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 its free English tutoring program for adults who are learning to speak, or desire to improve their ability to write or speak, English. We work with people of all educational levels and backgrounds. Calvary trains volunteers from the church and surrounding community who meet in small group or individual settings to teach English to individuals from around the world and all walks of faith. Tutors assist with obtaining citizenship, driver's licenses, apartments, and jobs, changing forever the lives of those we serve.

If you are interested in this program, here are two ways you can participate:

1.  Become a tutor: Calvary trains tutors and provides them with resources to teach. No teaching experience is needed to become a tutor and training takes less than eight hours. Tutors then 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 in a way that fits your current schedule.

2. Assist a person who wants to learn English in contacting us: If you or someone you know wants to learn or improve their English, please contact Rita Pickett at 786-1858 or vrlenprita@aol.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:

Street Soldiers

Street soldiers is a grass-root community aide organization that helps those experiencing homelessness and those in need with essentials, meals and sandwiches.  Calvary collects various needed items throughout the year depending on the weather (hats, gloves, winter coats, boots) and need of the organization (hygiene products, survival gear, clothes, etc.).  Donations can be placed in the Street Soldiers collection box in the church entry way or dropped off at the donations intake shed located at the JCC of Schenectady (2565 Balltown Road) 7 days a week.  Donations can also transported to the parking lot of the Zion Lutheran Church located at 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady between 3pm and 4 pm on Sundays. Volunteers are always welcome. 

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.