Connections: Week of August 7, 2023

Dear Beloved Community at CCSM, 

What a blessing to have communion together this past Sunday and to have Rev. Davena Jones' inspiring message about the many ways that God is doing new things in our world. It is always a blessing to connect with Conference and National UCC leaders to remember we are not alone in this journey of progressive faith!  

In her sermon, I was especially moved by the reminder not to let yesterday define today—or tomorrow. In yoga and meditation philosophies, there is a similar idea of "beginner's mind"—where you try to come to each practice afresh, not assuming it will go like it did last time. Who knows, you might be able to do things you couldn't do before, or find challenges in things you normally find easy. I have found that to be such a helpful notion—to try to be present to each moment as it comes, not comparing it to what has happened before or what we expected it to be or what we want it to be, but trying to find the blessings and learnings in simply what is. If you missed the service, please do go back and watch! 

As we look ahead to next Sunday, I am so excited for you all to meet Rev. Jessica Vacketta, our senior minister candidate. She will preach and then we will have an exciting congregational meeting to vote on and finalize her call to serve as CCSM's next settled senior minister. 

I know some of you have had a chance to meet Rev. Jessica already, but for those who have not, my experience of her is that she is incredibly warm and deeply wise. She brings new ideas and insights but is also excited to learn more about CCSM's long legacy of leadership in the movement for progressive Christianity. I know you will be blessed to meet her and hear her message for us all next week. 

If you have time on Saturday, please come out to church for an ice cream social meet and greet from 4–6pm! 

Blessings on your week, 

Sheryl 

IF YOU MISSED THE WORSHIP SERVICE

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE



CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED THE BUDGET FORUM AFTER CHURCH,

entitled "HIGH LEVEL FISCAL PLANNING," which is Phase 2 of this year's budget process.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Rev. Davena Jones' inspiring sermon: "Making All Things New"

This Sunday!

Rev. Jessica Vacketta

As announced recently, 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. If you will need childcare, please let Sandy McNabb (sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com) or Mike Harris (mypirocks@me.com) know.  



August 13

BIG DAY!

First, a sermon from Rev. Jessica Vacketta.

Second, directly following the service we will have a Congregational Meeting to vote on calling Rev. Vacketta as CCSM's Senior Minister.

Third, a Board of Directors meeting—all are welcome to join us!

Board of Directors

Meeting Agenda

+ Opening & Prayer

+ Possibly words from Rev. Jessica Vacketta

+ Report from Governance (Frank Garritano)

+ Report: Finance and 8/6 meeting (Veril Phillips)

+ Report: Pledging & Stewardship (hoping someone can step in for Martha B.)

+ Report: Council of Ministries (Kay Harris)

+ Report: Church Operations (Chase Montara)

+ Report: Staff (Sheryl Johnson)

+ Report: Transitional Minister (Kibbie Ruth)

+ Adjournment 

Solar Donors Needed

Happy summer everyone! I am writing to give you the latest update on our solar project and to give you an opportunity to make a personal donation of financial support to help us close the gap in its funding.

As many of you will recall, the concept of a CCSM Solar Project was birthed a few years prior to the pandemic by a few concerned members of the congregation. Aware of the worsening state of climate change worldwide, these conscientious members felt CCSM needed to take steps to reduce the church’s own fossil fuel emissions and lower its carbon footprint.

This concern, along with the support of church leadership, led to the formation of the Energy and Environmental Justice Ministry at CCSM three years ago. Due to the diligent work of EEJ, the design and contract of the solar canopy in our parking lot were officially approved by the Board in June 2021. After several snags and a lengthy permit process with the City of San Mateo, construction finally went ahead in March 2023. The solar system is now complete and we are waiting for the permit from PG&E to operate the system.

To help pay the total project cost of $460,000, CCSM has taken a variety of steps. We entered into a financing agreement to benefit from a clean energy governmental incentive of 20% off the total cost of the system which reduced it to $368,000. When the project was initially approved in June 2021, several members of the church were approached, resulting in pledges of $249,000. Additionally, the clergy and the Board have approved the use of up to $100,000 of New Initiative funds for the project, if needed.

So, this is where you come in. To help ensure that CCSM generates clean power far into the future and to help create a powerful legacy for our children’s and grandchildren’s future, you—the members of our congregation—are strongly encouraged to pledge and donate what you can to help complete the funding of the solar project. Our goal is to raise $20,000.

To pledge and make your donation, please contact our bookkeeper, Cheryle Matteo at cmatteo@ccsm-ucc.org or call her at the church office at 650-343-3694. Thank you in advance for helping to secure solar energy for the future of CCSM.

Gary H. White – Lead, Energy & Environmental Justice Ministry

Next Meeting:

Friday, September 15th

Music and Arts will NOT meet in August, but stay tuned for information about our official beginning of the year on Friday, Sept. 15. Mark your calendars & save the date!



We look forward to seeing you all then, and encourage you to invite someone else from the congregation or a friend who is interested in music and arts. Performance is not required.



Update on the Climate Hope Postcard Project

105 CCSM signers advocated for the EPA's 10 new rules to protect the environment and public health. These cards have now been mailed to the UCC Washington, DC office to be combined with those from other UCC churches across the country and to be delivered to the White House and the EPA in August. Thank you for your participation!

~ CCSM Energy and Environmental Ministry Team

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.

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 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, 12:15 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 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 More info/register

here: https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/1857/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 (12:15 pm)

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