The Messenger

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC

Thursday, October 1, 2026

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, October 4. 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.

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

We will gather NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry at Lakewood UMC on Sunday, October 4. 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!

LECTIONARY STUDY

The Lectionary Study meets on Mondays at 10:15 AM in the Church Parlor. Rev. Scott Andrews guides this study.

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

HYGIENE PRODUCTS SUNDAY

We encourage everyone to bring hygiene products for the Long Beach Rescue Mission to the church on or before Sunday, October 18.

Items needed include:

·       Shampoo

·       Conditioner

·       Toothpaste

·       Toothbrushes

·       Hand and body lotion

·       Feminine Products

·       Q-tips

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

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 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 members 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.

DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

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

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

Wednesday, October 7

5:45 - 7:30 PM

Cal Heights UMC

3759 Orange Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90807

After a few weeks of summertime for everyone, our fall dinner church at Cal Heights UMC.

Wednesday, October 7 will be All Ages - Camp Songs & Hymn Sing.

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

Learn more

Church Center App 

Socials @ BeingtheChurchLB

Website: www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

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 moves Sunday, October 4, 2026

California Heights UMC

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

BTC Church Camp: Oct. 2-4

Lazy W Ranch

Sign-Ups are Open!

Church Center App

OR

Under sign-ups www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

Get ready for a wonderful, encouraging, uplifting time with God’s church!  Hiking, yoga, small group Bible study, archery, outdoor worship, and a talent show!  Make memories for a lifetime. 

• All ages are invited and encouraged.  Singles, couples, families with children, retiree's, college-aged friends.  All means all. :)
• Included in your cost
• Two nights in cabin-style, bunk bed accommodations.  There is a limited number of non-bunkbed accommodations.  
• Four meals: Friday dinner -  Sunday breakfast, prepared by Lazy W Ranch staff.
• Crafts, archery, hiking, small group Bible study, games, yoga, campfire + songs, s'mores, and the all camp talent show!  Plus, lots of free time too . 

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.