Please join us to work at Midwest Food Bank on June 10 from 9-11 a.m.! You can register and complete the waiver here. We will learn about our repackaging or sorting project when we arrive, but have requested at least half of the roles to be sedentary! Closed toe shoes required. If you have questions, please contact Susan Sopek or LeAnn Fujimoto.

We had so much fun working at the Midwest Mission on May 9! After carpooling to Pawnee, IL, we spent the day learning how to sew and put snaps on hygiene pads, quality checking hundreds and hundreds of personal hygiene bags, and working in the wood shops making parts for the school desks that will be assembled soon. We worked hard (not really) and were very productive (really). If you are interested in joining us next time or have questions, please reach out to Susan Sopek.

Jacob Kersh, our Director of Contemporary Worship at Calvary, will be leaving the church staff in late June. As a candidate for ministry in the United Methodist Church, Jacob can receive an appointment to serve as a pastor if he completes our Conference’s School for a License as a Local Pastor. Bishop David Bard has appointed Jacob to serve two smaller churches near the Quad Cities, Reynolds and Talor Ridge United Methodist churches, pending the completion of Licensing School. We encourage all of the Calvary UMC community to wish Jacob well; and to pray for Jacob, Ronnie, Penelope, and Allie as their family prepares for the next phase of their lives together. 
As Jacob departs, Leah Megli, currently our Chor Director, will be adding the position of Director of Contemporary Worship, to her responsibilities here at Calvary. This will be in addition to continuing as our Choir Director at the 9AM worship service. Leah brings strong musical talents and a long history with Calvary UMC and the Bloomington-Normal community to this new role. We are excited to see where God will lead Calvary’s worship in the future, and invite you to help us welcome Leah into this new role. 

After a hiatus, the Love Thy Neighbor choir concert is returning on May 18th, 2025 from 3-4:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church (502 E Front Street in Bloomington). Local churches and area singers will lend their voices to sing in harmony for a common goal- raising money for Habitat for Humanity of McLean County. Songs will include many church hymns as well as uplifting pieces.

Mark your calendar now for a Community Block Party on Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be live music, inflatables, a petting zoo, face painting, art projects, food trucks, family activities with the Children's Discovery Museum, and perhaps even more! There is no charge for this event, except food at the food trucks if you'd like to eat. Lawn chairs are encouraged. Make plans to come, bring your family, and invite some friends!
Calvary UMC 1700 N. Towanda Ave. in Normal

Join the fun at Calvary VBS this summer! VBS will be held July 21-24, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. each evening. Children age 4 through 5th grade are invited to participate and people older are welcome to volunteer. Registration is open now through June 22. Check out the VBS website for more information or register children or volunteers. Questions? Contact Lori Short.

Faith in Action is a community service that helps people 60 and older live independently. There are many flexible volunteer opportunities including medical transportation, grocery shopping,  friendly visiting, office work and special projects.  See www.bnfia.org for more information.  We still need volunteers!  If you can volunteer a couple hours each week you can make a positive impact on others.  Talk to Jan Kibler (309-824-3783) if you would like more information. 

We have a trip planned to Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa September 27 to 0ctober 4, 2025.  If you are interested, check www.bnfia.org/events.

Also, we are working with Transitions by Go Green Commercial Cleaning (309-585-0423).  This is a one-stop shop for decluttering, downsizing or moving.  If you mention FIA they will donate to us!

This year, we are celebrating Faith in Action's 20th Anniversary. The 20 Over 60 Recognition of those in our community who have given a lot will be at Rob Dob’s on April 29th. Tickets can be purchased at:  https://bnfia.org/event/20over60.  Check out our Facebook page, ‘Faith in Action - Bloomington/Normal,’ to see who will be recognized.  

We meet weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. starting April 8. This session consists of 13 consecutive weeks which you may attend every week or as many weeks that you are able to attend.
The first week includes registration, introductions, orientation and the first week DVD followed by discussion. We provide desserts each class. Books will be available to purchase in the class for $20.00.
Anyone who has had a recent or past loss of an individual are welcome.
We look forward to meeting you. Please register here. 

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will begin meeting Tuesday, February 11. We will be working on shawls as well as hats, scarves, and mittens of all sizes. Join us as we work and pray every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 9:30-11am in L7.  No experience is required. All materials are provided, including yarn, patterns, and needles/hooks. We also have shawls available to be given to individuals in need of warmth and comfort. For more information, contact Linda Ferrence.

Faith in Action is a community service that helps people 60 and older live independently. There are many flexible volunteer opportunities including medical transportation to doctors, physical therapy, etc., grocery shopping, friendly visiting, and special projects. See www.bnfia.org for more information.
This year we have a couple trips planned. New Orleans in May (already filled) and Montreal & Quebec & Canada's Capital City - Ottawa in September 27-October 4.
Faith in Action is also celebrating its 20 Anniversary in 2025. One of the events planned is 20 over 60 where nominees over 60 are making a difference in McLean County via their professional, volunteer, philanthropic or community activities. See nomination form on www.bnfia.org under News & Events. Or, contact Jan Kibler at (309) 824-3783.

Workcamp for students currently in 8th through 12th grade (and adults as leaders) will be July 5-July 11 this year in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Registration is now open! Check out the registration form for more information. Scholarships are available. More information about this experience can be found on Group Mission Trips website. We’ll have a more specific informational session as the week gets closer. Experience this transformational week, serving and growing closer to God and others.

Our Calvary family is committed to serving meals on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at Safe Harbor. This is a great way to serve your community with your friends and family. Preparing and serving doesn't take long and isn't difficult, but it is a great need you can help with. We have 22 spots open for 2025. When could you serve?
If you have never served or would like more information, please contact Tammy Carlson at 309-533-6663 to help you get started or connect you with a group. We do need more groups on our mailing list.

We will be building from October to April on the third Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. No experience necessary. Must be at least 16 years old. We are building the Faith House for Dionne Anding and her two grandsons. Contact Jon-Eric Fujmoto for more information. 

Greetings, all. We have once again heard that an email has gone out alleging to be from staff members of our church. If you receive an email claiming to be from Pastor Vince or any other staff member that is not from an official church email, it should be treated with great suspicion if not completely disregarded. Please be safe and vigilant to protect yourself from scammers.

Pastor Vince spoke about the General Conference, what it means for our church, and answered questions on Sunday, August 18.

Do you have college students in your household?  Let Calvary College Care send your students encouraging inspirations and blessings by mail, email or text.  It will be a reminder that their Calvary family will continue to pray for them and continue to be an important part of their faith journey. Click here to sign up. In order for us to have the current information, the form needs to be completed each year. 

Interested in being involved in weaving mats for The Loom Project? Join us for weaving sessions - 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon; 2nd and 4th Sundays from 2-4 p.m. We meet in the weaving room on the lower level. No weaving experience necessary - just come join us!  Mats will be donated to Abundant Life Church in Bloomington.

Please consider donating a few easy-to-prepare food items each month. Some suggested shelf-stable items include: canned meats, protein bars, peanut butter, grains, soup, nuts, oils, seasonings, toiletries, beans, crackers, pasta, etc. 

If you are hoping to receive items from the pantry, it is located in our entryway and available at any time of the day to anyone.

See what you missed at the informational meeting regarding the UMC General Conference.

Are you a caregiver, family member, or friend of someone with dementia? If so, you are invited – and encouraged – to attend the Alzheimer’s support group. The mission of this group is to provide education and support to caregivers and loved ones. Please note that it is not designed for those with dementia. Meetings are held in Calvary’s conference room on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

Facilitators are Mary Sanko and Lurinda Venezia.