Normal Heights United Methodist Church

Jesus and the Abolitionist
2024-11-17 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-11-24 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-12-01 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
As we approach Election Day, and all the anxiety that comes with it, we want to provide an opportunity for some further learning, no matter what the outcome. Because whatever the outcome, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to build the kind of world we want to live in. That’s where Jesus and the Abolitionists: How Anarchist Christianity Empowers the People comes in. This profound and thoughtful book invites us to consider a new way of living and ordering the world. It’s radical and challenging, and a great way to help us imagine what could be next.
Now, you may have read that word, “anarchist,” and had some reactions. Anarchy certainly hasn’t been cast in a positive light for many of us. Terry J. Stokes, author of the book, rejects definitions of anarchy that associate it with chaos, violence, and disorder, instead inviting us to redefine it as something that calls for an end to rulership and a revolution that ends in peace.
This book is equal parts informative and easy reading, funny and insightful. We hope you’ll join us for a four part book study and discussion led by Pastor Molly! If you can’t afford a copy of the book but want to join, or have any other questions, feel free to reach out to molly@nhunited.org!
Purchase your copy here!
Reading Schedule
Nov. 10th: Chapters 1 & 2 (pg. 1-30)
Nov. 17th: Chapters 3 – 6 (pg. 31-113)
Nov. 24th: Chapters 7 – 10 (pg. 114-152)
Dec. 1st: Where do we go from here?

JoySounds Choir
2024-11-24 12:15 - 13:00, 2024-12-08 12:15 - 13:00, 2024-12-15 12:15 - 13:00, 2024-12-22 12:15 - 13:00
It’s already time to sign up for our JoySounds Children’s Choir! Kids of all ages are encouraged to join us to prepare two special songs for the 5pm Christmas Eve service.
We will rehearse four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve: 11/24, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22. Rehearsal will take place immediately following the worship service, from 12:15-1pm. If you need to miss a rehearsal or aren’t able to make the service on Christmas Eve, it’s ok! The experience of learning music together and building friendship is worth it all! To sign up your child(ren), use our RSVP form.

Sunday Morning Yoga Classes
2025-01-12 09:30 - 10:15, 2025-01-19 09:30 - 10:15
Two Sundays, January 12th & January 19th in the Social Hall.
This January we are inviting you to participate in a special Sunday Morning Yoga Class led by Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor, Ginny Zaranibaf. Whether you are in a season of grief, new beginnings, anxiety, or are just wanting to begin the year by re-engaging with your body, this class is for you.
Things to Know:

We will have Yoga mats available, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing that you can move in, but you do not need to wear workout gear as it will not be overly strenuous. Rather, this is a restorative and gentle practice.

If you have any questions, reach out to Pastor Molly, at molly@nhunited.org.

Songwriter Sanctuary-old
2025-01-31 18:30, 2025-02-28 18:30, 2025-03-28 18:30, 2025-04-25 18:30, 2025-05-30 18:30, 2025-06-27 18:30, 2025-07-25 18:30, 2025-08-29 18:30
The last Friday of each month we celebrate music by welcoming three local artists to perform in our sanctuary. Discover new talent in what many musicians have dubbed “the best sounding room in San Diego,” your attendance and donations uplifts the artists that are so vital to our city.
These are all ages shows, but please note that we do not censor the musicians.
2025 Season Lineup (lineups subject to change)
Jul 25
The Bella Lunas
Espi
Miranda Ramos
Aug 29
Claire King
Hailey Wetzel
Lexi Pulido
Sep 26
Joe Summers
Grainne Hunt
Helena Holleran
Oct 24
Shea Givens
Kevin Cooper
Anthony Cullins
Dec 5 – Holiday Edition!
JT Moring
Cara Cormier
David Beldock and Peggy Watson

Sound Healing for Gaza
2025-02-06 18:30 - 20:30
Normal Heights United Church and Sharp Memorial Hospital Sound Healing Team are joining hearts to raise money for Doctors Without Borders and their life-changing work in Gaza!

