Connections: Week of July 31, 2023

Dear Beloved Community at CCSM, 

This is the week we turn our calendars from July to August. For me, that always feels significant. In July, summer seems to stretch out, but in August, I feel aware that fall is coming and the program year is just around the corner. In July, school supplies on the shelves can easily be ignored, but come August, I start to get that itch. Summer days feel more precious when I remember they are limited. 

And isn't that the way with life as well—it is limited and it is precious. It is impossible to fully appreciate every single moment, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't at least try to soak some of them in. Maybe a few more than yesterday if we can. 

It was such a blessing to be with you in worship on Sunday. I always love the stories that come back to me after preaching—the questions, the chance to know one another more deeply, and the stories that my stories evoked for you. Please know it is a blessing to me to weave our stories together and to get to know you all more deeply. If you missed the service, please do go back and watch. 

This coming Sunday, I am so delighted to welcome our Conference Minister, Rev. Davena Jones as our guest preacher. Rev. Davena is wise, warm, and innovative—truly I feel blessed to serve in a Conference led by her. I know you will be blessed by her presence and message as will I—one of her many gifts is being such a pastor to pastors (official and otherwise, including all those who serve our church). 

After church, please stay to celebrate Shannon McEntee, who has faithfully served our kids as our Godly Play teacher for many years. Shannon will be leaving us as they have achieved their long-time vocational dream of working as a music therapist, which unfortunately (for us!) involves work on Sundays. 

Wishing you many blessings for these August days—tender, fleeting, and so precious.

Peace and blessings,

Sheryl 

IF YOU MISSED THE WORSHIP SERVICE

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Rev. Dr. Sheryl Johnson's engaging and hopeful sermon:

"Becoming Good Soil"

Exciting News from the CCSM

Senior Minister Search Committee! 

As announced this past Sunday before worship, the Senior Minister Search Committee has recommended that we present Rev. Jessica Vacketta to the congregation to be our next Senior Minister. The Board unanimously supports this recommendation, and Jessica will be coming to San Mateo for a candidating sermon on Sunday, August 13th. After the service, there will be a Congregational Meeting and vote, and by the end of the day we hope to officially call our new Senior Minister!

Jessica is currently the Minister of Outreach at the University Christian Church (UCC), a progressive 2,500-member church in Fort Worth, Texas. During her visit to CCSM, she impressed everyone who met her with her warm and welcoming spirit. She has outstanding experience, having served in many roles during the past thirteen years at UCC. We want to share a quote from a recommendation letter we received from Russ Peterman, the Senior Minister at UCC:

"Of all the pastors I have known and served alongside in thirty years of ministry, Jessica stands out clearly as one of the finest ministers in the church today. Period."  

When we conducted the Congregational Input Survey last fall, we learned that the priorities of our church were to grow, to become younger, and to maintain our identity as a progressive Christian church. It was also important that we strike a better balance between our outward social justice focus and our inward spiritual focus. Jessica's experience aligns with this vision. During her time at UCC, she has served as High School Youth Minister and as College and Young Adult Minister, and she is currently serving as Minister of Outreach. Jessica has a strong commitment to social justice, experience in developing intergenerational connections to build the church, good listening skills, and a collaborative working style.

You will learn much more about Jessica in the coming weeks. There will be more information shared during Sunday announcements, in weekly Connections, and in the next Pine Tree.

We're excited and we want everyone to get ready to extend Jessica an extravagant CCSM welcome on August 13th and again when hopefully she begins her ministry with us sometime in early October.

Alexandra Gillen (co-chair), Dave Olson (co-chair), Deborah Chang, Jim Berthelsen, Kenny Lee, Leslie Burndon, Rebecca Ruedy-Whelan, and Sebastian Steinbach

Meet & Greet Ice Cream Social

for Rev. Jessica Vacketta

Saturday, August 12, 4–6 pm

Come to Kloss Hall on August 12th to meet recommended senior minister candidate, Rev. Jessica Vacketta. This is an informal opportunity to chat with Rev. Jessica in advance of her sermon on Sunday. As with all CCSM events, there will be food—

ice cream sundaes and cookies! No RSVP necessary, and you can stop by anytime during the 4–6pm time slot.

Age-Friendly San Mateo News

Meals for Seniors

City of San Mateo residents age 60+ have access to a variety of programs that make it easier to obtain low-cost, nutritious food and help reduce isolation.

City of San Mateo Lunch Program

After a years-long Covid-induced hiatus, when only “Grab and Go” lunches were available, the City once again serves hot meals at two locations:

Senior Center at 2645 Alameda de las Pulgas on Mon/Wed/Fri – $7

(Income-based assistance is available.)

King Center at 725 Monte Diablo Avenue on Tues/Thurs – $5 donation suggested

Check out the menu at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/639/Bay-Tree-Bistro. Reservations are required. Call (650) 522-7490.

