Home for the Holidays

One of the best things about Christmastime as a college student is being with people and getting reconnected after time away.

We're looking forward to seeing all the Calimesa Collegiate people during this holiday time--sharing stories, spending time connecting with each other and with God, and enjoying togetherness. If you're going to be around during the holidays, come join us. We're in the community services room behind the Fireside Room.

Now on Facebook

It took a while, but we've now got a group on Facebook dedicated specifically to Calimesa Collegiate.

Check it out here:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=264649470443

New Small Group Discussion

For the next several weeks, the Calimesa Church family will be spending time reading and conversing on Mark Mittelberg's "Choosing Your Faith In a World of Spiritual Options." In addition, the current sermon series focuses on the contents of this very insightful and helpful book.

Several small groups will spend time each week reading selected chapters from the book, and talking together about this or whatever else surfaces during the groups' time together.

The collegiate group (which is indeed a small group) will also be focusing on this book during our time together each week on Sabbath mornings.  We're also looking for ways to spend time together apart from "Church" time on weekends, so stay tuned for that. 

We invite you to join us for good conversation and fellowship. We meet in the church's community services room every Sabbath morning at 10:00.

More at http://www.choosingyourfaith.com/

Come Create With Us!

In the tradition of the early Christian Church and the biblical communities themselves, we're meeting together this weekend to collaborate and create as a group.

Last Sabbath, after reading and discussing the story of the calling of the first disciples in the fourth gospel, we spent time brainstorming over a large canvas that we'll be using over the next several weeks to create an artistic response to our reading of the Bible. We wrote down some ideas and came up with some sketches for what our canvas might look like as we continue to create a piece of art based on the gospel of John.

The art work will be a mixed-media mural / collage / mosaic that will depict our understanding of and response to the Fourth Gospel.

We invite you to come join in the creative process! The more people participate in this project of creative reflection on Scripture, the better the finished product will be, and the more we can engage in a process of community building, which is what church is about!

If you are interested in being creative and in sharing conversation about Scripture, come and join us in the community services room at 10:00.

Please note: artistic skill is not necessarily a prerequisite. If you can write, cut, draw, paste, paint, scribble, or splotch, we can use your input!

Going on Now...

The Weekend - Huzzah

This weekend, the collegiate group will be meeting in the Community Services room (click here to find out where in the world that is). Last weekend to get together as a group before everyone heads back to school.

We'll meet at 10:00 Saturday morning for some food, some music, some discussion, and some time to talk with friends.

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Saturday night, we've got a last minute option for people with no prior commitments:

Video Scavenger Hunt!

Meeting Saturday night at the Redlands Mall - 6:00 PM

Bring a video camera and friends for some crazy fun times. Video scavenger hunts work like this - people get into groups, and each group has a video camera. Each group receives a list of objectives--things like "get a video of the whole group shaking hands with a stranger" or a video of everyone standing on a street corner doing the macarena (old skool style)".

The group that completes the most objectives in a set amount of time gets some sort of prize. All videos will be downloaded on to a computer for viewing.

Join the fun!

Happy New Year!

Best wishes for the new year 2008!

Holiday Cheer

Elizabeth is getting baptized!

Good news and an invitation - Elizabeth Au will be baptized this Sabbath at Calimesa during first service.

We invite you to come join with us in celebrating Elizabeth's decision to publicly affirm her desire to follow Jesus. First service starts at 8:30, and the baptism will be toward the beginning of the service.

Elizabeth is a member of the Calimesa Collegiate group currently juggling home study classes toward her senior year of high school and on-line courses from Crafton Hills College.

Look for the group of Elizabeth's friends. We'll be sitting toward the front with the big signs that say,

"Welcome Elizabeth!"

Spread Christmas Cheer in the Community

During the next two weekends, the Calimesa Collegiate group along with some from the Calimesa Youth and the Calimesa Young Adults will have the opportunity to spread Christmas cheer among elderly members of our community.

On Sabbath afternoon for the next two weeks, we will visit approximately 50 individuals who are unable to get out often, who are widowed, or who are lonely. We plan to take loaves of bread to them and spend some time talking...perhaps even singing some Christmas carols.

This coming Saturday afternoon (December 15), we will leave from the Calimesa Church at 2:00 PM to begin visiting our community members.

Plans for the following Sabbath coming soon!

Sweet Action!

It's time to put your winter feelings on ice! Broom ball is happening this Saturday night at the Ontario Ice Skating Center. That means an opportunity to try to whack a ball with a broom while running around on ice. SWEEEET!

It'll also give us the opportunity to hang out with other members of the collegiate and young adult groups at Calimesa.

Start time is 10:00 PM
Cost is $5, which includes broom ball + refreshments
Bring warm clothes, something that can handle getting a little wet

Here's a video to get you all pumped up about it:

Vespers (Thanksgiving Weekend)

It was nice to see a lot of out-of-town college people during Thanksgiving break. Friday night vespers provided an opportunity for music, talking, food, and this:

Defining Calimesa, CA

This is a concise explanation of what it's like in Calimesa, California. See if you concur.

Vespers

This Friday evening (Nov 23 - the day after Thanksgiving), the Calimesa Collegiate group is meeting for Vespers in the Garden Chapel (it's the room by the fountain in the Church courtyard).

We've planned music, food, time for getting caught up with friends you might not have seen in a while, and good clean fun in general.

Start time is 7:00 PM. We aim to finish no later than 9:00 PM.

Hope to see you there! Bring a friend.

*Note - the Garden Chapel is NOT the same place where we usually meet depicted in the map below. Just wanted to make sure we avoid confusion.

where we meet

We've already managed to confuse some people with our whereabouts. The collegiate group currently meets in the Calimesa Church's community services room, which is located across the parking lot from the main sanctuary.

The map below will give you an idea of where you can find us on Sabbath mornings (we meet at 10:00 AM). You can enlarge the image by clicking on it. We're in the orange place.

Welcome Home!

Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends. Welcome back to all the Calimesa members who are home from college for Thanksgiving break. Calimesa Collegiate has some fun events planned specifically for Thanksgiving week including vespers Friday evening (Nov. 23) with music, a little food, and time for getting caught up with friends.

Saturday morning (Nov 24), we'll have our regular 10:00 meeting. There will be music, discussion, prayer, and time for socializing a bit as well.

We look forward to welcoming you back to town, and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!