About
CCSM Preschool is a program of CCSM Preschool at the Congregational Church of San Mateo. The program is connected to a congregation that is part of the United Church of Christ and supports its “God is Still Speaking” campaign.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
CCSM Preschool is part of a church community with a 158-year history. The church’s vision is to be a strong voice for Progressive Christianity on the San Francisco Peninsula and beyond, to build a beloved community, and to lead in championing social justice for all. The congregation states that it follows Jesus’s example as a way of life and a way of love and experiences faith as a quest, not a set of absolute truths. It welcomes the full participation of believers, agnostics, and skeptics from all faith traditions and celebrates differences including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, language, age, and mental and physical disabilities. It affirms the full inclusion of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions into CCSM’s life and ministry.
The broader CCSM community reports that it works together to feed the hungry, care for the sick, house the homeless, and advocate for a more just society. Since 2002, CCSM has been an Open and Affirming congregation, has received the MLK award from the county of San Mateo, and has had the distinction of becoming a sanctuary church. The church features a five-window art glass installation in the chancel designed by glass artist Gordon Huether of Napa, California. It is a Congregational Church, described as an independent, self-governing body with an active lay leadership team and high volunteerism among members.
The leadership team connected to CCSM includes Rev. Jessica Vacketta, Senior Minister; Rev. Álvaro Durán, Minister of Community Life & Ministerio Latino; Chase Montara, Director of Operations; Cheryle Matteo, Bookkeeper; Kim Rey, Communications & Admin Coordinator; John McCann, Webmaster & Technical Support; Oscar Rosa, Custodian; Chuck Rosenthal, Video Ministry; Corrin Morrison, Director of Children, Youth, and Families; Dr. Ondine Young, Director of Music; C.J. Briggs, Resident Organist/Pianist; and Julie Berk, Youth Choir Director. Governance and lay leadership roles include Frank Garritano, Moderator; Holly Allen, Vice Moderator and Governance Chair; Troy Grabow, Secretary; Alexandra Gillen, Council of Ministries Lead; Don Ruthroff, At-Large; Rebecca Ruedy-Whelan, At-Large; Mike Hill, At-Large; Robert Leung, At-Large; Kerianne Steele, At-Large; Jim Lindsay, Endowment Chair; Mark Meyers, Buildings & Grounds Chair; Michelle Oberes-Padre, Personnel Chair; Phil Lind, Personnel & Historian; Chris Wuthmann, Pastoral Relations; Annette Daniels, Liturgical Arts; Dave Olson and Siew Kang, Spiritual Life; Katherine Vega Stultz, Service & Justice; Kim Rey, Children, Youth, and Families; Alison Schwandt, Engagement; Gary White, Environmental Justice; Lauren Mathews, Alicia Santamaria, and Kerianne Steele, Latino Ministry; and Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon, Minister Emerita, Retired.
Last updated May 30, 2026.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
CCSM Preschool is part of a church community with a 158-year history. The church’s vision is to be a strong voice for Progressive Christianity on the San Francisco Peninsula and beyond, to build a beloved community, and to lead in championing social justice for all. The congregation states that it follows Jesus’s example as a way of life and a way of love and experiences faith as a quest, not a set of absolute truths. It welcomes the full participation of believers, agnostics, and skeptics from all faith traditions and celebrates differences including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, language, age, and mental and physical disabilities. It affirms the full inclusion of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions into CCSM’s life and ministry.
The broader CCSM community reports that it works together to feed the hungry, care for the sick, house the homeless, and advocate for a more just society. Since 2002, CCSM has been an Open and Affirming congregation, has received the MLK award from the county of San Mateo, and has had the distinction of becoming a sanctuary church. The church features a five-window art glass installation in the chancel designed by glass artist Gordon Huether of Napa, California. It is a Congregational Church, described as an independent, self-governing body with an active lay leadership team and high volunteerism among members.
The leadership team connected to CCSM includes Rev. Jessica Vacketta, Senior Minister; Rev. Álvaro Durán, Minister of Community Life & Ministerio Latino; Chase Montara, Director of Operations; Cheryle Matteo, Bookkeeper; Kim Rey, Communications & Admin Coordinator; John McCann, Webmaster & Technical Support; Oscar Rosa, Custodian; Chuck Rosenthal, Video Ministry; Corrin Morrison, Director of Children, Youth, and Families; Dr. Ondine Young, Director of Music; C.J. Briggs, Resident Organist/Pianist; and Julie Berk, Youth Choir Director. Governance and lay leadership roles include Frank Garritano, Moderator; Holly Allen, Vice Moderator and Governance Chair; Troy Grabow, Secretary; Alexandra Gillen, Council of Ministries Lead; Don Ruthroff, At-Large; Rebecca Ruedy-Whelan, At-Large; Mike Hill, At-Large; Robert Leung, At-Large; Kerianne Steele, At-Large; Jim Lindsay, Endowment Chair; Mark Meyers, Buildings & Grounds Chair; Michelle Oberes-Padre, Personnel Chair; Phil Lind, Personnel & Historian; Chris Wuthmann, Pastoral Relations; Annette Daniels, Liturgical Arts; Dave Olson and Siew Kang, Spiritual Life; Katherine Vega Stultz, Service & Justice; Kim Rey, Children, Youth, and Families; Alison Schwandt, Engagement; Gary White, Environmental Justice; Lauren Mathews, Alicia Santamaria, and Kerianne Steele, Latino Ministry; and Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon, Minister Emerita, Retired.
Last updated May 30, 2026.
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