Melanie Dresbach

Melanie Dresbach has a classical background in voice, harpsichord, and piano performance. She completed her undergraduate work in education and in music performance and received her teaching credential at SJSU. In 1999 she received a Masters degree in Liturgical Ministry at Santa Clara University. She began her career in church music ministry in Okinawa, Japan, accompanying choirs at themilitary bases … Read More

Angela Kraft Cross, AAGO

Angela graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in 1980 with bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Organ performance. She then earned her Doctor of Medicine degree at Loma Linda University, where she subsequently completed her residency in ophthalmology. Since 1989, she has practiced ophthalmology at Kaiser Permanente in Redwood City. In May 1993, she completed her Master of Music … Read More

Peninsula Solidarity Cohort

The Peninsula Solidarity Cohort is a group of 40 faith leaders from diverse traditions who meet regularly to address pressing social justice issues in San Mateo County. Drawing on our respective spiritual traditions, we strive to articulate shared moral narratives for our time and create communities of compassion, justice and belonging on the Peninsula. Since our founding in 2017, we … Read More

Faith in Action Bay Area

Faith in Action Bay Area

Faith in Action Bay Area is a multi-racial, multi-lingual, intergenerational and cross-class organization that is led by those most affected by injustice, such as low-income families and workers, immigrants, and youth. We are committed to building and deepening relationships across different communities, fostering shared leadership of community members and lifting up faith values in order to change unjust systems. Faith … Read More

Ministry of Service & Justice (MSJ)

group of people holding protest signs

God has no hands but your hands, no feet but your feet, no face but your face. The Ministry of Service and Justice (MSJ) seeks to cultivate a more just and compassionate world, working together to understand and meet the real needs of our local community and beyond. MSJ is an active and vibrant ministry integral to the life of … Read More

Sanctuary Church

CCSM voted to become a Sanctuary Church in February 2017, approving this motion: “The Congregational Church of San Mateo declares itself a Sanctuary Congregation and as such will open our doors to welcome into Sanctuary undocumented individuals who are facing deportation and in need of safe refuge.” Later that year, two members of the TransGay Caravan, Estefany and Natalia, were … Read More

Energy, Environmental Justice

arid to green landscape

The EEJ (Energy, Environmental Justice) Ministry was formed in 2019 to research, educate, implement and communicate in the CCSM community sustainable practices and energy saving operations such as installing solar panels and other efficiency upgrades to our campus. By fulfilling our mission, CCSM will save money, reduce our carbon footprint and do our part to mitigate climate change. Our mission … Read More

“Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice!” Screening 

Saturday, December 5 at 6pm One of our Advent themes this year is to “fill the night with music and light” in this strange Advent season. One event we will have to connect is an all-ages Zoom screening of this documentary which is itself filled with music! We will be able to text-chat during the movie (if you would like … Read More

CYF Events – November 29

Sunday at 9:45am –  Godly Play with Shannon Godly Play is a Montessori-based storytelling technique. Shannon will tell a Bible story using simple figures and then ask the kids open-ended questions about their thoughts and feelings. Afterwards there is time to create an artistic response to the story using art supplies, playdoh, clay, or whatever you have nearby at home! This program … Read More

CYF Events – November 12-15

For parents: Tara Abrams has graciously offered to host another session for parents this Thursday evening (Nov 12) at 8pm. It will just be a time to connect, to process, to share – build community and talk about parenting and life in these strange and stressful times! Here is the Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/3687572645?pwd=a21qcjNpNDVuYitzOStsc1h1VURkZz09 and the passcode is : Abrams Sunday at 9:45am –  Godly Play with Shannon Godly … Read More

CYF Events – November 8

Sunday at 9:45am –  Godly Play with Shannon Godly Play is a Montessori-based storytelling technique. Shannon will tell a Bible story using simple figures and then ask the kids open-ended questions about their thoughts and feelings. Afterwards there is time to create an artistic response to the story using art supplies, playdoh, clay, or whatever you have nearby at home! This program … Read More

CYF Events – November 1

Sunday at 9:45am –  All Ages Music Time with Julie  – Join Julie and Sheryl for dance, movement, and spiritual singing. Kids of all ages are welcome – please bring some rhythm sticks or shakers if possible! https://zoom.us/j/333636518?pwd=UlJiVmFkeVFTaFJiSklRdXduUHBkdz09 Sunday at 11:30am – Youth Discussion Time (Grades 6+): Join other youth for conversation with a young adult in our church – this week, Syndey! … Read More

Second Hour with Martyn Whittock – Oct. 25 at Noon

Don’t miss our special guest Martyn Whittock speaking on Trump and the Puritans: exploring the deep historical roots of the support for Donald Trump among US evangelicals, Sunday, October 25 at noon Zoom link HERE Many people are puzzled at the strong support for Donald Trump by US evangelicals. The answer largely lies in the deep history and mythology of the … Read More

CYF Events – October 25

Sunday at 9:45am –  Godly Play with Shannon: Godly Play is a Montessori-based storytelling technique. Shannon will tell a Bible story using simple figures and then ask the kids open-ended questions about their thoughts and feelings. Afterwards there is time to create an artistic response to the story using art supplies, playdoh, clay, or whatever you have nearby at home! … Read More

CYF Events – October 15-18

Thursday at 8pm – CCSM Parents’ Gathering – Join Tara Abrams and other CCSM parents for an informal hour of connecting, sharing, and supporting one another during this strange season. All are welcome – parents with kids of any age included! Feel free to drop-in/leave early, etc as you need to! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83400153646?pwd=MHNPbDZJZEt1QnJGQVcxSjZHMTcvQT09 Sunday at 9:45am –  Godly Play with Shannon • Godly Play … Read More