Connections: April 25, 2023 |
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SO, YOU THINK GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE?
“Think again!” warned Rev. Molly Baskette last Sunday. While our Rev. Dr. Sheryl Johnson preached at the Berkeley UCC church, its senior minister preached at CCSM. Molly had barely started her ministry in Berkeley, when the church burned almost completely down! Out of the ashes, a renewed and refocused, vigorous church rose—slowly. “God doesn’t send the disaster, but God will use the disaster to help us grow and change in all the ways we most need.” God didn’t plan for the fire to happen; neither does God have specific plans for our lives. Molly said, “I don’t think God has a plan; God has dreams for each of us, and all of us together. I think God has hopes...but not a strategic plan.”
With story, humor and wisdom, Molly also suggested there is nothing more appealing in a relationship than already knowing who you are and “not looking for someone to complete” you. And nothing is more appealing than a church already at work on its dreams (God’s dreams), before its new pastor arrives. If you missed the beautiful music on Sunday, please go back and listen—or re-listen to the whole service. At the very least, check out Molly’s message for us!
In my first week with you as Transitional Minister, I marvel at the energy and dedication of our members. We are already at work, we are already complete, and we are already healing from the agonies that set our church afire this winter. As Henry James Thoreau wrote, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you have imagined.” I am blessed to walk with you as you live the life you imagine, in the direction of your dreams.
With hope and love,
Kibbie
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CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE
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AFTER CHURCH—DON’T GO HOME
Socialize over coffee, and then join two special events. Everyone is invited.
Sunday, April 30: Class on Forgiveness and other components of spiritual healing, taught by Kibbie Ruth in the Buckham Room, noon to 1PM
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Sunday, May 7: HEALING & RECONCILIATION CONVERSATION
Participants at the May 7 meeting of the Healing and Reconciliation process will have the opportunity to discuss three major topics based on the input from the March 19 meeting: leadership, decision-making, and communication. Questions such as What do we want in a leader? How can we make more democratic decisions? and Can we communicate in more loving ways? could be discussed in small groups.
The larger purpose of the meeting is to further the goal of healing, but to do this we need to listen to different perspectives and discern the truth.
This second meeting will be held in Kloss Hall, Sunday, May 7, 12 noon to 1:30 p m, Margie Mader-Clark facilitating.
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CCSM 2nd ANNUAL PIE SOCIAL ON MOTHER'S DAY, MAY 14! Join us after service for our Second Annual Pie Social. It's easy: (1) make or buy a pie and bring it to Kloss Hall before service on May 14; (2) buy raffle tickets in Kloss Hall after service (3 for $5, 15 for $20) to win one of those luscious pies; (3) enjoy coffee/tea and pie while you socialize with fellow members; (4) take the pie you won home to your mom, grandma, mom person in your life, or just for yourself! Don't do pie? Come anyway; there will be other coffee hour food and great company.
Questions? Contact Sandy McNabb, sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com 650.678.5650; Michele Merfeld Hale, kaymerf@yahoo.com 206.612.6182; or Diane Kalliam, dkalliam@gmail.com 415.279.1359. (And please consider volunteering that day to help organize and distribute winning pies.)
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Youth and Family News
Sunday, April 30: 11:45am - Youth interested in Confirmation are invited to join Sheryl for lunch, conversation, and discussion/writing of faith statements.
Sunday, April 30 - High School Multifaith Park Cleanup and BBQ has been RESCHEDULED: tentative date May 21.
Sunday, May 7: 11:45am - Note change of plans! Because there will be a congregational healing and reconciliation time after church on May 7, our play date will just be for kids this month. Adults/parents are invited to attend this session (in the Buckham Room) while kids spend time in the CE building's Community Room for a pizza lunch with some special crafts and games. Hope you can make it!