Join us at Normal Heights United in the beautiful Sanctuary on Thursday evening, February 6th from 6:30pm-8:30pm for a Sound Healing Journey.
Experience the soothing deep sound vibrations from skilled musicians, sound artists and healers as they blend crystal singing bowls, Gongs, chimes, drums and other instruments creating relaxation and peace. This event is an opportunity for self-care while at the same time supporting our Palestinian siblings. Our evening will begin with a welcome and brief sharing from local Palestinians. Our Sound Healing team will then lead us in a 75 minute sound journey cultivating an immersive environment to nurture mind, body and spirit. Following the sound journey there will be time for connection with tea and light refreshments.
100% of the proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders and their work among Palestinians in Gaza. Doctors Without Borders is a 5 star medical charitable organization that is responding to the unbearable humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
We hope you will join us for an unforgettable evening!

Liminality
2025-02-15 19:00 - 20:15
Liminality: the state of being in between
Songs of connection and Courage
Please join us for a night of song, connection, and ritual. Our world is in a state of change, a state in between what has been and what it’s becoming. Many of us are anxious, angry, and fearful about the future. This evening is designed to give us a space to walk through this together and find strength and wisdom. If you have any questions feel free to email Jeff Thomas at Jeffthomaslcsw@gmail.com

Galactic Gala
2025-03-22 19:00 - 22:30
Get yours now for the early bird price of $45, invite your friends, and join us for an out-of-this-world night of dancing, live music, fun prizes, desserts and drinks! All proceeds go to our Stained Glass Project: Smashing White Christian Nationalism One Window at a Time! Link in bio!

Rise & Shine Kids WEEK-LONG Camp
2025-06-23 09:00 - 13:00
Our super fun and special Kids’ Camp is happening July 22-26 from 9am-1pm (lunch included) for kids going into grades TK – 5. This year, our “Let’s Go!” hiking theme will help us understand Jesus’ teaching about how to pray – that our prayer communication with God is like a compass, showing us the way to go. The cost is $50/child and includes all activities, shirt, water bottle, bag, and Friday Festival. (Scholarships are available, and there is a multi-child discount.)
Volunteers needed!
We rely on our amazing volunteers to make the week happen! There are many opportunities, whether you can give the entire week, half days, or a partial week. Teens and tweens in 6-12 grades are also welcome to join as volunteer camp staff!

Pride Parade
2025-07-19 09:30 - 13:00
March with us in the parade! Don’t forget to wear your colorful Pride shirt and bring your beautifully crafted signs to showcase your support.
For meetup location, times and other info – view this PDF
Also, check out this handy FAQ document for helpful info for first-timers.
…for additional questions, email Molly Rose Morgen <mollyrose@nhunited.org>.



Ride sharing apps
you’ll want to give this address…
Uptown Optometry,

Camping & Connection: Santa Rosa Island
2025-08-15 08:00 - 17:00
Camping & Connection
Authenticity 2.0
“Relationship is the school for all things Spiritual” Rohr
Join Jeff Thomas and others from NHUnited for an amazing weekend of camping and connection this summer! Jeff is an expert at leading wilderness trips and creating space for people to find authenticity through connection with themselves, one another, and nature. This trip will be happening in August on Santa Rosa Island. Space is limited, so if you want to learn more and sign up, there will be informational sessions on Sunday, May 18th, and Sunday, June 1st right after service. Please note: because this location is remote with limited access back to shore, we are recommending that you only attend if you are in good health.

When: August 15-18 (Friday–Monday)

Since boats don’t run daily, we must leave Saturday at 8 AM from Ventura
Plan to arrive Friday night and stay in Ventura
Be at the dock by 7 AM—they don’t wait

Where: Santa Rosa Island
What: A weekend of connection & authenticity, exploring both our wild nature and the islands

Backpacking ~1 mile to camp
Hiking during the day
Campsite amenities: Flush toilets, potable water
Constant wind—pack accordingly
No fires allowed
20 spaces available

Who: Anyone seeking authentic connection with themselves and others. Please note: because this location is more remote with limited access back to shore, we are recommending that you only attend if you are in good health.
Cost: The cost for this trip is broken up.

The cost to attend is $120. To secure your place, you can send a deposit of $60 to Jeff Thomas via Venmo (Jeff-Thomas-107)
Round Trip Ferry Ticket: you must purchase this yourself here. The round trip cost is $134 (discounts apply for military and 55+), and we ask that you purchase that ASAP to secure your place on the boat.

