Join us for Junior and Senior High Midweek Programming on Tuesday nights! Junior High meets at from 6 to 7 p.m. and Senior High meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Hub. All are always welcome!
Students don't have to come every week to be part of the fun and fellowship. Reach out to kb.smith@connectwithcalvary.org with any questions or for more information.

Saturday, September 27 | 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Join us for a morning of fellowship and service as we come together to care for our church grounds! We’ll be focusing on the front landscaping with tasks including:

• Weeding flower beds

• Pruning and trimming bushes

• General clean-up and maintenance

This is a great opportunity to lend a hand, enjoy some fresh air, and connect with others in our church community. Please bring gloves, garden tools, and any extra supplies you may have; and meet us near the main entrance to the church building.
All are welcome—we’d love to see you there!

Calvary celebrates our third graders each year by presenting them with their own Bible. Your third grader is invited to receive a Bible during worship on Sunday, October 5, 2025. We would love to have your child be part of this special day. If they cannot be present on October 5, we can have their Bible at the KidVenture Connecting Point after that Sunday. If you have a 3rd grader, please register by Monday, September 29 so we can have a Bible ready for them.

Pastor Vince Rohn will be hosting a new members conversation from 5-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 21 in the Calvary UMC parlor. If you have been worshipping with Calvary and would like more information about the church and your next step here, this is it! If you have been connecting with Calvary for some time and would just like to know more about the congregation, this is your chance! A light meal will be served as part of the gathering, and you can sign up to attend here.

47% of area students qualify for free and reduced lunch through their school. With grocery prices on the rise it is getting harder for families to afford food for meals.  Midwest Food Bank tries to fill that gap for families by providing food for students that qualify for free and reduced lunch over their weekends when students are at home and not in school. Calvary has been a partner with Parkside Elementary School for many years now and this year we will be partnering with them again to provide bags of food for the children to take home for the weekend. Each month we receive a pallet of food from Midwest Food Bank and we meet as a group and unload the truck, organize the food and pack grocery bags that are delivered to Parkside Elementary School and given to the students on Friday to take home for the weekend. We are in need of volunteers to help once a month to unload the truck, organize the food and pack the bags. Our first time to meet for the new school year will be September 10 at 10:45 a.m. in the lower level classrooms. 
All ages and abilities are welcome to help. If you have any questions please contact Brenda Leopard.

Do you love to hold babies and play with toddlers? A new KidVenture Nursery will be opening in October during our 9 a.m. service and those babies and toddlers need you! You can choose to serve once or twice a month (or more) but don't have to serve every week. We're also looking for volunteers for our Preschool/Kindergarten room (both worship hours) or people who are willing to be on call or a sub in any of the rooms. If interested, please contact Miranda Lanza or Lori Short.

At Calvary, we invite youth in eighth grade (or older if they have not previously completed Confirmation) to participate in Confirmation. We will be starting a Confirmation Class in January, to conclude with a Confirmation Sunday in May. Please complete this form to confirm your participation in Confirmation. We will also be having an informational meeting about Confirmation 2025-26 on Sunday, September 28 at 10:05 in room 113. 

It’s Habitat for Humanity Season! 
Calvary is proud to announce our sponsorship of the Faith House for the 2025–2026 building season — Habitat for Humanity of McLean County's 201st house!
A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and labor last year to help build a home for Dionne Anding and her family. Your generosity made a lasting impact.
This year, we’re excited to build for Davasha Williams and her family. 
Build Dates: Third Saturday of each month, starting in October
Location: 701 West Market Street, Bloomington
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Who Can Volunteer: No experience required! Volunteers must be 16 years or older
Snacks Needed: Calvary is also looking for people to provide snacks for volunteers
If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back, Habitat for Humanity volunteering is a great place to be. Let’s make this another incredible season of service and community!

Help provide specific needed items for Home Sweet Home Ministries, Thrivent and Midwest Food Bank as they collaborate for 'The Big Give' Thanksgiving meal food collection again this year. This is an opportunity to help provide our neighbors in need with Thanksgiving meals.
Collection boxes will be in the atrium starting Sunday, September 14 through Sunday, September 28.
These meal boxes, complete with turkeys, will be distributed by HSHM and MWFB on Thursday, November 27 at the Normal Midwest Food Bank warehouse.
The following is a sample of needed items that we’ve been asked to collect: Stuffing Mix, Cans of Corn, Cans of Green Beans, French Fried Onions, Boxes of Mashed potatoes, Cans of Pumpkin Pie Mix, Boxes of Pie Crust mix, and Turkey certificates from Hy-Vee (Hy-Vee will give the certificate to Midwest Food Bank).   
With your help, Home Sweet Ministries and Midwest Food Bank will be able to provide 2,000 meal boxes again this year to families in need.

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. 

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.

Dream Weavers uses plastic grocery bags to weave mats for those in situations where a simple sleeping mat is needed. We meet in Room 4 on the lower level on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (10 a.m.- noon), and the 2nd and 4th Sundays (2-4 p.m.) of each month. Come join us - no experience necessary! For more information, contact Larry or Lurinda Venezia or Sandy Dickson.

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.

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.

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: 

• 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 is a great lifeline for those in our community who need food assistance. Your contributions are welcome at any time. Here is a list of suggested items to bring in:

Protein Sources 

• Canned: tuna, chicken, salmon, or other meat

• Dried: or canned beans (black beans, chickpeas, pinto beans)

• Peanut butter: or other nut butters

Grains 

• Pasta

• Rice: and rice mixes

• Oatmeal: and other hot cereals

• Whole-grain: bread, crackers, and cereal

Fruits & Vegetables 

• Canned: or dried fruits (peaches, pears, raisins), canned or dried vegetables (corn, tomatoes, peas), fruit in juice or water (not syrup)

• Low-sodium: canned vegetables

Soups, Sauces & Condiments 

• Canned: soups and chili

• Spaghetti: and tomato sauces

• Salsa

• Oils: (vegetable, olive, canola)

• Condiments: like ketchup, mustard, and spices

Other 

• Nuts: and seeds

• Shelf-stable: milk

• Baking staples: such as flour, sugar, and corn starch

• Personal care items: and cleaning supplies

  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.

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.

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.

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.

Prayer is a fundamental part of the Christian faith and is a strength of Calvary. Calvary’s prayer team invites you to join us in the chapel between services for a focused time of prayer for:

• Our church

• Our staff

• Specific prayer requests that have been submitted to Calvary

• Any other needs.

You may come for the full 30 minutes or join us for just a few minutes.  You can come every week or just when you are moved to do so.  Also, if you feel called to join the Prayer Team on a regular basis, please contact Nancy Behrens nbehrens7@gmail.com, as we would like to grow this ministry.

Calvary’s Prayer Team

In his sermon "Living Beyond: Beyond Me," Pastor Vince spoke of the importance of knowing our Spiritual Gifts so we can be the person God created us to be. God desires us to live as a part of something bigger than us and beyond ourselves, equipping us for ministry and service to the church and the world. 
If you haven't completed one before (or it's been a while), a Spiritual Gifts Inventory is a great place to start.

A single place to explore and connect with serving and volunteering at Calvary. Check out the opportunities and connect with Amanda Nesby if you need some advice about where to serve.