Several of you have told me how much you enjoyed our recent Bible Stories for Grown-Ups worship series. I’m glad, because I really enjoyed preaching it, too!

I think I've shared with some of you that one of the most intimidating things about going to seminary was the Bible itself. I grew up in a progressive Protestant church that taught me the stories. But more importantly, the people there showed me in real time what it looks like to follow Jesus' teachings as a way of life and a way of love.

I was taught, through actions and not just words, how to be God's hands and feet and face. I started serving young. My job was picking up all the little communion cups from the pews after worship. I went on service learning trips and watched the older youth and adults around me care for our neighbors by showing up and doing real work. I learned what it means to root ourselves in God's love, which always happens in community. That shaped who I am today more than anything else.

Still, when I headed off to seminary, I was really anxious. I was pretty sure everyone else already knew all of this stuff I was somehow supposed to know, especially about the Bible.

But something unexpected happened when I began digging into these ancient texts. The more I studied Scripture, the more clearly I saw the liberating, justice-seeking work at the heart of Jesus' life and teachings. It gave me a new language for the love and community I had experienced growing up.

What I learned there, and what I hope you've experienced in this series, is that God is still speaking to us through these ancient stories. The people who first told them, and passed them down, weren’t so different from us. They were trying to make sense of the world they were living in. They wrestled with suffering, injustice, community, power, God, and what it means to live a good and faithful life. Thousands of years later, we're still wrestling with many of the same questions.

At the close of worship, I pointed out that in the story we ended on, the blind man's community brought him to Jesus, just like the paralyzed man's friends did when they tore open a roof to lower him down. These are stories of individual healing, but they keep pointing us toward community. Jesus is always pointing us toward community.

And let's be honest, church can be an intimidating community, especially given Christianity’s reputation in our wider culture, and the very real harm the institutional church has caused. Some people carry deep wounds. Others have simply concluded that the church has nothing to offer them. Still others may be longing for community but have no idea where to begin.

That's why our invitation matters.

Not because it is our job to convince people to believe exactly what we believe, but because we know something about the power of community. We know what can happen when people have a place to ask honest questions, to be fully themselves, to serve alongside others, to find connection and belonging, and to experience something of the Divine together.

Sometimes we get to be the people who make that connection possible.

If you read through this week's Connections, you'll find several ways to live out this story and be the person who extends that invitation:

The Village Pub on Friday night
Blessing of the Animals on Saturday
World Communion Sunday
The launch of our new Examined Life Speaker Series in November

So please don't stop reading here. Scroll down! And don't just read the announcements and think about which ones you might attend. Think about who you might invite.

You never know when a simple invitation might be exactly what someone has been waiting for.

In hope,

Rev. JV

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Our Hispanic Heritage Month spotlight this week is on a local treasure - Dr. Antonio López, the 2025-2027 Poet Laureate of San Mateo County and Director of Research at Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS). Antonio was born and raised in East Palo by immigrant parents from Michoacán, Mexico and went on to serve as Mayor there from 2020 - 2024.

Antonio has been to CCSM a few times and was delighted when asked if we could share a few of his poems in Connections. Here they are:

"County Be My Name"

"Somos"

Photo of Antonio attending our Wednesday night worship in 2023. We were blessed to hear him read one of his poems in Spanish to our Latino Ministry community.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Huge thanks to our incredible volunteers—Katherine, Michael, Tony, Kathy, Siew, Kiela & Kal—for spending the weekend sorting, packing, and transforming our spaces into a beautifully organized home for our community's donations!

Wednesday evening Prayground in action! The children have their own dedicated space in service.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Oscar Koechin & Nancy Nugent

Heavenly Spirit,

Thanks for the presence of Oscar Koechin in our lives and on Earth! We are truly grateful for the time we have spent together, as brothers.

Thanks Oscar for enlightening us and for brightening our lives, especially during our regular Band of Brothers gatherings. We thank you for your expressions of love and appreciation for us - that is certainly reciprocal.

You have been an inspiration to me, and I suspect, everyone who has known you - for your intellect, for your integrity, for your sense of humor, for your deep spirituality, for your thoughtfulness, gentleness and gracious humanity. Through the way you have lived your life, you have exemplified what being a Christian means.

We will truly miss you. You will live forever in our hearts.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Micah 6:8. “What does the Lord require but to Do Justice, Love Kindness and to Walk Humbly with Your God”. I know that you have lived that message on Earth…..and continue to Walk Hand in Hand with God now.

Peace, Brother!

We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Some of the Band of Brothers gathered to honor Oscar in the Memorial Garden early in September.

We miss Nancy dearly. Her kindness, quick sense of humor, and warm spirit brought a smile to everyone who knew her.

THIS WEEK

Village Pub is Back: Piano Bar Edition 🎹

Friday, October 2 from 7 - 8:30pm in the Fireplace Room

Join us for our next Village Pub on Friday, October 2nd! We’re sticking with our new Friday night schedule, but shifting back inside to the Fireplace Room.

