There will be a meeting at 10:05 a.m. on Sunday, November 15 in room 113/115 for students and parents who are interested in Confirmation. In the United Methodist tradition, Confirmation is an opportunity for young people to learn more about Jesus, the Christian faith, and the United Methodist tradition, and then have the opportunity to join the local church as they are either baptized or claim the promises made for them at their baptism. Calvary UMC traditionally invites students in the eighth grade, and those who are older than eighth grade and have not already experienced Confirmation, to participate. We are planning to offer a Confirmations class lasting through the first several months of 2027, and the November 15 meeting will be at opportunity to learn more about the process. We welcome all students and parents who are interested to join this meeting, and those unable to attend can contact Wyatt Lenhart from more information at wyatt.lenhart@connectwithcalvary.org.

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, November 22 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.

Mark your calendars! Heart & Soul's annual Pause Before Christmas will be held in the atrium on December 3 at 6 p.m. Join women of the church for a catered meal, holiday concert and fellowship. This event will include a $12 registration fee to help offset the cost of the meal. If this will be a hardship for you, please reach out to Sandy Whiteley. You can register for the event here. 

The Seekers Adult Sunday School class will begin a new study this Sunday, November 1, entitled “Christianity at a Crossroads.” Over a period of eight weeks, we will view and discuss this new PBS documentary series. A description from the PBS web site: “The significant decline in American Christianity and its impact on the national landscape is explored through the journeys of those navigating this change. From church closures and the rise of ‘The Nones’ to the growing impact of immigrant congregations and digital pioneers, the series explores the roots of this foundational shift, and what it implies for the nation’s future.” Among numerous interviewees are our own Bishop David Bard and well-known United Methodist pastor, Rev. Adam Hamilton.
The class meets in the parlor each Sunday at 10:30 or on Zoom. All are welcome to join us.

Attention families of kids in grades 1st through 5th! Starting October 25 during our 10:30 worship hour, we will add a KidVenture Elementary program for 1st through 5th graders. Kids who will attend should sign-in at the KidVenture check-in desk, then go into Worship with their families. Following the Worship Music and Prayers of the People, the kids will be invited to join their leaders as they walk together to their classroom downstairs in L2/L4. We will also still have Elementary programming during the 9 a.m. hour. Questions? Contact Lori Short at Lori.short@connectwithcalvary.org

For the past several years, Calvary Outreach Ministry has participated in Operation Christmas Child project (OCC). OCC is one project, under the Samaritan Purse organization, that collects shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. This year’s theme is “It’s all about Jesus!” Matthew 19:14, “Jesus said, Let the little children come to me.”
Shoe boxes for packing, along with detailed packing information, will be available in the atrium on Sunday, November 1, 8, 17 and 22. To build a box online, click here.
For additional information, contact Lurinda Venezia at lurjv48@gmail.com.

Calvary’s Fall Festival was a big hit! We enjoyed blowing bubbles, painting pumpkins, eating s’mores, taking a hayrack ride and going ga-ga for Gaga Ball! Here are just a few of some of our favorite moments from the event. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers who made this event even better!

Men’s Faith and Fellowship will begin a new season of study, fellowship, and support of each other on Wednesday, October 21 2026. We will study “Jesus Is Lord—Living in the Lordship of Christ.” This is the latest study by Tom Berlin. This is for all men who want their life to conform to the way of life Jesus lived.

We meet at 7:00 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 study together. Growth happens in community.

If you would like to participate, please contact Gil Dorsey at dorsey.gil@gmail.com, or (309)830-8316 or Jim Brown at jim.brown2801@comcast.net or (309) 825-1216 for us to make certain we can provide the study materials needed.

Please consider volunteering to help at Faith in Action. There are many folk in our area that need help getting to doctor's appointments, groceries, friendly visitors or callers, etc. Some people need help on Saturdays also.
Upcoming Events:
- Medicare 101 & 2027 Updates presentation will be shared at ARC on October 13 at 10:00 a.m. Call FIA to sign up.
- Leaf raking signup is being scheduled for November 14 & 21. 
- October is Mental Health Awareness month.
- Christmas Card Signing will be held on November 13th at Grace Church.
- Volunteer orientations are the first Tuesday of the month at 2:30pm at the ARC Community Room. Sign up 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!

Calvary will host a GriefShare Surviving the Holidays seminar on Tuesday, November 24 from 6-8 p.m. where those who are grieving the loss of a loved one will learn practical, actionable strategies for making it through the holiday season. You’ll hear insights from respected Christian counselors, pastors, and psychologists. Participants receive a Holiday Survival Guide with practical strategies, encouraging words, helpful exercises, Q/As, and journaling ideas for daily survival through the holiday season. You will meet with other grieving people who have an understanding of what you’re going through. They won’t judge you or force you to share, but will accept you where you are and will offer comfort and support.
Your holiday season won’t be easy; your emotions may ambush you and suck you under at times. But you can choose to walk through this season in a way that honors your loved one and puts you on the path of health and healing.
To register or find out more about GriefShare Surviving the Holidays, call Sharyl Jennings at 309-825-7197 or email singitsharyl@hotmail.com.

We'd love to have you join us as we create mats from plastic bags. The mats are donated to local agencies that serve the homeless. We meet in lower level room 8 on the first and third Tuesdays from 10-noon, and the second and fourth Sundays from 2-4 p.m. Anyone interested in joining is welcome; no experience necessary!

Medical supplies collected are then distributed to other countries for those in need.  Please contact Susan Sopek if you have any of the following to donate:

• Walkers

• Crutches

• Canes

• Misc Orthopedic Supplies (walking boots, slings, braces)

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.

Calvary serves meals for those who are food insecure in our community on the first and third Fridays of the month. In the near future, you can sign up to serve on Oct 2, 16, and Nov 6. Please contact Tammy Carlson if interested. 309-533-6663, Tk.carlson@yahoo.com. 

Volunteer to help aging adults get to medical appointments, shop for groceries, and stay engaged. Get behind the wheel for care receivers! You hold the keys to a kinder community. Begin with Faith in Action Volunteer Training.
Volunteer orientations are the first Tuesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in the ARC Community Room. https://bnfia.org/i-want-to-volunteer/. FIA is seeking volunteers drivers to transport seniors to needed medical appointments.

- Care Receiver Wait list - there is a wait list for care receivers (except cancer and dialysis patients). The wait list is about 6-8 weeks long.
- Medical Long Distance rides must be approved by FIA Staff. This includes trips to Peoria, Champaign, Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield.
- Leaf raking signup is being scheduled for November 14 & 21.
- Christmas Card Signing will be held on November 13 at Grace Church.
- Bus Trips have been scheduled for Savannah, Jekyll Island & Beaufort, SC - April 11-17, 2027, and Nashville, TN September 20-24, 2027

The Backpack Ministry next meets on November 11 at 10:45 in the lower level of the preschool wing.  We will unload the truck, unbox the food and pack the bags to be delivered to Parkside Elementary School. All ages and abilities are welcome to come and help.

The Backpack Ministry receives food from Midwest Food Bank and packs it into bags to be taken to Parkside Elementary School. The bags are given out to students that have food insecurities so they have food over the weekends. We need people to join us on Wednesday morning to unload the food from Midwest Food Bank, unbox it and pack it into bags to be taken to Parkside Elementary School. The process takes about an hour and all abilities and ages are welcome.

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.

Come join us as we build the Faith House for the 2026-2027 Habitat for Humanity Season.

Build dates: Third Saturday of the month
Location: 16 Trailside Court, Bloomington 
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
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. Contact Jon Eric Fujimoto if you are interested in participating this way. 

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!

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!