Connections: Week of September 4, 2023

Dear Beloved Community at CCSM, 

What a Sunday! Labor Day is always a liminal time as we shift from summer mode to fall, vacations to work, time away to time at home. Of course, we all have our personal schedules that may differ a bit from that, but as a whole, society makes a significant shift at this time of year. 

I am so grateful to Pablo Quintanilla who offered our reflection on Sunday and really helped me to make that shift together. His sermon informed us about many important social justice concerns right here in San Mateo. Our concern, prayer, and work for justice are needed all around the world — and it is also important right here at home. As we make the transition to the fall, I invite us all to consider what part we can play in making our neighborhood and community more just, diverse, and inclusive for all. If you missed the service, please go back and watch!

Next Sunday we celebrate Homecoming and officially kick off our fall programs at CCSM. It will be a busy and meaningful day, and a good reminder that summer ending doesn't mean that fun is over — in fact there is a lot to celebrate as we come back together and programs restart. We will also welcome several new members into our CCSM community. Welcome home! 

During the service, we will explore the theme of home and homecoming, as both a return and a looking ahead in hope to something new. We will celebrate together after church with lunch, games, and much more — and there will be very special programs for kids during and after church. Volunteers are still needed — please reach out to me (Sheryl) or Sandy McNabb with our Connect and Celebrate Ministry if you can help out in any way, and we'll help you find the right fit. What better way to reconnect with your church home than to help host!

As we ramp into fall, know that you are not alone. If the busyness feels too much, remember Sabbath is all the more important the busier we are, and try to be as gentle as you can on yourself. Remember, God loves you not for what you do but who you are. If you are feeling uprooted or unsure of your place, please reach out so that we can help you find home here at CCSM and beyond. We all have a place and are whole and perfect because of each and every person. 

God's peace be with you now and always, 

Sheryl 

IF YOU MISSED THE WORSHIP SERVICE

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Pablo Quintanilla's inspiring sermon: "San Mateo, Our Home"

Come Back for Homecoming Sunday!

September 10th 

PLEASE JOIN US for the start of a new CCSM season on September 10th. We have a new senior minister, a revitalized Council of Ministries, new members to welcome, and there will be food, fun, and games for the kids. The Connect & Celebrate Ministry will be serving up chili (veggie style available) with all the fixings (including a "walking chili" option — come to find out what that is). This lunch will be served on the lawn, so there's plenty of space and fresh air.  It's time to turn off your screen and come back to your friends. (You might want to change out of those pajamas first.) Questions? Contact Sandy McNabb (sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com; 650 678 5650) or Nancy Nugent (jnugent@mac.com).

Helpers Needed for CCSM's Homecoming Sunday!

Volunteers of all types are needed to make homecoming a success:

• CHILI COOKS – If you can wield a knife, spoon or frypan, we’ve got a place for you. 
• FRUIT/VEGGIE SOUS CHEFS – Cutting and arranging fruits and veggies, no prior experience necessary.
• SETTING UP FOOD in the Kloss kitchen and on the lawn tables—you can carry or arrange.
• HELPING SERVE our Homecoming lunch AND the always-popular cleanup. 

The Connect and Celebrate ministry will be working Saturday, 9/9 at 2 PM in the kitchen AND Sunday morning, 9/10, starting around 9 AM, through and after the lunch. We can use WHATEVER HELP you can offer—30 minutes or 3 hours!!

Please contact Sandy McNabb (sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com and 650-678-5650) or

Nancy Nugent (jnugent@mac.com and 520-288-6539).



Pick-A-Party Season Begins! 

It's time to brainstorm your party ideas for

the next season of Pick-A-Party. 

Packets will be available on Homecoming Sunday with all the details about how Pick-A-Party works, ideas to get you started, and the deadline for submitting your parties — October 1. Pick-A-Party is a great way to come back to all your old friends at CCSM and to invite new friends to all the fun activities. 

Make sure you pick up your packet and start planning those parties!

GREEN TIPS

A New Series from the

Energy & Environmental Justice Ministry

TIP #1:

Does laundry beckon you to put in a load before dinner? Does the dishwasher call out to be run right after dinner? Well, those times just happen to be during peak electricity use times, 4-9 p.m., when it's more likely that the source of power will have to be dirty fuel and the cost will be higher. If we can use our energy-hog appliances outside of the peak hours of 4-9 p.m., we can lower emissions and our energy bill!

RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT COVID  

We have been notified that a number of our members have recently been diagnosed with Covid. While San Mateo County has not changed their official guidelines about masking and social distancing since April 2023, we want to offer this reminder that the Covid virus is still present and active within our community. Keeping this in mind, remember to wash your hands, be mindful of close contact, and consider wearing a mask to protect yourself and those most vulnerable among us.

MUSIC AND ART IS BACK!

Friday, September 15th, 12:00 pm

The opening meeting of Music and Art will be on Friday, September 15, at noon in the Buckham Room. We will have a special program called QUILTS AS ART, presented by our own member, Susan Bell. She will introduce us to designing and making quilts and bring some of her own quilts from her collection of 150!!  Members may also bring their own “show and tell” quilts or quilted items (e.g. pillows) or pictures of them. The meeting will begin as usual with our BYOL (bring your own lunch) — beverages are provided as well as dessert by hostesses who have signed up. A brief business meeting will be included, and it will help our treasury if members could bring a check or cash for the $20.00 dues. Checks should be made out to CCSM, with Music & Art on the line. We’ll be off to a great start of the 2023–2024 season. Bring a friend to introduce to our wonderful group! RSVP to Don Harper at donaldgharper@yahoo.com or phone 650-553-1800.



MUSICAL CURIOSITIES 

Concert at CCSM

"Musical Curiosities" invites you for a walk through historical milestones; from Bach to Piazzolla, the duet will play Sunday, September 24th, at 3pm, in the wooden acoustic of the Congregational Church of San Mateo. Suggested donation is $20 (however, all are welcomed!). Claire Tremblay, oboe player, and Lyle Sheffler, classical guitarist, will share with you their "Musical Curiosities." If you need more information, please write to Claire at clairetre@gmail.com.



LATINO MINISTRY INVITATION

Everyone is warmly welcome at our weekly Spanish-language service on Wednesdays at 7:15 pm in the Fireplace Room. Please join us for an inspiring bilingual sermon, music, communion, and a potluck meal. Childcare provided. Come prepared to experience the Holy Spirit in loving community!

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 https://www.youtube.com/@ccsmMediaChannel/featured

 and click the “Subscribe” button.  Cost: Nothing.  Benefit: HUGE!

Youth and Family News

Recruiting 2023–24 CCSM Youth Peer Leaders! Rev. Sheryl is putting together a small team of youth to help plan youth social events, service projects, intergenerational programs, etc. Are you interested? This is a great thing to put on your college apps, resumes, etc. High school youth in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade are invited. Please let Sheryl know if you are interested. We will meet once/month on Sundays after 60 Minutes and/or on Wednesday evenings before the Wed night service (it’s ok if you can’t make 100% of the meetings).

Sunday, September 10 – Homecoming Sunday! During church there will be lots of special activities in the Memorial Garden - crafts, games, cookie-decorating, and more. Please plan to stay after church for facepainting, balloon animals, games, and lunch! Youth assistance is especially welcome both during church and afterward (please let Sheryl know if you can help out!).

Saturday, September 16 – City of San Mateo Annual Bayfront Cleanup More info/register

here: https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/1857/Bayfront-Cleanup 

Sunday, September 24 – 60 Minutes led by Mike and Michele at 10:30am. Join with other youth to discuss current events and our lives!

Sunday, September 24 – Sandwich-making for Open Cathedral! Please go to the kitchen after church to help make sandwiches for those in need. If you need volunteer hours, this is a great way to earn some! 

Saturday, September 30 – City of San Mateo Chamber of Commerce FALL FEST on B Street. We are planning to have a CCSM booth to showcase CCSM to the wider community and hopefully attract some new members/families. Please let me know if you can help out at the booth for an hour (or more!) and also please just come to the event — there will be lots of activities for kids and all ages!



Upcoming

Board of Directors

Meetings

all meetings are Sunday at Noon

in the Buckham Room

(unless noted)

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

Upcoming

Council of Ministries

Meetings

all meetings are Sunday at Noon

in the Buckham Room

(dates in yellow are combined BoD + CoM)

September 24

October 22

November 12

December OFF

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 and 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!

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 RESUME

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

9am - 4pm

Monday - Thursday