Connect
Getting Started
Are you new to CCSM? We want to get to know you.
Whether you’ve moved to the neighborhood or have joined us in an online service, please let us know if you want to find out more about our beloved community and how you might get more involved.
From time to time we have a newcomers’ gathering, and we love to receive new members. Contact us for more information.
Opportunities to Connect
Small Groups
First Tuesday Book Club (on ZOOM)
1st Tuesday 7:30-9:30 pm
Susan Stoehr: s_stoehr@hotmail.com
Meets the first Tuesday of most months, currently on Zoom, to discuss a book (usually fiction) previously selected together. All are welcome.
Sisters in Spirit (SIS)
9/3, 10/1, 11/5 and 12/3 (first Fridays) on Zoom 1-3pm
Rebecca Ruedy-Whelan: rebeccaruedy@gmail.com
9/17, 10/15, 11/19 and 12/17 (third Fridays) in person at Rebecca’s home
Half of the meetings in person (dates above) and half on Zoom (tbd) for now. Sharing, sisterhood and exploration of spirituality and consciousness (among other topics) through the examination of the works of contemporary authors, writers and thought-leaders. This fall will read a Penny-recommended book.
Band of Brothers: Spiritual Journey
Every other Saturday, 7:45 am Mike Mullery: leeandmikemull@cs.com
Band of Brothers: Modern Men Thursdays 7:30- 9:00 pm
Peter Held: paheld1417@gmail.com
Men’s groups building the bonds of deep friendship and spirituality, practicing our faith and having fun!
Spiritual Conversations (on ZOOM)
Every other Mon 7:15-8:45 pm
Chris Wuthmann: cewuthmann@gmail.com
Discussion group exploring various topics, books, and ideas through a spiritual lens
In the Spirit of Sharing (on ZOOM)
Every Thursday 7:00-8:30 pm
Chase Montara: cmontara@ccsm-ucc.org
Spiritual group gathering to connect with ourselves, with Spirit and with each other, as we navigate the challenges of the pandemic. Each week, we listen to music selections, read a few poems, watch a short video and share our reflections with each other.
Face Mask Brigade (on ZOOM)
Every Weds 12:30-1:30 pm
Genel Morgan: glmrn12@gmail.com
Has been making masks together for the pandemic since March 2020. Thousands of masks have been made so far, and much mutual encouragement shared.
Ministry of Service & Justice
2nd Tuesday 7:00-8:30 pm
Carole Wilson: cewilson141@gmail.com
The Ministry of Service and Justice (MSJ) meets the second Tuesday of the month in the evening from 7:00 - 8:30pm (currently on Zoom). Join our group to address social justice issues that impact our local community.
Music and Art (in person)
3rd Friday 12:00-2:00 pm
Susan Duty: susanjd52@gmail.com
Monthly gathering over lunch with a special guest sharing a music or arts-related topic.
20’s / 30’s (on ZOOM)
1st Friday 7:00-9:00 pm
Jorge Bautista: jbautista@ccsm-ucc.org
Young adults meeting for friendship and community building
Blanketeers
Lani Leydig: lani.leydig@gmail.com
Quilters and knitters assembling afghans and quilts for those in need
Trudy’s Teas
Not Determined
Diane Kalliam: dkalliam@gmail.com
Opportunity for women from the church to meet and enjoy a meal and fellowship
CC Riders Cycling Group
Every Saturday 8:00- 11:00 am
Peter Held: paheld1417@gmail.com
This bike club offers group rides for every level of ability. Starts in Woodside for coffee, scones, and fellowship. When the weather is bad, sometimes the group just meets for breakfast.
Music
Chancel Choir (in person)
Select Sundays
Lynnelle Bilsey: ltbmusings@gmail.com
Leads the congregation and enriches worship with a diverse offering of music, including special worship services and concerts
Bell Choir (in person)
Select Thursdays 7-8:30 pm
Lynnelle Bilsey: ltbmusings@gmail.com
A full handbell choir performing in worship services occasionally
Joyful Noise Choir
Julie Berk: teacherjulie@pacbell.net
Exuberant children’s choir singing for special worship services
Ministry & Volunteering
Companion Ministry
Diane Kalliam: dkalliam@gmail.com
Calling and visiting those with health and other challenges
Month of Sundays (greeting cards)
No Regular Meetings
Deb Flaherty: Flaherty.dwr@gmail.com
Sending cards to those in difficult circumstances or celebrations
Reception Desk Volunteers
Monday -Thursday 9-12 and 1-3 pm
Chase Montara: cmontara@ccsm-ucc.org
Answering the phone, receiving visitors and helping with many tasks needed to run the church such as mail, filing, copying, etc.
Open Cathedral Sandwich Making
4th Sunday 9:00-10:30 am
Nancy Dieguez: nancy.dieguez@live.com
Once a month making 100 lunches for Open Cathedral, a weekly non-denominational outdoor worship service
Second Hour
Sunday Learning Opportunities
Second Hour Sundays bring important topics for learning and discussion following the Sunday service.
