Rise & Shine Kids WEEK-LONG Camp
2025-06-23 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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!

Songwriter Sanctuary-old
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

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, 2025-11-23 09:00 - 10:15, 2025-11-30 09:00 - 10:15, 2025-12-07 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!

Fill The Fridge
2025-11-23 - 2025-11-26
As you make your plans and begin your shopping for your Thanksgiving dinner, we invite you to shop for the neighborhood as well! Buy extra of the ingredients for your favorite Thanksgiving dish, take advantage of those turkey discounts and buy an additional bird, or partner with others to go in on all the ingredients for a complete Thanksgiving meal.

Please plan to drop off any items at the Community Fridge between Sunday, 11/23 and Wednesday, 11/26. If you’re donating a frozen turkey, please ensure that it is transferred to a fridge by Sunday, November 23 so it has time to thaw.

USE INSTACART?
You can have items delivered directly to the Fridge! Just put in our address..
4650 Mansfield Street
San Diego, CA 92116
and then paste in these delivery instructions…
“This is a donation for NHUnited Church. Please place all items inside the stainless steel Community Fridge that is by the sidewalk in front of the church, to the right of the stairs. Thank you!”
As we observe this holiday, let us show our gratitude through our generosity and solidarity with our neighbors, recognizing the injustices of food insecurity and responding tangibly by filling the neighborhood fridge! Any questions, email Pastor Molly at MollyRose@nhunited.org.

Deck Our Halls
2025-11-23 12:00
Be sure to stick around after service for our “hanging of the greens,” where we decorate the church for the Advent and Christmas seasons. This is your chance to add your creative touch to make the church festive!

Annual Church Meeting
2025-12-02 18:00 - 19:00
Everyone is welcome to be here at NHUnited Church on Tuesday, for our Annual Church Meeting. This conference will recap this year’s events and ministries, celebrate our candidates for ministry, review next year’s budget in progress and approve staff salaries. This is an open meeting in the Social Hall and all are welcome!

Songwriter Sanctuary - Holiday Show!
2025-12-05 18:30
On Friday, December 5, Songwriter Sanctuary celebrates the holiday season and our last show of the year! Hosted by the iconic Jeff Berkley in collaboration with Normal Heights United!

Blue Christmas Service
2025-12-07 18:00
Some of us are entering the Christmas season and though we are surrounded by holiday cheer, we’re not feeling particularly cheerful. Whether you’ve lost someone this year and it’ll be your first Christmas without them, or you’re grieving the state of the world right now, this service is for you. Join us for a time of lament, contemplation, and comfort, as we gather to weather this season together.

The Cross and the Olive Tree, a Conversation
2025-12-10 18:30 - 20:00
The Cross and the Olive Tree is a brand new collection of essays centering the voices of Palestinian Christians. ​​From the lived theology of grandmothers to traditions of scholarship, from ancient liturgies to contemporary resistance, eight Palestinian Christian theologians offer a crucial and vibrant perspective on liberation, reconciliation, and divine imagination. Written within the heart of suffering, the cross and the olive tree interpret each other in an unwavering hope, symbols of faith and homeland.
John Munayer, one of the editors, and Azmera Hammouri-Davis, one of the contributing authors, will be joining liberation theologian and Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, Dr. Matthew Vega, and Reverend Molly Lorden, Pastor at Normal Heights United Church and member of the San Diego Faith Leaders for Palestine, for a conversation about the book, hosted in the sanctuary at Normal Heights United Church. Join us for an unforgettable (and free!) evening!

Christmas Lunch Social & Dessert Auction
2025-12-14 12:00
Join us for our annual Christmas Social! Right after church you can head over to the Social Hall where we’ll play festive holiday music, eat a free chili lunch together, and then bid on delicious desserts in a fun and often hilarious charity auction and raffle!
All proceeds will go toward building up our Community Fund! This fund is available for those who find themselves in need of a bit of help to get by, is available to the broader community, and is fully supported by your donations.

Youth Group Holiday Party
2025-12-18 18:00 - 20:00
Come in your cozy winter best and bring a cheap (or free!) white elephant gift wrapped for our goofy present exchange. We’ll have Christmas-themed games, a peppermint hot chocolate station, and far too many homemade goodies.

Unrehearsed Christmas Eve Pageant & Worship Service
2025-12-24 17:00
Filled with music and scripture readings of the Christmas story. This service involves children (and teens, if they want to!) as they are invited to pick a costume and join the nativity story where everyone has a role! There is so much joy and beauty in this service – one that features kids, but really is for everyone!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
2025-12-24 19:00 - 20:00
Join us under the twinkle lights for a beautiful and reflective worship service featuring readings of the Christmas story, all the Christmas music you know and love, Communion, and our annual candle-lighting tradition.

Lunch Social
2026-01-04 12:00
Join us for a pop-up lunch social at Blind Lady Ale House this Sunday! Right after church, we’ll walk two blocks over to enjoy some great food & beverages while spending time together. At Blind Lady, they let people seat themselves at long picnic tables, so don’t worry about who you’re sitting with or reservations.
They have a kid-friendly environment and great pizza, salads, frites, sodas, and ales. They support many local charities year-round, which makes their food taste even better! We hope you can join us after worship this Sunday!

Queer Small Group
2026-01-15 19:00 - 21:00
This care group brings together LGBTQ+ folks of all genders and journeys for twice-monthly gatherings (1st & 3rd Thurs) centered on friendship, spiritual reflection, and community care. Reach out to Cameron Byrd to learn more Cameron@CameronByrd.me

Sign Up For #WeAllCount2026!
2026-01-29 04:00 - 08:00
Volunteer to Quantify the Needs of Our Unhoused Community, While Sharing Gift Cards & Supplies
Each year we take part in volunteering as a group for the county’s “We All Count” survey. On the morning of January 29th, throughout the entire county 1,700 volunteers will count every person in our unhoused community and wherever possible – ask them a short survey of questions. This allows the RTFH (Regional Task Force for Homelessness) to better quantify what is needed to help those in need and understand how to meet those needs better.
The data collected in this one day is also key for so many charities and agencies that provide support to receive funding by being quantifying these needs to government agencies and donors.

Youth Group Night
2026-01-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Normal Heights United, 4650 Mansfield Street, San Diego, CA, 92116, United States
Right out the gate, we’re starting off the year with a 5th Thursday?! Fifth Thursdays are a less structured and more social time, keeping us connected between 2nd & 4th Thurs. This time get ready for a neighborhood scavenger hunt!
We’d love for the teens in your life to be a part of this community dedicated to seeking justice, loving God and neighbor, and having fun! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the SDUnited Executive Director Melissa Tucker, at Melissa@SDUnited.org
Check out the SDUnited website for more information.
