The Messenger

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC

Thursday, August 27, 2026

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

We will gather NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry at Lakewood UMC on Sunday, September 6. 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 will resume on Monday, September 14, 2026. We will have one session at 10:15 AM. Rev. Scott Andrews will be leading 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, September 20.

Items needed include:

·       Shampoo

·       Conditioner

·       Toothpaste

·       Toothbrushes

·       Hand and body lotion

·       Feminine Products

·       Q-tips

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Help celebrate all our September birthdays during Coffee Fellowship on Sunday, September 27.

Our September birthdays include:

Mercy Herstad - September 3

Peter McBride - September 8

Maeva Cummings - September 12

Abigail White - September 19

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

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 Fall Opening

Wednesday, September 2 

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 opens on Sept. 2 at Cal Heights UMC. It is SCHOOL SPIRIT night, so rep your current school or alma mater! 

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

CA Coastal Clean Up

Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 AM -12 PM

Junipero Beach

1 Junipero Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90803

Join us for the 42nd annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. Coastal Cleanup Day is California's largest annual volunteer event. Join our team - and be sure to invite your friends and neighbors - to help remove trash from beaches and inland waterways across the entire state. 

BRING reusable clean-up supplies if you have them such as trash grabbers, gardening gloves, etc. Dress for the beach with a hat and sunscreen, and bring a water bottle, too. 🙂

Sign-ups are in the Church Center App and online (under “signups”) at beingthechurchlb.org

PLUS!!! Beach hangout to follow for youth and young adults! Bring your swimsuit and towel!

Odds & Evens

Small group for High School Youth

#RealcommunityIRT 

Starting September 6

Belmont Heights UMC

317 Termino Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90814

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.