Connections: March 20, 2024 | |
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Greetings, Church!
Holy Week is upon us, the week where Christians around the world celebrate, observe, and remember the final days of Jesus' earthly ministry, his death, and resurrection. It begins with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and progresses through the week to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, ending (or some might say beginning) with our Easter celebrations. I've heard some describe Holy Week as a roller coaster of emotions, opening with "the euphoria of a king entering the city." There is beloved fellowship at the Last Supper, betrayal, denial, murder, shock, grief, confusion, and joy. It is a painful and emotionally exhausting journey, but as you well know, we can't skip over the difficult weeks of life, we must journey through them. Thankfully, we don't travel alone.
This year, we are partnering with several churches in the area to offer a variety of worship experiences:
PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, March 24, 10:30am, CCSM Sanctuary & Online
We'll gather on the lawn to receive our palms and process into the sanctuary for a special worship service with Joyful Noise and our beloved Donkey leading the way.
STATIONS OF PETER
Sunday, March 24, 5:00-6:00pm, Kloss Hall
This is an interactive prayer experience for all ages where you can go at your own pace. By focusing on Peter, these stations will help us imagine how we might have acted and behaved during that last week had we'd been there as one of Jesus' followers and friends.
SERVICIO DE ADORACIÓN BILINGÜE
Wednesday, March 27, 7:15pm, Kloss Hall
A special Holy Week Service featuring the music of Rosa Los Santos, a message from Rev. Alvaro Duran, and ending with a potluck meal.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Thursday, March 28, 7:15pm, Congregational Church of the Peninsula
A Tenebrae service featuring music from Jesus Christ Superstar led by a combined choir with communion served by local pastors.
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, March 29, 7:00pm, CCSM Sanctuary & Online
The "7 Last Words of Jesus" experienced through song and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," which was written on Good Friday in 1963. Music will be led by strings and a multi-church choir, and we'll share in a time of lighting candles for peace. This service will be livestreamed.
EASTER VIGIL
Saturday, March 30, 7:00pm, College Heights UCC
An imaginative recreation of the first Great Vigil, held by Mary Magdalene, alone at the tomb. We will prepare for the Vigil by hearing Mary’s story, sharing in an anointing and celebrating communion. The conclusion will be a Taize-like experience of spending the night waiting at the tomb, not knowing what is going to happen on Easter morning but still feeling pulled to be there, to hold the energy.
I hope you will join us as you are able as we wander through these final days leading up to Easter.
With gratitude and hope,
Jessica
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Holy Week & Easter Information | |
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Several of you have asked, "What exactly is this discernment process?"
Discernment is a spiritual journey in which we prayerfully make a decision as a community. These sessions aren't a workshop or a planning meeting, but an extension of worship. We will share in communion in the form of lunch around tables, and our conversation will be a collective prayer where we listen for who God is calling us to be.
This discernment process aims to provide a safe space for dialogue for all people in CCSM to speak honestly and openly about their experiences, perspectives and positions on their work with the Latino (Spanish-speaking) community over the past few years. Each person will have the opportunity not only to express their emotions, thoughts and views but will be guided in the process of reflection that will allow them to identify their position and level of influence in congregational life and how this affects, positively or negatively, the development of this ministry and, in general, the mission of the church.
This is an invitation to restore this multicultural congregation's internal and external relationships to find elements that enhance a harmonious shared life and build a common vision for the future with clear and defined commitments.
This discernment process is based on cultivating three habits that can transform everyday relationships: curiosity, presence, and reimagining. Habits matter. 45% of our daily actions are habitual, and neuroscientists have calculated that up to 95% of behaviors are controlled (at least partially) by the subconscious mind.
There is a close relationship between what we believe and what we do. If we can shape our habits, we can build practices that profoundly impact our actions, thoughts and character.
