Adult Spiritual Education
2012 Winter / Spring Programs at the
Congregational Church of San Mateo
Join with us over the coming months to enjoy the full experience of Christian community as a bountiful offering of programs here at CCSM provides opportunities to be educated, inspired and connected.
Saturday Morning Educational Programs
(childcare provided)
Saturday, February 11 • 9:30-11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jerri Handy
Forgiveness: What It Means, And Why It Is Important
Forgiveness is something each of us deals with in our lives. Some things are easy to forgive and some things are very difficult to forgive. This workshop will offer an opportunity to explore what forgiveness means for ourselves and for the one we forgive. We will also practice crafting words of forgiveness.
Saturday, February 25 • 9:30-11:00 a.m. with Dr. Randi Walker
The History of Progressive Christianity: Getting the Show Back on the Road
What has the progressive Christian movement accomplished in the past 30-40 years (essentially since the civil rights movement) in making the United States a more just society? What are the markers of effectiveness for progressive Christianity? Is there a difference today between the progressive Christian agenda and the liberal political agenda? Who are the progressive Christian leaders who are making a difference?
Saturday, March 10 • 9:30-11:30 a.m. with Lisa Lang Cuff
Consuming Kids screening and discussion seminar at CCSM
This workshop offers a screening of Consuming Kids, a new film from The Media Education Foundation that takes a powerful look at how corporations relentlessly target children and the impact of that marketing. In addition to the screening, a discussion seminar would be held for all participants. This would include time for discussion and practical learning. The goal of this session is to raise awareness about the commercialization of childhood. This seminar is for anyone who cares about children—parents or not. (A Peace Village for Adults program)
Saturday, March 24 • 9:30-11:00 a.m. with Bonnie Rambob
A Critique of Violence: moving toward a Christian ethic of non-violence
Using philosopher Walter Benjamin alongside biblical scholar Dominic Crossan, we will examine the divine sanctioned violence found in the Hebrew Bible and Jesus’ response to it. Together we will wrestle with questions such as: How does Jesus’ vision of the “kingdom of God” relate to systems upheld through violent means? What does a Christian ethic of non-violence look like against the backdrop of 21st century American life? Ultimately, we will explore the relationship between “peace” and “violence” in light of a progressive Christian faith so that we might live as better neighbors in the world. (A Peace Village for Adults program)
Monday Evening Educational Programs
Mondays March 5 & 19 at 7 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon
Finding Your Voice: The Art of Public Speaking
Want to hone your skills in public speaking? Have something to say but want to be able to say it with more power? Want to learn how to use your nervousness to your advantage? This 2-session class is for you. It will be a hands-on participatory class where you will get up in front of the class and work on your presentation skills in a supportive environment. As I teach in preaching class, it is all about delivery! RSVP required, and must be able to make both sessions and do homework. Sign up by emailing pnixon@ccsm-ucc.org
Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, 30 • 7 p.m. with Rabbi-in-Residence Jhos Singer
Text and the City: Unpacking Torah as a way to move into an increasingly ecumenical world
Monday, May 21 • 7 p.m. with Dr. Bob Johansen
Leaders Make the Future
We are fortunate to have the author of the book Leaders Make the Future, Bob Johansen, lead us through an interactive workshop. Using a forecast map of external future forces, Bob has developed a new self-assessment on the ten future leadership skills that will be needed for the future. This is a great opportunity to gain some leadership skills for different areas of life.
Sunday Mornings during March: SPIRITUAL PRACTICES with MARGE BOYD
9:30 a.m. in Fireplace Room
Based on Joe Driskill’s Protestant Spiritual Exercises, Jane Vennard’s Embracing the World— Praying for Justice and Peace and Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak
• Lectio Divina
• Contemplative Listening
• Guided Meditation
• Journaling
• Observing Sabbath
• Prayer
• Rule of Life
• Four-Stranded Garland
• Covenant Group
• Labyrinth walk
Particularly for Parents
Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. with Rev. Nicole Lamarche
Moms of Young Children
Join us for an informal Tuesday morning gathering to build connection, share resources and support one another as we find God in motherhood. We will gather with our babies and toddlers. Contact Nicole for more details: revlamarche@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 21 • 6:30-8:00 with Raj and Bonnie Rambob
The Sex Life of Teenagers
Wednesday, May 16 • 6:30-8:00 with Kirsten Smith
Actively Listening to Your Teen
Parenting Teens Sanely Discussions (PTSD): Provides an opportunity for parents of pre-teens and teenagers to come together and discuss issues specifically related to parenting teens. Prior to each meeting, parents will receive a topic-related article to peruse as a springboard for the discussion. However, parenting is a very active, dynamic and spiritual endeavor. Some of the best ideas and answers will likely come from members of the group as we share our experiences, knowledge and questions.
