Connections: January 9, 2023
and the new issue of The Pine Tree
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Click HERE to read the latest edition of CCSM's newsletter, The Pine Tree!
Here are the headlines:
Y O U Are the Church
Budget Forum and Annual Meeting
Children, Youth and Families
Pick-A-Party Spaces Still Available
Board of Directors 2023 Meeting Schedule
Music Sparkled at CCSM
Music & Art: Karen Hutchinson on Jan. 20
Angela's Organ Academy Class in France
Blessing Box Contributions Any Sunday
From the Archives of CCSM: Buckham Room
Energy, Environmental Justice Report
Helping CCSM Members Stay Connected
MSJ Supports the Fremont Gun Buyback
The Gift of Open Cathedral
Joys and Concerns
Poinsettia Joy!
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A new Gift from the Wisemen and Wisewomen: What is the narrative you need to revise?
Sometimes we keep repeating stories that no longer serve us or have lost the depth of meaning or do us more harm than good.
This week’s sermon was the familiar scripture of the arrival of the Wisemen and the gifts they brought. It is almost too familiar to give it a challenging read. By changing the wise men to the wise women who attended to Mary and Jesus, the narrative changed. A new perspective arose.
I invite you to change the ordinary, rote narratives in your life. Listen to what words you use. Are they serving you? Are others listening to you? Are they accurate? Is there more to the familiar narrative that you offer?
Your life is an amazing journey; revisit the stories you tell with new intrigue, insights, and appreciation for the opportunity to make edits.
Happy New Year, and blessings on your revised narratives.
Peace,
Rev. Melissa
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Budget Forum and Annual Meeting just around the corner!
Budget forum, January 22, 11:45 am
Annual meeting, January 29, 11:45 am
both meetings will be in person AND online
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Click on the video above for Sunday's worship service,
or click HERE for Rev. Melissa's sermon, And So It Begins...
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PICK-A-PARTY SPACES STILL AVAILABLE! Sign up next week.
Pick-A-Party: The official Sign Up Sunday for Pick-A-Parties was January 8, but there are still spaces available. You can sign up after service on January 15. Bring your cash, checkbook (with "party" in the memo line), or be ready to pay by text at 73256 "party". You can review the party list here: tinyurl.com/PAP-LIST-2022, or hard copies will be available on Sunday. And if you didn't pay on January 8, please make sure you get your payment to the church office before service on January 15. Otherwise, your place will be released for others to sign up. These parties are great opportunities to reconnect with long-time CCSM friends, meet new people, and learn new skills. There are parties for families — Rev. Sheryl's day at Coyote Point, a walk to find stone sculptures, a rock hound class; parties for foodies, including kimchee or tamale making and a virtual class to explore your love of cooking and cookbooks; parties for music lovers, from Angela's concert to a Mendelssohn brunch, to a sing along with treats; parties to learn things (e.g.about the Civil War) or share spiritual reflections; parties to eat and socialize -- from brunches to dinners to a high tea; several hikes; and many more. Please consider signing up if you haven't already done so.
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Search Committee Update
At the beginning of Sunday's service we shared a milestone: the Senior Minister position has been posted, and we have received our initial batch of candidate profiles. There are multiple steps in our screening, and we will keep you apprised as we move through phases of this process.
Dave Olson & Alexandra Gillen
co-Chairs, Senior Minister Search Committee
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Youth and Family Events
All Sundays: Weekly Sunday kids' spiritual program at 10:45, led by Shannon (they/them) and Elaine (she/her) in the Community Room. Pre-K care is offered by Lily (she/her). Youth Group is led by Elijah (he/him) in the Fireplace Room.
Sunday, January 15: 11:45am - Joyful Noise Kids' Music program led by Julie Berk re-starts for 2023! Please join her each Sunday in the CE Community Room (2nd floor) at 11:45am. Periodically, kids will share the music they have learned during the worship service!
Monday, January 16: Peninsula Multifaith Council's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Each year there are projects for all ages - families are welcome to participate in any but we will choose one to do together as a CCSM community!
Friday, January 20: 7pm Youth Bowling at Bolero in Alameda. Our friends at local Bay Area UCC churches have invited us to join them for an evening of bowling! Please let Sheryl know if you are interested.
Sunday, January 22: 10:45am - 60 Minutes conversation for youth led by Mike and Sheryl. Each month, high schoolers choose a discussion topic. This month our topic is the future of the church. After church on Jan 22nd, high school youth are invited to join Sheryl for lunch and social time and helping with 4th Sunday sandwiches for Open Cathedral.
Sunday, February 5: 11:45am - Family Play Date! We are looking for a host - please let me know if your family would like to choose the activity this month! It can be very low-key- a hike, meet up at a playground, bowling, board games, etc.
Saturday, February 18-Monday, February 20 - Mid-winter youth camp for those in grades 7-12 in Palo Alto - please note the date and location change.
Friday, March 17-Sunday, March 19 - Possible Confirmation Retreat in Orinda! Our local UCC partners are again collaborating to offer Confirmation classes. This is a chance for highschoolers to learn more about progressive Christian faith and consider if they would like to become members of their church. Youth are welcome to participate even if they decide not to join! Please let Sheryl know asap if you might be interested in Confirmation this year and I will share more information.
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MUSIC AND ART • Friday, January 20: Pianist Karen Hutchinson
The musician for our Music and Art program on Friday, January 20 will be pianist, Karen Hutchinson. We are thrilled to have such a wonderful and talented local person to share her musicianship with our group as well as any guests who would like to attend. Karen has performed at a variety of local venues including the recent concert in the chamber series at Music at Kohl Mansion, as well as the Congregational Church of San Mateo. You will want to hear this extraordinarily talented person who also had training in Paris under the tutelage of several famous pianists.
We will begin at noon with our program followed by our fellowship lunch in the Buckham Room. Be sure to circle the date on your new 2023 calendars and as usual make your RSVPs with Susan Duty, susanjd52@gmail.com, 650-533-6830. Join us for a great way to begin the new year.
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Volunteer of the Week
— Jim Granucci —
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Jim Granucci has been nominated as volunteer of the week for his role as project manager on the Going Solar project coupled with his dedication to the finance committee, the board and so much more.
We appreciate you, Jim!
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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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Scan the QR code above or go to
to make a donation or pledge to CCSM.
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