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Save the Dates
April 7, 14, 28 and May 5
Kloss Hall
12pm-1:30pm, Lunch Provided
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Please take this short survey that will help provide a picture of where we are as a congregation as we begin the process of discernment. | |
If you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to contact me, Rev. Álvaro, or Julien Phillips, our Latino Ministry team lead. | |
SUNDAY’S OFFERING: Marine Mammal Center | |
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From the depletion of fish stocks to increasing ocean temperatures, human activity threatens marine ecosystems that are vital to the health of our ocean and all life on Earth.
As a critical first responder to these threats, the Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science and education.
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We are excited to introduce Rosa Los Santos as our liturgical musician on Wednesday nights! Rosa came to Oakland in 2001 from her birthplace in Lima, Peru and has been singing Latin and especially Afro-Peruvian music professionally for several years. Please join us soon to extend a warm CCSM welcome to Rosa!
All are welcome to CCSM's weekly bilingual worship service on Wednesdays at 7:15 pm in Kloss Hall followed by a potluck meal.
We also have a children's program that coincides with worship. Come prepared to experience the Holy Spirit in loving community!
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25 YEARS OF HOMEWORK CENTRAL! | |
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Friday, March 22 at CuriOdyssey, Coyote Point!
Please join us at a festive, informative evening to raise crucial funds and to celebrate 25 years of serving North Central students and families. There will be a dinner and auction. Keynote speakers: Diego R Ochoa, Superintendent SMFCSD & Noelia Corzo, SM Board of Supervisors
For more information about auction donations and tickets, please visit our website: smhwc.org/nht
We hope to see you there!
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JUNIOR BACH FESTIVAL THIS FRIDAY | |
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March 22 in the CCSM Sanctuary at 7:30pm
The Junior Bach Festival features 15 brilliant young musicians specializing in violin, cello, organ, piano, harp and voice. CCSM is one of five concerts taking place on the SF Peninsula this week.
Ticket Cost:
Adults $25, Seniors/Youth $20, Children 5-12 $10, Children under 5 are free.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or bought online HERE.
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Join our Connect and Celebrate Ministry!
Our Connect & Celebrate ministry encourages social connections and community building so we can get to know one another better. They help plan gatherings like our all church picnic and pick-a-parties. The ministry team meets the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Fireplace Room. All are welcome to attend, especially if you have an idea for an event, activity or celebration. You don't have to lead the effort (although we'll encourage you to help out.)
Contact Sandy McNabb to learn more and get connected!
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CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES | |
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Sunday, March 24 Palm Sunday!
10:30am- Worship featuring a palm parade, Joyful Noise singing, and our beloved donkey.
5pm - "Stations of Peter" Interactive prayer experience for all ages at church. You can go at your own pace and explore Holy Week as a family.
7pm - Hillsdale High School Performance of Clue! Come out to watch the show and support one of our youth who has a leading role. Tickets are available here.
Wednesday, March 27 - Monthly CCSM Youth social event on Wednesday night! This month we will go to see a movie at the theater in downtown San Mateo. Do you have any suggestions for what to watch? Let me know!
| EASTER Sunday with CCSM Kids | |
Easter Sunday will be a special day for our kids! Kids will begin in the service and then go to the Memorial Garden for a special time of learning about the Easter Story and its connections to renewal and new life in the natural world.
- We'll celebrate new life with a very special craft to take home
- Decorate cookies
- Play special games, and more.
After the service, there will be an Easter Egg hunt on the front lawn!
(Please bring your own basket if you can. We will have bags for those who need)
Thank you to our youth for hiding the eggs once again this year (and for assisting with the kids' activities). This will be a great morning to invite family and friends! Please let Sheryl know if you have any questions (see email link below)
Sunday, April 7 - Family playdate after church! Meet at noon at the King Community Center for a bilingual kids' concert featuring the group 123Andrés. Please bring a lunch to eat in the car or before you leave church.
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SPRING SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS | |
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Beginning Monday, April 1
Mondays, 7:15-8:45pm vis Zoom
Topic: Listening for God, Vol. II
Are you looking to connect with others for deeper conversation exploring faith and spirituality?
