Missions and Outreach
Throughout each year, Calvary participates in many mission projects that impact people from the local area to the international level, and we welcome your participation on any or all of our missional outreaches. Please check this page for updates on our missions and projects.
Free English Tutoring for Adults
An important mission at Calvary is our free English as a New Language (ENL) tutoring program for adults who are learning to speak English, or wish to improve their ability to write or converse in English. Volunteer tutors from the church and surrounding community work with people from many countries and faiths, of all educational levels and backgrounds. Tutors can meet with individuals or small groups, and can tailor lessons to individuals’ goals, helping them develop the language skills needed to obtain citizenship, get a driver's license, seek housing, and apply for employment.
There are two ways that you can participate in this program:
Become a tutor: Calvary provides basic training and resources to help you teach ENL for adults. No teaching experience is needed. Tutors met with students at a mutually convenient time in a public place, often at our church, one to two hours per week. This is a way to show God's love to those in need – and literally change forever the lives of those we serve.
Become or refer a student: If you or someone you know wants to learn or improve their English, or if you would be willing to help a person new to English in scheduling or finding transportation to sessions, please contact Calvary’s main office (518) 785-5142 and they will connect you with a tutor or email enl.calvaryumc@gmail.com.
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
Volunteers in Mission is a grassroots, volunteer-driven, missionary movement which uses building skills to assist communities where help is needed and invited. Teams are often assembled from members of many congregations, and are supported by a local host group where the help is being given. With the assistance of experienced team members, volunteers grow spiritually and learn new skills while helping others. Calvary teams have participated in week-long trips to Mississippi, Iowa, Cuba, and many day trips to local areas in need.
Knitting Ministry
The Knitting Ministry at Calvary, through the love of God, reaches out to those in need of hope and healing with gifts of prayer shawls and lap blankets. All knitters and crocheters are welcome, including those who have been knitting for years and those who are new to the craft.
Calvary's Missional Partnership's
Capital City Rescue Mission
Calvary has a long standing relationship with the Capital City Rescue mission. Our two ongoing ways of support is through a quarterly "cook and serve" meal program, the other is through our the "rags to riches" collection in our church vestibule.
Cook and Serve Program
Each quarter a group of volunteers cooks a hot meal for the residents at the Rescue Mission. This meal is then brought to the mission and served to their residents by another set of volunteers. Everyone is welcome to volunteer to cook, serve, or to donate needed items as requested. Information about these events are published in our midweek messages, or if you'd like to learn more you can reach out to our church office.
Rags to Riches Program
Calvary collects un-useable tattered, torn, or stained clothing and linens, to donate to the rescue missions rags to riches program. When you come to church, bring your bag or unused, worn out fabrics and place it in our collection box located in the vestibule entrance. Serviceable items are given to clients and third world missions and unserviceable items are bailed and sold to provide funds for Rescue Mission programs. The Rescue Mission gets $.17 a pound for textile materials they bundle up for recycling. This is a great way to be both eco conscious and generous.
ABSOLUTELY NO NON-TEXTILE ITEMS PERMITTED.
St. Ambrose Food Pantry
St. Ambrose Food Pantry provides food to families and individuals in need throughout the Colonie area. You can drop of non-perishable food items anytime in our vestibule collection center shelves or bring them with you to our Sunday morning worship services, and they will be brought forward to altar during the children’s time and taken to the pantry after the service.
Needed Items:
Instant Potatoes/Rice
Canned Vegetables/Fruit
Peanut Butter
Macaroni & Cheese
Cereal
Tuna Fish
Spam
Pasta
Canned Spaghetti Sauce (No Glass Jars)
Snacks for Children's Lunches
Other Ongoing Missions Collections
Lions Institute – Eye Glasses
Calvary continues to collect prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses that no longer fit your prescription for the Lions Institute. Donation box outside the church office. Please Note: They only accept glasses, not eyeglass cases.
Equinox - Cell Phones/Chargers
Victims of domestic Violence throughout Albany County can benefit from used cell phones and chargers to help ensure their safety and ability to communicate. Donation box is outside the church office.
Need Help?
Of you or your family is in need of help, the church has a pastor's discretionary fund to assist people in need. If you need assistance, please contact our church office.