Connections - Week of December 11, 2023

Connections: Week of December 11, 2023

Hello, Church,

As I shared in my sermon on Sunday, I have really appreciated the “Daily Prompts for Practicing Joy in a Weary World” on our Advent Calendar. Even though I have missed a few days, these prompts have helped ground me in the season, while also encouraging me to be open to share and receive joy, especially the joy found in connection.

Today’s prompt invites us to place a kind note for a stranger to find. Have you ever been the recipient of such a note? An unexpected gesture of kindness, love, or encouragement? Several years ago, I found such a note on the windshield of my car. At first, I was upset. Someone scratched my car or dinged the door while exiting the parking lot! You can imagine my surprise (and relief) when I opened the note that said, “You matter. A lot.”

Wow. That person had no idea how much that note meant to me on that day.

If you haven’t been following along with the Advent Calendar, it’s not too late. Printed Calendars are still available at the church, or you can follow along on our social media accounts (click on the icons below). We are posting prompts daily to our Facebook stories and Instagram feed.

Keep reading for all the ways you can REJOICE in connection with our CCSM community.

With gratitude and love,

Jessica

Advent Resources

Advent Weekly Devotional Booklet

We invite you to go a little deeper this season and join us in reading our Advent devotional How does a weary world rejoice? This daily devotional follows the Christmas story in Luke 1–2. It includes weekly readings along with art, poetry, and reflective questions to follow at your own pace.

Printed Advent Devotionals will be available at the church. You can also view an e-reader version at tinyurl.com/Advent-Devo-23

Reflection Groups

This December, we are offering multiple opportunities for you to find space to reflect on the season in community. Using our Advent Devotional as a guide, we’ll share in song, prayer and conversation as we practice joy together in this weary world. This is a great opportunity for you to invite a friend to check out our faith community in a relaxed setting. All groups will meet in the Fireplace Room.

Sundays, December 3, 10, & 17

4:00pm Advent with Álvaro in Spanish: learning the basics of the symbols and the meaning of the season

5:00-6:00pm (bilingual), cider & snacks

Wednesdays, December 6, 13, & 20

12:00-1:00pm Bring your own lunch; dessert & coffee provided

Tuesdays, December 5, 12, 19: Zoom Group

12:00-12:45pm on Zoom: Link is tinyurl.com/Advent-Reflection-2023

Advent Calendars

CCSM offers two different Advent Calendars this year: one for children and another for youth/adults. Each calendar includes a daily prompt for you and/or your family to “practice joy in a weary world.”

Printed Advent Calendars are available at the church for pick-up, or you can download a digital copy here: tinyurl.com/Advent-Kids-Cal for the children's calendar and tinyurl.com/Advent-2023-Cal for adult/youth.

Advent Resources provided by SanctifiedArt.org

IF YOU MISSED THE WORSHIP SERVICE,

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon,

“We Find Joy in Connection"

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2023

(formerly “Adopt-a-Family”)

Don't forget to return Christmas Wish List gifts to CCSM by Friday, December 15th at the latest (earlier is better). For those unable to pick up ornaments, here are suggestions as to how you can participate: SEND A CHECK (with a notation Christmas Wish List gift) to CCSM, attention Cheryle Matteo and we will help you purchase the gift; or GO TO YOUR FAVORITE ONLINE STORE, purchase a gift from the online list, and have it sent to CCSM (225 Tilton Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401), ATTN: Christmas Wish List.

Here are the gift requests:

CHILDREN (all ages and sizes): Socks • Shoes/slippers • Pajamas/Robes • Balls of all kinds • Board games (ages 4-18) • Educational Games • Lego Sets • Journals and Pens.

ADULTS (sizes M-XXL men and women): Sweatshirts and/or sweatpants • Pajamas and/or robes • Towel Sets with bath towel • Battery Packs for phone and chargers • Book Lights

Please contact Melodie Lew at boygie.m2000@yahoo.com or call 650.573.9765 if you have any questions. Thanking you in advance.

POINSETTIAS... DONE AND DUSTED!

For the first time I can remember ALL the poinsettias were taken on the first Sunday of distribution. Many thanks to all who are making it possible for our designated recipients to receive an advent remembrance from our church. A big thank you to Oscar, Chase and Carol Henton for their efforts in making it a successful event. —Diane Kalliam

Joan Brown (left) and Nancy Jalonen (right) receive their poinsettias

Las Posadas has become an enduring annual tradition at CCSM. This will be Álvaro's first Las Posadas; he will incorporate some new elements, which will help us appreciate the diversity of Latin American customs and traditions of the season.