Connections
For Men: Band of Brothers (BOB): Two Groups
Spiritual Journey group meets 2nd and 4th Saturdays for fellowship and spiritual conversation. Currently reading Brian McLaren’s A New Christianity. Contact: Mike Mullery at leeandmike@cs.com. Modern Men group meets every other Tuesday at the home of Peter Held. Contact Peter at heldpainting@aol.com.
CCSM WOMEN TO MEET
Join us on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month!
12 noon for social interaction and lunch
12:30 promptly begins group session
2:00 session ends
The new women’s group which meets to explore women’s spirituality
through reading and discussion will meet on the 2nd and 4th
Sundays of the month in the choir room. On Feb. 12, members will
focus on their first book, Dance of the Spirit—The Seven Steps of
Women’s Spirituality, which is available in book form or on Kindle
(Amazon). Please read the Prologue and Chapter One, and choose
one of the practices to employ. After an overview of the chapter
highlights, members’ experiences with their practice will form the
basis for discussion. For information contact karenholderbein@
comcast.net.
Life-Lines Lenten groups
4 weeks in March (mid-week evening choices; Saturday morning groups for young families). Home Circle Groups led by members of congregation.
Kaleidoscope Women’s Group
We will meet next on Monday, February 6, from 7:00-9:30 p.m. in the Buckham Room. All are invited to an informal women’s group which gathers for good food, fellowship and the sharing of ideas. Please bring a quick and easy potluck dish. Shirley McKinnie is our group contact; she would love to answer your questions, 650 486-1449.
Monday Night Book Group
Next meeting will be Monday, February 27
Time Out for Lunch/Dinner
About two years ago, two groups of about eight people each formed to have lunch in one another’s homes. The groups decided to meet often enough for every member to co-host a lunch within that six-month period. At the end of six months the groups were reorganized. Our purpose is to enjoy a meal in others’ homes while getting to know one another better. We also started two dinner groups. Our Time Out For Lunch/Dinner groups are soon to reorganize. We would happily welcome new members into either group. Should you be interested please call the church office or Trudy Duncan at 573-7053.
Wise and Wonderful Seniors!
Wise and Wonderful Seniors meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Look in the Pine Tree for special programs and opportunities to get together for fellowship.
Circles of Trust
A Circle of Trust is a group that gathers at regularly scheduled meetings (monthly or quarterly). These meetings are an opportunity to reflect, write, listen, learn and share your inner truths. In a Circle of Trust, we move beyond shallow listening to deep listening with open and honest questions. It becomes a safe sanctuary to share, listen and trust with this intentional inner group.
Circle #2 will meet the 4th Wednesday of each month from 2-4 p.m. here at the church. This group is for those who prefer an afternoon group.
Circle #3 will meet once a quarter: February 18, April 21, July 21, and October 20 in the Fireplace Room from 10 a.m. -12 noon. This group is for those with a busy schedule who still want to make time for soul work.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Knitting with a purpose! Do you knit or crochet? We have a group for you. The second Tuesday of each month from 7:30-8:30 pm I invite you to my home to knit and crochet with a purpose. As we gather each month, we will pray together for the work that we are doing. As we create prayer shawls we will pray for that shawl and for the person who will receive the shawl. It is exciting to create a shawl that will be a tangible sign of love for someone. For more information contact jhandy@ccsm-ucc.org.
Spiritual Practices with Marge Boyd, Sunday mornings during Lent
(based on Joe Driskill’s Protestant Spiritual Exercises, Jane Vennard’s Embracing the World—Praying for Justice and Peace and Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak)
20/30s Lunch Dates
All 20 or 30-somethings are invited to a monthly lunch gathering on the second Sunday of the month right after church. Sometimes we go to a restaurant; sometimes we potluck or picnic or have a home-cooked meal prepared for us by one of our own (most recently, Chef Amber Piatt). The next gathering is January 8—the place is yet to be determined. To join the Facebook group or email list, contact Raj Rambob, rajrambob@gmail.com.
Choir Boot Camp: Call For Men & Women
Beginning January 4 through Wednesdays in January, 7-8:30 p.m.