Sunday, May 21: Special Sunday Celebrating Youth! Plan to come to church to honor our Confirmands as well as scholarship recipients. We are especially looking for youth to help lead worship that day - i.e. read things in church. Let me know if you can help!
July/August 2023 - Summer camp sessions at Camp Tamarack! Please check the website to learn more and to see which week is open to your age group, registration should be open soon. Please let Sheryl know if you are interested for help with carpooling, assistance with fees, etc.
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Memorial Day Remembrances 2023
Once again we have the opportunity to remember those loved ones we have lost or to celebrate a life or event that we wish to honor. On Sunday, May 28, we will create a Memorial Day remembrance page for the worship bulletin. We are requesting a donation of $25 for the remembrance page, or $35 if you would also like a a succulent suitable for planting to take with you as a remembrance.
Please leave in the church office or email Diane Kalliam by Sunday, May 21 to insure accuracy when the donor list is published on Memorial Sunday. Click HERE for instructions, or check your Sunday bulletin.
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Pick-A-Party Opportunity!
Join the Cooks and Bakers Zoom party,
Thursday, May 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (only $20)!
There's still time to sign up for this Zoom Pick A Party, hosted by Michele Merfeld Hale, in which all those interested in food (that's everyone) can share recipes and cooking ideas. Michele is a true virtual member, having found CCSM online and joining virtually. She's never been physically present at CCSM, but she's been active in our congregation for some time — she came up with the ideas for our successful Pie Social and our Christmas Cookie Exchange. And she has more than 550 cookbooks! This Zoom Pick-A-Party is sure to be great fun, so contact Michele or Sandy McNabb to sign up now.
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Click HERE for CCSM's Governance Manual, and HERE for CCSM's Bylaws
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Click HERE for the latest issue of our Pine Tree newsletter!
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Solar Project-related UPDATE:
PG&E has changed the dates for the electrical shut down at the church to Monday, May 1 - Wednesday, May 3. The church will be without power for those three days, which means we will be without the fire alarm system and without lights or phones. All rehearsals and events will have to be canceled those days out of caution for everyone’s safety. Sincere apologies for the inconvenience. Chase will be in touch with those who were previously re-located to other sites.
There continue to be ongoing fenced off areas in the parking lot, reducing our number of spaces. This changes frequently, as the workers move the fences around to try to provide us as many parking places as possible at any given time, depending on what they are doing. Please remember that there is additional Sunday parking available in the lot kitty-corner from the church, at Tilton and San Mateo Drive.
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Kibbie Ruth steps up as Transitional Minister
Rev. Dr. Kibbie Ruth will be partnering with Rev. Sheryl Johnson as somewhat of a pseudo-interim minister. As Transitional Minister, Kibbie will engage with the lay leadership to help the congregation heal from past wounds, increase the sense of community and participation, and prepare for a settled senior minister. To read more about this, see the previous "Connections" email (click HERE).
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BRING YOUR BLESSING BOX CONTRIBUTIONS ANY SUNDAY OF THE MONTH!
The "Blessing Box" outside of the entrance of CCSM is a project of the Ministry of Service and Justice, responding to the need for families in our neighborhood to access food and an expression of our call to be the "hands, feet, and face of God" in our community. The container will be in the narthex to collect food (canned, dried and boxed, no fresh food please! donations must be full UNOPENED containers, no fruits, vegetables, or bread) on any Sunday of the month. Thank you for your continuing generosity!
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Pray for Ukraine Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
CCSM held a powerful live Prayer Ritual for Ukraine on March 6th, 2022, and will share this ritual ONLINE every Tuesday until the war ends. These are challenging times and this offering is a way to bring our community together and magnify our prayers.
Please share this link with your friends and family so we can extend this offering to as many people as possible.
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225 Tilton Ave. • San Mateo, CA • 94401
650-343-3694
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Scan the QR code above or go to
to make a donation or pledge to CCSM.
Don't forget to ask your employer if they have a charitable donation matching program to make your pledge go farther.
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