A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCHUNDER the STEEPLE

Calvary Clothing Store Opens for Summer "The Calvary Clothing store is once again online with a wide variety of summer clothing and accessories for purchase. "New this season is a Calvary-branded baseball cap, infant onesie, and several t-shirt options. "

Wearing Calvary-branded clothing can be an easy way to “shine the light” as you serve and care for our community. All of the merchandise is made available at or near production cost to make it accessible to our congregation. "The Calvary store will be open through Sunday, May 11, and can be accessed through the Calvary website or by visiting: link.connectwithcalvary.org/store

Vacation Bible School to Show Youth ‘The Way’ this SummerWho's ready for an adventure? Join us as we take a journey through Jesus' life to discover "The Way!” "If you have a child aged 4 years through fifth grade, please help them register for this fun and impactful week at Calvary. We have volunteer opportunities for students and adults. There will also be an opportunity for the entire congregation to come and worship with the kids on June 19, so mark your calendars.

VBS 2014 Registration "VBS Dates: June 16-19, 2014

VBS Time: 6-8 pm daily

Who Children: 4 years by September 1, 2014 through current Fifth Graders (2013-2014 school year) "Volunteers: current students age Sixth Grade (2013-2014 school year) and above and all adults. "Students that register on or before May 14 will receive a T-Shirt. Volunteers may choose to order a T-Shirt for a cost of $5 (same deadline applies). "Registration Information Cost: $10 per child (capped at $20 per family) Volunteer T-Shirt: $5 (optional) T-Shirt Deadline: Wednesday, May 14 "Payment Methods: Online: using PayPal Check: made payable to “CUMC" Please indicate "VBS" in the memo line. Deliver to the church office in person or by mail to: VBS, Calvary United Methodist Church, 1700 N Towanda Ave, Normal, IL 61761 Questions? Please contact vbs@connectwithcalvary.org. To register (kids and/or volunteers): http://link.connectwithcalvary.org/vbs

this issue VBS Shows ‘The Way’ P.1

Outreach: Home Sweet Home P.2

Missionary Update P.3

Village Event Raises Awareness P.4

ISSUE 02 | MAY 2014

Reaching Out Through Home Sweet HomeCalvary puts the outreach spotlight on homeless ministry during the month of May

2014 CALVARY CONFIRMANDS "Muriel Harman Bean Evans Junior High Mackenzie Ann Carlson Parkside Junior High Elise Diane Crockett Thomas Metcalf Lab Caitlyn Rose Davis Kingsley Junior High Haley Elizabeth Dees Parkside Junior High Jason Scott Enevoldsen Bloomington Junior High Addison Claire Ewalt Olympia Middle Brady Michael Fletcher Chiddix Junior High Ryan Matthew Flynn Bloomington Junior High Rebecca Cailin Hall Kingsley Junior High Kaleb Ross Harding Thomas Metcalf Lab Larin Annette Harr Chiddix Junior High Xavier Jacob Higgins Parkside Junior High Isaiah Michael Holaway Chiddix Junior High Noah Dean Jefferson Chiddix Junior High Sabrina Grace Kosharek Kingsley Junior High Savana Jane Mattson Kingsley Junior High Kathryn Claire Nelson Kingsley Junior High Harrison Sammuel Clellan Porter Thomas Metcalf Lab Isaac Joseph Riegler Olympia Middle Nicholas William Charles Rolley Chiddix Junior High Jacob Stephen Rutkowski Parkside Junior High Jared Adam Schuckman Kingsley Junior High Alexis Mairi Grace Showalter Evans Junior High Anna Rose Smith Kingsley Junior High Matthew Robert Stogsdill Parkside Junior High Emily Noel Swigart Evans Junior High Kendahl Marie Whitwood Kingsley Junior High

