Connections: Week of July 10, 2023 | |
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Dear Beloved Community at CCSM,
We often know and appreciate the depth and support of our community most acutely in times of need. As some of you know, I came down ill on Saturday—and the first response I received from Rev. Kibbie and everyone else at CCSM was "don't worry about it, we've got this, just rest and recover."
I am so deeply grateful for that—and to everyone who stepped in to make Sunday's service happen in my absence. And what a service it was—what capable leaders we have who are equipped and ready to step in and step up in so many ways. I truly hope and pray for that sort of community to surround each of you, that you can feel buoyed by the loving support of those around you and know you are never alone. If you missed the service, please do go back and watch!
That feeling of being buoyed by a loving community was also very much present for me at the UCC's General Synod last week. Resolutions were passed in support of trans and nonbinary persons, green energy, abortion as healthcare, harm reduction, and equal access to the internet. Resolutions decried solitary confinement, single-use plastics, and gun violence. The first woman (who is also of African descent), Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, was elected as the UCC's General Minister and President. For me, it was an important reminder of being a part of a larger whole, where each part of the church can offer its blessings and ask for support in its burdens.
This coming Sunday, I invite you to join us for worship as we have the privilege of hearing from Rev. Álvaro Durán as our guest preacher. Many of you will know Rev. Álvaro already, as he has been leading our Wednesday worship services for the past month or so. Rev. Álvaro is a dynamic theologian and a passionate community builder—and is the only openly gay pastor in El Salvador. We will also be moved by music, prayer, liturgical art, and time in our beloved community.
Peace and blessings,
Sheryl
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Rev. Dr. Kibbie Ruth's inspiring words on abundance and grace
as she fills in last minute for Rev. Dr. Sheryl Johnson
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AND YOU CAN BE PART OF MAKING IT!
CCSM has a golden opportunity to discern the vision of our ministry with our Latino/a
neighbors. Maybe you met Rev. Álvaro Durán at the church picnic or in Sunday worship. He might be able to stay with us for one year to guide our Spanish-speaking and English-speaking congregants into deepened relationships with one another and the North Central San Mateo community. Be part of that visioning!
Join a Zoom discussion Thursday, July 13, 7 PM Pacific (click here to join the Zoom), or
Join an in-person or Zoom forum after church Sunday, July 16, 12 PM in the Buckham Room (click here if joining by Zoom).
Of course, you are always welcome at the Spanish-speaking service any Wednesday at 7:15 PM in the Fireplace Room (that coffee hour is a full dinner!). Also, if you attend the Sunday worship on July 16, Rev. Álvaro is preaching.
Click here to see the entire email sent to you yesterday
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Posy Posse
Requesting Donations
Trying to clear out kitchen storage or the garage of extra vases or jars (5" or taller) you don’t need? Posy Posse can help you recycle those items into beautiful small floral arrangements. If you have items to donate, please bring them to the kitchen at CCSM. Please note: Vases that are very large, damaged (particularly chipped glass), or not completely waterproof are not accepted. Thank you for your help in keeping us in supplies for this active ministry. Contact Susan Lake or Laura Pierce McKenzie with questions.
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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 has 413 subscribers today. Let’s pump it up!
So, please go to https://www.youtube.com/@ccsmMediaChannel/featured
and click the “Subscribe” button. Cost: Nothing. Benefit: HUGE.
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DROP-IN CHOIR SUNDAY
All who would like to sing this Sunday (July 16) without a long commitment, please join us this Sunday morning at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary for our Drop-In Choir Sunday Sing. We'll prepare to sing for the 10:30 a.m. service. All ages welcome! If you have any questions, please reach out to Lynnette Bilsey at ltbmusings@gmail.com.
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MUSIC AND ART
SUMMER UPDATE
Music and Art will continue meeting during the summer months at our regular time, 3rd Friday of the month at noon in the Buckham Room.
The next meeting is on July 21st. Remember to bring your own lunch and drink (other than ice water). We’ll have cookies for dessert.
This month, Rev. Dr. Kibbie Ruth will speak to us about the recent changes at CCSM. She came to CCSM in the spring of 1977 and has had five different titles here. Currently, she is serving as a Transitional Minister until we have a new Senior Minister. During most of her ministry, she has coached denominational leaders and congregations through abuse-related crises as the Founder and Senior Consultant of Kyros Ministry.
