Midwest Food Bank in Normal needs volunteers!  As food insecurity grows in our communities, Midwest Food Bank has increased its 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 Midwest Food Bank in Normal, IL, please join us at our Volunteer Fair on May 12 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. RSVP for this event is appreciated but not required. The event features behind-the-scenes warehouse tours, food trucks, and interactive stations where you can explore the many volunteer opportunities. 
Volunteers can also visit Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal - Midwest Food Bank and look for Volunteer opportunities.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Coordinators: 
LeAnn Fujimoto                                                                     
Lfujimoto@midwestfoodbank.org
Donna Haas
dhaas@midwestfoodbank.org 

High schoolers, you're invited to high school small group time on Sundays from April 19 through May 17 at 10:20 a.m. in Room G5 by the gym. (Walk all the way through the gym and enter through the last door on the left.) We will have a casual time of discussion, partly focusing on the scripture and sermon topic of the day. Come enjoy some time with other high schoolers.

Have you been attending Calvary for some time and feel ready to take a next step in your faith or your connection here? Have you recently joined Calvary and find that you would like to explore ways to go deeper in that connection? Pastor Vince Rohn will be leading a New Members Class on Sunday, May 3 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with a light meal provided. Pastor Vince will share about the Christian faith, United Methodism, life at Calvary UMC, and what the expectations are of church members as compared to attenders and others. Feel free to contact Pastor Vince for more information at vince.rohn@connectwithcalvary.org or sign up.

Greetings, all. We have once again heard that emails are circulating from people alleging to be 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 (@connectwithcalvary.org), it should be treated with great suspicion, if not completely disregarded. Please be safe and vigilant to protect yourself from scammers.

Give someone you love a hug. Calvary’s Prayer Shawl Ministry will be in the Atrium between services on May 3 to give away shawls. All our shawls are handmade from allergy-free yarns. If you know of someone in need of a little warmth or comfort, stop by and check out our collection. All shawls are free to anyone who wants them. 
For more information, contact Linda Ferrence at LMFerrence@gmail.com.

As we enter spring, let's bring some joy and color to our neighbors at Evergreen Senior Living (1701 Evergreen Blvd, Normal). During our time together, we will visit, enjoy snacks and create some beautiful plants for them to enjoy in their apartments.
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. We'll see you at the Evergreen Dining room on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. 
If you have questions or want to confirm your participation, please reach out to Erin Scott.

We saved a seat for you. Join others who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This 13 week study starts on April 7, meetings happen every Tuesday 6-8 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church (1700 N Towanda Ave., Normal) in room 111. Contact Sharyl Jennings for more information.

A support group to help you move through the grief process

A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way.

Men’s Faith and Fellowship will begin our new season of study, fellowship, and support of each other on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. We will study “Courage—Jesus and the Call to Brave Faith.” Courage is necessary for Christians to fulfill the mandates of their faith and live in ways consistent to the high calling of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all on a journey of learning. Written by Tom Berlin, this is a six week study that will guide us to take our next step in discipleship.
We meet at 6:30 a.m. 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 or any man that would like to seek to follow Christ more fully by engaging in this study together. We benefit by gaining a deeper understanding of God’s word and what he wants us to do with our lives.
If you would like to participate, please contact Gil Dorsey or Jim Brown for us to make certain we can provide the study materials needed.

Join the fun at Kingdom Quest: An Epic Journey to God's Kingdom. Together we'll unlock who Jesus is, what he's done and who we are because of him. Come, follow the light and be transformed! Register now for Calvary's VBS taking place July 20-23 from 6-8 p.m. each evening. Children who are age 4 by Sept 1, 2026 through students exiting 5th grade are invited to participate as students. Anyone who has completed 6th grade and older are invited to volunteer.
Please register by June 18 to be guaranteed a t-shirt. Check out the VBS webpage or contact Lori Short with any questions.

Attention all High Schoolers, 8th graders and Adults interested in leading! You are invited to be part of Calvary’s Workcamp trip this year in Nashville, Tennessee from July 5–July 11, 2026.

