October 21, 2026

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

In Worship This Week...

I was disappointed that travel delays kept me from celebrating Laity Sunday with you. Yet, hearing about the wonderful leadership of our laity reminded me how blessed we are to be part of a congregation that takes seriously the work of being the church. That is worth celebrating!

Last Sunday, we heard Paul's reminder to the Thessalonians that they were loved and chosen by God, a beautiful affirmation of the calling we all share to participate in God's work in the world.

This Sunday, Paul takes us a little deeper with a word that might give us pause: tested. What comes to mind when you hear that word. Perhaps memories of difficult seasons, moments of doubt, or times when you wondered whether your faith was strong enough.

I recently came across a thought that has stayed with me: Our priorities are revealed less by the things we enjoy choosing and more by what we are willing to endure for the things that matter. I wonder if that is part of what Paul is getting at. It is relatively easy to speak about love, generosity, and faithfulness when life is going well. But what happens when those commitments ask something of us? When loving our neighbor requires patience, serving others means sacrifice, or following Jesus takes us somewhere uncomfortable? Perhaps these are the moments when our faith begins to shape how we live.

I hope you'll join us for worship this Sunday as we explore 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 and consider what it means to live faithfully through life's challenges, trusting in the grace of God who walks alongside us.

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: Coleen, Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Michael & Chelsea, Laura & Marc, Patrick G., Katherine D., Tom and Family, Cheryl, Laura, Paula, Kathy, Dave & grandson Jesse, Barb, Bruce, Dane & Tilly.

And those members of Calvary who are no longer able to be active among us as they once were: Joan, Bernie, 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

Sabbath as Resistance: A Three-Week Book Study

Sabbath Book Study Begins Next Week!

We are excited to begin our three-week conversation around Walter Brueggemann’s Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now. Together, we will explore Sabbath as more than simply taking a break—as a spiritual practice that creates space for God, one another, and a different rhythm of life.

We will gather Wednesdays from 6:00–7:30 PM, both in person and on Zoom.

Our meeting and reading schedule is:

October 7: Preface through Chapter 2

October 21: Chapters 3–4

October 28: Chapters 5–6 and Epilogue

ZOOM LINK

Participants are also encouraged to review the weekly study guides before each gathering. We will not work through them directly during our sessions, but they offer helpful questions and ideas for your own reflection as you read.

Come ready to wonder, question, listen, and explore together what a life shaped by Sabbath might look like for each of us and for our community at Calvary.

COME & REST: Sabbath in the Sanctuary

In the middle of a busy week, give yourself permission to pause. Each Wednesday, the sanctuary is open as a quiet space for Sabbath rest, prayer, and reflection. Come for a few minutes or stay for a while.

WEDNESDAYS: 11am-1pm

Use one of our interactive prayer stations:

Walk the Prayer Labyrinth.
Rest with a devotional.
Spend time in prayer.
Add a prayer to our community journal.
Touch the waters of the baptismal font and remember your baptism.

Or simply find a comfortable place to be in the sanctuary. This space is here for you. Come as you are. Stay as long as you need. Rest in the presence of God.

sit • breathe • pray • be still

For more information, please visit our Family Ministry page.

Fall Festival - Big Success!!

Fall festival was a big hit! We had about 50 families visit. The kids enjoyed trunk-or-treating, crafts, games, and the bounce house. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success.

PASSIONATE SERVICE

Cook and Serve at the Capital City Rescue Mission

Our next night to cook and serve at the Rescue Mission is Friday, October 30th, 2026. As always, cakes of any variety should be in 9x13 disposible pans. Please have them in the church kitchen by 5:00pm. We are also looking for servers. If you would like to be a volunteer server at the Rescue Mission or have any questions, please contact Linda Melanson at 518-312-0399 or email her at melansonlinda@hotmail.com.

Small Items, Big Impact:

St. Ambrose Collection

Calvary's Missions Team continues our partnership with the St. Ambrose Food Pantry and the amplification of our church's mission of addressing food insecurity in our community. In response to the dire need of person care and hygiene items not provided through food benefit programs, once a month we will add to our "Joyful Giving" of food items a special collection of a personal care or hygiene item. Please place donations with food items on Sunday or in the outer vestibule. Thank you for caring for our neighbors!

============================

ITEM OF NEED for November 1st:

Shampoo or
3-in-1 type body wash and shampoo
==============================

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

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
Quarterly Cook 'n Serve at Rescue Mission

Find More Volunteer Opportunities

JOYFUL GIVING

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

Justice Ministries

If you want to vote for candidates who support issues important to you, how do you find out who the right candidates are? Well, you can “Google” almost anything and find some relevant information, but you want to ensure it is aligns with your values. One option, is to look at sites that support the causes you do, and see if they are endorsing candidates. We are not endorsing a site or position, just encouraging everyone to participate in making your voice heard - VOTE!

