A Night in Bethlehem: Member Info.
The Plan
Updated as of April 22, 2025
Inviting God's Children to Come Unto Their Savior
The following Church News articles and preview video below help explain the vision of why our stake has committed doing Night in Bethlehem for at least the next three years.
Preview Video
What Exactly Is A Night in Bethlehem?
A Night in Bethlehem is an annual complimentary interfaith community activity for South Los Angeles and North Orange County residents. The 3-night community activity replaces our annual Christmas Concert and has four major components:
- The Tax
- The Town
- The Show
- The Reception
Purposes
Guest Parking
Bethlehem Staff Parking
- Lexingtop Park & Shuttle plans become operational if shows exceed 300 guests (1500 guests)
- If less than 300, Bethlehem staff invited to park at McAuliffe Middle School
Event Layout & Flow
Click image below for more detailed layouts for the town, reception and parking.
Entrance & Onsite Guest Parking
Welcome, Tax, Census & Handicap Parking Layout
Town Layout
Holding Transition Area
Who's Invited?
Everyone
In addition to our family and friends, all missionaries serving in the Anaheim Mission and their investigators are invited.
Long Beach East Stake Center (Host Stake)
Address: 4142 Cerritos Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Marketing / PR
Guest Tickets
Admission Ticket Required
Free tickets available through Eventbrite in September
Two times appear on tickets:
- Show time (Each performance lasts 16-17 minutes)
- Town entrance time (45 minutes prior to your showtime)
Performance Times
Show times are every half hour:
- Friday: First of 4 shows starts at 6:30 pm
- Saturday: First of 5 shows starts at 6:00 pm
- Sunday: First of 5 shows starts at 6:00 pm
Information Booth
Guest Check In
Every guest receives:
- 10 shekels and a drawstring bag
- First name written on a card placed in lanyard to be worn during the activity
- Wheelchair assistance if desired
Logistics Specialists:
- Cerritos: Brother Andrew Michener, A.W.Michener@gmail.com, 714-612-0209
- Cypress: Sister Paula Brown, Paulahallbrown@gmail.com, 714-747-5011
- Long Beach East: Sister Paula Kinzie, kinziep@comcast.net, 801-687-4676
The Tax: Food, Clothing & Toy Drive
Tax Specialists:
- Cerritos:Sister Emily Judkins, judkinsem@gmail.com, 480-653-2145
- Cypress: Sister Jessica Bystrom, jess.mommy@gmail.com, 714-380-1813
- Long Beach East: Sister Angela Walkowski, angelac_lee@hotmail.com, 562-753-1789
The Town: Bethlehem Activities
Interactive Town Activities
One shekel = one activity
Town Activity Specialists:
- Cerritos: Sister Shauna Douglas, hulamommy@hotmail.com, 562-925-7400
- Cypress: Sister Cheryl Keys, cmkeys@live.com, 714-767-1704
- Long Beach East: Sister Janet Larsen, janetlarsen1@gmail.com, 562-334-5257
Long Beach East Bethlehem Town Activity Co-Chairs
Town Layout
Sample Decor & Activities
Entrance
Fishing
Carpentry
Toy Shop
Leatherwork
Jewelry
Pottery
Weaving
Story Telling
Clothing & Accessories
Building Bethlehem
Building Bethlehem
Bethlehem Construction Specialists:
- Cerritos: Brother Cesar Canlas, j1canlas@yahoo.com, 562-714-0172
- Cypress: Brother Ryan LeBaron, daisy.rose@sbcglobal.net, 562-824-3721
- Long Beach: TBA
- Long Beach East: Brother Fred Peckham, fdpfinancial@hotmail.com, 562-235-9778
Show Holding Area
As guests exit the town gate of Bethlehem:
- Remaining shekels and all drawstring bags are collected
- Light The World bags distributed
The Show: A Live Nativity
Performers Wanted
- Performers wanted for lead female and male roles, choir, background group singing/acting, non-singing roles and instrumental accompaniment
- Great opportunity for youth, adults, members and friends
100+ Member Choir
- The highlight of Night in Bethlehem will be the 100+ member Heavenly Host of Angels announcing the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Everyone is invited to participate in the choir.
