Dearest CCSM Family,

As we enter the fall, I always find the extension of Daylight Savings time a challenge because at my morning wake up time, at this point in the season it’s dark. If we were on standard time, it would still be light with the sun on the cusp of rising. Couple that with the diminishing evening light and I really struggle. Then I remind myself that the season of light is just around the corner. The season when we celebrate the arrival of the Christ Child and the beginning of our church year and I have hope for what is ahead.

I have that same hope for what is ahead at CCSM. Your leadership team and staff have been navigating some bum hands of cards we’ve been dealt in the past few months. We’ve been working at the same time to challenge us all to come from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. No, I am not speaking here about money, I am speaking about stretching ourselves through adversity to look for what is ahead of us rather than getting stuck on mourning what we believe we’ve lost and what is behind us.

In the past few weeks, we’ve seen an incredible group of singers work with our Don Harper to bring us worship music each week. I could not be more proud of what they have brought to us on Sunday mornings. They could all have tossed in the towel and sat in the pews with arms crossed, and yet they’ve chosen to step up and bring their gifts to elevate our worship. We have a new face in the office in the person of Kim Rey, who is also stepping up in a temporary role to help us transition through Zoe Mullery’s retirement. Finally, there’s the wonderful work that Jim Schwandt and Charlie Drechsler are doing with the various plantings around our property. These two men have made some lovely improvements over the summer and fall (the space where the pine tree once stood and the rose garden along the portico) and if you see them working away or at church, be sure to give them your thanks.

These are just three examples of the green sprouts that are already growing from the pruning season we’ve been through in the past few months. They’re a little ahead of springtime, but let’s think of them as being in a nice hot house, encouraged to sprout and grow.

As we journey together through this time of darkening skies towards the season of light that is Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, let us bear in mind the scripture from this past Sunday.

“Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.”

2 Timothy 2, 14 & 15 – The Message Bible

We have an opportunity to move forward as a faith community. It will demand that we trust that God is calling us to do so, as I believe God is. We will only be successful if we can concentrate on doing our best for God. Focusing on the task ahead, a task that is not just financial, but a task that calls us to service and at the same time letting go of the past that is behind us, not to forget but rather to build upon it and move on. There is light ahead if we only walk together hand in hand and embrace those who are willing to join in our journey along the path.

With You in Christ’s Service,

Don Ruthroff

CCSM Board of Directors’ Moderator

P.S. If you haven't already, please take a moment to fill out our short, three-question worship music survey by clicking on this link. This will help us in our search process for a new Music Director.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

2nd Hour with Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro on the impact of global uncertainty for communities who previously benefited from Development Aid.

2nd Pop-Up Bar on Thursday evening! We look forward to seeing you in November, when the bar reopens for more fun and connection.

THIS WEEK

Music and Art Guild

Friday, October 17 at 12pm in the Buckham Room

Pat Pepper, long-time leader of CCSM's Music and Art Guild, was recognized for her years of service at the group's first meeting in September.

The Music and Art Guild will meet on Friday, October 17, at noon in the Buckham Room. Please bring your lunch. Dessert will be provided. After a brief meeting, we will enjoy a performance by Ying, a classically trained Chinese vocalist who regularly rehearses at our church, accompanied by Don Harper.

Migration: Shaping the Narrative

Saturday, October 18

Pacific School of Religion is hosting their annual Earl Lecture Series on the theme of Migration: Shaping the Narrative. The conference will bring together scholars, activists, and church members on Saturday, October 18. You can join in person or on-line. They are offering our congregation a 25% discount to join this important event by entering LASTCHANCE at checkout.

Learn More

Chocolate Fest hosted by the Congregational Church of the Peninsula

Saturday, October 18 from 1 - 4pm and 5 - 8pm

Order your tickets now for the 42nd edition of Chocolate Fest. An abundance of chocolate confections for tasting from 20 local chocolatiers - Live jazz - Champagne - Silent Auction - Prizes - A benefit for San Mateo County Health Foundation!

Select your 3-hr tasting session when you order your tickets.

