CONNECTIONS: August 7, 2024

Greetings, Church!

It's hard to believe that back-to-school season is upon us. My social media feeds have been filled with First Day of School photos and classroom preparation pictures from teacher friends across the country. As the daughter of a retired educator, and the sister of a 2nd grade teacher, I know the hours of preparation leading up to the first day of school. (Often times it's a family affair.) To all the educators, administrators, school staff, and volunteers — THANK YOU! Thank you for your time, dedication, passion and the many ways your care for all God's children. Know that we are praying with you, and for you, as the new school year begins.

As you know, the start of a new year is filled with emotions. From excitement and anticipation, to stress and apprehension, the month of August is often a roller coaster of emotions. It's a season of big feelings, and those feelings look different for everyone — but, the Good News is that God is with us in every season and with all of our feelings — and so is our church family! I hope that you will join us in worship this Sunday, or next Wednesday, as we celebrate the start of a new year and offer a Blessing for all of our students, educators and their families and all who support them. Whether you are heading to preschool or college, we welcome all to bring their backpacks for a blessing. In our celebration of education and learning, we will also take time to bless the backpacks we have collected for College Park Elementary.

Beyond our prayers, we can support students, families, and educators by volunteering at a local school or afterschool program (like Homework Central), donating supplies (like so many of you have done for College Park), and advocating for comprehensive school safety plans and livable wages for educators. I invite you to do one thing this back-to-school season — just one — to support a friend or neighbor headed to the classroom this fall. How can you be God's hands and feet and face to the students and teachers in your life, and in our community?

May God watch over all students, educators, school staff and families in the year ahead. We ask for wisdom for educators as they guide young minds, and courage for students as they explore new horizons. Above all, may our schools be safe havens where diversity is celebrated and every child feels valued.

With gratitude, love, and hope,

Jessica

Calling all students and educators!

The start of a new school year is upon us, and we're excited to celebrate with a special Backpack Blessing during worship services on Sunday, August 11, and Wednesday, August 14. This blessing is a chance to ask for God's guidance, wisdom, and creativity as you embark on a new year of exploration and discovery — and to know that you begin the year surrounded by the love and support of your CCSM community. So, BRING YOUR BACKPACK, whether it's empty or filled, and join us for this Back-to-School Service!

Did you miss worship?

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE for Rev. Deborah Lee's sermon, "Bridging the Divide"

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Wednesday, August 7

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall
12:00 Midnight — Pine Tree Submission Deadline

Thursday, August 8

10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court
6:30 - 7:30 PM — Personnel Committee Meeting, Fireplace Room

Saturday, August 10

8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)
10:30 AM — Coffee with CC Riders, Village Hub in Woodside (3154 Woodside Road)

Sunday, August 11

10:30 - 11:30 AM — Back-to-School Worship Service in person and online
10:45 - 11:15 AM — Youth and Children's Programs, CE Building & Memorial Garden
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall
12:00 - 12:45 PM — Polish & Nosh, Buckham Room

Monday, August 12

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Monday Women's Group, Fireplace Room
4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

Tuesday, August 13

10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court (contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)
4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall
7:15 - 8:45 PM — MSJ Meeting, Zoom

Wednesday, August 14

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 — Back-to-School Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall

Our Summer Worship Series Continues this Week!

"I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

-Ephesians 3:18-19

This Sunday we'll dive into the heart of Ephesians, a prayer, that invites us to be rooted and grounded in Divine Love, a Liberating Love, that is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

PLATE OFFERING for SUNDAY, AUGUST 11:

HOMEWORK CENTRAL

Homework Central strives to create educational equity for disadvantaged elementary school students who aren’t receiving the support they need. Through lack of resources and poor access to technology or academic assistance, too many children start to fall behind, creating an ever-widening academic gap between them and their peers.

In partnership with local schools, Homework Central provides after-school tutoring, homework assistance, and family support free of charge. We provide encouragement and the opportunities students need to regain confidence and achieve academic success.

Make a Gift

School Supply Drive Update!

Because of your GENEROUS gifts, we almost have everything we need for the students at College Park! THANK YOU!

The only item we need are 70 FULL SIZE tissue boxes.

Tissues can be dropped off or sent to the church by THIS SUNDAY, August 11.

Special thanks to Sue Bullis for organizing this effort!

