Connections - Week of December 4, 2023

Connections: Week of December 4, 2023

Hello, Church,

What a wonderful start to the Advent season we have shared! Our Latino Ministry is worshipping in Kloss Hall, which has been transformed with banners and shades of blue. Many of you have already selected ornaments off our Christmas Wish List Tree, and gifts are arriving in the church office. From Angela’s 30th anniversary celebration, to Christmas Caroling led by our CYF ministry team, a 49’s Pick-a-Party Sunday afternoon, and our Senior Christmas Tea (with impromptu carols around the piano) — music, laughter, and the joy of the season have filled the church walls, and beyond!

Several of you have shared your appreciation for the question we are exploring this Advent season, “How does a weary world rejoice?” You’ve also asked, “Now, what is that weird symbol on everything?” The image, created by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, represents “two people — one radiating joy and the other wading into the weariness, holding the world together today.” Rev. Wright Pittman shared that in designing this image, she tried to represent that these emotions are very much part of the global human experience, we hold both and we also hold each other.

It's not too late to pick up an Advent Calendar or Weekly Advent Devotional. We are also sharing daily prompts for practicing joy on our Facebook and Instagram (@ccsmucc) accounts.

If you haven’t had a chance to follow along, I leave you with today’s practice:

Breathe deeply and pray.

With every exhale, release something that makes you weary.

With every inhale, give God thanks for something that brings you joy.

With gratitude and love,

Jessica

Top left: Senior Christmas Tea • Right: Cake celebrating Angela’s 30 years at CCSM

Bottom left: Caroling at the Mullerys

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

9:30-10:15am, bagels & coffee

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 Acknowledge Our Weariness"

Didn’t get your Advent Pine Tree #6 yet? Click HERE to read all 22 pages chock full of CCSM news and photos!

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2023

(formerly “Adopt-a-Family”)

CCSM is again working with LifeMoves’ First Step for Families, which provides temporary shelter and services for families experiencing homelessness in San Mateo County. You are invited to purchase gifts.

Please look for the WISH LIST Christmas tree on the loggia on December 10th after the service. Stop by and pick up an ornament or two with suggested gift items to purchase and return 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), ATTENTION: 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.

COOKIE EXCHANGE/KIDS ACTIVITIES DECEMBER 10!

Last year's cookie exchange was a great success, so it's now officially an annual tradition. The rules are simple: you bring a dozen (or so) cookies, place them on the table in Kloss Hall, and after service you can pick out a dozen (or so) cookies from the plates others have brought. The idea is that you will have an assortment of cookies to take home, deliver to homebound CCSM members, or share during coffee hour.

SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: please bring your cookies on a plate (marked clearly with your name if it’s not paper); consider writing up a recipe card with your name, so folks can snap a picture; you don't have to be a celebrity baker, because it's the spirit of sharing that's important. Questions? Contact Sandy McNabb, sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com, 650-678-5650.

While the adults are exchanging cookies, the kids will be fully engaged with creating a nativity scene to take home, making/decorating their own cookies, and breaking a piñata! Questions? Contact Kim Rey, kim.bianco.rey@gmail.com, 650-224-3505. December 10 is a coffee hour you won't want to miss!

Also, the 49ers Pick-A-Party was a huge success! According to co-host Austin Mader-Clark: "It was really fun and worked just as the intention of pick a parties. A diverse group that doesn’t normally hang together had fun, and raised some good money for CCSM. We had a pool, where we gave people (like Doug Henton and Bev Knowles) money for winning their square, then they donated it to CCSM. Winning quarters 1 & 3 was $20, 2nd quarter (halftime) was $50 and 4th (end of game) was $100." Plus the 49ers crushed the Eagles!!!

If you're still considering signing up for a party, please contact Sandy McNabb, sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com, 650 678 5650. We can find you a party!

POINSETTIA DELIVERY

As part of the holiday season we deliver poinsettias to those in our congregation who are older, can’t attend services, or may have suffered a loss this past year. Get ready to pick up a plant (or plants) and deliver them. More details to follow but the dates for pick up will be December 10 and 17.

Photo: Anne and Steve Galli receive an early poinsettia delivery by Carol Henton

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

Saturday, Dec 9-Sunday Dec 10 - Advent youth sleepover with youth from other Bay Area UCCs at the Orinda UCC Church! Come learn about the season of Advent and have a fun weekend with other youth. Activities will include learning about Advent, cookie baking, mandala coloring (a relaxing meditation practice), Christmas movies, candlelight youth-led worship, and much more.

Sunday, December 10 - Cookie exchange after church! Please bring some favorite cookies and take home a variety of others. There will also be many special crafts and cookie-decorating activities for kids during and after that day's service. Activities will include learning about Latino Christmas traditions and delving into the Christmas stories in the Bible!

Wednesday, December 20 - Las Posadas! Please join us at 7pm to get into costume. Youth assistance 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!

Seal Leaks

Heating and cooling accounts for nearly half the average home’s energy use, according to the Consumer Federation of America. In aggregate, small leaks around the house amount to leaving open a 3-foot-by-3-foot window, the group said. Simple steps such as caulking windows and sliding draft guards under doors can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even buying a clear, plastic film for windows helps insulate from heat and cold by adding a pocket of air between you and the outside.

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! 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!

The next Board of Directors meeting will be Saturday, December 9 at 10am in the Buckham Room (or on Zoom at tinyurl.com/CCSM-Boardmtg)

BOARD MEETING AGENDA

1. Opening/Prayer

2. Change to bylaws discussion and vote (Kerianne)

3. Report from the Treasurer (Veril)

4. Budget presentation and vote (Veril)

5. Governance Manual discussion and vote (Frank or governance)

6. Slate presentation and vote (Frank)

7. Select a date for January Board retreat with Jessica and BOD meeting dates for 2024

8. Select a date for our next board meeting prior to January 21 annual meeting.

9. Report and final words from Jessica

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!

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.

Link for Prayer Ritual on YouTube: tinyurl.com/CCSM-Ukraine-Prayer