The Messenger

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC

Thursday, October 22, 2026

LECTIONARY STUDY

The Lectionary Bible Study meets on Mondays at 10:15 AM. Our last day to meet is Monday, November 16. The Advent Study will begin on Monday, November 30.

Each week the study will read and discuss the prescribed scripture for the upcoming Sunday and can be found in the bulletin each week. 

Click on the form above to download a copy of the form.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Help celebrate all our September birthdays during Coffee Fellowship on Sunday, October 25.

Our October birthdays include:

Kirk Edgar - October 1

Shelly Forcier - October 4

Ariana Luhwano - October 4

Andrea Testa - October 4

Sheryl Weimer - October 4

Kiley Weimer - October 6

Angela Loya - October 9

Constance Green - October 10

Carey Von Gremp - October 11

Stephen White - October 12

Teresa Stewart - October 15

Dianne Christoffels - October 17

Jeff Benson - October 20

Brian Fisk - October 22

Eden Fisk - October 22

Samantha Morgan - October 26

If you don't see your name or another member's name on the list, please let the church office know.

ALL SAINTS DAY

All Saints Day is a special day in the Christian calendar to remember church members who have passed on to glory in the last year. At Cal Heights we celebrate church members as well as church member's family members who have passed. We celebrate all that they have done for us and taught us.

On Sunday, November 1, we will celebrate all those who have passed since November 2, 2025. Please send in the names of all those whom you wish to have acknowledged during the service. Include the complete spelling of their names and the date when they passed. Send all names to the Church Office on or before October 22 at 12:00 PM. This will give us time to enter the names in “The Messenger” and the weekly worship bulletin.

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

We will gather NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry at Lakewood UMC on Sunday, November 1. All items for the Broken Loaf can be placed on the table to the right of the sanctuary center double doors.

Food pantries like the Broken Loaf are in great demand lately. They are filling the gap that many of our neighbors find themselves in right now. Whatever you can give is appreciated!

COMMUNION SUNDAY

On the first Sunday of each month, we at Cal Heights UMC commune together. We use grape juice and bread to celebrate Holy Communion.

We will next celebrate Holy Communion on Sunday, November 1. If you are not able to join us in person, we invite you to join us online. Go to our website (www.calheightsumc.org) and click on the "Worship with Us' dropdown link under the Worship tab. There you can find a link to our YouTube channel.

GREEN BEANS vs. CRANBERRY SAUCE

Once again we are going to be teaming up with our sibling churches of Being the Church, Long Beach to collect 400 cans on green beans and cranberry sauce.

The first day to bring in cans will be Sunday, November 1, and the last day will be Sunday, November 15.

Please bring your cans to the table to the left of the sanctuary double doors (non-perishable food items for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry can be placed on the table to the right of the sanctuary double doors).

DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

Please remember to set your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 1.

HYGIENE PRODUCTS SUNDAY

We encourage everyone to bring hygiene products for the Long Beach Rescue Mission to the church on or before Sunday, November 15.

Items needed include:

·       Shampoo

·       Conditioner

·       Toothpaste

·       Toothbrushes

·       Hand and body lotion

·       Feminine Products

·       Q-tips

HANGING OF THE GREENS

This MUCH anticipated annual event is just around the corner! Our Hanging of the Greens event will be held on Sunday, November 22 following worship. A lot of hard work goes into this event so we will have a luncheon for all of those who participate!

Don’t miss this great event! If you would like to be a part of the set-up crew, just show up. Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty to the worship service that day.

ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Our annual Alternative Christmas Market will be on hiatus this Fall. Due to several contributing factors this decision was reached.

Los Altos UMC will be hosting an Alternative Christmas Market on Sunday, November 15 starting at 9:30 AM. Everyone is encouraged to attend their event.

GIVING ON LINE

While placing our offering in the plate each Sunday is the way many of us grew up giving to the church, it is no longer the only way to give.

At Cal Heights UMC, we utilize Vanco for our online giving.

Scan the QR code to use this service.

HARMONY BOUND CRAFTERS

The Harmony Bound Crafters are meeting on first and second Saturdays of each month from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

Please contact Donna Jenks (562-209-2833) to let her know if you will be joining them.

HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

Do you have an announcement for The Messenger? You are invited to send information to the church office for inclusion in The Messenger.

Email office@calheightsumc.org no later than Wednesday at noon.

BEING THE CHURCH UPDATES

Everyone’s Inn

Wednesdays through Nov. 18 

5:45pm - 7:30pm

Every Wednesday, Crafts and welcome start at 5:45pm, followed by a home-cooked meal and small groups for children, middle schoolers and adults (see additional announcements).  

– 10/14: The Inn is on hiatus and will re-open on the Los Altos UMC campus on 10/21 with “World Series” night.

