Connections: Week of November 20, 2023

Hello, Church! 

This week I am excited to participate in two different services of Thanksgiving: a special Wednesday Night Potluck Service around tables hosted by our Latino Ministry, and an Interfaith Service of Gratitude hosted at St. James AME Zion Church on Thursday morning. (Details for both are listed below, keep scrolling.) In my preparations for worship, I stumbled across this prayer from Daniel Heath, the associate chaplain and director of the Davidson Forum at Davidson College. It is a beautiful prayer that acknowledges the Indigenous peoples whose land we now tread on, while also recognizing those who struggle on this day of celebration, and the unifying aspects of Thanksgiving. I invite you to join me in lifting up this prayer, as I also give God thanks for each of you! I give thanks for the opportunity to serve as your pastor and pray that you have a safe and peace-filled holiday with your friends, family, and/or family of choice. 

Let us pray. 

We offer our gratitude for life, health, and strength. We give thanks for the provision of all necessities of life: food, water, shelter, clothing, and transportation. We are excited about a day that inspires celebration and cheer, but we acknowledge that for millions this day is a day of sadness. Today there are a multitude in our country, in our cities, and right here in our community who are crying. There are those who do not have healthy food or have no food at all. There are those who thirst and can only drink from the fountains of tainted pipes. There are those who live in structures that do not provide sufficient shelter. Forgive us for celebrating while our neighbors suffer. 

We give thanks for the lands that provide so much. We ask your guidance to be good stewards and not wasteful or stingy over the fruit of the lands. We honor Mother Earth and ask that you instill in all humans a concern and care for her. Take away the appetite to conquer, divide, overwork and sell the land, because she is sacred and the sacred is not for sale. We regret the ways in which we have mistreated, abused and forsaken the land, manipulating natural cycles and Earth’s ability to make her own decisions. 

Creator God, may we tell our children the full story about our lands around dinner tables today, and in the sacred spaces where people gather to pray for years to come. Teach us how to listen and learn from our ancestors, who still speak through imprints on the lands, through their children, their children’s children, and through visions and dreams. Let us dismantle the stereotypes of savages, cartoon characters, and sexualized bodies of native peoples. Let us challenge the names and images of mascots and Halloween costumes capitalizing on Indigenous stereotypes. 

Help us reimagine our country, not as a melting pot where identities fade away, but as a botanical garden where each distinct plant complements the beauty of other buds and blooms. We are silenced, minimized, and erased in so many ways every day. Help us to live with all as kin, committing to the practices of respect, relatedness, thoughtfulness and belonging. Amen.

With gratitude and Love,

Jessica

IF YOU MISSED THE WORSHIP SERVICE,

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon on the

Parable of the Talents

PLEASE NOTE! Office closure

The church office will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 23-24. Some staff are also taking vacation the first part of week and we are very grateful for our volunteers who will help cover the front office while they are away! Thank you for your flexibility so that our staff can enjoy the holidays with their friends and families. There is a special Wednesday night Thanksgiving service sponsored by the Latino Ministry, and a joint Thanksgiving service with St. James AME Zion — see announcements below!

And a date change: The next Board of Directors meeting will move from Sunday, December 10 to Saturday, December 9 at 10am in the Buckham Room (or on Zoom at tinyurl.com/CCSM-Boardmtg)

The Latino Ministry invites you to a special Thanksgiving Service

Wednesday, November 22

Come and join us at 7:00 pm for a special dinner where, together in community, we will thank God for the blessings of this life. All are welcome; the service will be bilingual, with Rev. Jessica presiding. You can bring a side dish or dessert to share or just your heart full of gratitude. Please RSVP to Alicia with your name and how many will come so we know how much turkey to prepare! Text 650-868-4324 or email westcoastalicia@gmail.com

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. 

REGISTER HERE

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.

Calling All Advent Elves! 

Sunday, November 26, 1-4pm

We need your helping hanging the greens and preparing our sanctuary for Advent. Whether you can give an hour, or three, your time is greatly appreciated. Contact Linda Stoick at lindastoick@gmail.com for more details, or let her know you can help! 

