This week we should have been deep into preparation for the 38th edition of Chocolate Fest at the Congregational Church of Belmont. This weekend we would be throwing open the doors to welcome old friends and new chocolate-lovers and introduce longtime chocolate dessert makers who have been our Chocolate Fest partners over the years.

But, of course, it’s not to be. What we are really deep into is Covid, and Chocolate Fest is just one of its victims this year. But instead of grieving (and day-dreaming about Oct. 16 and 17 next year), we want to offer you the chance to show our partners some holiday love. Nearly all the chocolate dessert makers who offer their wares for sampling, year after year, at Chocolate Fest are struggling in this pandemic, so we have created an opportunity for them to pick five items from their repertoire that we will showcase for holiday ordering. Here are those items in a convenient order form.

This is how it works:

• After perusing the offerings of each of the partners featured, you choose the items you want on the pull-down menu under each item and then add the required contact information at the end.
• We forward your order to the partners whose product you have selected, and the partners will contact you to accept your payment.
• Each of the partners will deliver your orders to the church at 751 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont 94002, and we will contact you to arrange for free pickup. You also have the option to have your items shipped for an additional shipping fee.
• That’s it!

Our wonderful partners will be returning a portion of the amount they receive from this program so future Chocolate Fests (and community organizations like Samaritan House and Second Harvest) benefit as well. However, you must use this Chocolate Fest Partners order form to provide this additional benefit.

We hope Boosting Our Chocolate Fest Partners will keep Chocolate Fest 2021 (on Oct. 16 and 17) and our incredibly valuable partners in the front of your mind this holiday season.

Be safe and God bless!

Order now here and please share this with all your chocolate-loving soulmates!

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Since the start of quarantine, CCB has had a big box of sidewalk chalk available on our front porch. It has served as one of the many ways we can stay connected during social distancing, and we have seen many beautiful works of art from our community.

This past weekend, two of our youth members and two of their friends designed a beautiful Black Lives Matter symbol with a rainbow flag. It’s perfect match for the flags we fly over our front entrance. We applaud these young ladies’ efforts and activism. They have reminded all of us that our support continues to be needed during these troubled times. For more information on how to affirm that Black Lives Matter, stand against racism, and support Black-owned businesses, see our past posts here and here.

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On July 14th, family, friends, and fellow parishioners of CCB patriarch Bob Donovan joined together in a drive-by vehicle parade to celebrate Bob’s 99th birthday. Everyone decked out their cars, honked their horns, and shouted their birthday wishes to Bob as he watched from his front yard. We send our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Bob! Please enjoy the pictures of the celebration below.

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Juneteenth commemorates the day of June 19, 1865, which is when Union soldiers arrived in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the freeing of enslaved peoples throughout the United States.

The UCC is hosting a Zoom event on Friday, June 19th to commemorate the end of slavery, as well as commit to a “long term antiracist movement.” Please read the article on the UCC site for more details. You can register and join the event here, and also follow a “Celebrate Juneteenth” Facebook page created by the Racial Justice Mission Group of UCC’s New Hampshire Conference.

Please join CCB and the UCC in continuing to take a stand against racism and injustice, supporting Black businesses, and amplifying the voices of our Black brothers and sisters. Find resources for supporting the movement and educating yourself and others here, and find a ever-growing list of local and online Black-owned businesses here.

The Peninsula Multifaith Coalition is collecting socks & underwear for Samaritan House’s drive. See details below, and click HERE to donate. CCB is also looking for youth volunteers to record video announcements about the drive for Sunday services. Please email office@ccbelmont.org if interested!

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On Thursday June 11th, a contingent from CCB decorated our cars and took to the roads in a vehicle parade to honor our 2020 graduates at every grade level. We passed by the home of each graduate, smiling, waving, honking horns, waving pompoms, playing kazoos, and generally making a fuss. Each graduate received a card signed by all the participants and a candy necklace with their favorite sweets. Below are some pictures from the event, as well as a video we made for a graduate who could not attend.

The Congregational Church of Belmont, along with the United Church of Christ as a whole, is committed to standing against racism and injustice in America and around the world. Please see our previous post for further reading and resources, including donation links, for this cause. We are also gathering a list of black-owned businesses to promote and support. If you know of any local or online ones that we have not listed here, please leave us a comment or send us a message at office@ccbelmont.org.

Please note that not all businesses listed have been vetted by CCB. As always, please use caution and common sense when doing business online.

Local Businesses:

Bay Area Black Market, a website listing black-owned Bay Area businesses

Eater SF’s “A Roundup of Guides to Supporting the Bay Area’s Black-Owned Restaurants”

BAOBOB – The Bay Area Organization of Black Owned Businesses, which includes a downloadable directory of both local and national businesses

“Here’s How to Find Black-Owned Businesses to Support in the Bay Area, Including Restaurants”, an article from SFist

Black-Owned Businesses in the South Bay and Peninsula, a curated list from Yelp

Bookstores That Specialize in Black Literature, a directory from the African American Literature Book Club (California is selected in the link, but they list bookstores nationwide)

The Ultimate List of Black-Owned Farms and Food Gardens, including five in California

60+ Black-Owned Breweries to Support Across the Country, including seven in California (and one in San Francisco!)

Online or National Businesses:

Shoppe Black, a website with tons of info about black-owned brands, including this post about black-owned tea brands you can purchase online

A list of black-owned Etsy shops compiled by The Mad Mommy

A list of black-owned (and cruelty-free!) cosmetics and beauty brands compiled by @emilywolfbeauty and @logicalharmony on Instagram

Five Fifths, described by co-founder Kyle Umemba as “the largest list of black-owned restaurants and online businesses on the internet.” The site also curates black business news and interviews with black entrepreneurs

An article from Finimpact: How to Support Black-Owned Small Businesses

This is just a start – we are always looking for more resources to share!