Following our Sunday worship service, we offer our Second Hour from 12 pm- 1 pm. Right now, we are on Zoom, but plan a Hybrid approach in the near future.
- Discussion group on the book Caste by Isabelle Wilkerson
- Asian American History in the Bay Area with Grace Yoo
- Historian, theologian and author Martyn Whittock on Trump and the Puritans: exploring the deep historical roots of the support for Donald Trump among US evangelicals
- Penny Nixon on Religion and Politics: Finding Our Way
- Author Robby Jones on White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity
- Rev. Jim Antal on God’s Call – Our Vocation – In A Time of Climate Chaos
- Activist Suzanne Verge on gun violence
- Author Rev. Molly Baskette on Bless This Mess: A Modern Guide to Faith and Parenting in a Chaotic World
- Climate Church, Climate World: A Discussion
- Schools & Communities First with Dr. Jennifer Martinez, Chief Strategy Officer, PICO California
Prayer & Care
Prayer Requests and Joys and Concerns
Each week, the pastoral care team gives prayerful attention to the congregation’s joys and concerns. Many of these come with a request to hold the contents in confidence; others are shared in the bulletin under Joys and Concerns for prayer by the whole community. If you would like to speak with a pastor or have other pastoral needs, please use the form below.
Music Groups
Becoming something greater in harmony…You Are Invited
If you’re looking to be part of a musical experience that embodies the creativity of the San Francisco Peninsula, we invite you to join one of our three choirs at CCSM, become one of our instrumentalists, or attend our Music and Arts Circle’s regular events.
Our Choirs
If you’re interested in performing in one of our choirs, please contact us.
Chancel
The Chancel Choir is led by our Director of Music, Lynnelle Bilsey. The choir leads the congregation and enriches worship with a diverse offering of music. Our chancel choir offers special worship services and concerts, accompanied by a variety of instruments.
Carillon Handbell
Sundays are extra-special when our Carillon Handbell Choir performs under the direction of Lynnelle Bilsey.
Joyful Noise
Our Joyful Noise Youth Choir is open to all young people, ages 5 to 11, who enjoy singing and love to have fun! Director Julie Berk enthusiastically welcomes all interested children, and will consider those younger than 5 by special permission.
Our Instrumentalists
If you play an instrument and would like to be part of our vibrant musical community, please let us know. We often have instrumentalists accompany our Chancel Choir and perform as soloists.
Our Music & Arts Circle
Our Music and Arts Circle meets monthly over a light lunch for music and art related programming and fellowship. Look for our next Music and Arts Circle gathering on our main calendar.
Organ Camp & The Music School
Our church organist, Dr. Angela Kraft Cross, and our Joyful Noise Youth Director, Julie Berk, are committed to the musical education of young people. Organ Camp is an opportunity for young pianists to learn about the pipe organ. The Music School of San Mateo is a joyous integration of music and movement for children from twelve months through sixth grade.
Children & Youth
Connecting children and youth with authentic spirituality.Nourishment
At CCSM we’re committed to nurturing the spiritual development of children and youth by equipping them with the tools they need to discover faith-filled answers…for themselves. Our multi-dimensional programming, facilitated by our expert teachers, seeks to meet each child wherever they are on their faith journey. At CCSM, we strive to impart that:
- An open-minded, progressive approach to scripture and tradition – without indoctrination — can inspire a love of God and growth in the Christian faith.
- Jesus’s life models compassion, justice, faith and love for us all and serves to guide, inspire and enrich our children’s lives.
- Social justice is an integral part of the Christian faith – we’re all the hands, feet, and face of God.
Families
Beyond our core programming, we have many ways for children, youth and families to connect with our CCSM community.
- Sing in our Joyful Noise Youth Choir and become something greater in harmony!
- Participate in our many opportunities for service at CCSM, in our neighborhood and beyond.
- Sign up for one of our Service and Education Opportunities. We offer opportunities that are appropriate for families as well as youth-specific trips.
Sign up for The Pine Seed Newsletter to learn about all of the children, youth and family happenings at CCSM!
View our Pine Seed Family Newsletter.
Baptism & Confirmation
You are my beloved and in you I delight…
At CCSM we perform baptisms for babies, children and adults. Additionally, we have a confirmation program for our youth.
Baptism
Baptism is an outward and visible sign of the love of God. Through baptism, CCSM affirms that we will nurture and guide you on your spiritual path. Baptism reminds us of our belovedness and that we are a cherished part of the family of God.
Confirmation
The confirmation program is offered every other year and is open to highschoolers who may be interested in exploring their faith in community. It often involves retreats, mentoring, service projects, visits to different faith communities, and more. The program is currently being offered in the 2020-21 calendar year.