In the last few months, CCSM has experienced a lot of change. If the pace has left you breathless, join Music and Arts at our next meeting to reflect on what has happened. Kibbie will give us a brief update and answer any questions.
Please RSVP to Pat Pepper: pjpepper31@gmail.com or phone, 650-343-4286.
Music and Art is an affinity group of the longest duration @ CCSM. It is open to all church members and friends of CCSM. Watch for announcements in the Pine Tree, Connections, and Sunday bulletins.
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San Jose Giants Game!
Friday, July 21st
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With fireworks! Last year's San Jose Giants game was a big success, attended by more than 25 CCSM members and friends. The San Jose Giants are a single-A farm team for the "big" Giants. Their San Jose stadium and the game itself are very family-friendly, with seats close to the field and lots of fan participation.
The price of admission includes a pre-game dinner at Turkey Mike's BBQ on site and fireworks after the game. Game time is 7:00 pm; it's best to get there early to enjoy the barbecue properly.
$40 per person with one beer or wine, $35 without alcohol, $23 for kids. We need to make a deposit to hold the seats, so please sign up ASAP. Contact Sandy McNabb (sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com 650 678 5650) or Mike Harris (mypirocks@me.com 650 572 8378).
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Brownie Bake Off!
Sunday, July 23rd
CCSM's first-ever brownie bake off will be held during Coffee Hour on July 23rd. Bake up a batch of brownies, cut them into small sample-size pieces, and bring them to Kloss Hall before service starts.
During Coffee Hour, everyone will taste brownies and vote on their favorites in several categories, including Best in Show:
- Chocolate
- Blondies / Butterscotch (Non-Chocolate)
- Healthy
- Decorated
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Alternative Flavors / Ingredients (Caramel, Marshmallows, Spices, etc.)
Everyone is encouraged to bake an entry; no prior experience necessary, and brownie mix is fine (you might consider some add-ins). And everyone can taste, whether or not you brought an entry. Questions? Contact Sandy McNabb (sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com 650 678 5650) or Mike Harris (mypirocks@me.com 650 572 8378).
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DID YOU MISS OUT?
New members will be joining on Homecoming Sunday, September 10. If you are curious about officially becoming one of our flock, please email kibbie@kyros.org for more information.
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The 2024 CCSM Budget Process is Beginning!
Come Join In!
Have your voice heard!
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CCSM is beginning to plan the budget for 2024. We seek your involvement during this process, which began Sunday, June 18. The process, which is outlined below, involves the Finance Committee, the Congregation, and the Board in three separate phases.
Phase 1 is the development of Budget Principles -- values-based and faith-rooted principles for CCSM -- that will guide us throughout budget development. At the June 18 Second Hour, Sheryl will lead off with ideas based on her book, Serving Money, Serving God. Together, she and the Treasurer will lead an exercise and discussion aimed to come away with a list of principles for the Board to discuss at its meeting on July 9.
Phase 2 is the development of one or more fiscal plan(s). The notion is to set out two or maybe three goals for general fund donations and also total revenue, together with a description of what we think would be funded at each revenue level. This phase is currently scheduled to involve the Congregation after worship on August 6 and would end with Board adoption at its meeting on Aug 13. This will be in time for the Stewardship Ministry to use the plan(s) when they kick off the campaign for pledges (which are estimates of giving) in early September.
Phase 3 is the development of one or more detailed first budget drafts -- possibly a budget for each fiscal plan. The tentative date to discuss with the Congregation is October 29, but much could happen between now and then to change that date. The notion is that CCSM would be providing detailed information more than two months prior to adoption of a budget in January at the Annual Meeting.
Come join in the discussions for one or all three phases.
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SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE CCSM
Don’t go on vacation—come to church! Want to know what goes on behind the scenes, like how decisions are made or the church budget is put together? If you want to observe, learn, or speak up, these opportunities are for you.
Gatherings, classes, and meetings will be before and after church in the
Buckham Room (both live and Zoom).
Everyone is invited to participate.
July 13, 7:00 PM on Zoom (click here to join the Zoom)
July 16, 12:00 PM, Buckham Room (click here if joining by Zoom)
CCSM has a golden opportunity to discern the vision of our ministry
with our Latino/a neighbors.
