Connections: February 28, 2023 |
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Click HERE for the latest PINE TREE Newsletter!
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Notes of gratitude!
First, to Rev. Jorge for his ministry and service to CCSM for the last ten years. He has touched many lives and blessed us with his gifts. We bless his next chapter and continue grow the seeds he has planted in the garden of this congregation.
Chuck Rosenthal has given us her time and talent to guide the online experience from which we have all benefitted. Due to budget issues, her hours will be reduced. However, she will still offer her professional expertise on Sunday mornings; and as there is an opportunity to train others, Chuck has graciously agreed to help. Unfortunately, the hours she spent preparing for the online service with beautiful graphics, and scripts will not be included in the time she offers. Access to the songs and words of worship will be available on the online bulletin. We are grateful for her grace with the challenges and her willingness to be with CCSM in reduced measures to offer continuity to the online service.
Many thanks to our guest speakers: Chris Yeh, Reina Gonzales, Ashley Lopez, and Jennifer Martinez who honored Rev. Jorge with their heartfelt words of appreciation.
The talents of Lesly Sanchez Delgado are music to all of our ears! What a gift she shares.
Many thanks to Julien Philips and Alicia Santamaria, members of the Latino Ministry, and the hands of many others for coordinating the worship service and the beautiful fiesta of appreciation and celebration of Rev. Jorge. And, of course to all of you who shared with your presence and love.
Genel Morgan coordinated a CPR class that had several CCSM members in attendance. Genel is offering her time and professional knowledge to make sure we have a safety protocol and the right tools available in case of an emergency situation.
There are many of us who are holding each other in moments of life that leave us in the angst of health issues, relationships, mental well-being, and personal and professional situations. If you are holding space and supporting your friends, family, and members of CCSM- in quiet confidential ways, thank you. Your ministry of presence is a powerful gift and a testament to God working through you.
During Lent, we have the time and space to be reflective on our faith and how we want to grow it. We all have moments within our comfort zones when it is easy to be our best selves; now we have the opportunity to hone our best selves when we step outside of our comfort into the unknown. In the uncomfortable is when and where we can find our growing edges and lean into the God within each of us.
As we go forward on the CCSM journey, please say thank you to those beside you. Being present and aware of each other’s presence is a great gift. We do not need to be lonely along the way.
Blessings on the journeys we have each and every day.
Peace,
Rev. Melissa
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Hi Friends,
We are trying something new. It is from the SALT PROJECT, Rev. Sheryl introduced me to this resource. We were given file access to two digital Lenten Devotionals; one for adults (click HERE) and another for families (click HERE).
You will notice that we will be using the Matisse clip art throughout Lent as part of this package. You can view more of that HERE for adults, and HERE for families.
Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts about these materials.
Peace,
Rev. Melissa
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Click on the video above for Sunday's worship service,
or click HERE for the reflections on Rev. Jorge.
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Youth and Family Events
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 5: 1-2pm - Youth are invited to help plan some multi-faith programs for youth in our area. This is a great chance to meet people from different faiths and help to design programs to get to know others!
Sunday, March 12: 10:30am - 60 Minutes conversation for youth led by Mike and Sheryl. This month our topic (chosen by our highschoolers) is current issues in the news.
Sunday, March 12: 12pm- CCSM Youth are invited to go 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 who have already been confirmed (or who are 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).
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LENTEN FLASH PRAYERS
Hello everyone – it’s time for Lenten Flash Prayers. During the season of Lent you will receive a daily prayer when you sign up. Text the word JOIN to 510 488 5810. Texts will arrive randomly between 7am-7pm Pacific. To stop receiving texts, text STOP to the number.
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NEXT BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING will be March 12, 2023 following the Plenary Meeting. Both the Board of Directors’ and Finance Committee meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
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SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
As was announced at the Jan. 8 service, the Senior Minister position has been posted on the UCC website, and we have begun to receive applications. To read an update from the Search Committee and to see a summary of the posting, click HERE or type in tinyurl.com/CCSM-SearchComm
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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.
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PICK-A-PARTIES STILL AVAILABLE
Feeling a little unsettled with changes at CCSM? Pick-A-Parties are a great way to reconnect with CCSM members, whether it’s enjoying the outdoors, learning something new, or just relaxing with old and new friends. There are still openings for the following parties: Gourmet Brunch with Mendelssohn (3/11 9:30-11:30); Huddart Park Hike (4/8 8:30-1 pm); High Tea (4/22 11 am); Book Lovers’ Luncheon (5/20 11am-2pm); Cooks and Bakers Zoom party (date/time tbd). And stay tuned for the Carolands tour, which looks like it's shaping up for this summer!
To sign up for any of these parties, contact Diane Kalliam, dkalliam@gmail.com 415.279.1359.
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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 6:30-8:00pm (NOTE NEW TIME) via Zoom. Our next discussion will be March 13. If you’re interested in knowing more, please contact Chris Wuthmann at cewuthmann@gmail.com or Chase Montara at cmontara@ccsm-ucc.org.
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MUSIC & ART: March 17
with Angela Kraft Cross
We’ll gather at noon on March 17 in the Buckham Room for our fellowship lunch. Remember—it’s BYOL: Bring Your Own Lunch—beverages are provided and co-hostesses provide dessert.
We are thrilled to have our own Angela Kraft Cross as our performer, introducing original music from her new CD, Passages on the Journey, which was recorded at the Methuen Memorial Hall in Methuen, Mass. featuring the 1863 Walcker organ which was intended to be the organ for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
On 2/27 Angela flew to Boston to play at Busch Hall on the Harvard campus on Thursday on E. Power Biggs’ organ!!! We all enjoyed her 13 year old student, Andrew, play the prelude on 2/26. That’s the really up-to-date info on our wonderful organist. I hope all members and guests will please RSVP to Susan Duty, susanjd52@gmail.com or 650-533-6830, so we can reserve a space at the table for you. We will, of course, move in to the sanctuary for the organ performance.
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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!
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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. 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.
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225 Tilton Ave. • San Mateo, CA • 94401
650-343-3694
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