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

Sabbath as Resistance: A Three-Week Book Study

What if Sabbath is about more than simply taking a day off? What if it is a way of resisting a culture that constantly tells us to do more, produce more, buy more, and keep moving?

As part of our year of Sabbath renewal, you are invited to join us for a three-week study of Walter Brueggemann’s Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now. Together, we will explore the biblical roots of Sabbath and Brueggemann’s invitation to discover a different rhythm for our lives—one shaped by rest, trust, justice, and our relationship with God and one another.

This is a short study, so it is a wonderful opportunity to join a group without making a long-term commitment. We will gather on Wednesdays, October 7, 21, and 28, from 6:00–7:30 PM, with the option to participate in person at Calvary or by Zoom.

Come read, reflect, ask questions, and consider what it might mean to say “no” to the relentless demands of our culture so that we can make room for a deeper “yes” to God.

Three Wednesdays. One powerful little book. A different rhythm for life.

Coming Soon-The Way Groups!

Over the past several years, House Churches have become an important part of life at Calvary. They have created space for friendship, prayer, Scripture, honest conversation, and care for one another. As we look toward the next season of our small group ministry, we are excited to build upon that foundation with a renewed vision and a new name: Way Groups.

The name comes from the earliest followers of Jesus, whose growing community was known simply as the Way. They were learning together what it meant to follow Jesus not only through what they believed, but through the way they lived.

That is our hope for Way Groups.

Way Groups will continue much of what people have valued about House Church: gathering weekly in small communities, engaging the Scripture for the coming Sunday, hearing a weekly message from one of our pastors, praying together, and building meaningful relationships.

We are also adding a renewed emphasis on spiritual formation and covenant community. Together, participants will explore simple spiritual practices, grow more intentionally in their life with God, and make shared commitments about how they will learn, care, practice, and grow together. This reflects one of Calvary’s core values: Spiritual Growth. We believe discipleship happens best when we have companions walking alongside us.

Coming soon, we are excited to begin this renewed vision for Calvary’s small group ministry. For now, we invite you to pray about your participation and stop by the Way Groups table at the Ministry Fair to express your interest, ask questions, and pick up a brochure.

Faith. Friends. Following Jesus.

 For more information, please visit our Family Ministry page.

New Tween Group Starting September 13!

We’re excited to announce a new Tween Group for students in grades 5–8, during worship at our regular Sunday School time.

Jane Glassman, John Drake, Cliff Hyde, and Hope O’Brien are excited to lead this new group and create a warm, welcoming place where our middle schoolers can make friends, ask questions, explore their faith, and have fun together—including the chance to put their toughest questions in the “Stump the Pastor!” box.

The kids will have a room of their own to help decorate and turn into a space that feels like theirs.

We’re excited to offer our middle schoolers a place where they can belong, be themselves, and grow in faith together. We hope our whole congregation will encourage the kids in their lives to come, bring a friend, and be part of this new group.

We’ve got the room, the ideas, and the enthusiasm—now we just need the kids!

UMCOR - Flood Relief

As mentioned, this past Sunday, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is the outreach disaster relief arm of the United Methodist Church.  When there is a disaster UMCOR is most often the first on site and the last to leave.  They have been active in helping those affected by the recent floods.

One way we can help with UMCOR’s response to the recent floods is to contribute directly to them.  The Advance Number for flood relief is #982450.  If you wish to help, you can go to the UMCOR Website or write a check to Calvary with “Flood” in the memo line.

Calvary Night @ Sidewalk Warriors!

Thursday, September 17th

Our next churchwide night to volunteer at Sidewalk Warriors will be on Thursday, September 17th! We will volunteer to help with distribution - please plan to arrive at 5:30pm, and stay until about 8:00 pm. If you're able to help with setup, you may arrive at any earlier time that works for your schedule (set-up begins around 3:30pm).

The mission of Sidewalk Warriors is to "provide compassionate support to those in need, offering hearty meals, essential supplies, and a sense of community." They are located outside of Christ Church UMC, 35 State St., Troy. Please contact Grace Paster at gracepaster@gmail.com or 518-248-3780, if you're able to volunteer in September, or if you have any questions. There will also be a sign-up on the round table in the Gathering Space.

The Red Bird Mission - Shoebox Project

Calvary UMC is serving as a designated collection site for the Red Bird Mission Christmas Shoebox Project again this year. Collection of the shoeboxes and other donations will begin in October.  All donations, including monetary gifts, must be delivered to Calvary by Sunday, November 8.

A list of suggested items to include in the shoebox and labels for the top of the box are linked below. Please include $1.50 per box to help with transportation costs.  Both the $1.50 and the label should be taped on the TOP of the box.

In addition to filled shoeboxes, Red Bird Mission also accepts donations of new:

• Pillows

• Twin and full-size bed sheets

• Blankets and throws

• Bath towels

• School supplies and toys

• Socks, gloves, hats and scarves

Suggested Items List

Box Labels

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.

Albany/Adirondack District United Women In Faith Fall Meeting
"Creation Justice"

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Christ United Methodist Church, 54 Bay Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801

The key note guest speaker will be Rev. John Paarlberg (retired Reform Church of Albany), Member of the Environmental Justice Working Group of the NYS Council of Churches. 

Cost is $12.00, which included Registration, Breakfast and Lunch. If you are interested, please notify Diane Kendall at (518) 393-3120 or dandianek@gmail.com.

2026 Fall Meeting Registration Form

Burning Bush Newsletter - Fall 2026 

Upcoming Safe Sanctuaries Trainings Available

The 3-Hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is required for those serving in our ministries, and must be renewed every 5 years per Upper New York Conference standards.

Upcoming online Zoom training sessions are listed here: https://www.unyumc.org/safe-sanctuaries

In-person training can also be arranged upon request to Charity Preston at charitypreston.calvaryumc@gmail.com.

Please reach out with any questions or to get signed up!