Come out and celebrate Pride in San Mateo!

Saturday, June 15 • 11am – 5pm San Mateo Central Park The goal of the event is to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQQ+ community through entertainment, education, connection and fun!  There will be booths and vendors who support our LGBTQQ+ community as well as food trucks, live entertainment, and much, much more! CCSM’s sponsorship of $1000 has been critical to … Read More

Climate Change and Children

Follow up from Sandra Soto-Grondona Many of you attended my Second Hour presentation on April 7 to learn about the effects of climate change on children, and what children are doing to oppose and reverse it.   As a follow up, I would like to share some CA Bills, so that you may be proactive, and to provide you with … Read More

Special Music Sunday and Summer Music Series

Special Music Sunday Sunday, May 19 Save the Date – this Spring’s Special Music Sunday will be on Sunday, May 19th during the service.  Musicians include Chancel Choir & Joyful Noise Children’s Choir. See you in Church! Summer Music Series Do you sing or play an instrument? Do you enjoy classical, jazz, traditional, or contemporary music? Are you interested in … Read More

Help a Mother Out

In May we’re collecting diapers for the organization, “Help a Mother Out” (HAMO). HAMO works to improve baby and family well being by increasing access to diapers for families in need. A family’s access to a reliable supply of clean diapers reduces the risk of infectious outbreaks, improves the baby’s health and comfort, and enables baby’s participation in early care … Read More

The True Heart of Religion

by Penny Nixon Just reflect back on the past eight months—the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, the Christ Church New Zealand mosque attack, and then on Easter Sunday, the massacre at multiple churches in Sri Lanka. All acts of terror perpetrated against faith communities. My heart aches for the people of Sri Lanka, whose wounds are so fresh, and for … Read More

Romero: Movie & Discussion

ROMERO: Movie, Dinner, and Discussion MAY 17 • 6-9pm • Buckham Room Come watch and discuss this moving film together. When Oscar Romero was named Archbishop of El Salvador, he was a conservative from the ruling class. But over time his faith and love inspired a conversion experience. His unyielding stand for the poor and against violence, confronting the military … Read More

Good News from your moderator, Dave Chandler

Back in the February/March Pine Tree we outlined the process for finding someone to serve as the Children Youth Family (CYF) staff person, knowing that we would have to be flexible and open to all possibilities. We are thrilled to announce that “possibility” is now a reality! The CYF interview committee (former CYF chairs + personnel committee representative) unanimously recommended … Read More

Three Queens Sunday

On April 28, we rejoiced with our THREE beloved church family members who celebrated centenary birthdays in April! On April 15, Thelma Kromhout turned 100, Martha Imai turned 104 on April 23, and Clare Naegle turned 101 on April 30. We’re grateful for the many years they have been loving and serving.                 … Read More

First Tuesday Book Group – Manhattan Beach

May 7 • 7:30pm • Fireplace Room Join us to discuss Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan. Set in the 1930s and 1940s, this is the story of Anna Kerrigan, a New Yorker of Irish extraction whose father disappears after working for a gangster. Egan focuses on interesting historical side notes such as Anna’s work as a diver at Brooklyn Navy … Read More

26th Annual Spring Organ Recital

Sunday, May 5 • 2:00pm Sanctuary  NOTE NEW TIME! CCSM’s beloved organist Angela Kraft Cross will be performing her 26th Anniversary Organ Recital. Be sure to tell your family and friends that this is a concert you won’t want to miss—there will be works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Kraft Cross and Widor in celebration of Charles-Marie Widor’s 175th birthday! There will … Read More

Wise & Wonderful First Fridays Gathering

May 3 • 10:30am-1:00pm • Buckham Room We will be watching “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” film, the story of a writer who forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during WW II.  The film is 124 minutes long. Coffee, tea, and cookies will … Read More

March Linen Collection Delivered to Life Moves!

From Brenda Kelly, Ministry of Service & Justice & Rev. Amie Giordano, Social Justice Emerging Leader Thanks to Donna Summers for your counting, packing, and heavy lifting!  It was great having you join me for the delivery. It sure feels good to do good with good people. Life Moves Collection from CCSM From: Congregational Church of San Mateo, United Church … Read More

Second Hour: Climate Change and the Response of Children

Sunday, April 7 • 11:45am with Sandra Soto Grondona Climate Change is affecting all of us, but one particular group of people will need to live with the effects for a bit longer, and those are children. Climate change poses threats to human health and safety, and children are at particularly high risk. Children living in developing countries and/or near … Read More