Connections: Week of September 25, 2023

and PINE TREE #5!

Please consider coming out to the church THIS evening (Monday, Sept. 25) at 6:30pm in the Buckham Room. This will be a meeting of the Finance Committee regarding recommendations for the 2024 budget.

Dear Beloved Community at CCSM, 

As September draws toward its close and October nears on the horizon, the excitement (including mine!) about Rev. Jessica Vacketta's ministry at CCSM is growing. What an exciting new chapter for us all at CCSM! 

This past Sunday, I preached about the woman who anoints Jesus' feet and how she goes "all in" with her support. Fall is often a season of increasing our commitment: we return from looser schedules and decide what things we want to focus our attention on and give our time towards. Our church stewardship season is approaching when we will collectively and individually discern our direction and budget as a community. This is a season of giving of ourselves towards the things that matter to us. If you missed this past Sunday's service, please go back and watch! 

As we look ahead to this coming weekend, I invite you to consider attending the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce's Fall Fest along B Street on Saturday, Sept. 30. We are hoping to have a CCSM booth and to invite others to dip their toes and visit — sharing why we have dived "all in" to this blessed community. 

On Sunday, we will celebrate Worldwide Communion: the one Sunday each year when all Christians, even if they normally celebrate communion every week, once a month, or a few times a year, have communion on the same Sunday as a sign of global solidarity. If you have a churchgoing friend down the street or around the world, ask them! 

On Sunday, please plan to stay after church for Dr. Sharon Jacob's first Bible Study with us. Even if you aren't a "Bible Study person" I encourage you to consider it - her fresh takes on old stories will help us unpack themes that are very relevant today like racial justice, the surrogacy industry, and climate change. You can participate in person or on Zoom, and thanks to Rev. Alvaro, in English or Spanish (via Zoom translation). 

If you still have energy after that, our CCSM families with kids are planning a beach afternoon on Sunday at 3pm! Reach out to me (Sheryl) if you are interested. Would love to see you there!  

Finally, please consider coming out to the church THIS evening (Monday, Sept. 25) at 6:30pm. This will be a meeting of the Finance Committee regarding recommendations for the 2024 budget. All are welcome to attend and offer input regarding priorities and values.

Have a wonderful week and know we are always here to pray for and with you. 

Peace and blessings,

Sheryl 

IF YOU MISSED THE WORSHIP SERVICE,

CLICK HERE  FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE for Rev. Sheryl's sermon,

RECKLESS ABUNDANCE, BOUNDLESS GRACE.

Rev. Jessica Vacketta, CCSM's new Senior Minister, will have her first official day here on Monday, October 9, and will preach on Sunday, October 15.

Be sure to be here!

Time is running out to host a Pick-A-Party! 

Submission forms are due October 1 — this coming Sunday!  Find information and the submission form at tinyurl.com/PAP-23-24-packet and tinyurl.com/PAP-23-24-form.  If you have an idea, but are short of time to get the form completed, just call Sandy, Mike or Nancy (numbers below) and describe your idea.  In addition to being a great way to connect and celebrate, Pick-A-Parties provide much needed revenue to CCSM. Every little bit helps, and big bits help even more, so if you have a vacation home, sports or cultural event tickets, or a bottle of fine wine, please donate those for the auction. Just give one of the following a call:  Sandy McNabb (sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com 650-678-5650), Mike Harris (mypirocks@me.com 650-572-8378), or Nancy Nugent (jnugent@mac.com 520-288-6539). 

Submission forms are due October 1—this coming Sunday!

The latest issue of the Pine Tree is here! It's chock full of news, photos, reflections, and upcoming events. Click HERE for a copy!

In This Issue

Home is on the Horizon — Rev. Sheryl

Homecoming 2023

Children, Youth & Families

Homecoming Photo Collage

Same Direction, Many Paths - Austin

History: Stories of Early CCSM Members

Latino / a Ministry Update

Upcoming BOD and COM meetings

Sandwich Invitation! Open Cathedral

CC Riders Ride for LifeMoves

Notes from your Director of Operations

Seeking Volunteers for Literacy Centers

Pick-A-Party Season Begins!

CCSM: Inclusive and Progressive

Going Solar!