– 10/28: Costumes, trick-or-treating and all-ages service night! Join the fun and help us build Christ-like community with Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating at the church AND a wonderful meal together AND making 150+ sack lunches for our hungry neighbors. It's a wonderful and meaningful evening of being the church together.

Everyone’s Inn Announces!

TWO Adult Small Groups - exploring and learning and faithful discussions

Wednesday’s this fall 

Forbidden Gospel, Secret Texts and Church Fights

Back by popular demand, Rev. Dan will lead an adventure to dive into the mysterious history of our Christian scriptures. Learn to pronounce words like: Nag Hammadi, Qumran, apocalypticism, Muratorian, Nicaea, and Athanasius. Learn about the Gospels of Thomas, Philip, Mary, and Judas, as well as the Apocalypses of Genesis, John, and Peter. No homework! ;p

Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet by Meggan Watterson 

Have you felt conflicted in how Christianity has functioned in society — both good and bad? Are you someone who sensed something was missing or may have become distorted over time but didn't know where to look? And, are you curious — and perhaps a little daring — enough to explore some of what institution and empire cut out about Jesus' story and those who knew him best — and possibly reclaim a Christianity we have not yet tried? 

Rebecca Romo will lead an ongoing book discussion and experiential exploration centered around Meggan Watterson’s important work weaving together historical and theological study, her inner quest, and divine feminine practices. Together, we will explore the process of dropping deep within one's own body, building our appreciation for the inevitable human spiral between Soul and Ego through the seven powers (precursors to Christianity's seven deadly sins), and coming alive to Spirit's ongoing invitation to return to love — again, and again.  

Using a doable outside reading plan (ie., little homework!) and intentional gatherings over the course of the E. Inn season, this group is for those who yearn to go deeper into exploring what can be reclaimed in order to build a Christianity for all of us.

The book is available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble and Thriftbooks.com.  

To participate in either group, please sign up to attend Everyone’s Inn if you have not already.

Under Sign-Ups:

• www.beingthechurchLB.org
• Church Center App

Odds & Evens

Small group for High School Youth

#RealcommunityIRT 

Odds & Evens continues at

California Heights UMC

3759 Orange Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90807

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Most Sundays following worship, the HS group will meet for faith-filled chats, prayer and community. Led by an awesome adult volunteer team, the group will have fun, be real and hang out. 

During "odd" calendar months (9, 11, etc), the group will meet at Belmont Heights UMC.

During "even" calendar months (10, 12, etc), the group will meet at Cal Heights UMC.



Please see the Church Center App for specific schedules and updates. Contact pastors for more info, or email admin@beingthechurchlb.org

Confirmation Orientation for Parents

Oct. 18, 11:30am-12:15pm

Cal Heights UMC, Parlor

3759 Orange Ave., LB 90807

Our churches are offering an opportunity for young people (8th gr.++)  to enter a meaningful and important time in one’s faith journey: the confirmation process.  To learn more about what that entails and help our pastors plan for a successful opportunity for our young people, parents are invited and encouraged to attend this orientation and join in the discussion.  Pastor Melinda will go over the in’s and out of confirmation; parent and youth expectations; and discuss dates, times and locations.

Questions?  (e: Melinda@BeingtheChurchLB.org)

Oct. 23, 7-9:30pm (free)

Grace on 3rd UMC, 2329 E. Third Street, LB 90814

Our church youth LOVE playing Hide and Go Seek at Grace UMC, and it’s never a better time than around Halloween!  Plus, we will show a fun Monster Movie and roast s’mores.  Join for a fun, chill time and bring a friend.  

Please RSVP in the HS or MS parents or HS youth group in the Church Center app.

Join the Holiday Bell Choir!

Weekly rehearsals starting October 25, following worship

BHUMC choir room 

One Performance: Sunday, December 20 in worship

We would love to have you join in the fun of making holiday music!  Leslie Kasang is leading a short-term bell choir that will practice weekly on Sundays, following worship.  Rehearsals will culminate in performing a Christmas song in worship, Dec 20!  No experience is necessary, and anyone from middle school to senior citizens are welcome.  Interested?  Please check your calendar as attending rehearsal will be important since this is a short-term opportunity, and indicate your interest by emailing Leslie K. (E:leslie.kasang@gmail.com)  

Volunteer with Food Finders’ Annual “Pack & Sort”

Nov. 21; 2-5pm

McBridge High School Parking Lot

7025 Parkcrest St.

Long Beach, CA 90808

We will work to pack 100's of Thanksgiving food boxes that will be delivered to hungry families in need. We need 20 people to make it happen! Let's DO this! Bring a water bottle, sunscreen and a hat.  Dress to get dirty, and move a lot!  Sign up in the Church Center App or via website under Events www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

Do you have an announcement for The Messenger? You are invited to send information to the church office for inclusion in The Messenger.

Email office@calheightsumc.org no later than Wednesday at noon.