Last February, Calvary discerned that Environmental Justice, Immigration Rights, and LGBTQ inclusivity are crucial justice issues facing our society today which we feel called to address. In that spirit we offer the following reminder to help you discern the right choice for your vote. As a reminder, our United Methodist Social principles state:

Immigration Support: We urge United Methodists to welcome migrants, refugees, and immigrants into their congregations and to commit themselves to providing concrete support, including help with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, employment and other kinds of support.

We oppose all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize or punish displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees.

LGBTQ+ Support: Because all people are of sacred worth and certain basic human rights are due to everyone, we are committed to supporting the equal rights, liberties and protections of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Creation (Environmental) Support: We affirm that all creation belongs to God and is a manifestation of God’s goodness and providential care. Human beings, nonhuman animals, plants, and other sentient and non sentient beings participate in the community of creation, and their flourishing depends on the care of all God’s creation. Rather than treating creation as if it were placed here solely for humanity’s use and consumption, we are called to practice responsible stewardship and to live in right relationship with the Creator and with the whole of God’s creation (Gen. 1:26–31; Matt. 6:26–30; Rom. 8:22–24).

You can read the full text of the UMC Social Principles online at:
https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/what-we-believe/our-social-positions.

Other important election information:

Find your state senate district here: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

Find your state assembly district here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

Find your US Representative here: https://www.house.gov

Find you US Senator here: https://www.senate.gov/states/statesmap.htm

October 24 is the deadline to register to vote. Details are here:
https://elections.ny.gov/registration-and-voting-deadlines

Early voting starts October 24 and you can find out more specifics here: https://elections.ny.gov/early-voting

Local News

Coverage of events this past week at South Colonie High School has gone beyond the local TV stations and newspapers, it’s “gone viral” on social media platforms.

As United Methodists, we read in our Social Principles:

We condemn racism, ethnocentrism, tribalism, and any ideology or social practice based on false and misleading beliefs or ideologies that one group of human beings is superior to all other groups of human beings. Additionally, we utterly reject laws, policies and social practices that marginalize, discriminate and/or encourage the use of violence against individuals, communities or other social groups based on perceived racial, ethnic or tribal differences.

We call on congregations and on pastors, bishops, and other church authorities to educate themselves about the root causes and manifestations of racism, ethnocentrism, and tribalism within communities of faith and to develop strategies for overcoming these kinds of social divisions. We likewise urge governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to renounce statements, policies, and actions aimed at promoting exclusion, discrimination and violence.

With these principles in mind, Calvary’s Justice Ministry Team reminds us of our shared commitment to being a community that honors the dignity of every person, challenges racism, and speaks with compassion. The Apostle Paul offers us this guidance: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their need, that is may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV

Preschool Update

The preschoolers are enjoying the nice weather! Today, we spent some time playing in the leaves. The kids had lots of fun throwing them around.

We are still accepting registrations. For more information email Michelle at LathamCalvaryPrek@gmail.com.

Albany District Church Conference Day

The Albany District Church Conference Day is on Saturday, November 14th. Your church will gather with others from the district at Latham: Calvary UMC (15 Ridge Place, Latham, NY) for this day of fellowship, worship, learning, and business. Churches will be grouped together for their church conference meeting within the larger afternoon of activities. We hope that you are able to attend the entire day's activities including workshops and lunch, but please do prioritize your church conference.

Below you will find the breakdown of timing for the entire afternoon, beginning with check in. Your church is part of BLOCK 3 @ 1 pm. There will be workshops offered throughout the day, and you are invited to attend workshops during Blocks 1, 3, or 4 when you are not in your church conference. Please use this link to REGISTER if you plan to attend any of the day's events including church conference, workshops, and lunch. Registration closes on November 7th, one week before the event.

Schedule:

8:30-9:00: Check in

9:00: Worship

9:45: BLOCK 1

10:45: break

11:00: BLOCK 2

12:00: Lunch

1:00: BLOCK 3

2:00: break

2:15-3:15: BLOCK 4

3:30: Closing Worship

Your church is part of BLOCK 3 @ 1pm

CHURCH CONFERENCE Grouping: Delmar, Latham: Calvary, Shenendehowa, Albany: McKownville

(presiding elder: DS Rev. Anna Blinn Cole)

The following workshops are offered at 9:45 am during BLOCK 1 and are available for you to attend, if you wish.

Please register HERE for participation in any part of the day

WORKSHOP 3: Accountable Discipleship for Churches

with Bruce France, Adirondack District Lay Leader

As children of God, we are called to live in God’s household and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Accountable discipleship is a distinctly Methodist way of Christian formation and making sure discipleship happens. This session will cover the basics of accountable discipleship and how Covenant Discipleship Groups (CDG), based on the Wesley Class Meetings, provide mutual accountability for holy living and growth as disciples of Jesus Christ.

WORKSHOP 4: Exploring Ignatian Spirituality

with Rev. Nancy Dibelius

We will explore a form of meditation that was formalized by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. It is known as guided meditation or entering the narrative. We will enter into a Biblical narrative to encounter and experience the holy. For this time apart we will explore something familiar to most of us...the 23rd Psalm. You will be invited to express your experience either through art or writing. This is a great entry point into the world of spiritual practices.