For more details about the vision, see yesterday’s email (link)
August 6, 12:00 PM
CCSM Finance
Step into the realm of church budgets—balancing our 2023 shortfall
and planning for 2024. Voice your opinion about how to reign in our spending
and encourage giving at CCSM.
August 13, 12:00 PM
Board of Directors
Join in the policy discussions of the leaders you elected to serve the church.
August 20 – Double Header
9:30 AM
Toxic Theology
with Kibbie Ruth
Ever wonder if the Bible really said what you were told it did,
for example, “suffer in silence”?
12:00 PM
Council of Ministries
Learn how teams of volunteers help the church thrive.
Maybe you could volunteer too!
August 27, 9:30 AM
Living into the Guiding Principles
Analyze CCSM’s Guiding Principles.
Do we really mean what we say?
For more information, email kibbie@ccsm-ucc.org.
Because these classes might not be available for Zoom participants,
the classes will be be filmed and uploaded to the website.
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Youth and Family News
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.
Saturday, August 26 - LifeMoves Bike Ride to End Homelessness. This is a fun ride for a great cause. There are routes for all ages - kids included! (See below for more information) Please consider signing up as a family. https://www.lifemoves.org/ride-to-end-homelessness/
Sunday, September 10 - Homecoming Sunday! Please plan to stay after church for facepainting, balloon animals, games, and more! Youth are encouraged to help out - and can earn volunteer hours. Please let Sheryl know if you're available!
Saturday, September 16 - City of San Mateo Annual Bayfront Cleanup
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CCSM MARKETPLACE
IS COMING!
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Can you help? CCSM Marketplace is an experiment to test a way to make mutually beneficial connections in our community. For example, some of us need house cleaners, gardeners or caregivers. Others - especially people in our Spanish-language group - offer such services. Some congregants offer music lessons, tutoring, web design and other services while others seek such services. Some members need household goods such as furniture and kitchen equipment, and others would like to donate such items or sell them cheaply.
To launch this experiment, we need listings. Can you help?
• Do you have a service for which you would like to find a new customer/client/student?
• Do you have household goods (or other items) you would like to donate or sell cheaply?
• Do you need something that someone else in our congregation might like to provide?
Please let Sofia Floresca know by:
• Filling out the form under "Contact" at sofiafloresca12.wixsite.com/ccsm-marketplace
• E-mailing Sofia at sofiafloresca12@gmail.com with the information requested in the simple form below.
• Filling out the form on the back and giving it to Sofia or mailing it to her at 713 Murphy Drive, San Mateo 94402.
She will follow up with you personally to discuss how to list your offering or need, arrange for contacting you, etc.
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Upcoming
Board of Directors
Meetings
all meetings are Sunday at Noon
in the Buckham Room
(unless noted)
August 13
September 17
October 8
November 12
December 10
To view June 14 Board Meeting Minutes,
click here or go to https://tinyurl.com/CCSMBoard-061423
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Upcoming
Council of Ministries
Meetings
all meetings are Sunday at Noon
in the Fireplace Room
(dates in yellow are combined BoD + CoM)
July OFF
August 20 (11:50 am)
September 24
October 22
November 12
December OFF
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CCSM Council of Ministries
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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 White - Energy + Environmental Justice
Sandy McNabb - Connect and Celebrate
Julien Phillips - Latino/a Ministry
Laura McKenzie - Liturgical Arts
Sue Bell - Music
Genel Morgan - Service and Justice
Chris Wuthmann - Spiritual Life/Adult Ed.
Martha Bronitsky - Stewardship
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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
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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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CCSM SUMMER
OFFICE HOURS
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9am - 1pm
Monday - Thursday
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Please welcome Jennifer Prince Londgren
to CCSM’s administrative staff
Jennifer has been a CCSM member since 2002. Jennifer will be filling in for Zoe Mullery and Austin Mader-Clark over the summer (July-August) to bring you Connections and the Sunday Bulletin and to help out in the office. You can contact Jennifer at jprince@ccsm-ucc.org with any content for Connections or the Bulletin. Zoe Mullery will continue to produce the Pine Tree and can be contacted at zmullery@ccsm-ucc.org.
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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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