Connections: February 13, 2023 |
|
I consider our tendency to see each other in terms of “us” and “them” as stemming from ignorance of our interdependence. As participants in the same global economy, we depend on each other, while changes in the climate and the global environment affect us all. What’s more, as human beings, we are physically, mentally, and emotionally the same. Dalai Lama, HBR, 2/20/2019
Dry Bones
Yesterday’s sermon encouraged the acknowledgment of our weakness being strengthened by the breath of God upon our lives. It is an invitation to own our vulnerabilities and offer mercy and grace to others as they reveal their vulnerabilities and challenges. We are interdependent.
We are walking toward the Lenten season, and I wish it to be a meaningful spiritual journey for all of us. What do you want to add or eliminate in your life?
Please mark your calendar to attend the Ash Wednesday, February 22 @ 7:15 pm service as an intentional beginning to your spiritual journey.
Consider attending the March 3rd, Taize Service at Mercy Center. The following Fridays will be offering Taize at CCSM @ 7:00 pm.
Here is the link for the full article from which the quote was extracted.
Peace and grace,
Rev. Melissa
|
|
Click on the video above for Sunday's worship service,
or click HERE for Rev. Melissa Douaire's sermon
|
|
Youth and Family Events
Sunday, February 19: 10:45am - Special Mardi Gras theme for kids to learn about that celebration and prepare for the season of Lent. We will make masks, crowns, and more!
Sunday, February 19: 9:45am - Note earlier time! Join Julie for Joyful Noise (our family/kids' music program) in the Community Room (2nd floor of the CE building) for singing, instruments, and learning songs to share in the worship service.
Wednesday, February 22: 7:15pm. Ash Wednesday. Families are invited to our special bilingual Ash Wednesday service. Kids will be in the Buckham Room for the first part learning about Ash Wednesday/doing some art activities before joining their parents for ashes and communion. Dinner provided for all afterwards!
Sunday, March 5: 11:45am - Family Play Date! We’ll gather after the service for lunch, community-building, and a service project. We’ll decorate lunch bags for unhoused folks and create cards with encouraging messages to include with the lunches.
Sunday, March 12: 12pm - CCSM Youth are invited to Foothills UCC to learn about Confirmation and meet other youth participating in the retreat. Lunch provided! After the conversation (around 1:15) youth are invited to go to a local arcade to play some games. Pick up is at 2pm. All high school aged youth are welcome - if you've already done Confirmation, you can share your experience and help lead the conversation.
Saturday, March 18-Sunday, March 19 - Youth Retreat in Orinda! Our local UCC partners are again collaborating to offer Confirmation classes. However, this retreat is open to all youth in grades 8-12, even those already confirmed (or not interested in confirmation). This retreat is a chance for highschoolers to learn more about progressive Christian faith, play games, and connect with other youth. Please let Sheryl know asap if you might be interested in Confirmation this year (or just the retreat).
|
|
MUSIC & ART: Friday, February 17 at noon in the Buckham Room
CCSM’s own Tony Gallo will be the speaker and take us on a slide show and audio journey of Cuba’s struggles and the Castro Revolution and visit his childhood memories. Tony left Cuba in 1961 after the Castro takeover. Tony and wife Kathy returned in 2014 after a 53-year absence and celebrated with his Aunt Lina on her 91st birthday. Tony is a retired Semiconductor Engineering Director and teaches Chemistry at San Francisco State University. (Photo: Tony on his last day in Cuba with his grandmother, 1961)
Bring your own lunch; beverages and dessert are provided. Members and guests are most welcome, but PLEASE reserve your space with an RSVP to Susan Duty at: susanjd52@gmail.com or by calling 650-533-6830.
|
|
Scholarships for high school seniors and graduate students
The Youth Ministry at CCSM is pleased to support high school seniors and graduate students with scholarships for the 2023-24 school year thanks to the generosity of CCSM members.
High school seniors and graduate students who are active members of CCSM are encouraged to apply for scholarship support. Information about the scholarships and application packets are available at the following links: for the graduate packet, go to tinyurl.com/CCSM-grad-schol-2023, or for the undergraduate packet, go to tinyurl.com/CCSM-undergrad-schol-2023. Applications with supporting documents and letters of recommendations are due by April 15, 2023.
The Congregational Church has been supportive of education through our denominational history. In fact, many of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions such as Harvard and Yale Universities and Bowdoin College were founded by the Congregational Church. CCSM follows in that important tradition of helping to educate our younger generation with scholarship aid.
|
|
COFFEE HOUR ASSISTANCE NEEDED
We hope that you have been enjoying the goodies during coffee hour. A few generous families have stepped up to help Linda Fenn with coffee hour during the past few months, and we’d like to continue hosting coffee hour; however, she needs families or individuals who can help with this on-going project.
Coffee hour is a lot to ask for one person (Lin) to do alone on a weekly basis (she already does the planning, organizing, and provides some recurring back up supplies). The greater the number of people who can help, the smaller the task is for each person.
It involves set-up, ensuring the trays stay filled, and then clean up—about an hour each Sunday both to organize prior to service and clean up afterward. While more hands make less work, any amount of help will be great, and everyone will appreciate having coffee hour continue.
If you can help out once a quarter (or more frequently if you would like), please email or call Lin Fenn (lindajfenn@yahoo.com) or Melodie Lew (boygie.m2000@yahoo.com; 650.573.9765). Thank you in advance!
|
|
CPR CLASS, Saturday, Feb 25, 9am-1pm
in the Buckham Room
With the cardiac arrest of Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills football player, seen by millions on national TV and his miracle recovery, the ability to perform life-saving CPR and the use of an AED has gained national notoriety. We have had two AEDs on the church grounds for years so we are prepared to deliver this critical treatment to someone in cardiac arrest. The other important part of saving a life is for as many people as possible to be able to administer CPR as well. Join us Feb. 25. Cost is $70 (make check to Life Support Services). Please contact Genel Morgan for questions and to reserve your spot.
|
|
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!
|
|
NOW WHAT? Spiritual Conversations has a new book for discussion
How can we connect with people with whom we have significant differences? How can we be peacemakers and contribute to a kinder society? The book Now What? How to Move Forward When We’re Divided (About Basically Everything) by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silver can help us become careful listeners, show mutual respect, and develop a deeper understanding of the Other.
Spiritual Conversations meets every other week on Monday evenings, from 7:15 to 8:45pm via Zoom. Our next discussion will be February 27.
|
|
Pray for Ukraine Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
CCSM held a powerful live Prayer Ritual for Ukraine on March 6th. We have decided to premier this ritual ONLINE every Tuesday until the war ends. We hope you will join us online weekly to continue our prayers and heal our hearts. 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.
|
|
|
225 Tilton Ave. • San Mateo, CA • 94401
650-343-3694
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