Show Specialists
- Cerritos: TBA
- Cypress: Sister Wendy Smith, wendyrsmith4@gmail.com, 714-287-7611
- Long Beach: TBA
- Long Beach East: Sister Amanda Mitton, pianoplayer84@gmail.com, 661-839-7026
Building Bethlehem
Bethlehem Construction Specialists:
- Cerritos: Brother Cesar Canlas, j1canlas@yahoo.com, 562-714-0172
- Cypress: Brother Ryan LeBaron, daisy.rose@sbcglobal.net, 562-824-3721
- Long Beach East: Brother Fred Peckham, fdpfinancial@hotmail.com, 562-235-9778
Costumes Specialists
- Cerritos: Sister Denise Hamilton, dkphamilton@gmail.com, 562-824-7555
- Cerritos: Sister Liz Flores, musicplus31@yahoo.com, 310-920-0633
- Cypress: Sister Jacquie Pierson, jacpierson8@gmail.com, 562-260-4856
- Long Beach East: Sister Francine Mafi, sevenmafis@yahoo.com, 714-393-1406
The Reception
Light The World Reception Activities
- Hanging personalized Light The World Ornaments on Christmas trees
- Listening to live instrumental music
- Enjoying complimentary cookies and hot chocolate
- Taking photos (step & repeat banners)
RECEPTION SPECIALISTS
Reception Specialists:
- Cerritos: Sister Ashley Mackley, ashleywood1922@gmail.com, 801-710-1255
- Cypress: Sister Kari Campbell, karilyncampbell5@gmail.com, 714-356-3724
- Long Beach East: Sister Kandee Anderson, kandee.anderson@marriott.com, 714--330-1452
Long Beach East Reception Co-Chairs
Reception Possibilities
Lighting Specialists
- Cerritos: Brother Dan Buffington, dabuff9154@gmail.com, 562-244-0926
- Cypress: Brother Martin Reyes, r2kangen@hotmail.com, 714-249-5038
- Long Beach East: Ron Wurtz, rkwurtz@msn.com, 562-577-0950
Sound Specialists
- Cerritos: Brother Dan Buffington , dabuff9154@gmail.com, 562-244-0926
- Cypress: Brother Tod Overton, tod.overtone@gmail.com, 714-653-4058
- Long Beach East: Brother Larry Stephens, ssspres@aol.com, 562-682-8346
Security Specialists
- Cerritos: Brother Geoffrey Vaughn, gvaughn23@hotmail.com, 562-920-7221
- Cypress: Brother Shawn Murray, spmurray076@gmail.com, 714-981-8768
- Long Beach East: Brother Seth Hamilton, ham11t0nse33@gmail.com, 562-335-4126
Bethlehem Assignments
All are invited to Light The World by fufilling a Bethlehem Assignment. There are hundreds of opportunities available. Bethlehem assignments may be in addition to any existing calling. Friends not of our faith are especially invited to serve alongside Saints.
Assignment Interest Invitations & Forms
There are two ways to complete the Assignment Interest form: Online or Paper version.
- Paper version is an 8.5 x 11 folded in half
- Online version is a Google form
Paper form
Click image below to access paper version
Online form
Click the button below to access the online Assignment Interest form
The first step for anyone wanting to participate is to submit a Light The World Assignment Interest form. Interest forms should be completed as far in advance as possible.
Assignments will be based primarily on one's interests and necessitate working with one or more specialists. Specialists may hold planning gatherings as needed. Gatherings may include training, rehearsals, seeking input, etc. Planning the Bethlehem event is done by councils counseling together so you'll have the support necessary to fulfill your assignment.
Stake Bethlehem Committees
Stake Bethlehem Specialists
Each participating stake will have its own Bethlehem committee comprised of Specialists and a Committee Chair. Specialists and the Bethlehem Chairs counsel with their counterparts in the other stakes for guidance, support and sharing of responsibilities.
Long Beach East Stake Bethlehem Specialists
- Meet the 2nd Thursday of each month by zoom
- Make assignments based on the Assignment Interest forms
Multi-Stake Activity
Light The World Multi-Stake Committee
The Light The World Steering Committee coordinates this activity across multiple stakes. This committee meets monthly and consists of four Bethlehem Committee Chairs, high councilors over activities and a counselor from each stake presidency. As host stake, the Long Beach East Stake activities committee chair spearheads this committee under the direction of the stake presidency.
Ward Council Responsibilities
What Can I Do to Assist?
In addition to encouraging everyone to complete an Assignment Interest form...
Help us find and donate props & decor items
Using the TV Series "The Chosen" as our guide, the following items are needed for the replica town of Bethlehem: pottery (all sizes of jugs, planters and vases), wicker baskets (all types and sizes), burlap, pillows, pillow cases, bed sheets, table cloths and drapes. For all cloth items, striped or solid colors are preferred. No floral prints can be used and are not needed. Please place small items in the red donation bag near the Relief Society room. Include your name with the item so we can keep track of who donated what. Thank you!

