM — Second Hour: End of Life Discussion, Buckham Room

3:00 - 4:30 PM — Arthur Tkachenko Piano and Organ Concert, Sanctuary

Monday, November 18

1:00 - 2:30 PM — Burlingame Music Club, Kloss Hall

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

Tuesday, November 19

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

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

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

Wednesday, November 20

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

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall

View our full calendar on our website

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

We're continuing our journey through "Prayer 101," diving into Anne Lamott's take on the three essential prayers: Help, Thanks, and Wow. This week, we'll explore "Thanks." As Lamott reminds us, gratitude doesn't have to be fancy or formal, sometimes it's as simple as saying "Thank you" for the most ordinary moments, like that first sip of coffee or a text from a friend. We'll explore this alongside Psalm 30, where the writer moves from deep struggle to unexpected joy, reminding us that gratitude can show up in surprising places.

PLATE OFFERING for SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17:

The Christmas Fund for

the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund

The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund is a special mission offering that congregations have been supporting for over 100 years. The offering is administered through the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance, the charitable arm of the Pension Boards. Funds provide direct financial support to those who serve the church and are facing financial difficulties. Active and retired clergy, lay employees, and their surviving spouses may be eligible for the supplementation of small annuities, supplementation of health premiums, emergency grants, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks.

Make a Gift

A sound journey is an immersive somatic experience. Our nervous systems need to be recalibrated on a regular basis. Each experience builds on the next and supports us to be more connected to the liminal space, sharpen our intuition, and experience deep peace. Join Chuck to experience this yourself on Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. Tickets $33. Register at tinyurl.com/Logos-Events

MUSIC AND ART

Friday, Nov. 15, 12-2:30 PM

Following a brief business meeting at noon in the Buckham Room, we will enjoy a musical program by Bella Voce, a vocal group led by our own Julie Berk. Remember to BYOL – bring your own lunch. Beverages and dessert are provided. Please RSVP to Genel Morgan, glmrn12@gmail.com or 650-759-7318, so we can have the correct number of tables and chairs set up as well as enough dessert!

PICK-A-PARTY SUNDAY!

November 17, 9:45 AM in Kloss Hall

Pick A Party Sunday is here — November 17 @ 9:45! Make sure you review your corrected party list this week. You can find a copy here: https://tinyurl.com/PaP2024RevisedList or you can pick one up in the church office. If you can't attend, ask a friend to sign up for you. And don't forget that the silent auction has many wonderful opportunities and is open until noon. If you would like to pay by text or online, please make sure you have that set up ahead of time to ease the payment process. Text 73256 "party" or CCSM's online giving link ccsm-ucc.org/give/. (Cash and checks are also fine.)

SECOND HOUR:

END OF LIFE DISCUSSION

November 17, 12-1:30 PM

Buckham Room

Speaker: Rhyena Halpern, End of Life Doula

What if we thought about “end of life” as not only a medical event but, more importantly, a social and deeply spiritual event? Death is not only about taking care of a loved one, it’s about taking care of each other. Talking about death can bring us closer to the people we love. What’s important to us as we approach end of life? Have we made our wishes known? Is there unfinished business that needs to be addressed? Join us in deepening our learning about end of life. Lunch provided.

PIANO AND ORGAN CONCERT

With ARTHUR TKACHENKO

November 17, 3:00 PM

CCSM Sanctuary

CCSM’s Music Ministry invites you to attend the concert of this brilliant young pianist right here in CCSM's Sanctuary. Arthur is an 18-year-old award-winning musician from Lafayette, CA who began his musical studies at age 7 on piano and spent the last two summers in the legendary Tanglewood Festival. In 2023, Arthur began studying organ with Dr. Angela Kraft Cross at CCSM. Suggested donation: $20 for adults, $10 for youth & seniors, children 10 & under free.

BOARD MEETING, NOVEMBER 19 • 6:30 pm

All are welcome to attend the next Board of Directors meeting, which will be held in the Buckham Room and on Zoom, on Tuesday, November 19, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Email Don Ruthroff, our Board Moderator, for more information.imentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

ZOOM LINK

AGENDA

STAFF AWAY IN NOVEMBER

Oscar: Nov. 10 - 19

Rev. Jessica: Nov. 12 - 14

COMING UP

SECOND HOUR: BUDGET UPDATE 2025

Sunday, November 24

Join us for Second Hour on November 24 as we discuss our congregation's 2025 Budget. We'll provide an update on this year’s Stewardship Campaign and take a closer look at where our budget stands for 2025.

CALLING ALL ADVENT ELVES!

Advent Decorating,

Sunday, November 24 at 1pm

We need your helping hanging the greens and preparing our sanctuary for Advent. Whether you can give an hour, or three, your time is greatly appreciated. Contact Pam Ridlehuber at pridlehuber@gmail.com for more details or let her know you can help!