CCSM CONNECTIONS: November 27, 2024

Image from Stonewall Columbus

Beloved Community,

While we are busy preparing for our different Thanksgiving gatherings, I just want to take a moment to acknowledge these lands that we now call our home, lands that have nurtured the Ramaytush Ohlone people since time immemorial. I invite us to pause and acknowledge our presence on their traditional territory, and confess our part in the displacement and harm done to Indigenous peoples and to this sacred earth.

In this season of gathering, I hold tenderly the knowledge that some of us will be experiencing the holidays differently this year. Some chairs may be empty, some tables may feel smaller or changed. Whether your gathering is full of familiar faces or marked by absence, may you feel the embrace of God's love and the support of this faith community surrounding you.

As we give God thanks for our families, friends, and this community of faith, many of you have expressed growing concerns about our immigrant families and friends as the call and threat of mass deportations grows louder. Our Board of Directors met last week and began discussing this very issue: What updates need to be made to our Sanctuary Church procedures? How can we support members and neighbors to ease fears, stand in solidarity, and keep families together? While more information about how you can support these efforts and those impacted most by these threats will unfold over the next several weeks, here are two things you can do this week:

Join us at our bilingual Thanksgiving potluck service tonight. This is an opportunity to build relationships with our Latina/e/x/o members and show your support in a time when hateful rhetoric can be overwhelming.
This Monday, December 2, join me at the People's March & Rally to Stop Mass Deportations and Protect Immigrant Californians in Sacramento from 11am - 1pm PT at Area 27, next to the California State Capitol Building. This rally, organized by ICE Out of CA and Dignity Not Detention California, will gather in Sacramento the same day the special session called by Gov. Newsom to protect Californians’ rights begins. RSVP TODAY if you would like to ride a bus with other individuals from the Bay Area, or email me directly if you are interested in carpooling.

I continue to be deeply grateful for each of you and for the sacred privilege of serving as your pastor. Your generosity, your questions, your commitment to justice, your open hearts, and all the ways you show up to care for one another and our wider community inspire me daily.

With gratitude and love,

Jessica

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for last Sunday's entire service.

CLICK HERE for Rev. Álvaro's sermon,

"WOW"

Stewardship 2025 UPDATE

Thank you to all who have joined us thus far in "Imagining Together" how God’s liberating love will work through us and with us in the season ahead! We are so grateful for your generous gifts as we dream and plan for 2025.

To date we have received:

101 pledges totaling $427,840.

THANK YOU! We need approximately $132,160 more to reach our 2025 goal.

Your pledge makes a difference – not just in the amount, but in the timing. While pledges are welcome throughout the year, submitting yours by December 8th helps us best plan our programs and services for the coming year. Pledges received by this date will be the working number our Finance Committee presents to the Board for budget approval in December.

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.

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

Learn More

If you missed it, we encourage you to watch this inspiring stewardship reflection from Diane Kalliam.

In this heartfelt reflection, she opens up about her personal experiences with tithing and generosity. Diane beautifully illustrates how our collective gifts empower our church's mission and help us answer God's calling as a community.

2025 Pledge

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

CHURCH CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING

Thursday & Friday, November 28 & 29

Wednesday, November 27

NO Samaritan House Meal Service Today

7:00 - 8:45 PM — Thanksgiving Potluck Service, Kloss Hall and Buckham Room

Thursday, November 28

Church Closed for Thanksgiving

NO Samaritan House Meal Service Today

10:00 - 10:45 AM — Thanksgiving Community Worship Service, Island United Church, Foster City

Friday, November 29

Church Closed for Thanksgiving

NO Samaritan House Meal Service Today

Saturday, November 30

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)

Sunday, December 1

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

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

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

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

11:45 AM — CYF: Pizza, Crafts, and Carols, CE Bldg., Community Room

12:00 - 1:00 PM — Second Hour: CCSM Resilient Hub, Buckham Room

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

Monday, December 2

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

Tuesday, December 3

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

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

Wednesday, December 4

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 Worship Service and Potluck, Kloss Hall

View our full calendar on our website

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

As we enter the sacred season of Advent, we "Begin Again" with the powerful theme "You are a Blessing." This week, we revisit the transformative moment when the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary. Through the familiar words of Luke 1:26-38, we witness how God chooses not the wealthy or powerful, but rather calls upon an ordinary young woman for an extraordinary purpose. This mirrors Isaiah's timeless message that each of us is claimed and called by name by our Creator. When we embrace this foundational truth—that we are blessed in God's sight—it transforms not only how we see ourselves but how we view the world and those around us, challenging us to recognize the divine blessing in every person, especially those society pushes to the margins.

Experience traditional worship at 10:30am in person or online, where we'll light the Advent Wreath, share in communion, and center ourselves for the season ahead. Looking to try something new this season? We invite you to our check out our new intergenerational, interactive "Advent at the Table" bilingual service in Kloss Hall at 5pm. Keep reading for more details!

Advent at the Table:

A New Way to Worship Together

From December 1 - December 22, join us on Sundays at 5:00 pm in Kloss Hall for a unique bilingual worship service that brings together all generations around shared tables — just as families have gathered to share stories for countless generations. In this relaxed, interactive setting, we'll explore the treasured narratives of Advent through conversation, prayer, spiritual practices, communion, and song. Rather than a traditional sermon, each week features a brief message followed by guided table discussions that allow everyone — from our youngest to our wisest — to share in the wonder of the season. This Sunday we'll be making an Advent Wreath for everyone to take home. Arrive early (4:45pm) for a quesadilla snack before worship!

