Normal Heights United Methodist Church

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
2025-05-30 18:30, 2025-04-25 18:30, 2025-03-28 18:30, 2025-02-28 18:30, 2025-01-31 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

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!

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

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!

Sunday Morning Yoga Classes
2025-01-19 09:30 - 10:15, 2025-01-12 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.

JoySounds Choir
2024-12-22 12:15 - 13:00, 2024-12-15 12:15 - 13:00, 2024-12-08 12:15 - 13:00, 2024-11-24 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.

Jesus and the Abolitionist
2024-12-01 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-11-24 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-11-17 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-11-10 09:00 - 10:30
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?

Garden Clean-Up
2024-11-09 09:30 - 11:30
You are invited to join the Garden Team for a morning of fun and togetherness! Plans are to clear and clean the garden space and update the potted plants.Garden tools will be provided; however, if you have favorites, please bring them along as well as gloves, water and a hat.

Sanctuary open tonight
2024-11-06 16:00 - 19:00
In the aftermath of last night, we are going to have the sanctuary open tonight from 4 – 7 pm for anyone who needs a safe reflective space to gather and be together.
Feel free to bring dinner.
Let’s be together in our grief and remind ourselves of hope.
Also please feel free to share with others who may need space and loving community tonight.

Queer Affirming Theology
2024-11-03 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-10-27 09:00 - 10:30 | Normal Heights United, 4650 Mansfield Street, San Diego, CA, 92116, United States
A dearly held value here at NHUnited is expressed in the banner that hangs right off our building: All Loved, All Welcomed, All Affirmed, Always. We absolutely believe that queerness is a gift from God and is to be celebrated. And so, your pastors – Brent, Molly, and Melissa – will be leading a 3-week class offering a framework for that celebration as found in Christian scripture and theology. After exploring scripture and theology in the first two weeks, the third week will be more dialogical, bringing examples from our everyday lives (relationships, worship, and mental health) to imagine together how we can apply this life-giving view of God, ourselves, others, and creation.

Pre-Election Beach Bonfire
2024-11-02 17:30 - 19:30
The election is almost here, and with it might come heightened emotions for you, namely anxiety and fear. When we experience these kinds of moments, the things that get us through are connection to nature, and community. So join us on the eve of the election for some time to be together, connect with the beautiful nature of San Diego, and process through what you’re feeling in a supportive and safe space. Bring your dinner if you want, a chair or blanket to sit on, warm clothes, and all of what you’re feeling and carrying in this season.
We’ll gather at the Ocean Beach bonfire pits, between towers 4 and 5.

Originally we were going to meet in Ocean Beach for the bonfire, but we’ve changed it to…
FIESTA ISLANDSaturday 11/2,from 5:30 – 7:30pm

parking directions

🅿️ google maps

🅿️ apple maps

bonfire directions

🔥 google maps

🔥 apple maps

All Souls’ Day Altar Time
2024-11-02 16:00 - 19:00 | Normal Heights United, 4650 Mansfield Street, San Diego, CA, 92116, United States

Flamy Grant & i.V King
2024-10-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Normal Heights United, 4650 Mansfield Street, San Diego, CA, 92116, United States
We’re so excited to announce that we’re the San Diego stop for Flamy Grant and i.V KiNG’s “No More Trauma Tour!” Self dubbed a “Shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen,” Flamy Grant made headlines for being the first drag queen to both release a Contemporary Christian album (Bible Belt Baby) and the first to go to #1 on the iTunes’ Christian music chart for her song “Good Day.” If that wasn’t enough, the album hit #1 too! From that album, our church served as a filming location last year for her “What Did You Drag Me Into?” music video.
So we hope you’ll join us Sunday 10/27 for her return to our church! She is joined on the tour with the artist i.V KiNG, and our friend Rachel Hall (who has performed during our service) who is opening the show with her local band Mariela. This will be a great night of celebration with all the feels, see you there.

Songwriter Santuary: MC Edition!
2024-10-25 18:30 - 21:30 | Normal Heights United, 4650 Mansfield Street, San Diego, CA, 92116, United States
Songwriter Sanctuary will take on a new rhythm with a special MC Edition featuring The Neighborhood Kids, The Brothers Burns, and Rob Deez. Typically known for its intimate acoustic sets and behind-the-song storytelling, the original music series is shifting gears to spotlight songwriters whose craft is rooted in hip hop, where rhythm, flow, and rhyme take center stage. Hosted by the iconic Jeff Berkley in collaboration with Normal Heights United, this event will bring a fresh spin to the Songwriter Sanctuary experience.

This all-ages event has a suggested donation of $10 for entry. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the music starts in our Sanctuary at 7pm. Beverages will be available for purchase too!
For full bios, more details, and to RSVP…

Supper Club - Chili Night
2024-10-16 16:00 - 20:00 | Contact us for location
Supper Club is a place to deepen our friendships as we grow as a community of faith. While we enjoy dinner potluck-style on a theme, our kids can run around and play to the sound of laughter and kinship.
Supper Club is from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, but you can arrive anytime between those hours. This month, we’re having Chili night!

Discern Retreat
2024-09-27 - 2024-09-28
Do your faith and your job feel like entirely separate parts of your life? Do you ever wonder if there’s a way they could be more integrated? Or are you looking for new ways to make meaning in your current work? Or even curious about a change in career?
If so, this retreat is for YOU!
DISCERN is a two day retreat focused on exploring the integration of faith and work, and imagining them in new ways. This retreat is for everyone…whether you are in college, or well into your career, or not even working at the moment. Together we will ask deep questions, imagine new possibilities, and find empowerment in community. We hope that as a result of attending this retreat you will walk away with a clear next step in your journey of faith and work.
DISCERN is a standalone event of the CONTEND program.

OPENING MIXER
Friday, 9/27th, 6-8pm
Dinner provided
RETREAT
Saturday, 9/28th, 9am-4pm
Breakfast + Lunch provided

Registration Deadline 9/18 • $15/person Questions: Brent Ross

Supper Club
2024-09-19 16:00 - 20:00 | Contact us for location
Supper Club is a place to deepen our friendships as we grow as a community of faith. While we enjoy dinner potluck-style on a theme, our kids can run around and play to the sound of laughter and kinship.
Supper Club is from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, but you can arrive anytime between those hours. This month, we’re having an Italian Feast at the Lorden Home!
