Women of Calvary & guests, we invite you to join the Heart & Soul group for our May 1 event! We'll be hosting Julie Holliday from Beautiful Life relocation services speak about de-cluttering, organizing, and freeing yourselves from unneeded "stuff." She'll also speak about how this ties in to the story of Mary & Martha.
Light refreshments will be provided. We'll be meeting in the Atrium Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. Feel free to invite a friend, whether they attend Calvary or not. We hope you'll join us for this educational event with great fellowship! Please register by April 28.  A link to register will be provided soon.

Midwest Mission is a Methodist affiliated ministry that helps provide clothing, food, school supplies (including desks), sewing machines, fire fighting equipment, and many more items to folks who need them around the world! Come join us on Friday, May 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the warehouse in Pawnee, Illinois. We can work on carpool arrangements and will need to leave town by 7 a.m. in order to get there on time, typically eat lunch at a local diner, and are home before 5:30 p.m. (even with traffic). The work could entail assembling school kits or toiletry bags, weaving on a loom (like the ones we have at Calvary), working in the bike shop, woodworking (with assistance if needed), and even sewing machine repair! Sedentary jobs are available and will be requested. The supply fee is covered by the Calvary Outreach Committee.
If interested, you can sign up directly on their site.

Men’s Faith and Fellowship will begin a new 6-week study on April 23, 2025, entitled “The Third Day” by Tom Berlin.  This study is about how the resurrection of Jesus Christ profoundly changed the lives of those who followed him and how it can transform ours as well.

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 that would like to seek to follow Christ more fully by engaging in this study together.

If you would like to participate, please contact Gil Dorsey at dorsey.gil@gmail.com or Jim Brown at jim.brown@nm.com for us to make certain we have enough study books available.

Midwest Food Bank in Normal needs volunteers!  As food insecurity grows in our communities, Midwest Food Bank has increased their efforts to support the agencies who serve those in need.  God has been so generous with his blessings of donations to the food bank, and with the increase in these blessings comes a need for an increase in our volunteer team.  To learn more about volunteering at Normal’s Midwest Food Bank, please join us at our Volunteer Fair on April 22 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 2031 Warehouse Road in Normal.

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.  

The band will primarily be geared toward youth, but all ages are welcome! We will practice in the choir room/G108 from 10:00-10:30 a.m. each Sunday from March 30 until we perform in May. If anyone is unable to make rehearsals but would like to take part, we can give you music to practice at home. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Gully. 

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. 

During the season of Lent this year, Calvary UMC will be joining in an All Church Study of the book "The Walk" by author and pastor Adam Hamilton. This book, and its connecting study, asks us to consider some of the spiritual practices that we can include in our lives to help us draw closer to God.
Our Sunday morning worship services will be focusing on "The Walk" from March 9-April 13. Small Group and Sunday School classes are offering a group study connected to this worship series. Alternatively, you can find or create a group to connect with during the season of Lent. Reach out to staff if you need assistance connecting with a group.
Starting February 23, copies of the book will be available for sale in the atrium on Sunday mornings for $12. Everyone is encouraged to pick up a copy and read a chapter a week through Lent.

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.

Calvary United Methodist Church's Youth Group will now be meeting on Tuesday nights. Fifth through 8th grade Youth Group will happens from 6-7 p.m. Youth from Middle School and Hight School are invited for "hang-out time" until 7:30, and High School programming occurs from 7:45 to about 8:45 p.m. Come to the Gym entrance for all youth programming. If your youth has another commitment and needs to arrive late, that's absolutely fine. If your youth hasn't been attending, this is a great time to encourage them to come! 

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.

Join us for season 4 of The Chosen Bible Study. Purchase your book on Amazon. We will be meeting in room 111 starting March 19 and meeting from 10 a.m. to noon for 8 weeks. Contact Sharyl Jennings for any questions.

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.

The Backpack Ministry provides food for students in the free and reduced lunch program at Parkside Elementary School. We pack bags of food for the students to take home on Fridays so that they have food over the weekend. The bulk of the food that we pack comes from Midwest Food Bank. We are looking for volunteers to help us on one Wednesday morning a month for an hour or two to help with the packing of the bags. No experience is required and we welcome all ages. We meet one Wednesday each month in the school year at 10:45 a.m. in the lower level classrooms. Contact Brenda Leopard for any inquiries.

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.