Outbound from Ventura to Santa Rosa for Saturday, August 16th (8AM)
Inbound from Santa Rosa to Ventura for Monday, August 18th (3PM)

Hotel for one night in Ventura

Here is a link for a hotel that is recommended by Jeff, but there are others in the area so you can decide where you would like to stay
Once you know who will be on the trip you could also look into renting AirBnb’s in smaller groups

Food: you will need to bring your own food with you for the weekend. Jeff will have some recommendations on what is best to bring backpacking if you are new to it

Gear: Basic backpacking gear (tent, food, layers, flashlight, stove if you have one). No need to carry water—it’s available at camp. Let Jeff know if you need to borrow equipment.

Fall Cookout at the Ross’ House!
2025-10-26 12:00 - 14:30
Right after church everyone is invited to gather at the Ross’ backyard and enjoy a cookout! We will have drinks and sausages on the grill provided (meat, veggie and vegan options).
Feel free to bring a side or dessert to share! BYOB; non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. We hope you can make it!

note: unfortunately pets won’t be able to come to the cookout, for the safety of the Ross’ cat Pliny. Sorry for the inconvenience

Knock Around The Block
2025-10-31 17:00 - 19:00
Trick-or-treating for all ages! Knock your way around all 9 of our outward-facing church doors for candy and free fun! This year’s door themes include…
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Pixar’s UP
• Trader Joe’s
• Beach Day
• The Purple Witch
• Starbucks
• and 3 more!

If you have questions, email Molly Rose Morgen at mollyrose@nhunited.org.

All Souls’ Day Celebration 2025
2025-11-02 10:42 - 12:00
Remember and celebrate those who have passed away
Each year we, as a church, remember and celebrate All Souls’ Day and Día de Muertos. These are sacred traditions in which we remember those who have passed away, and celebrate their lives and presence with us even still. Together, we announce that we do not grieve without hope in God, because we believe that we will be reunited again with those who have died because it is God’s love which connects all of us.
So again this year on the first Sunday in November, we will mark the day as our “All Souls’ Sunday/Día de Muertos” observation. Ramón Sandoval, who has created our beautiful altars each year, will be creating the altar for our morning worship on Sunday, November 2nd.

Saturday Altar Time
The altar will also be open to the public Saturday 11/1 from 10am-2pm in our sanctuary.
All are welcome to come and light a candle and bring a photo or memorable object for the altar.

Book Club: The First Advent in Palestine
2025-11-09 09:00 - 10:15, 2025-11-16 09:00 - 10:15
As we prepare to enter the Advent season—a season of waiting for God to appear in a world marked by troubled times—let’s journey back to that first advent in the land of Palestine. As we do, I think we’ll find a deeper understanding of what that first advent was like, as well as resonances with the troubled times of today. The world of the first advent was marked by injustice, fear, and resistance. Kelley Nicondeha brings that world to life in her book, The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope. Join us for a Sunday morning class as we read through the book together, engage in practices to connect us to that complex and audacious hope, and find God in the midst of our own advent season.
The group will meet on the following Sundays…
11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30, 12/7

Sunday, November 9th: Roots of Resistance
Week 1: Chapters 1 & 2
Sunday, November 16th: Pregnant with Promise
Week 2: Chapters 3 & 4
Sunday, November 23rd: Living in Troubled Times
Week 3: Chapters 5 & 6
Sunday, November 30th: Paying Attention on the Peripheries
Week 4: Chapters 7 & 8
Sunday, December 7th: Hope Continued
Week 5: Chapter 9 & 10 & Epilogue

Church Finances 101
2025-11-09 12:00 - 13:00
NHUnited Finance 101: Our 2026 Budget
Have you ever wondered how financial decisions get made at the church?
Are you curious about how much your offerings and financial donations support our budget? Or do you have an idea you’d like to share with us that would be great for us to do if we only had the funds?
If you answered yes to any of these, then you might be interested in our NHUnited Budget 101 info session! Right after church we will meet in the Social Hall to share with you the financial side of all that we do here at NHUnited Church. You will hear briefly about our financial structure, some of our future projects we hope to work on and some of our early hopes for our 2026 budget.
If you are curious in the least about our finances and budget, you are welcome to come learn more! This session will be less than an hour and will give you a great overview of our financial picture and values as reflected in our budget work and future planning. Hope to see you there!

Grocery Gifting
2025-11-16 12:00
We’re assembling grocery bags for neighbors who could use a little extra support right now, especially as SNAP benefits continue to change. The food has been purchased and the bags are ready — now we just need helping hands! We’ll be gathering after church this Sunday in the social hall to put the bags together. Even a few minutes of your time will make a big difference. Thank you again for being part of this faith in action. We can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
