The Messenger

CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS UMC

Thursday, June 11, 2026

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026

With the theme “Ending Spiritual & Physical Hunger: Astonish!," the 42th Annual Session of the California-Pacific Conference will be held June 17-20, 2026 in La Quinta, CA at the La Quinta Resort and Club.

Joel Covarrubias, Ron Koelling, and Xenia Andrews will represent Cal-Heights UMC as lay members and Rev. Scott Andrews as a clergy member of the conference.

FATHER'S DAY

Celebrate Father’s Day at California Heights UMC on Sunday, June 21 at our 10:00 AM worship service.

A gift will be given to each man in attendance.

LB RESCUE MISSION SUNDAY

We encourage everyone to bring hygiene products for the Long Beach Rescue Mission to the church on or before Sunday, June 21.

Items needed include:

·       Shampoo

·       Conditioner

·       Toothpaste

·       Toothbrushes

·       Hand and body lotion

·       Feminine Products

·       Q-tips

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School is slated for Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

At Rome: Paul and the Underground Church, your students can become part of history as they see, hear, touch, and even taste what it was like to live in Rome during Bible times!

They’ll explore authentic Marketplace shops, visit the Apostle Paul (who’s under house arrest), sneak to the cave where the Underground Church meets, take part in games, sing-along to lively Bible songs, and sample tasty tidbits as you discover more about the early church. These experiences make God’s Word come alive with new meaning for all who participate!

Also, we are going to participate in a special project. We are going to collect non-perishable food items for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry. The Broken Loaf is located at Lakewood United Methodist Church and provides food to families in the Lakewood and Long Beach communities. Bring items the week of VBS.



Join us as we travel back into Bible times - without setting foot outside our community.

The cost for this year's adventure is $20.00 per child or $40 for families with 3 or more children for the week!

Click here to download a letter to the families of VBS attendees and the VBS registration form.

VBS NEEDS YOUR HELP

The plans for VBS 2026 are coming together very nicely. However, we need some help. We need to borrow whatever sheets and blankets you can spare.

Bring sheets and blankets to the church so that decorating can begin as soon as possible.

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

Help celebrate all our June birthdays during Coffee Fellowship on Sunday, June 28.

Our June birthdays include:

Linda Williams - June 1

Kathy Kaonohi - June 8

Bill Boelter - June 9

Daniella Reina - June 13

Keri McBride - June 19

Kyle Agliam - June 29

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

SUPPORT THE BROKEN LOAF

We will gather NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for the Broken Loaf Food Pantry at Lakewood UMC on Sunday, July 5. 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. What ever you can give is appreciated!

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

FAMILY NIGHT

EVERYONE is invited to join in the fun at Dodger stadium on Friday, July 10! This is Black Heritage night at Dodger stadium.

Click here to order tickets!

This event is sponsored by the Black Methodist for Church Renewal.

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

Groundlings Daycamp Registration OPEN!!!

Week 1: June 15-19

Week 2: June 22-26

Week 3: June 29 - July 3

$215 Campers (K-5th) 

$270 Middle School Crew (6th-8th grades)

Location: Belmont Heights UMC, 317 Termino Ave., LB 90814

Register today: https://beingthechurchlb.org/upcoming-church-events

Join us for one, two or ALL three weeks of jam-packed fun with longtime Groundlings friends and new ones, too.  Each day, campers will experience recreation, crafts, Bible lessons and games.  Plus, depending on the week, some activities might include science experiments, music or yoga!  And, don’t forget the weekly “Thursday Treat” when campers get a very special camp afternoon together with water games or scavenger hunts or reptile zoo!!  

Register in the App or online under Signups www.BeingtheChurchLB.org

Questions?  Email Pastor Melinda (Pastor@BelmontHeightsUMC.org)

Being the Church

Picnic in the Park!

Sunday, August 16

12:00 - 4:00 PM

Recreation Park

4900 E 7th St

Long Beach, 90804

Join us for a wonderful picnic with games, food and fellowship. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket and a food dish to share. Sign-ups coming soon!

River Rafting Trip 2026! 

Aug 22-23, 2026

Youth entering 6th-12th gr.

Cost $250 includes transportation, lodging, Kern River guides rafting trip and 3 meals

After a super successful river rafting trip last year, we are returning to raft the Kern River this summer. All youth entering 6th-12th grades are invited to join the fun. Hosted by ministry-safe certified parent volunteers, the trip includes an afternoon of river rafting, pizza dinner, games, and small group devotions. We will worship together on Sunday morning and head home. Contact Pastor Melinda for more information (e: Pastor@BelmontHeightsUMC.org)

Secure your spot with a $100 deposit today in the Church Center App or online: https://beingthechurchlb.org/upcoming-church-events

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.