If you’ve ever been interested in singing in a choir or wondered what goes on under the robes, this is for you! Come one and all to these free sessions designed to get you into choral shape! Dr. Kathleen McGuire will unravel the mysteries of how to follow along using sheet music, how to understand what the conductor’s doing, how to sing in a group setting and hold your own part, and she will answer any burning questions you may have about music in general. The music used in the sessions will be included in our January services, so it will have hands-on, real-life application. Immediate satisfaction guaranteed!
Bios of some of our special guest speakers and facilitators
Rev. Dr. Carlos Correa • The team that went to Centro Romero this past September is thrilled to bring Rev. Dr. Carlos Correa to CCSM. We were so blessed by his ministry that we wanted our church community to meet him, and for him to meet the wonderful folks here at CCSM. Carlos is currently the Director of Centro Romero, a border ministry of Justice and Witness Ministries and the Southern California-Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ. Rev. Correa is a key organizer of a significant number of environmental initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the author of many published academic articles and chapters. He is the former UCC Minister for Environmental Justice, Fellow of the International Water Advocates Association, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Amazon Defense Fund and a founding member of Red Vida Brazil, an environmental network dedicated to the defense of the natural resources in Amazonia and the rights of the Brazilian indigenous people. Correa’s current research and studies are in the areas of historical and cultural roots of the Latin American indigenous peoples and their principles of ecological interconnectedness and spirituality and the eco-theological consequences of the European Spanish colonization of the Americas and their intersection, through migration, with the United States’ (Northern European) social, economic, and cultural values and norms. He obtained a Masters of Divinity, a Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology with specialization in violent behaviors (family violence and sexual abuse) and is currently working toward a Ph.D. degree in eco-theology at Oxford University, U.K.
Lisa Lang Cuff’s professional background is in education. She has taught various grades in elementary and middle school. Most recently she has been a director and lead teacher of a preschool in Antioch. In addition to teaching in the classroom, she regularly held and sponsored parent education seminars. Lisa has a passion for awareness and understanding of child development, from early years through adolescence, and for helping parents and caregivers develop important tools to open new possibilities to their children as they learn and grow. Hobbies are: science & nature, exploring spiritual connection
Bob Johansen is a ten-year forecaster who has outlived his forecasts more than three times over. He works interactively with top leaders across a wide range of business, government, and nonprofit organizations. He creates video-enhanced immersion experiences in the future for large and small groups. For Bob, a 10-year forecast is a story from the future that provokes insight in the present. Bob’s best selling Get There Early: Sensing the Future to Compete in the Present, was selected as one of the top business books of 2007. Bob Johansen is the author or co-author of six previous books, including Upsizing the Individual in the Downsized Organization, GlobalWork, Leading Business Teams, Groupware, Teleconferencing and Beyond, and Electronic Meetings.
The Rev. Dr. Jay Emerson Johnson is an Episcopal priest and a member of the core doctoral faculty at the Graduate Theological Union. Jay also serves as Director of Academic Research and Resources at the CLGS in Religion and Ministry at Pacific School of Religion.
Maggid Jhos Singer has served the Coastside Jewish Community as its head teacher and service leader since January 2000. Jhos received smicha from Rabbi Gershon Winkler in 2002 as a Maggid—literally “one who tells.” The title of Maggid was used in the early Chassidic movement to describe a person of learning who was skilled in storytelling, preaching, counseling, teaching and singing.
Jhos holds a degree in music from UCLA, and spent many years working in a variety of occupations: oceanographic researcher, scuba diver, music teacher, fire fighter, symphonic percussionist, and barrista. Jhos’s deep and inspirational teaching draws from this wildly diverse background. As a spiritual teacher and guide, Jhos is playful, creative and challenging. As a service leader, Jhos’s enthusiasm, energy and reverent irreverence serve to inspire and uplift our community. Jhos is also a trusted and skilled pastoral counselor. In addition to working with CJC, Jhos has served on the faculty of Chochmat HaLev and other Bay Area Jewish institutions, and is an independent Jewish educator, lifecycle facilitator, and spiritual counselor.
Dr. Randi Walker is ordained in the United Church of Christ and has served as a pastor in the Southern California Conference. Her current research focuses on the cultural diversity of Protestantism in the North American West from 1850 to 1950, including Mexico, the United States and Canada. Dr. Walker studies the places of interaction across lines of race and culture among Protestants in the North American West, particularly with regard to public policy issues relating to race and culture. Her writings include The Evolution of a UCC Style: History and Ecclesiology of the United Church of Christ (2005), Emma Newman: A Frontier Woman Minister (2000) and Protestantism in the Sangre de Cristos 1850-1920 (1991).
