CCSM Connections - February 5, 2025

Beloved Community,

It is good to be back with you after some time away. Thank you for allowing me the space to take a retreat. I’m grateful for your commitment—and that of our staff—to a ministry that truly reflects what it means to be the Body of Christ. We don’t do this work alone.

These past weeks have been heavy. It was weird being in a foreign country where some of us had cell service and others didn’t-—receiving notifications of events happening back home, asking ourselves, What can we do? I know many of us are feeling the weight of all that is happening in our world. It is easy to become overwhelmed, but I want to remind us of this simple truth that grounds me: God is closer to us than our own breath. When I feel the anxiety rising, I pause, close my eyes, and repeat that truth over and over, letting it anchor me in love and peace—not as an excuse to withdraw, but as a way to stay engaged without being paralyzed.

During my recent retreat, I learned breathing techniques to help manage stress and anxiety—tools we will all need in the days ahead. I have also been drawing strength from Black womanist theologians like Tricia Hersey and The Nap Ministry, who remind us that rest is not just renewal but a radical act of resistance against the systems that seek to deplete us. Even in turbulent times, we must not let our joy be stolen; instead, we must remain rooted in what God is calling us to do in this moment and stay focused on that.

That calling looks different for each of us. It may be calling representatives, checking in on friends and neighbors, distributing red Know Your Rights cards, or showing up in solidarity. Speaking of which—members of CCSM continue to distribute Know Your Rights cards throughout the neighborhood. If you would like to help with those efforts (or have questions about red cards), please reply directly to this email. Our Immigration Task Force will also be offering an Immigrant Advocacy training soon, with more details in the next Connections.

I also want to take a moment to update you on some staff transitions. We have posted the opening for our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries (CYF) and ask for your help in sharing it with potential candidates. Statistics show that 85% of youth staff are hired through some type of connection and not just a random posting on a job site, seminary job board, Facebook group, etc. So, who do you know at other churches, seminaries, or within your circles that might have someone in their circle who could be a great fit? We’ll never know unless all of us help spread the word. You can find the job description at the bottom of our website’s homepage under “Job Opportunities.”

As you know, this past Sunday, we honored our longtime Music Director, Lynnelle Bilsey, as she concluded her more than 30 years of service to CCSM. It was a day filled with deep gratitude for the music and ministry she shared with this community. I know transitions like these are never easy, and I want to acknowledge the many feelings surrounding this moment. As we move forward, we hold that gratitude while also embracing the new season ahead, trusting that music will continue to be a vital part of our worship and life together. Angela Kraft Cross will step in to help with the choir until we find an Interim Choir Director, and Julie Berk will continue to lead our youngest musicians in our Joyful Noise choir. We plan to hire an Interim Choir Director as soon as possible to lead us through the high holy seasons, and we will also be welcoming some exciting guest musicians during that time. Our hope is to have a new Music Director in place by August 1, and we will keep you updated on that search in the months ahead.

In the midst of it all, I give thanks for the privilege of being your pastor and for the ways we hold each other in both joy and struggle. Let us stay rooted in love, grounded in peace, and focused on the work that is ours to do.

With gratitude,

Jessica

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for last Sunday's entire service.

CLICK HERE for Rev. Ben Meyers' sermon,

"Re-Storying Our Lives"

CHURCH LIFE SNAPSHOTS

Lynnelle at her Reception of Appreciation on Sunday.

Angela Kraft Cross and Robert Cross shared their love and extensive knowledge of CCSM's Casavant organ with Charlie and Cynthia Dreschler, David Loughhead, and Sandy McNabb at the Organ Camp Pick A Party.

You were BEAR-y Generous! Fifty-one of your bears will help calm children affected by trauma, thanks to you and the At Risk Youth Foundation. The Gran’Its (and their younger helpers) truly appreciate your support!

A spirited group of Zumba experts and wannabes filled Kloss Hall for a Pick-A-Party on a recent rainy morning. Kudos to Chris Wuthman, who learned to roll his hips with the best of them! This party was a great success, bringing in $420, much of it from last-minute Wednesday group participants.

