CCSM Connections - January 15, 2025

CCSM CONNECTIONS: January 15, 2025

Beloved Community,

Tonight, at 7:00pm, we have a special opportunity to put our faith into action. Our Latino Ministry invites you to a night of service and justice as we gather as a community for housing justice. The San Mateo Community Relations Commission is holding a vital listening session about renter protections, and our Latino Ministry, as part of the "Our Home San Mateo" coalition, will be present to promote a set of policies designed to discourage evictions in San Mateo. Other members of this coalition include One San Mateo, Housing Leadership Council, the San Mateo Climate Action Team, Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, and Housing Action Coalition.

As people of faith, we are called to stand with those who seek shelter, stability, and dignity. Nearly half of San Mateo households are renters, many of whom face the constant anxiety of displacement and housing instability. The proposals being presented tonight – from protecting families during the school year to ensuring tenants can return after renovations – reflect our deepest values of compassion, justice, and community care. A full list of these proposals can be found HERE.

Our congregation has long understood that housing justice is spiritual work. When families have stable homes, children thrive in school, parents can participate fully in community life, and the fabric of our neighborhood grows stronger. Tonight, we have the chance to demonstrate that our faith extends beyond our sanctuary walls and into the vital spaces where decisions affecting our neighbors are made.

You can arrive directly at City Hall at 7:00 pm or at 6:30 pm at the church, where childcare and dinner will be provided for the children. We look forward to seeing you!

With gratitude and hope,

Jessica and Álvaro

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for last Sunday's entire service.

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon,

"WADE INTO LOVE: BAPTISMAL WATER IN TIMES OF FIRE"

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Wednesday, January 15

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

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship Service, Kloss Hall

Thursday, January 16

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

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

6:00 - 8:00 PM — "Growing Young" Discussion and Dinner, Buckham Room

6:45 - 8:45 PM — Bell Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Friday, January 17

12:00 - 2:30 PM — Music and Art, Buckham Room

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

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

Saturday, January 18

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM — Bill Melis Memorial Service and Reception, Sanctuary and Kloss Hall

Sunday, January 19

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

12:00 - 1:00 PM — Second Hour: Service-Learning Trip to Arizona, Buckham Room

Monday, January 20

Church Office Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

No Samaritan House Meal Service

11:00 AM — Reading from Dr. King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 400 County Center Plaza, RWC

1:00 - 4:00 PM — MLK Day of Service, Off Site

7:15 - 8:30 PM — Spiritual Conversations, Zoom

Tuesday, January 21

10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court

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

6:30 - 8:00 PM — Board of Directors Meeting, Buckham Room and Zoom

Wednesday, January 22

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

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship Service, Kloss Hall

View our full calendar on our website

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

Many Gifts, One Dream

The Icon above is by Kelly Latimore.

Join us this Sunday as we explore Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 about the diverse gifts of the Spirit and honor the prophetic legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts and drawing from Dr. King's vision of a beloved community, we'll reflect on how the Spirit empowers each of us to contribute to the flourishing of all. Our worship service will feature special music including, Dr. King's favorite hymn, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," and a musical homage written by our own Angela Kraft Cross. As we prepare for Monday's MLK Day of Service and public reading of "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," we gather to remember, give thanks, and commit ourselves anew to the work of justice and peace.

Whether you join us in person or online at 10:30am, come be part of this celebration of our many gifts and how God calls us to use them to bring healing and hope to our world.

PLATE OFFERING for

SUNDAY, January 19:

Peninsula Multi-Faith Coalition

The Peninsula Multi-faith Coalition was founded in 2012 as a volunteer-led group of faith organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area working together on projects to improve our community. The goal is to bring together diverse faith communities to build bridges of understanding and respect. Acknowledging common values, they learn from one another and serve the wider world.

Make a Gift

MUSIC AND ART

Friday, January 17 at Noon

Following a brief business meeting at noon in the Buckham Room, we will enjoy the talent of our own Angela Kraft Cross as she plays selected pieces on the organ. Angela just returned from a trip to France, so she may have some stories to share. Remember to BYOL – bring your own lunch. Beverages and dessert are provided.

Please RSVP to Genel Morgan, glmrn12@gmail.com or 650-759-7318, so we can have the correct number of tables and chairs set up. Hope to see you there!

SECOND HOUR: Intergenerational Service-Learning Trip

January 19, 12–1 pm

CCSM is planning an intergenerational (6th grade and up) service-learning trip for June 15 - 20, 2025 to Tucson, Arizona, focusing on immigration justice in coordination with UCC affiliated non-profit, Be the Neighbor.

Come and learn more about this important and timely opportunity! Email Rev. Jessica if you would like to be added to the interest list.

MLK Day Public Witness Opportunity

Join Rev. Jessica, and several other faith leaders and ministry partners, on Monday morning for this time of unity love in action.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Tuesday, January 21, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Buckham Room and Zoom

Agenda

Zoom Link

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. Continuing the Congregational Church's long tradition of supporting education, CCSM remains committed to helping educate younger generations.

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.

BEARS, BEARS, BEARS

Got a teddy bear that needs a new home? Please bring new or like-new teddy bears to the church office and place them in the bear collection bin. Gran’Its are collecting them for the At Risk Youth Foundation. Thank you!

Our hearts are heavy as devastating wildfires continue to impact Southern California. We know several members of our community have friends and family affected by these fires, and we hold them all in love and prayers during these frightening and heartbreaking days.

Beyond prayers, we can take action to help. We invite you to join us in supporting the California Fire Foundation, an organization that provides immediate and long-term relief to communities, survivors, and firefighters and their families when wildfires and disasters strike California. CCSM has supported their vital work in the past, and while we will be taking a special plate offering in the coming weeks, we encourage those who are able to make a direct gift now.

If you or your loved ones have been impacted by the fires, please know that your church family is here for you. We invite you to share your prayer requests and let us know how we can best support you during this time.

GIVE

COMING UP

SECOND HOUR: CCSM Resilient Hub, Part 2

Sunday, January 26, 12–1 pm, Buckham Room

In an effort to address the local impact of an unpredictable world, the Environment Justice Ministry (EJ) has been exploring the creation of a resilient hub at CCSM. A resilient hub is a place where church members and neighbors can go for support when disasters occur. Join us as we learn more about this important topic. Contact Gary White for more information: gwhite2711@gmail.com

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

Sunday, Jan. 26, 3:30 PM

What if you found a million dollars when you were a kid? Join us Sunday, January 26 at 3:30 pm in the Buckham Room for the British comedy, Millions, popcorn, and stay for dinner. ALL ages welcome! FREE! (Sponsored by the Gran’Its)

Zumba Pick-A-Party, February 1st in Kloss Hall! There's still room to sign up for this great event, led by a professional Zumba instructor. Whether you're an expert or a total novice, this event promises to be great fun. See the flyer for details and share it with your friends and neighbors! Contact Alicia Santamaria for more information.

GREEN TIPS