Shopping Assistance for Seniors who are Homebound (S.A.S.H.)

For homebound seniors who need help buying their groceries, call (650) 522-7494 or check https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/640/Senior-Services for more information.

Meals on Wheels

Operated by the County of San Mateo for homebound persons who are unable to cook for themselves. Check https://1pvi.org/mealsonwheels/ or call (650) 272-5041.

This information is brought to you by the City of San Mateo Age-Friendly Task Force. Contact agefriendlysanmateo@gmail.com if you would like to learn more about our work.

DID YOU MISS OUT?

New members will be joining on Homecoming Sunday, September 10.  If you are curious about officially becoming one of our flock, please email kibbie@kyros.org for more information.

The 2024 CCSM Budget Process is Currently Underway!

Come Join In!

Have your voice heard!

CCSM is planning the budget for 2024. We seek your involvement during this process, which began Sunday, June 18. The process, which is outlined below, involves the Finance Committee, the Congregation, and the Board in three separate phases.

Phase 1, the development of Budget Principles, was completed on June 18.

Phase 2 is high level fiscal planning. The notion is to discuss 2–3 goals for general fund donations and also total revenue, together with a discussion of what could be funded at each revenue level. This phase will involve the Congregation after worship on August 6 followed by a discussion of the outcomes with the Board at its meeting on August 13. This will be in time for the Stewardship Ministry when they kick off the campaign for pledges (which are estimates of giving) in early September.

Phase 3 is the development of one or more detailed first budget drafts—possibly a budget for each fiscal plan. The tentative date to discuss with the Congregation is October 29, but much could happen between now and then to change that date. The notion is that CCSM would be providing detailed information more than two months prior to adoption of a budget in January at the Annual Meeting. 

Come join in the discussions for one or all three phases.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE CCSM

Don’t go on vacation—come to church! Want to know what goes on behind the scenes, like how decisions are made or the church budget is put together? If you want to observe, learn, or speak up, these opportunities are for you. 

Gatherings, classes, and meetings will be before and after church in the

Buckham Room (both live and Zoom).  

Everyone is invited to participate.

August 6, 12:00 PM

CCSM Finance

Step into the realm of church budgets—balancing our 2023 shortfall

and planning for 2024. Voice your opinion about how to reign in our spending

and encourage giving at CCSM.

August 13 – Double Header

Toxic Theology, 9:30 AM

with Kibbie Ruth

Ever wonder if the Bible really said what you were told it did,

for example, “suffer in silence”?

Board of Directors, 12:00 PM

Join in the policy discussions of the leaders you elected to serve the church.

August 20, 11:50 AM

Council of Ministries

Learn how teams of volunteers help the church thrive.

Maybe you could volunteer too!

August 27, 9:30 AM

Living into the Guiding Principles

Analyze CCSM’s Guiding Principles.

Do we really mean what we say?

For more information, email kibbie@ccsm-ucc.org.  

Because these classes might not be available for Zoom participants,

the classes will be be filmed and uploaded to the website.

Youth and Family News

Sunday, August 6, 10:45am – Godly Play class with Shannon followed by cupcakes and a celebration of Shannon's ministry at CCSM! 

Sunday, August 20, 10:30am – 60 Minutes with Michele and Mike

continuing our discussion of values in America.

Saturday, August 26 – LifeMoves Bike Ride to End Homelessness. This is a fun ride for a great cause. There are routes for all ages - kids included! (See below for more information) Please consider signing up as a family.  https://www.lifemoves.org/ride-to-end-homelessness/

Sunday, September 10 – Homecoming Sunday! Please plan to stay after church for facepainting, balloon animals, games, and more! Youth are encouraged to help out—and can earn volunteer hours. Please let Sheryl know if you're available! 



Saturday, September 16 – City of San Mateo Annual Bayfront Cleanup



Friday, September 29–Sunday, October 1 – Join our local UCCs for a fun youth retreat weekend! More details to follow.

Upcoming

Board of Directors

Meetings

all meetings are Sunday at Noon

in the Buckham Room

(unless noted)

August 13

September 17

October 8

November 12

December 10

To view June 14 Board Meeting Minutes,

click here or go to https://tinyurl.com/CCSMBoard-061423

Upcoming

Council of Ministries

Meetings

all meetings are Sunday at Noon

in the Fireplace Room

(dates in yellow are combined BoD + CoM)

August 20 (11:50 am)

September 24

October 22

November 12

December OFF

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!

Pray for Ukraine Every Tuesday at 7:30pm

CCSM held a powerful live Prayer Ritual for Ukraine on March 6th, 2022, and will share this ritual ONLINE every Tuesday until the war ends. 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.

Link for Prayer Ritual on YouTube: tinyurl.com/CCSM-Ukraine-Prayer