Each week during the school year students on free and reduced lunch at Parkside Elementary receive a bag of groceries provided by Midwest Food Bank to help sustain them through the weekend. Calvary's Backpack Ministry partners with Midwest Food Bank to fill and organize those bags. We would like to supplement that bag on long weekends and/or holidays by providing the students with a jar of peanut butter. We are looking for donations of 16 oz jars of peanut butter which can be left at the welcome desk. Your care for the students is appreciated.

In Matthew 25:35, Jesus says, “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” This verse captures the heart of our mission. Through the distribution of food and drinks, Midwest Food Bank supplies partner agencies with the resources they need to reach the lost, lonely, and hungry in our community. 
As food insecurity continues to rise, so does the need for dedicated volunteers to help distribute these vital supplies. We’re reaching out to local churches to come together in faith and service—living out Matthew 25:35 in a tangible, impactful way. 
Our greatest volunteer need is during our Distribution days, when partner agencies pick up food to share with their clients. Volunteers help load cases of food onto carts and into vehicles. If you can lift 30 pounds, you can be a part of this important work! 
To support this effort, we’re forming a Servant Squad—a group of volunteers willing to step in when extra hands are needed. Servant Squad members will receive an email with a sign-up link and can choose the dates and times that work best for them. It’s simple, flexible, and incredibly meaningful. 
Anyone interested in joining the Servant Squad just needs to fill out the sign-up form to get started. 

Women of Calvary & guests, we invite you to join Heart & Soul for an event on September 11 . We will have a representative from Allies Against Trafficking speak about to human trafficking & their organization's mission to raise awareness in the community and empower the vulnerable.
Light refreshments will be provided. We'll meet in the Worship Center on Thursday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m. Feel free to invite a friend who does not attend Calvary. We hope you'll join us for this educational event with great fellowship! Register here.

Your next opportunity to donate blood is coming up on Monday, September 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Calvary's gym. Walk-ins are welcome or sign up online. Thank you for supporting our cooperation with the American Red Cross! 

Men’s Faith and Fellowship will begin our new season of study, fellowship, and support of each other on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. We will begin with “On Purpose, Finding God’s Voice in Your Passion,” a study that includes author and Senior Pastor Magrey deVega. It is a four-part exploration of the spiritual principles that allow us to listen go God, discover our purpose and passion, join with others in the journey, and ultimately, make a difference in the world around us. As Pastor Vince Rohn shared in his sermon of 8/17/25, we listen for God’s voice through prayer, study and others we trust.
We meet at 6:30 am on Wednesday mornings in Room 111, and begin with refreshments and coffee, share joys and concerns, have a video study, and discussion among the group. There is plenty of room for any man

Calvary, it’s that time again! The Celebration Singers, Calvary’s adult choir, will be joining worship at the 9:00 service, starting on September 7th, and we’d like to extend the invitation to all of you to come sing with us! Rehearsals begin on Wednesday 8/27 and be held every Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 in the choir room. We are open to anybody regardless of age, experience level, or even talent—all we ask is that you bring a smile and a good attitude! If you have any questions, or if you don’t know where the choir room is, shoot me (Leah) an email and I will happily help you out. We have a ton of fun and we hope to see you there!

And on that note, the worship team (10:30 service) is always welcoming new participants, so please drop me a line if you’d be interested in that as well, and we’ll make sure to get you looped in!

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 on this link to sign up. In order for us to have the current information, the form needs to be completed each year.

Are you interested in trying some weaving or are you curious about this project?? Come join us! Dream Weavers will meet on Sunday, September 7 for a refresh and restart session – Room 111 at 2:00 p.m. Even if you’ve been a part of the weaving group for a while, come and see what’s in store for the coming year. Questions? Contact Larry or Lurinda Venezia or Sandy Dickson.