Join us Wednesday, 12/20 at 7pm!

The Latino Ministry invites everyone in the church, children and adults, to participate in this special Advent experience. It is also a great event to invite friends to! If you plan on attending and can bring a side dish/dessert to share or help as otherwise needed, please email Alicia at westcoastalicia@gmail.com by December 15th. Thank you, friends!

Leading up to Las Posadas, our regular 7:15 pm Wednesday service includes bilingual Advent-themed liturgy, music, and sermon. We are in Kloss Hall this month – please join us for fellowship, community connection, and a shared meal!

WE WANT YOU!

CCSM is looking for volunteers to serve on the Board-appointed committees and ministry teams that help our congregation function! This includes the various committees that deal with church administration (like finances, stewardship and personnel), spiritual life, hospitality, and engagement. Click Here and scroll down for a full list of committees and ministry teams.

If you are interested in nominating yourself or another member of CCSM to serve on one of these committees, please reach out to the Frank Garritano, Chair of the Governance Committee, at fgarritano@gmail.com.

Click on tinyurl.com/CCSM-COM-Teams for a brief overview of the Council of Ministry Teams, and on tinyurl.com/CCSM-Committees for the Board Appointed Committees.

Click on tinyurl.com/CCSM-Governance-Manual for an updated version of the Governance Manual.

THE BOARD IS HOSTING A BUDGET DISCUSSION in Kloss Hall on Thursday evening, December 14 at 7 PM. You are invited to attend in person or by Zoom. The Zoom link is tinyurl.com/CCSM-Boardmtg

PRAY FOR PEACE

Weekly on Wednesdays • 9:30-10:00am on Zoom

In light of the recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories, we are invited to join Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical partner of the United Church of Christ's Global Ministries, to join others across the world in praying weekly for peace. Registration is free, but required to receive the Zoom Link.

Make a Gift

You can also make a financial gift to help with humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel through the United Church of Christ’s Wider Church Ministries HERE.

Call for a Ceasefire

Send a pre-written message to your elected officials through UCC’s “Just Peace Church” program HERE calling for a ceasefire and encouraging Congress to take immediate action for de-escalation in Israel and Gaza, and support steps towards a lasting peace.

Youth and Family News

Sunday, December 17 - Join Revs. Jessica and Sheryl for lunch after church and a chance to review the Christmas pageant script and make any final changes. Plus, it is a chance for all to get to know Rev. Jessica!

Wednesday, December 20 - Las Posadas! Please join us at 7pm to get into costume. Youth assistance is welcome! We'll remember Mary and Joseph looking for a room at the inn as we sing, pray, and celebrate together.

Sunday, December 24 - Join us for the 5pm Family Service - there will be a fun low-key skit for all to participate in, familiar carols, reflective prayers, and a candlelight while we sing Silent Night. Youth (and college students/young adults who are around for the holidays!) are invited to come around 3pm to rehearse the narration, have some snacks, and help set up the costumes for the kids!

Saving Water

and Energy

It goes without saying that Californians must preserve our limited water. It is also important because water and wastewater treatment are carbon-intensive processes, as is heating that water at home.

There are many ways to cut water use and save energy. For example, fully load machines such as dishwashers and clothing washers before using. Use cold water when possible. A washing machine spends 90% of its energy to heat water. For drying, use a clothesline in warmer weather if you can. Open the door at the end of a dishwasher’s wash cycle and let the dishes air dry.

CCSM Council of Ministries

Contact COM: COM@CCSM-UCC.org

Kay Harris - Council of Ministries Lead

Jim Schwandt - Buildings and Grounds

Kim Rey and Troy Grabow - Children, Youth and Families

Diane Kalliam - Congregational Care

Alison Schwandt - Engagement

Gary H. White - Environmental Justice

Sandy McNabb - Connect and Celebrate

Julien Phillips - Latino/a Ministry

Linda Stoick - Liturgical Arts

Sue Bell - Music

Genel Morgan - Service and Justice

Chris Wuthmann - Spiritual Life/Adult Ed.

Martha Bronitsky - Stewardship

You don't need to wait for the Ministry Fair to learn more, or join a ministry. Contact the Ministry Lead anytime!

Click HERE for CCSM's Governance Manual, and HERE for CCSM's Bylaws

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!

JOIN THE CLICK!

If we get at least 1,000 subscribers, the YouTube algorithm bumps our CCSM site higher on people’s search engine. CCSM Media now has 432 subscribers. Let’s keep pumping it up! So, please go to youtube.com/@ccsmMediaChannel/featured and click the “Subscribe” button.

Cost: Nothing. Benefit: HUGE!