May 13, 2026

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

In Worship This Week...

Over the past month, our series has traced the shape of Methodist faith through song: grace that awakens, assurance that steadies, discipleship that acts, and hope that takes responsibility. This week, we pause in a quieter place. We turn toward promise.

With Natalie Sleeth and Ecclesiastes 3:1–11, we are invited into a theology that is especially needed in uncertain times: the trust that God is still at work, even when life feels unfinished.

One of the gifts of Methodist hymnody is that it does not only teach us how to sing in victory. It also teaches us how to sing in waiting, in change, in grief, and in becoming. The Christian life is not lived in a straight line. It unfolds in seasons. There are times of planting and uprooting, silence and speaking, mourning and dancing. Ecclesiastes tells the truth about that.

And yet our faith does not stop with honesty. It also teaches trust. The promise at the heart of Christian theology is that God is present not only in what is complete and visible, but also in what is still hidden, still fragile, still growing beneath the surface. That is where this week’s hymn helps us. It gives the church language for hope that is gentle, patient, and rooted in God’s faithfulness rather than our own timetable.

Methodists have always believed that grace is active, often in ways we do not immediately see. God is at work in the soul, in the church, and in the world—forming, refining, and bringing life from places that seem dormant.

This Sunday, we will make space for the mystery of growth and the holiness of waiting.
Come join us as we consider a difficult but beautiful truth:
Not everything unfinished is failing. Some things are still becoming.

Running the Race Together

18 Days Till Race Day

As “Race Day’ comes closer, we ask you to focus on the level of commitment that is right for you, and your family. During this coming week, take time each day to give thanks for each member of your immediate family and how much richer your life is because they are in it, and then try to spend 5 minutes in quiet meditation to search within yourself to determine what your contribution to the capital campaign should be.

Click Here: Running the Race Together Invitation

RSVP slips can be left in the box found in the Gathering Space and must be submitted by May 17th.

Please Note: An RSVP is required whether you are running/walking the race, attending the luncheon (and cheering the racers), or both.

Listening, Learning, and Looking Ahead Together

Over the past few weeks, we have been working to gather people into small groups as part of our capital campaign—spaces where we could share information, reflect together, and begin imagining what God might be calling Calvary into next.

And we want to begin by saying this clearly and honestly:

The way we first approached these invitations did not land the way we intended.

Our hope was that personal invitations would feel meaningful and intentional—that they would communicate how much we value each person’s presence and voice. But for some, it came across differently. It felt like pressure. It felt like a financial ask before there had been space for conversation.

We hear that, and we are grateful for the honesty that helped us recognize it.

So, we are shifting our approach, because these gatherings are too important for us to miss out on. They are not sales pitches. They are not pressure moments. And they are not primarily about asking for money.

This is the listening and dreaming phase.

Yes, we will share some information about the campaign and where we are. But what matters most is what comes next: We want to hear from you. We want to create space for conversation around a simple but important question: If we were to step into greater financial freedom as a church… what could become possible?

One of the central goals of this campaign is to pay off the smaller of our two mortgages. Doing so would free up approximately $20,000–$30,000 annually in our operating budget. That’s not just a number. That’s ministry. That’s possibility. That’s the ability to invest more deeply in the life of this church and the community beyond it.

So, the question becomes: What would you hope we could do with that kind of freedom? What do you dream our church could become?

These gatherings are how we begin to answer those questions together.

What we hear in each session will not stay in the room. It will be gathered, shared, and brought back to our leadership and strategy teams as we begin shaping the next chapter of Calvary’s life. We may not be able to do everything we imagine. But together, we can begin to name a direction. A vision. A future that reflects who we believe God is calling us to be. And that future should not be decided by a few voices.

It should be shaped by all of us.

Because we are, as Scripture reminds us, running this race together.

Thus, to make this process more open and accessible, we are moving to a sign-up model for upcoming gatherings. Each session will include space for up to 12 participants, and you are invited to choose a time that works best for you.

You can sign up:

On the sheets available in the Gathering Space on Sunday
Or by emailing Jane Glassman at mathteach12@gmail.com with your preferred session

Upcoming Small Group Opportunities

Zoom Session | Thursday, May 14th | 6:00–7:00pm | Church Room 202

ZOOM LINK

We want to say again this is not a sales pitch. It is not a moment to make a financial commitment. Our hope is that you have already begun discerning your response to that part of the campaign.

This moment is different.

This is your opportunity to help shape what comes next. To listen. To share. To imagine. To be part of naming the future we believe God is calling us toward.

Please keep in your prayers:

Calvary’s mission and ministry and for the mission and ministry of the church in the world; for those who need the presence of God in their lives; for those serving in armed forces; and for those serving in ministry around the world and here.

And for: Duane, Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Michael & Chelsea, Laura & Marc, Patrick G., Katherine D., Kristen R./Tim C. and Margo, Tom and Family, Cheryl, Laura, Paula.

And those members of Calvary who are no longer able to be active among us as they once were: Joan, Bernie, Bob, Pepper, Shirley, Marj, June, Helen.

Virtual Prayer Request

If you have a prayer request that you would like lifted during Sunday services you can now submit them online at our website or by clicking the link below. We have also created this QR code, which can be found in the Sanctuary and round the building. It can be scanned at any time to send a request.