On Saturday, August 2, a tree fell onto the picnic pavilion on the grounds of Dayspring Native American UMC (201 N. Norwood, East Peoria) and crashed through the roof. They need some help in responding to this incident: persons with chainsaws who love cutting up downed trees, persons who could do some repair and roofing. While the next steps are not fully formed yet, having some help ready to go would be amazing, and truly a God-send. Please be in prayer for the Dayspring congregation as they tend to this unexpected maintenance issue (and the insurance company, if needed).
If you are willing to help out, please contact Pastor Patty Johansen at (217) 722-2730 or pcjohansen57@gmail.com.

FIA is adding care receivers again. Those that need help with dialysis and cancer care are considered a priority. We are still working to add volunteers! If you can be a volunteer, please go to www.bnfia.org or see Jan Kibler.
Activities coming up - please support FIA!

• Fall Bus Trip to Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City – from Sep 27th to Oct 04, 2025. For more information, call Mary (309) 827-7780 or visit.

• Transitions by Go Green Commercial Cleaning Fundraiser – (continues all 2025!) When you book their service and mention Faith in Action in 2025, Transitions will donate a portion of the proceeds! Visit or call (309) 585-0423.

• Take Action FIA luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, August 28th at Doubletree. This is a FIA fundraiser. Jan Kibler will be hosting a table. Let Jan (jckibler11@me.com) know if you are interested in attending.

• FIA Mum Sale pickup is scheduled for September 11. These mums are gorgeous! You can order online or take a check to the FIA office.

Our Calvary Garden Team with the help of Larry Gamblin has donated 1409 pounds of fresh produce to Midwest Food Bank, and various other food pantries in Bloomington Normal during this 2025 growing season. We have a great team, but never turn away anyone who would like to help. We usually pick and wash vegetables on Saturday mornings, and then deliver later that morning. If you would like to get involved please reach out to the church office and we will add you to our text group. 

Thanks to the generosity of the people of Calvary UMC, and the leading and blessing of God, we have already exceeded our goal of $8,000 for classroom furnishings, school supplies, restrooms, and a septic system at the school we have helped to build in Fev, Haiti! We will be in conversation with our friends in Fev to make sure that 100% of the money we receive through this appeal will go to the school and church in Fev, used for cost overruns on construction, additional supplies, or other needs at the school and church. Thank you to everyone who has given to allow the children of Fev to receive the gift of an education and all of the people of Fev the gift of hope.

Hula on over to Evergreen Senior Living (1701 Evergreen Village Blvd, Normal) on Tuesday, August 26. Meet up in the dining room for some colorful and tasty fun. Be sure to wear your leis and Hawaiian shirts!
This volunteer opportunity is open to all ages and abilities! If you have any questions, please reach out to Erin Scott. 

The next GriefShare session begins August 19 and finishes on November 11. We will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday evenings in Room 111. 
On November 18, plan to join a special one night event called, “Surviving the Holidays.” This is a 2 hour event on Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m. also in room 111. 
For any questions, please reach out to Sharyl Jennings. 

Join us for the next season of The Chosen and follow along with a book you can purchase from The Chosen or on Amazon. The study will take place on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to noon in room 111 from August 13 to October 1. For any questions, please contact Sharyl Jennings.
The Chosen Season 5 focuses on the events leading up to Jesus's final week, culminating in the Last Supper. It portrays the growing tension between Jesus and the religious and political powers, highlighting the increasing stakes as the religious leaders plot to silence him. The season also delves into the internal struggles of the disciples, particularly Judas, as they grapple with Jesus's unconventional path and the impending betrayal. 

Safe Harbor 
The following dates are available for you to serve at Safe Harbor: 

• August 15

• September 19

• October 5 & 24

• November 21

• December 5 and 19

If you are interested in serving, please contact Tammy Carlson. If you are new or have questions, please feel free to reach out! 

Our food pantry focus for August is Meal Starters. These are items that can be out together to make simple meals such as Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, canned chicken, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, tamales, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, and pizza-making kits.
Thank you for the tremendous response to the donation requests! The pantry has obviously been a blessing to our community as evidenced by its use!
Questions? Contact Susan Sopek.
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.

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.

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.