We are two weeks into an “Inconvenient Lent” exploring our moral and faithful response to the climate crisis. I’ve done my best to communicate that in the midst of the climate crisis we are called to resilience, engagement and faithfulness. The deeper I have delved into this subject, the more excited I become about the opportunities and possibilities for finding … Read More

Dear beloved community, I want to speak directly to you as your pastor. We are living in an unprecedented time and anxieties are running high. The COVID-19 outbreak has many of us on edge and uncertain about what information to trust, and how to be responsible without being alarmist. In times like these, we need our spiritual community more than … Read More

April 7 and May 5 • 7:30pm-9:00pm Fireplace Room The book for April 7 is Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. An African-American labor/delivery nurse in charge of newborns at a Connecticut hospital is ordered not to touch the baby of a white supremacist couple. When the baby dies in her care, she is charged with murder. The story is … Read More

Over the last 20 years Blanketeers have given warmth and love to close to 1000 people! We started with the Linus Project for kids in the hospital. Currently we’re more local—everyone who comes through Home and Hope, Veterans and residents of the Vendome AND our CCSM Adopt-A-Families! Now in 2020 we need some new “hands” helping to sew up all … Read More

Toys, games, puzzles, and art supplies Our March monthly collection will be for CORA: Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse. CORA is local, headquartered in San Mateo. It is the only agency in San Mateo county solely dedicated to helping those affected by intimate partner abuse. Services provided include a 24-hour support hotline, emergency safe houses, legal services, individual and family counseling, … Read More

by Phil Porter I have been traveling to Australia for many years to teach during the month of January, which is their summer. This year it was powerful and disturbing to be there in the midst of the fires that ravaged great swaths of the country. Although I never saw fires directly, they were around us in the three cities … Read More

by Gary White—Climate Reality Leader & Leader, Extinction Rebellion San Mateo CCSM started on its climate change journey at 10am on Saturday, February 8, when Rev. Jim Antal, UCC minister and author of the book Climate Church, Climate World, came to remind us that we as a spiritual community must take action to become more sustainable in our church and … Read More

The CCSM Youth and Community Riders kicked off their first event on the Leap Year! Camille Grant, working on her Girl Scout Silver Award, hosted a bike ride (the first of five events) at Sawyer Camp Trail in San Mateo. It was a windy but beautiful day to ride the trail. The long-established CC Riders group was there in full … Read More

by Jorge Perry Bautista In 2016 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was stunned. The entire year for my mother was consumed by treatment, chemotherapy, and emotion. I became her caretaker. I took my mom to most of her appointments (my aunt helped me out a lot and would take her as well). I took careful notes … Read More

Samaritan House honored The Congregational Church of San Mateo at its annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on March 4 with a Volunteer Excellence Award for Outstanding Community Group Partner Support in 2019. Samaritan House also awarded Angela Kraft Cross a Volunteer Excellence Award for Outstanding Redwood City Medical Clinic Support in 2019 – Physician. Angela volunteers as an ophthalmologist at both … Read More

Sunday, March 29 • 3:00pm Reception • 4:00pm program Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster City The NAACP San Mateo Branch has selected Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon to receive the Humanitarian Award. This award is given to an individual who has reached the highest levels of making a positive impact in the community in a number of areas. We have noted her … Read More

Reckoning with Climate Change: The science is clear and so is our call to action— Lent 1 • March 1:  Reorienting What We Prize. Penny Nixon. Communion. Lent 2 • March 8:  Right-sizing Ourselves: Finding Our Place in Creation. Kelly Colwell/Phil Porter. A Dance on Behalf of the Earth. Lent 3 • March 15: SERVICE BROADCAST ON FACEBOOK ONLY (no in-person … Read More

This Lent, we’re taking on a congregational reading project! We’re all invited to read Climate Church, Climate World, by Rev. Jim Antal, who works with the UCC developing resources to equip churches taking on climate change and environmental justice. Here’s a taster from the book’s website: “Climate Church, Climate World argues that climate change is the greatest moral challenge humanity … Read More

First Tuesday Book Group March 3 and April 7 • 7:30pm Fireplace Room On March 3 we’ll discuss Little Fires Everywhere, a novel by Celeste Ng. Please join us. All are welcome! A review from the Boston Globe: “Delectable and engrossing… A complex and compulsively readable suburban saga that is deeply invested in mothers and daughters…What Ng has written, in … Read More