CCSM's Budget <> CCSM's Vision

Not New Faces... But New Members

2023 Financial Summary

Music Notes

Music & Art

Empowering Inclusive Interpretations

SJ Giants Game a Huge Success!

Scheduling Events at CCSM (a refresher)

Chocolate Fest

What Does This Image Mean to You?

Volunteers to the Rescue!

How Will She Know Our Names?

Joys and Concerns

Jo Buckham Celebrates her 100th!

Spiritual Conversations Resumes

Youth and Family News

Saturday, September 30 - City of San Mateo Chamber of Commerce Fall Fest on B Street. We are hoping to have a CCSM booth to showcase CCSM to the wider community and possibly 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 by the event - there will be lots for kids and all ages to do including two stages featuring lots of great music! 

Sunday, October 1 - CCSM Family Playgroup! Meet up at the Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica around 2:30-2:45 to pick up some food if you'd like, or just join us on the beach around 3pm. We'll gather near the southern part of the beach - please let Sheryl know if you plan to come so she can share her phone number in case you have trouble finding the group. 

Saturday, October 14 - Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at MLK Jr. Park with our neighbors starting at 2pm! This event is hosted by the City of San Mateo. This is a great opportunity to celebrate and learn about this holiday. 

Sunday, October 15 - Rev. Jessica's first Sunday at CCSM! Please join us for a special service to help to welcome Rev. Jessica.

Saturday, October 21 - Chocolate Fest with our neighbors at Congregational Church of the Peninsula! Join Sheryl for the Saturday evening event - or go another time if that is better for your schedule. Tickets are available at: chocolatefestofbelmont.org 

Sunday, October 22 - 60 Minutes! Come join other youth for discussion about important topics in our world today.

Sunday, October 22 - CCSM Youth Peer Leader Lunch and Meeting. Please join Sheryl for lunch and to plan out some activities for this year! 11:45am-1pm. 

Saturday, Dec 9-Sunday Dec 10 - Advent youth sleepover with youth from other Bay Area UCCs! Come learn about the season of Advent and have a fun weekend with other youth! 

CCSM's most famous trees are the grand oaks in the Memorial Garden, but now there's a new one--the logo for the church's annual stewardship drive. If the CCSM community is special to you, consider supporting it with your pledge of estimated giving for 2024. Give to a bright future together! (Just scan the QR code to get started.)

What Do You Believe? 

 Stewardship forms and financial statements practically bury my desk.  This time of creating budgets for the next year includes lots of lists and number crunching.  Instead of getting lost in the logistics and goals, this fall flurry makes me question what I believe and value.  

I confess that I dread Christmas holidays and the repeated celebration of The Polar Express (sorry if it’s your favorite).  As much as I enjoyed the illustrations in the book and Tom Hanks starring in the movie, the premise is believe, believe, believe… in Santa Claus!  I don’t believe in Santa Claus, magical thinking, or the commercialism the story spawned.  However, I do believe in generosity, mystery, and putting my time and money into what is truly lasting and valuable.  

What is truly valuable to me?  Family, community, the earth, spiritual growth, deep conversations, authenticity, justice, mental challenge and children. I believe that CCSM promotes those same values.  Well, if I truly believe that, I should put my time and money into CCSM and our future together.  Right?  I hope, during this fall season, you will also consider what is truly valuable to you. 

Many blessings,

Kibbie

SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS

Starting October 9, the Spiritual Conversations group will read and discuss The Holy Longing: the Search for a Christian Spirituality by Ronald Rolheiser. Fr. Ronald says, “This is a book on the essentials of Christian discipleship and the foundations of spiritual life.” Rolheiser gives seekers direction on their spiritual path and shows how spirituality is part of many aspects of our lives, including our sexuality. In his writing Rolheiser uses real life stories to flesh out his ideas, making them relevant to our lives.

All Spiritual Conversations are held on zoom from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. every two weeks. For further information and the zoom link, please contact Chris Wuthmann at cewuthmann@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!

Upcoming

Board of Directors

Meetings

all meetings are Sunday at Noon

in the Buckham Room

(unless noted)

October 8

November 12

December 10

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)

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 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 https://www.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