Jorge Perry Bautista • Any time you take something out of context—a word, an event, a person—you misunderstand it. Part of progressive Christianity is to understand the historical Jesus; therefore we have to situate him in his own world, the world of first-century Palestinian Judaism. In this session we will consider Jesus’ context by giving a brief outline of the … Read More
Second Hour: March 10 – Melia Zimmerman
One Love CCSM Senior Higher Melia Zimmerman • Melia is a volunteer for One Love, an organization seeking to educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships and galvanizing them as leaders of change. Join Melia on March 10 as she presents short videos about healthy relationships and leads a discussion on the ten warning signs of unhealthy relationships and … Read More
Second Hour: March 3 – Rev. Jim Mitulski
This Is Our Story, This Is OUR Song Rev. Jim Mitulski • Churches continue to debate whether LGBT people should be allowed in the pulpit, and even in the pews, but gay people have always been present in the hymn books! Join us for an hour of song and lecture about queer hymnody—the writers, poets, composers, musicians who have enriched … Read More
Upcoming Second Hour Sundays
Second Hour Sundays Join us after worship on the following Sundays for discussions and topics to engage your heart, mind and soul. March 3 This Is Our Story, This Is OUR Song Rev. Jim Mitulski • Churches continue to debate whether LGBT people should be allowed in the pulpit, and even in the pews, but gay people have always been … Read More
Stay Connected! Sign up for Penny’s Midweek Connections email
Each week, Penny sends out an email with a brief thought-provoking reflection, poem, or quote, as well as what is most current in the life of the church — upcoming events, speakers, teaching series, etc. You don’t want to miss it. If you’re not already signed up for Connections, please go to our news sign-up page and fill out the … Read More
Camp Caz Registration Now Open
Already our kids are signing up for Camp Caz—join the adventure! Current kindergarteners through second graders can go to Caz July 5-7. Then it’s time for current sixth through eleventh graders to go, from July 7-13 (two separate camps during the same week at the same location). And finally July 21-27, current third through fifth graders can go to Junior … Read More
Pancakes for Dinner on Shrove Tuesday!
Shrove Tuesday, March 5, 6:00-7:30pm • Kloss Hall Before you give up anything for Lent, come enjoy Mardi Gras crafts and music, as well as the pancakes, sausage, fruit and more. The youth will help with this CYF-sponsored event—flipping pancakes and serving you. (They are practicing to be helpful at home!). Come join us!
Coming of Age Retreat
Parents, please put March 22-23 on your calendars. This month on their third annual Coming of Age retreat, our middle school youth will explore what it means to grow up. Along with studying Bible heroes’ adolescent experiences (most of which didn’t turn out so well), the youth also search for their personal mountain top experience. The first year they climbed Mount … Read More
Our Lenten Theme: InHABITing Love
Our Lenten theme this year is Inhabiting Love, based on the book by Ed Bacon, The 8 Habits of Love. When I proposed this idea at the Council of Ministries, people enthusiastically signed on to going deeper into love. Perhaps one of the most important questions I can ask myself is, “To what extent is my life loving?” For me, … Read More
InHABITing Love
Sunday Celebrations in Lent March 10 – April 14 “Is My Life Loving?” preaching by Penny Nixon except for 3/24 by Jorge Perry Bautista March 10: The Habit of Stillness: Loving to Hold Still. Baptism • Communion [daylight savings!] March 17: The Habit of Generosity: Give Until it Feels Good! March 24: The Habit of Becoming a People: Beloved Community. … Read More
Second Hour: PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANS READ THE BIBLE: PART 1
Sunday, February 24, 11:45am Using the scholarship of progressive Christian theologian Marcus Borg, part 1 of this series will look at the Gospels as Memory and Testimony. How should we read the gospels as 21st century Christians? This session will include a hands-on “bible study” as well as an introduction to the background of the gospels, our primary source of … Read More
Spiritual Care at CCSM
One of the unique and beautiful qualities of this CCSM community is our tending to each other. On the Welcome page of our website we say: We are an open-minded, progressive spiritual community characterized by a delight in diversity, a passion for justice, a love of music and a genuine care we have for each other. We do have a … Read More
Jesus and Buddha as Brothers: Sunday Celebrations
January 27: The Three Jewels February 3: Cleaning the Windows February 10: The Fine Art of Acceptance • Celebrating Lynnelle’s 25th Anniversary at CCSM February 17: Decluttering our Souls February 24: Faith and practice: Living Buddha, Living Christ March 3: The Other Shore: Resurrection and Reincarnation
Train Day, Saturday, Feb. 2
On Train Day, Saturday, February 2, between 2:00 and 4:30pm, the trains will be pulling into the Kloss Hall station for all ages. Make cookies, be an engineer, create your own layout, and build your own train. Don’t miss out! TOOT-TOOT-TOOT!