Connections: November 1, 2021
REMEMBER: Fall back on 11/6, Daylight Savings ends

Dear friends,

We had a beautiful All Saints service this past Sunday-- if you missed it, take time to watch below and light a candle for your own saints. I talked about how we "stitch" our lives together. See below for two links for the Social Justice Quilting projects I mentioned--both worth clicking.

The coming Sunday, November 7th, we are honoring healthcare workers during the service. If you are in healthcare and served in ANY way during the pandemic, please send your name to Penny, and if you know of someone in the congregation, please send in that name as well. We will recognize healthcare workers in the sanctuary as well as online. This poem by Parker Palmer is a beautiful reminder of the way in which we are all connected.


Everything Falls Away
 
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.

- William Stafford

Sooner or later, everything falls away.
You, the work you’ve done, your successes,
large and small, your failures, too. Those
moments when you were light, along-
side the times you became one with the
night. The friends, the people you loved
who loved you, those who might have
wished you ill, none of this is forever. All
of it is soon to go, or going, or long gone.

 Everything falls away, except the thread
you’ve followed, unknowing, all along.
The thread that strings together all you’ve
been and done, the thread you didn’t know
you were tracking until, toward the end,
you see that the thread is what stays
as everything else falls away.
 
Follow that thread as far as you can and
you’ll find that it does not end, but weaves
into the unimaginable vastness of life. Your
life never was the solo turn it seemed to be.
It was always part of the great weave of
nature and humanity, an immensity we
come to know only as we follow our own
small threads to the place where they
merge with the boundless whole.
 
Each of our threads runs its course, then
joins in life together. This magnificent tapestry –
this masterpiece in which we live forever.
                             ~Parker Palmer~

Peace,
Penny (my email was hacked today so ignore any weird messages from me)

REMINDER: Marian Faber's service at 2 PM Saturday, November 6th. The service will also be broadcast on FB live and Youtube Live. Visit our website for the links.




FROM CCSM TREASURER, VERIL PHILLIPS

CCSM is such a special community -- progressive christianity, keen focus on social justice and generosity that abounds! We have been tested during the past two years, but all of these traits continue. 

The Finance Committee and Board of Directors are engaged in fiscal planning for 2022 that includes some significant investments in the future of CCSM. All members and affiliates of our church are invited to discuss our finances, especially plans for the 2022 budget, in either of the identical budget forums in the schedule below. 

You will hear about our current financial position, goals for 2022, and ideas that are under consideration for one-time measures to pay for some of our investments in the future. This is your opportunity not only to hear about the status of our financial health but to contribute your ideas and opinions before the Board adopts a budget in December for members of the congregation to consider in January. 

Please plan to attend one of the two budget forums:
·       Sunday Nov 7 at 2nd Hour -- Noon in Buckham Room or by Zoom (HYBRID)
·    Thursday Nov 11 from 1:00 pm by Zoom only 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO WATCH PAST VIDEOS
Click on the video above for the most recent service.
On the donation page, select the fund: "Miscellaneous Fund " and in the memo field enter "Healthcare" and the name of your healthcare worker.
Memorial Volunteers Needed
CCSM has always provided support to families when a memorial service is held at our church. We provide some desserts and drinks, and assist if the family is providing food for a reception following the service. Since we are reopening it can be expected that more memorials will be taking place. We are looking to increase the number of our group willing to serve this most worthwhile and appreciated service. If you might be interested, please contact Diane Kalliam (dkalliam@gmail.com) or Chase Montara in the church office (650-343-3694).  
Sunday YouTube ONLINE USHERS needed
The main duty is to greet and welcome people as they join.

  • You will need to have a YouTube/Google account in order to login at 10:15 and interact in the chat.
  • A couple of times as the service is starting, send a link to the online bulletin (most people will already have this.
  • If someone has a prayer request, there are 2 things to do: 1. you will make note of it (you can just take a picture with your phone) and forward it to Chase 2. send them a link to the prayer request page on our website.
  • During the Offertory, you will send a link to Giving Online.
That's about it, and we are happy to train you.
Ways to Connect at CCSM!
As we are in a time of reopening and reconnecting, here are some ways to get involved! There are small groups and service opportunities that are both in person and online. Take a look at some of our current groups by clicking HERE.
225 Tilton Avenue • San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 343-3694