Cut Food Waste

The average American wastes more than 400 pounds of food a year. In total, about 30% to 40% of edible food is wasted. Reducing such waste saves emissions across the food supply chain on agricultural production inputs such as fuel for tractors and fertilizers, and in other areas such as refrigeration and food distribution. Also, organic waste in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is up to 75 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Online Book Study: 

Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond

Tuesdays, Nov., 14 and 21; 7 – 8:30 p.m.

facilitated by Revs. Penny Nixon and Jim Mitulski

Join us for an in-depth study of this groundbreaking book. Each session will include an introductory teaching outlining the key themes of the chapters being addressed, followed by a facilitated conversation. This is a zoom only event: RSVP to revgpn@gmail.com to get the link. All welcome.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING, DECEMBER 3

The Children, Youth and Families and the Connect & Celebrate Ministries invite you to go caroling after the service on December 3. The goal is to carol at the homes of those who might not be able to attend services during Advent. No singing experience required, just a willing spirit. Questions? Contact Kim Rey, kim.bianco.rey@gmail.com, 650-224-3505.  If you would like to participate, please RSVP by noon on Wed Nov 29 to Sheryl (sjohnson@ccsm-ucc.org).

Take a Break: Seniors Christmas Tea

Join friends in the Buckham Room for Christmas cookies, tea and hot chocolate on Monday, December 4, 2:00-4:00pm. 

This return of tradition includes a crazy white elephant swap.  Bring a “re-gift” from your distant relative, some treasure on your shelf that is ready for a new home, or anything to trade for a surprise that someone else brings. It’s the ultimate recycling party! 

Please RSVP to kibbie@kyros.org.

COOKIE EXCHANGE/KIDS ACTIVITIES COMING ON 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!

Angela Kraft Cross: Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Innovation at CCSM

CCSM has been blessed to have an organist extraordinaire sharing her musical gifts with us over the past 30 years. Angela Kraft Cross is recognized as an international organ soloist, published composer and master teacher of her beloved instrument the pipe organ. CCSM will celebrate Everything Angela on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 both at the 10:30 am service and at a reception following. Please mark your calendars and join us in showering Angela with the church’s deep appreciation and love we all share for this remarkable woman who has dedicated her musical and spiritual journey with our blessed community at CCSM.   

Youth and Family News

Sunday, December 3 - Youth-led Christmas program! During the 10:30 service, our youth will help teach the kids Christmas carols and help them to make Christmas cards for seniors. 

Sunday, December 3 - CCSM Family Christmas Caroling! We will go after church to sing carols at the homes of church members who can't get out to church right now. Let Sheryl know if you can make it and she'll give you the addresses! Please bring a snack or lunch to eat before we leave the church (in our own cars).

Sunday, December 3 - After the caroling, Sheryl is hosting an afternoon Pick-A-Party for all ages - a bowling party! Please sign up with Second Chance Pick-A-Party.

Saturday, Dec 9-Sunday Dec 10 - Advent youth sleepover with youth from other UCCs at the Orinda UCC Church! Come learn about the season of Advent and have a fun weekend with other youth. We will begin around 3pm on the Saturday and finish on Sunday morning. 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 some special crafts and cookie-decorating activities for kids. 

Sunday, December 17 - Youth Christmas lunch with Rev. Jessica (and Rev. Sheryl) after church! More details to follow. 

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

Sunday, December 24 - Join us for the 5pm Family Service! There will be a fun low-key skit for all to participate in. 

Upcoming

Board of Directors

Meetings

all meetings are Sunday at Noon

in the Buckham Room

(unless noted)

Saturday, December 9, 10am

To access the Google folder containing CCSM Board Meeting minutes, go to

tinyurl.com/CCSM-Minutes-BOD

Upcoming

Council of Ministries

Meetings

all meetings are Sunday at Noon

in the Buckham Room

(dates in yellow are combined BoD + CoM)

December OFF

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

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

Regular CCSM office hours:

9:00am - 4:00pm

Monday - Thursday

Scan this QR code or go to ccsm-ucc.org/give

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.