WORKSHOP 2: Faith in Action: The Lay Servant Workshop

with Darlene Suto, Adirondack/Albany Director of Lay Servant Ministries

Have you ever wondered how to grow in your leadership as a lay person in the United Methodist Church? This workshop will answer questions about the Lay Servant and Lay Speaker ministries in our districts. It will be able to guide interested people toward the Certified Lay Minister track, as well. Any laity interested in knowing more about these ministries should attend!

WORKSHOP 6: How to Connect with your Community

with Abigal Browka, UNY Associate Director of Missional Excellence

This workshop brings together best practices from new faith communities and missional ministry to help a local church connect with their community. Spend time learning together as a group with Abigail who strategizes around new and innovative faith formation in our conference. The workshop will also give you time to brainstorm about your specific church and community. What is your community like? Where are the places and ways for your church to be more present? How can you meet neighbors where they are?

The following workshops are offered at 11 am during BLOCK 2 and are available for you to attend, if you wish

WORKSHOP 1: Dismantling Racism: From Imagination to Action

with Georgia Whitney and Charles Syms, Conference Commission on Religion and Race

The Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) is relaunching their anti-racism curriculum this fall under a new name: Dismantling Racism: From Imagination to Action (DRIA), formerly known as Imagine No Racism, or INR. This workshop will go over the new curriculum including why the name has changed and why you might want to teach this in your local church.

WORKSHOP 5: Sky Farm Camp – What’s new!

with Robyn Vernon

Hear news and exciting updates about Skye Farm Camp and Retreat Center. Learn about how your church can send campers or even hold a retreat at this beautiful Upper New York United Methodist camp located in Warrensburg.

WORKSHOP 7: Do You Think You Have Too Many Committees? Let’s Discuss Single Governance/Single Leadership Board Model

with Rev. Susan Ranous, UNY Christian Stewardship Specialist and a trained coach in the SAS leadership model

This workshop will have as its base of The Simplified Accountability Structure (SAS), a church leadership model that consolidates multiple administrative committees into a single Leadership Board to improve decision making, accountability, and missional focus. It merges the traditional four administrative committees — Trustees, Finance, Staff/Pastor Parish Relations, and Church Council — into one cohesive Leadership Board. This board holds all responsibilities and authority previously split among those committees, in compliance with the UMC Book of Discipline (Paragraph 247.2). This model is not created just to lessen the number of meetings and the number of people that have to be nominated for positions. It is designed to simplify governance by reducing layers and meeting complexity; allow leadership to have a clear decision-making process, and align the church’s mission, vision, and stewardship in one place. We will discuss the concept of this structure, how it works, the steps to create it, and how this structure helps a church to allow mission and ministry to be the focus of a local church.

WORKSHOP 8: Using and Experiencing the Labyrinth

with Rev. Nancy Dibelius

Explore a labyrinth set up in Calvary UMC’s church. Rev. Nancy will teach about this sacred and ancient tool for spirituality and give you time to walk it yourself.

The following workshops are offered at 2:15pm during BLOCK 4 and are available for you to attend, if you wish

WORKSHOP 1: Dismantling Racism: From Imagination to Action

with Georgia Whitney and Charles Syms, Conference Commission on Religion and Race

WORKSHOP 2: Faith in Action: The Lay Servant Workshop

with Darlene Suto, Adirondack/Albany Director of Lay Servant Ministries

Have you ever wondered how to grow in your leadership as a lay person in the United Methodist Church? This workshop will answer questions about the Lay Servant and Lay Speaker ministries in our districts. It will be able to guide interested people toward the Certified Lay Minister track, as well.  Any laity interested in knowing more about these ministries should attend! 

WORKSHOP 7: Do You Think You Have Too Many Committees? Let’s Discuss Single Governance/Single Leadership Board Model

with Rev. Susan Ranous, UNY Christian Stewardship Specialist and a trained coach in the SAS leadership model

It merges the traditional four administrative committees — Trustees, Finance, Staff/Pastor Parish Relations, and Church Council — into one cohesive Leadership Board. This board holds all responsibilities and authority previously split among those committees, in compliance with the UMC Book of Discipline. (Paragraph 247.2). This model is not created just to lessen the number of meetings and the number of people that have to be nominated for positions. It is designed to simplify governance by reducing layers and meeting complexity; allow leadership to have a clear decision-making processes, and align the church’s mission, vision, and stewardship in one place. We will discuss the concept of this structure, how it works, the steps to create it, and how this structure helps a church to allow mission and ministry to be the focus of a local church. 

**************************************************

Please contact the District Office at 518-795-4301, if you need clarification on any of the above or if you run into issues registering. And please invite any members from your church that you think may be interested in attending! All are welcome.

Note: the deadline to register is Sunday, November 7th. Please register HERE.

Tellers Schedule

The Tellers for this Sunday, October 25th, 2026

Michelle Simkulet and Dottie Norvik

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.

Google Sites

Report abuse