Polish & Nosh Bell Party

Here's your chance to see the bells up close and personal! Join us for Polish & Nosh, our handbell polishing party, on Sunday, August 11 at 12pm in the Buckham Room. Periodically, we need to polish the bells to keep them in good working order, and many hands make light work. We would love to have folks interested in assisting with polishing join us, and light refreshments will be served as well – let’s make it a party! Please reach out to Joy at joymason@astound.net or Lynnelle at ltbmusings@gmail.com if you are available to join us.

Samaritan House Meal Service Starts Monday!

On August 12 we will begin a new partnership with Samaritan House serving as hosts to a Monday-Friday meal service from 4-6pm in Kloss Hall. To Learn More about how to volunteer with Samaritan House at CCSM, click the button below or contact Jim Granucci.

Volunteer Information

Children and Youth

Members of our newly forming Mid-High group, the "Gran'Its"

Sunday Children's Program at 10:30am

Following the Passing of the Peace, our Kinder - 4th graders are welcome to join Miss Elaine in the Memorial Garden for our Children's Program. During the month of August we will use a curriculum called "Seasons of Welcome." Each week we will use stories, scriptures, and a fun activity to help us understand God and the world around us in new and different ways. Our focus for the month will be practices of welcome that help us embrace Community. We are looking for volunteers to serve as a second adult and support Elaine. We just need one person each week, so if you can help in this way once a month, please email Rev. Jessica! Lily will continue to meet with our youngest CCSMers each week!

Mid-High "Gran'Its" Group - Pizza and Packing this Sunday!

This is a newly formed youth group for our incoming 5th - 8th graders! Led by Kibbie Ruth, this group will meet each Sunday in the top row of the back balcony at 10:30am and then head to the Christian Education building after the Passing of the Peace.

This week the group will eat Pizza in the Youth Room after Coffee Hour and then fill the backpacks with supplies for College Park Elementary!

For more information, including upcoming plans for August beyond Sunday morning, please email Kibbie.

COMING UP!

Celebrate Together Again — or for the first time — as we come home to CCSM on September 8 following worship. Enjoy food, games, music, and connection. Bring a dish that means “home” to you, and join us for a potluck meal on the lawn after worship. CCSM will provide the meat, veggies, and drinks.

Volunteers are needed! Can you spare just 30 minutes on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, September 6, 7, or 8, to help set up, take down, or help the lunch go smoothly?

Use our new tool — SignUp Genius — to sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/CCSMHomecoming

Or go old school and contact Sandy McNabb.

To make it easier to plan, please let us know you're coming and, if you're able to bring a dish, what that will be. Email Sue Bullis (bullisclan@comcast.net) or Nancy Nugent (jnugent@mac.com). Thanks!

Call for Leadership Nominations

The Leadership & Governance Committee is happy to announce an OPEN CALL FOR NOMINATIONS for leadership positions at the Congregational Church of San Mateo. For more information about the call for nominations, please read the attached letter: Call for Nominations Letter. For more information about the different roles and responsibilities of the Board, the Committees, and the Ministries, please refer to the Governance Manual. Paper copies of the nomination form are located in the church office and on the Welcome Table outside of the Sanctuary OR you can fill out the Nomination Form linked below:

Leadership Nomination Form

Deadline for nominations is August 31.

You Can Be a Ding-a-Ling Too!

Have you ever wanted to try your hands at ringing bells in worship, or just want to see the bells up close? Join our bell choir for a summer workshop on What’s Ringing All About – The Basics. These workshops are geared to take the mystery out of ringing bells. You don’t have to know how to read music to participate — it's helpful but not required.

When: Thursdays (July 25 - August 22) from 6:30-7:15 pm in the bell room

(2nd floor across from the entrance to the Sanctuary balcony)

Questions? Reach out to Lynnelle via Email or 650.339.5795

The Logos Method Sound Journey is an immersive somatic experience. Our nervous systems need to be recalibrated on a regular basis. Each experience builds on the next and supports us to be more connected to the liminal space, sharpen our intuition, and experience deep peace.

Join Chuck and experience this yourself on Thursday, August 24, 7-8:30pm. Click on the image above to register.

LAST CENTRAL PARK MUSIC THURSDAY

Join CCSMers for a relaxed evening of music, food and fun each Thursday night from 6:00-8:00 pm in San Mateo's Central Park. This is a drop-in event, so look for fellow members once you arrive. Bring your own food and drink, or buy something from the vendors. A blanket or beach towel is a must, low camp chairs are a good idea. Bands performing are listed below. Contact Mike Harris for more info, mypirocks@me.com

August 8 - Bud E. Luv Orchestra (Swing/Big Band/Party Mix)

Regularly replace filters on heaters, dryers, and other appliances.

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.

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.

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.