We encourage you to check out our Monday evening spiritual conversations affinity group. This spring they will explore a collection of short stories by contemporary authors, including Anne Tyler, John Updike, and Tobias Wolff. The writers represent different spiritual perspectives and explore life’s ambiguities and complexities. Listening for God will help readers discover how life and faith often merge in surprising ways. Perhaps best of all, the stories are written with humor, beauty, and grace.
Contact Chris Wuthmann for more information and the Zoom link. Our goal is to grow spiritually while enjoying the process.
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MEN’S AND WOMEN’S COFFEE GROUPS | |
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Both groups meet in the Hillsdale Mall food court.
Join whenever you can for a time of connecting.
MEN’S GROUP: Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 am.
Contact Peter Held for more info, paheld1417@gmail.com
WOMEN’S GROUP: Thursdays from 10:15 to 11:30 am.
Contact Carole Melis, clmcomm1@gmail.com, or
Linda Skromme, linda.skromme@gmail.com.
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EARTH SUMMIT: CELEBRATING CREATION CARE | |
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Saturday, April 20, 10am - 2pm at CCSM
CCSM’S Environmental Justice Ministry is hosting an Interfaith Earth Weekend event both in person and on Zoom. The Zoom call will be hosted by UCC National Environmental Ministry and will feature climate activist, Bill McKibben giving the Jim Antal lecture, followed by Q&A and a panel discussion with the co-founders of the International Monitor Formosa Alliance, a non-profit organization based in the U.S. whose mission is to seek financial compensation for victims of toxic spills.
A vegetarian lunch will be served at CCSM, followed by small group discussions on the climate actions church communities can and are already taking to address creation care.
There is no cost to participate, but we do ask everyone to register so we have enough lunches for all participants.
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Collect excess water from your shower and kitchen to water your garden or flush your toilet. | |
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CCSM Council of Ministries
Email COM@CCSM-UCC.org to connect to any ministry!
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Kay Harris, Council of Ministries Lead
Jim Schwandt, Building and Grounds
Kim Rey, Troy Grabow, Children, Youth and Families
Melodie Lew, Congregational Care
Sandy McNabb, Connect and Celebrate
Gary H. White, Environmental Justice
Alison Schwandt, Engagement/Communications
Julien Phillips, Latino/a Ministry
Pam Ridlehuber, Liturgical Arts
Sue Bell, Katie Bylander, Music
Genel Morgan. Sharon Tobin, Service and Justice
Dave Olsen, Spiritual Life/Adult Ed.
Ivan Raikov, Stewardship
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Email Kay Harris to get connected to a Ministry Lead anytime! | |
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CCSM Committee Chairs
Chris Yeh, Endowment
Martha Bronitsky, Finance
Frank Garritano, Leadership and Governance
Chris Wuthmann, Pastoral Relations
Dave Goulden, Personnel
Phil Lind, Historian
Click HERE for CCSM's Governance Manual, and HERE for CCSM's Bylaws
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PRAY FOR PEACE
Weekly on Wednesdays • 9:30-10:00am on Zoom
In light of the recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories, we are invited to join Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical partner of the United Church of Christ's Global Ministries, to join others across the world in praying weekly for peace. Registration is free, but required to receive the Zoom Link.
REGISTER HERE
Make a Gift
You can also make a financial gift to help with humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel through the United Church of Christ’s Wider Church Ministries HERE.
Call for a Ceasefire
Send a pre-written message to your elected officials through UCC’s “Just Peace Church” program HERE calling for a ceasefire and encouraging Congress to take immediate action for de-escalation in Israel and Gaza, and support steps towards a lasting peace.
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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 the following food items:
- canned, dried and boxed
- no fresh food please
- donations must be full UNOPENED containers
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no fruits, vegetables, or bread
- We also collect individually wrapped plasticware!
Thank you for your continuing generosity!
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Regular CCSM office hours:
9:00am - 4:00pm
Monday - Thursday
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Scan this QR code or go to ccsm-ucc.org/give
to make a donation or pledge to CCSM.
Don't forget to ask your employer if they have a charitable donation matching program to make your pledge go farther.
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225 Tilton Ave. • San Mateo, CA • 94401
650-343-3694
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