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Thursday, February 6

10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Food Court at Hillsdale Mall (Contact: Linda Skromme)

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

Friday, February 7

1:30 - 3:00 PM — Bella Voce Rehearsal, Fireplace Room

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

Saturday, February 8

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM — CCSM Leadership Orientation Retreat, Kloss Hall

Sunday, February 9

9:45 - 10:15 AM — Joyful Noise Kids' Choir/Music Program, Fireplace Room

10:30 - 11:30 AM — Worship Service, in person and online

10:45 - 11:30 AM — Children's and Youth Programs, CE Building

11:30 AM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall

3:00 PM — Soup-er Bowl Sunday Party, Kloss Hall

Monday, February 10

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Monday Women’s Group, Fireplace Room (contact Siew Kang, internationalchoir@gmail.com)

1:00 - 3:00 PM — Burlingame Music Club, Kloss Hall

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:00 - 8:00 PM — English Together, Kloss Hall

Tuesday, February 11

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service – To-Go Service Only, Buckham Room

6:30 - 7:30 PM — Personnel Committee Meeting, Fireplace Room

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Our Home San Mateo Meeting, Third Floor Conference Room

7:15 - 8:45 PM — MSJ Monthly Meeting, Zoom

Wednesday, February 12

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship Service, Kloss Hall and Zoom (Contact Álvaro for Zoom link)

View our full calendar on our website

PLATE OFFERING for

SUNDAY, February 9:

Emergency Network Los Angeles

Emergency Network Los Angeles, also known as ENLA, was founded in March 1996, two years after the devastating Northridge Earthquake. It comprises over 50 community and faith-based nonprofit members as well as government agencies (city, county, state, and federal).

ENLA supports member nonprofits to network with each other to assist during and after emergencies by fostering cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration. As a result, communities in need are served faster and more effectively.

Make a Gift

SOUP-ER BOWL SUNDAY PARTY!

February 9 at 3 PM

Join us this Sunday at 3pm for food and fun! Watch the Super Bowl in the Buckham Room, help our Minister of Community Life, Rev. Álvaro, prepare his famous tortilla soup and nachos, or enjoy card games and night football in Kloss Hall. All ages welcome. Hosted by the Gran'Its, with special thanks to Kibbie Ruth. Feel free to bring a dessert or snack to share. (Non-alcoholic event) Please email Kibbie kibbie@kyros.org, if you can help with setup/cleanup, as Oscar is away.

Note: This replaces our Second Sunday service, which resumes March 9th.

COMING UP

ORGAN CONCERT PICK-A-PARTY

Saturday, February 15, 4 PM

There's still room at the upcoming Organ Concert Pick-A-Party hosted by Angela and Diane on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4 pm. Don't you love hearing Angela fill the Sanctuary with her Widor, Vierne, and Bach? Here's a chance to let your worries melt away as you get caught up in the magnificence of the music, the instrument, and the organist. Tickets are still available for this concert in the Sanctuary for the low price of $30, delicious treats included! Contact Diane Kalliam: dkalliam@gmail.com.

MIDWEST TO WEST COAST:

ADVENTURES & MISADVENTURES WITH REV. JESSICA AND HER SISTER, LESLIE

Sunday, February 23, 5-6:30 PM • Kloss Hall

PLACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS PICK-A-PARTY — the more the merrier! Ride along with Jessica and Leslie as they tell tales — highlights and low lights, serious and cheeky — about growing up in the Vacketta family in rural Illinois, busting out in Texas, and then venturing on to our Golden State. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres as well as wine and soft drinks, along with laughter and lively spirits. Sign up at 41julien@gmail.com.

CCSM SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Available Now - Due March 15

Thanks to the generosity of CCSM members, the Youth Ministry is offering scholarships for the 2025-26 school year to active CCSM members who are high school seniors, college students, or graduate students, with applications due March 15, 2025. For more information and scholarship application packets, go to https://tinyurl.com/CCSM-2025-26-Scholarships or contact Warren Long at longlake15@sbcglobal.net. There are also packets on the Welcome Table in the Narthex.

GREEN TIPS

Be sure to regularly replace filters on all heaters, dryers, and other appliances in your home. This will improve the efficiency of your appliances and result in cleaner air in your home.