Calvary Online Prayer Requests

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Join a House Church

Calvary’s House Church ministry continues to grow and remain a vital component of our worship life together. With five active house churches, thirty participants we are seeing tremendous response. One participant has said “Joining house church was the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.”... See More

Click here to see the Top of the Week email

For more information, please visit our Family Ministry page.

Skye Farm Day at Camp Event

Friday, June 19th at 9:30am to 5pm

Join us for our annual Skye Farm Day at Camp Event on Friday, June 19th from 9:30am - 5pm! This day includes a service project followed by lunch and an afternoon of recreation! This is a great opportunity to give back while becoming acquainted with the summer camps brought to us by the Upper New York Conference. Please note: This event IS on a Friday this year. This is Juneteenth, a federal holiday so recognize that many people and children will have this day off. Consider using this time to honor the day through service and fellowship!

Please sign up in the Gathering Space or click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48AEAE2CA6FEC43-63771902-skye

Vacation Bible School

Join us July 13th through 17th from 5:30pm to 8pm for Cokesbury's Snowball Mountain Challenge!! Join us for a week of Bible stories, fellowship and ski-themed fun! Our VBS is a FREE event and open to ALL! Dinner is included each night! Please email Kristen with any questions at kristenrains.calvaryumc@gmail.com.

Sign up begins May 1st! You can sign up here: vbspro.events/p/c19404. Interested in volunteering? Visit the link to explore volunteer roles and sign up!

Memorial Scholarship Program

2026 College Scholarship Applications

Calvary United Methodist Church is pleased to offer financial assistance in the form of a one-time only scholarship for students who are members of Calvary and who will be attending college in the fall of 2026. Awards will be determined based upon several factors including church and community service, leadership and academic achievement.

This scholarship program, established initially through the George Baker Memorial, is maintained by the Trustee and has been an active program for many years. Contributions to this program are always appreciated.

Click here for an Application or one can be obtained at the church office during the month of May and must be submitted to the office by the deadline of May 29, 2026.

Howe Music Endowment

The Howe Music Endowment is in place for the benefit of members of Calvary United Methodist Church for music education. The endowment is managed by the Trustees and offers an annual gift for the pursuance of vocal and (or) instrumental instruction. It is the intent of the endowment to encourage candidates (7th grade to adults) who are members of a musical performance group at Calvary, to enhance their musical skills.

Click here for an Application or one can be obtained at the church office during the month of May and should be submitted by the deadline of May 29, 2026.

Send Your Kids To Camp

Summer is just around the corner and Skye Farm is counting down the days to when the first group of campers arrives! Are your campers registered for camp yet? Calvary offers scholarships to help support getting youth to camp. Click the link below for the scholarship application.

Summer Camp Scholarship Application

Application are due by June 15th

PASSIONATE SERVICE

Learning Opportunity

Sunday, June 7th at 11:30am

When Calvary joined the Reconciling Ministries Network 3 years ago we made an ongoing commitment to learning and growing. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7 for a learning experience focused on transgender persons. April Snow from Center Brunswick UMC will join us for a conversation about how we, as a congregation, can deepen our care for and support of these beloved siblings in Christ. She brings both lived experience and thoughtful leadership which could help deepen our collective understanding and appreciation for the trans community. Grab your coffee and join us following service for this conversation. You may get answers you are not yet aware you were looking for!

Calvary Missional Partnerships

Calvary has long standing relationships with a number of mission organizations that impact people from the local area. For more information on the following organizations, please click here.

Rags to Riches
St. Ambrose Food Pantry
Sidewalk Warriors Troy

Find More Volunteer Opportunities

JOYFUL GIVING

Miracle Sunday

This Sunday, join the Upper New York Conference in supporting Miracle Sunday, an initiative of the Council of Bishops that strengthens theological education outside the U.S. Through this effort, 500 permanently endowed scholarships will be funded each year in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines to help equip future clergy leaders around the world.

To Donate or get more information, please click on this link: Miracle Sunday

Support Calvary

If you would like to Support the ministry of Calvary, you may do so using the link below or QR code. Thank you for your generosity.

https://giving.servantkeeper.com/CalvaryLathamUMC

For more ways to support Calvary, please click here.

OPEN TO ALL

Part-Time Church Sexton

With the retirement of Bill Artini coming at the end of August, a job opportunity has arisen at Calvary for a part time church sexton. This is an 18 hour a week position. The specific schedule will be determined in collaboration with Pastor Drew and Mike Danis, the chair of Trustees. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, a complete job posting is available on our website:

Calvaryumclatham.org

Safe Sanctuaries Training – Sign Up Today!

We will be offering an in-person Safe Sanctuaries Basic Course on June 14th following worship, from 11:30am–2:30pm in Room 202.

This 3-hour training is for all who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. It is an essential part of our ongoing commitment to creating safe, welcoming environments for everyone in our care.

Please sign up using the form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdndXGz6MSv3l0wfm8o13SLZaxCmU6y1IZbf23XaGF3X-2ObA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Preschool Update

This week we praticed manners and serving others at our Mother's Day tea. The kids loved getting their mom a snack and gift.

Please contact Michelle at LathamCalvaryPreK@gmail.com if you or anyone you know is still looking for a preschool.

Tellers Schedule

The Tellers for this Sunday, May 17th, 2026

Neil Francese and Elliot Friedman

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.

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