This time, the Village Pub is turning into a piano bar! Enjoy drinks, snacks, and good conversation with mood music provided by CCSM’s very own piano man, CJ Briggs. As always, all ages are welcome, and childcare will be provided—please email Dave Olsen if you need childcare.

Whether you bring a friend or just bring yourself, this is a perfect, low-key opportunity to connect with new people, catch up with familiar faces, and enjoy a warm fall evening with your community. We can't wait to see you there!

Blessing of the Animals & a Chance to Give Back! 🐕

Saturday, October 3 at 3 - 5pm on the Front Lawn (blessing at 4pm)

This year, our annual Blessing of the Animals is expanding into a Community Pet Fair! Join us on Saturday, October 3, from 3:00–5:00 p.m., when we’ll welcome the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, along with other local animal-care partners.

As part of the celebration, we’re collecting pet food for the PHS/SPCA Pet Food Bank, which helps people in our community who need assistance feeding the animals they love.

Please bring: unopened and unexpired wet or dry dog and cat food, treats, bird seed, hamster food, rabbit pellets, or other food for small animals (no Rx, opened, or refrigerated items, please).

Bring your beloved animal companion for the bilingual Blessing of the Animals at 4:00 p.m. and, if you can, bring some pet food to help another family care for theirs.

We need your help to make the day possible! If you’d like to volunteer, welcoming our neighbours, helping our community partners, assisting with set-up or clean-up, or simply lending a hand wherever needed, please contact Rev. Álvaro. We’d love to have you on the team!

Sign-Up Today: NAMI San Mateo Walk!

Saturday, October 3, 10am - 12:30pm

Join the CCSM Team on Saturday, October 3, for the annual NAMI San Mateo Walk! It’s a wonderful opportunity to walk together in support of mental health.

If you have any questions or want to learn more to contact Katherine at vegastultz@yahoo.com

World Communion Sunday & Potluck Lunch

Sunday, October 4

On World Communion Sunday, we celebrate the unity of Christ’s church across the globe. Following worship, we’ll continue that celebration around the table with a potluck lunch!

The church will supply the beverages, so please bring a dish to share—whether that’s a treasured family recipe, something that represents home, or your favorite Costco takeout staple. Whatever comes from your table to ours, we look forward to sharing a meal that reminds us we all have a place at the table.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2nd Hour: The Why and How of Giving at CCSM

Sunday, October 11 from 12 - 1pm in the Buckham Room

As we begin our Annual Giving campaign, join us for a conversation about both the why and the how of giving at CCSM. We’ll explore the theology of generosity and stewardship, what our shared giving makes possible, and some of the practical questions about pledging and supporting the ministries of our church.

Music & Art Guild with Rev. Álvaro

Friday, October 16 at noon in the Buckham Room

You are invited to the Music & Art Guild’s fall meeting on Friday, October 16, at noon in the Buckham Room. Rev. Álvaro will present "Remembering the Dead: Art, Ritual, and Memory." Through conversation, a simple art activity, and reflection, we’ll explore how music, food, and cultural traditions help process grief, memory, and hope. As Álvaro notes, "It should be a thoughtful, colorful, and perhaps even a little fun time—death does not always have to be gloomy!"

Bring your lunch; dessert will be provided as we enter the season of remembrance together. Annual dues ($25) can be paid at the meeting, and new members are warmly welcome. Please RSVP to Genel Morgan so we can plan for seating and sweets. See you there!

Second Hour: Protecting What Matters -

Fraud, Scams & Staying Safe

Sunday, October 25 from 12 - 1pm in the Buckham Room

Join us for a vital Second Hour presentation, Protecting What Matters: Fraud, Scams, and Staying Safe, on Sunday, October 25, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in the Buckham Room. In today’s digital world, scheme tactics are constantly evolving, making it more important than ever to stay informed and vigilant. This practical session will equip you with clear tools to recognize red flags, safeguard your personal and financial information, and respond confidently if something seems suspicious. Whether you want to protect yourself or help look out for friends and family, you’ll leave with actionable strategies and peace of mind.

LEARN & TAKE ACTION

Buy Tickets & Invite a Friend to Hear Gregory M. Walton

Monday, November 16 from 7 - 8:30pm in the Sanctuary

Buy Tickets

Help us be a Resiliency Hub - Emergency Response Training

Monday, October 26 from 7 - 9pm in the Kloss Hall

How can CCSM support our neighbors during an emergency? By becoming a Resiliency Hub.

Led by the Environmental Justice Committee, this initiative would allow CCSM to provide backup power, charging stations, clean water, climate control, and food during crisis situations.

To make this vision a reality, the San Mateo Fire Department is hosting a free training session on Monday, October 26, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Kloss Hall. We need 12–15 volunteers to participate. Even if you choose not to volunteer during an active emergency, you will gain invaluable safety and preparedness skills.

Want to help? Please let us know if you can attend. For questions, contact Gary White or Ret. Chief Jim Granucci.

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