An informational meeting to learn more will be held on Sunday, March 29 between services (approx 10:05-10:25am) in Room 113/115.

Calvary will join Group Mission Trips “Week of Hope” and experience community service opportunities such as light home repairs or yard-work, serving meals, helping to lead a day camp for kids, working with kids or adults with disabilities, or possibly sharing stories with a person in an assisted-living facility. In the evenings, we’ll have fun with games, movie night, devotions, worship and much more! Housing will be provided in a Nashville church. Workcampers get to share hope in the name of Jesus, grow themselves spiritually and develop lasting friendships with others. Join the team and get ready to serve and have a ton of fun!
The total cost for each workcamper is $400. We want anyone who is interested to be able to attend, so please don’t let cost stop you from being part of Workcamp. If cost is an issue at all, please fill out this form so Calvary can help.
For more information about this mission trip, please email Vince Rohn.
Go here for more information on Group Mission Trips.

Registration & Payment:
To register, please fill out this Registration Form by Monday, Apr 27, 2026
After completing the Registration Form, the confirmation email you receive will include a link to a form for Group Mission Trips. Please complete that as soon as possible.
If you have already registered and want to make another payment go to this form.

Great job, Calvary UMC family!
34 pairs of helping hands times 1.5 hours equals 8,900 meals for those who are hungry!
Thank you to Illini Fighting Hunger for facilitating the packing event and to Midwest Food Bank- Bloomington/ Normal for sending the meals to areas in need!

We still have open spots available. Please consider requesting a day to serve.
May 1, June 5, July 17, Aug 1 & 14, Oct 2 & 16, Nov 6
Contact Tammy Carlson to see if the date you want is still open at 309-533-6663 or Tk.carlson@yahoo.com.

Everyone - we need volunteers! If you are interested in helping our community reach out to our liaison Jan Kibler.
Volunteer orientations are the first Tuesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. at the ARC Community Room. Sign up to volunteer here. 
 FIA is seeking volunteers drivers to transport seniors to needed medical appointments. Get behind your community by getting behind the wheel for Faith in Action! We currently have a wait list for care receivers (except cancer and dialysis patients).

Updates & Events:
20 Over 60 Honoree Awards Reception will be April 15 at Rob Dob’s Restaurant. Tickets are available on the FIA website.
$717 was donated through Fannie May during the Shop to Donate to FIA.
The Spring Bus Trip to Mackinaw Island scheduled for May 18-22, 2026 is currently full.
The Fall Bus Trip to Boston, Salem & the North Shore scheduled for September 22-30, 2026 is currently full.
A Volunteer Blessing and Dinner will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on April 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Please R.S.V.P. to Jan Kibler by April 17.
The fundraising Take Action luncheon is scheduled for August 27.

Our next day to meet for the Backpack Ministry is May 13 at 10:45 a.m. on the lower level of the Preschool wing.  We will assemble food bags for the students of Parkside Elementary School to provide food for the weekends. We are in need of volunteers to help once a month to unload the truck, organize the food and pack the bags. All ages and abilities are welcome to come and help. Please contact Brenda Leopard, leopardhouse5@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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.

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!
Build Dates: Third Saturday of each month
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!

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.

Calvary serves meals at Safe Harbor ever first and third Friday of the month. If you are interested in serving, please contact Tammy Carlson. If you are new or have questions, please feel free to reach out! 

The word must be getting out about our little food pantry - it has been utilized much more in the past few months! Thank you, Calvary Family, for keeping it stocked so well!
Due to current inventory, we'd like to focus on stocking breakfast items for the next few weeks:

• cereal (all kinds, all sizes)

• pancake mix & syrup

• granola bars

• anything else that you might eat in the morning

• soups and single meals are still flying off the shelves, as well

Calvary’s food pantry is a great lifeline for those in our community who need food assistance. If you are hoping to receive items from the pantry, it is located in our entryway and available at any time of the day, any week, to anyone.

Your contributions are welcome at any time. Here is a list of suggested items to bring in any time:

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.