$25 pre-paid; $30 at door
Seniors/children: $16 pre-paid; $25 at door

Mission Hospice 2nd Hour

Sunday, October 19 from 12 - 1pm

Mission Hospice will host this second hour talk on their offerings and specifically discuss grief support. Join us for this discussion and to begin preliminary talks about how we as a church community can better support our members through times of grief. This is part of a series of talks on end of life issues that we hope to offer throughout the year. Contact Betty Till for more information.

Board of Directors Meeting via Zoom

Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 - 8pm

All are welcome to attend the next Board of Directors meeting on Zoom. Each month there will be a unique Zoom link for Board meetings. Email Don Ruthroff, our Board Moderator, for more information.

Meeting Agenda

Oct Zoom Link

Rev. Jessica and Oscar are Out of Office

Rev. Jessica is on vacation from October 13-22 and Oscar will be on vacation October 16-25.

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.

TAKE ACTION

Annual Giving Commitment

When we give, we plant seeds. A single seed can seem small — but in God’s dream, it grows into something greater: shelter, nourishment, and life for all. Your pledge is a seed of stability and hope for CCSM’s future.

We have 38 households/individuals who have pledged so far, totaling $189,140.

Support Our Shared Dream

Make your Estimate of Giving pledge today and help invest in CCSM's ministry and mission.

Join Us For Parents' Night Out

Saturday, October 25, 6 - 8pm

Support Sunday Youth Faith Formation

We'd love your support in expanding our youth programming! Join us to co-lead youth group, participate in exciting children activities, or lend a hand preparing a light meal one Sunday evening. Our Youth Faith Formation happens every Sunday from 4pm to 6:30pm. If you're interested in volunteering, please email Kibbie Ruth or Rev. Alvaro.

Sign up to Co-host Happy Coffee Hour

Thank you to all of our our Happy Coffee Hour hosts and for the new sign ups the past few weeks! Your support strengthens the CCSM community and helps us maintain our bonds.

We are currently still seeking 7 hosts for the 2025 Coffee Hour schedule:

Nov 23 (1), 30 (2)
Dec 21 (2), 28 (2)

To sign up, please email Melodie Lew.

Share CCSM Job Openings with Your Network

We are currently seeking a skilled and collaborative Organist/Pianist to support our worship and music ministries. This part-time role includes accompanying Sunday worship, choir rehearsals, and special services throughout the year.

We are also looking for an Interim Choir Director to lead our 12–18 member volunteer choir in rehearsals, Sunday worship, and occasional special services during this season of transition.

We’re seeking a thoughtful and energetic leader to guide and shape our ministry with children, youth, and families (CYF) in a diverse, intergenerational, and multicultural congregation. The CYF Director will develop and lead engaging, age-appropriate programs on Sundays and Wednesdays, support youth group and family events, and foster deep connections across generations.

Have You Downloaded the Church Center App?

We now have 152 CCSMers in our new Church Center Directory!

If you haven't already, download the app today and explore how easy it is to submit a prayer request, give, connect with other members, make your pledge, and see what's coming up in the life of the church.

Learn More

COMING UP

Dia de los Muertos & All Saints Day

Wednesday, October 29 at 6pm and Sunday, November 2 at 10:30am

This sacred time of remembering will be celebrated in two services.

Our Latino Ministry will host a special Dia de los Muertos on Wednesday, October 29 where we will come together to create our communal remembrance altar, a symbol of our shared respect and love for our departed loved ones. We invite you to bring photographs, commemorative objects and offerings of bread and fruit. We will reveal our embroidered memorial tablecloth. We can't wait to see you there!

6:00PM: Children's Activities - Children and youth will learn more about this holiday and other Latin American traditions that honor the dead. They'll decorate sugar skulls, make flowers, and share special snacks!
7:15PM: Memorial Service (Tamales will be served immediately after!)

All Saints Day will be observed in worship on Sunday, November 2nd. We invite you to send in names of your loved ones to be remembered at our All Saints service. Please send to Kim by Tuesday, October 28.

CCSM & You: New Member Lunch

Sunday, November 9 from 12 - 2pm

Whether you're new to CCSM or have been around a while, come learn more about our church, discover ways to get involved, and explore why membership might be the right step for you. No pressure, just connection and conversation! Contact Alison Schwandt to learn more or RSVP. We'd love to welcome you more fully into the life of the church.