Join us as we journey through Advent together, creating new traditions while honoring the timeless practice of gathering to share our stories of faith and sacred rituals.

PLATE OFFERING for SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1:

Albergues las Memorias Hostel

Albergues las Memorias Hostel is a non-profit organization supported by UCC Global Ministries and founded in Tijuana, B.C. Mexico in 1999. The organization assists adults and minors living with HIV/AIDS and addictions, as well as their family members, by providing housing assistance, food, medicine, transportation to healthcare, and counseling. Their mission is to offer quality care and warmth to people living with HIV/AIDS and conduct educational activities to prevent HIV/AIDS. Albergues las Memorias Hostel serves every type of person no matter their social status, religion, or sexual orientation.

Make a Gift

ADVENT DEVOTIONALS AND CALENDARS

This devotional from Sanctified Art is shaped around several reminders we all need from time to time: you are a blessing; we can’t go alone; do the good that is yours to do; hope is worth the risk; love knows your name; don’t forget to laugh; the road isn’t straight. These reminders root us in the fundamental truths of our faith. Many of them are life lessons we teach to children — lessons that adults continue to learn and relearn.

Devotionals are located in the Narthex on the Welcome Table, or as a digital version here: online.flippingbook.com/view/811735764/

(Per our purchase agreement, please refrain from posting this link on social media.)

Each day in December, children can color in a new shape on the calendar containing a daily word to learn and use. Our adult (and youth-friendly) calendar is a photo-a-day challenge to share on social media. The daily words are the same for both calendars so all ages can engage in this daily practice. Be sure to tag us in your posts! Pick up your calendars in the Narthex.

SECOND HOUR:

RESILIENT HUB AT CCSM

Sunday, December 1 at Noon

Buckham Room

Have you noticed that predictability in life seems to have increasingly gone out the window? In an effort to address the local impact of such an unpredictable world, the Environment Justice Ministry (EJ) has been exploring the creation of a resilient hub at CCSM. A resilient hub is a place where church members and neighbors can go for support when disasters occur. Whether it’s a flood, fire, power outage, earthquake, or other event, people impacted might need a temporary place to go — a site equipped with solar energy to enable them to recharge their phones or computers, a place to regroup and determine next steps, or a refuge to have a meal and perhaps spend a night.

To explore this opportunity and give our church members a chance to weigh in on launching this potential program, EJ will hold an in-person Second Hour on Sunday, December 1, starting at noon in the Buckham Room. All are encouraged to attend.

CYF: Pizza, Crafts,

and Carols!

Sunday, December 1st

CE Building Community Room

Join us for a festive afternoon of pizza, crafts, and caroling practice! Gather with other families in the CE Building Community Room right after church for this holiday prep party. We'll share a delicious meal, create holiday crafts to start the season, and fill the room with joyful music as we practice carols for our special December 8th visit to bring Christmas cheer to our senior friends. Reach out to Rev. Sheryl with questions, and as always, invite friends!

STAY WARM, SHARE WARMTH

OUR BLESSING TREE

This Advent season, we have a special tree in Kloss Hall – instead of ornaments, it will be trimmed with warmth and care for our neighbors. Our new "Blessing Tree" extends the spirit of our beloved Blessing Box into the cold and rainy winter months. You're invited to hang new or gently used hats, scarves, gloves, and umbrellas on its branches. Just like our Blessing Box, the principle is simple: leave what you can, take what you need. As winter rains arrive in San Mateo, let's ensure everyone in our community has what they need to stay warm and dry. Together, we can make this season a little more comfortable for all.

*Please Note* Our tree delivery is delayed, so we will have a bin in Kloss Hall to collect items this Sunday.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE PICK-A-PARTY

Friday, December 6 at CCSM

Come Decorate a Gingerbread House with Jessica! Jessica is hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating Pick-A-Party on Friday, December 6 from 5:30-7:30 at CCSM. This party is for the young and the young at heart. Each participant will receive a pre-assembled gingerbread house ready to transform into their own festive creation. Jessica will provide all the decorating supplies, festive appetizers, and plenty of holiday cheer. Come create magical holiday memories! Suggested Donation: Adults: $30; Youth 16 & Under: $20; or Pay-What-You-Can (more or less than the suggested donation). Please RSVP directly to Jessica by December 1 at jessica@ccsm-ucc.org.

COMING UP

CHRISTMAS WISH-LIST TREE

December 8 & 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 SUNDAYS

December 8 & 15

11:30 AM on the Loggia

CCSM will need drivers and well-wishers to bring holiday cheer to church members during the Christmas season. Please look for the poinsettias and a list of recipients, take a name and poinsettia, and bring a warm Christmas greeting to someone.

2025 HAPPY COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UPS

December 8 & 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.

CYF CHRISTMAS CAROLING!

December 8, 12 - 3:30 PM

Join us in the Community Room for pizza, and then we will split into groups to go caroling to CCSM members’ homes. Please RSVP to Rev. Sheryl by Wednesday, December 4.

GREEN TIPS