Calvary continues to care for the hungry and homeless in our community through an outreach partnership with Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington. This month, we are spotlighting the work done through this important organization. "A recent gift that Calvary provided to Home Sweet Home Ministries was used to purchase much-needed supplies for the transition to a new, low income food co-op. The co-op model provides a greater measure of dignity for the participants and an opportunity to grow in personal capability. This transition will continue over the next 60 days. Additionally, Calvary Member Joe Landon is currently volunteering to teach an art class at Home Sweet Home. The creative arts classes that Home Sweet Home provides allow for residents to gain greater understanding of their gifts and talents. This, in turn, increases their desire to grow stronger as they make changes that will afford lasting positive impact on their lives. _________________________ "Home Sweet Home will be present in the Calvary atrium on Sunday, May 25, to answer your questions about caring for the most vulnerable in our community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!Share the HSH story with others.!The message of hope is nearly 100 years old at Home Sweet Home Ministries. But they need your voice to help others learn more about who

the organization. HSH has representatives available to speak to your group about connecting with the organization." "

Donate your financial resources.!Donating to Home Sweet Home is easy. You can visit donate.hshministries.org and make a contribution. You can provide support regularly through monthly giving or may consider Home Sweet Home Ministries in your estate planning." "Volunteer your time.!You or your group can connect with Home Sweet Home by volunteering your time. Visit the “Get Involved” section of the HSH web site to complete an application and get started today: www.HSHMinistries.org.

CALVARY NOTABLES "April Baptisms Savannah Kay Gully (April 20)April Altar Flowers In Memory of James M. Fish, Brother of Gary Fish (April 20)

"UPCOMING EVENTS "May 7 First WednesdayMay 18 Graduation Sunday

May 25 IGNITION Connections Class

June 4First Wednesday

June 16-19 Vacation Bible School

June 22IGNITION Connections Class

July 2First Wednesday

July 4-12 CSM Reach Workcamp

Full calendar of events:link.ConnectWithCalvary.org/events

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Missionary Update from Linda Unger "Linda Unger, a missionary to the area of Nairobi, Kenya—and who is supported by Calvary’s Outreach dollars and prayers—has provided an update of a special project close to her heart: "

“We have also started working on a Swahili Worship CD. The motivation for this CD is to provide a resource to missionaries and other non-Swahili speakers. "One thing that those of us who are not native Swahili speakers often sacrifice is the privilege of worshiping in a language that we not only understand but have grown to a point that we truly worship as we sing. This CD will contain common songs that are sung everywhere. "There will be an accompanying booklet that will contain the Swahili words, their English translations, a glossary of common words, and an article on worship and suggestions for worshiping in this culture. [Locals] James and Nthenya are working with me on this project. "I have dreamed of this worship CD since 2003. We are very excited about this project. By learning the songs on the CD and its vocabulary, the vision is that they will have more freedom in worship as they now understand the language.” "

Please continue to pray for Linda and her ministry as she connects this part of the world with Christ!

Fight Hunger at First Wednesday in May Date: Wednesday, May 7 Time: 6-7:30 pm Where: Calvary Gym "First Wednesday is an event for all ages where we share a meal and worship together. On May 7, we will also package meals in the gym to respond to child hunger right here in the U.S. through an organization called Kids Against Hunger. Plan to join us for this special event. Childcare will be available for the youngest kids as needed. "RSVP for the meal: https://connectwithcalvary.wufoo.com/forms/muj7ql41ygso5h/

Todd Agnew Raises Awareness at Village Event Calvary was blessed to have recording artist and worship leader Todd Agnew as part of our Buliisa Village Event on Sunday, April 27. Todd’s passionate worship and inspiring words were an excellent lead-in to the work being done in Uganda—and a reminder that there is so much left to do. World Vision’s Millie Vanderpool and Calvary’s Debbie Brown, who both went on an exploratory trip to Buliisa, provided an update of current progress and needs in the region. "Making an impact in Buliisa The Buliisa Village Event raised more than $4,000 for the on-going water project and found sponsors for an additional 25 children in the Buliisa region. Furthermore, the youth of Calvary have contributed more than $20,000 to World Vision ministries through the annual 30 Hour Famine. Calvary continues to be faithful to what God is calling us to in Uganda and beyond. Thank you for your support of this international mission site!

CONTACT "1700 N. Towanda Ave. Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-5413 info@connectwithcalvary.org "Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 1pm "" /connectwithcalvary " @CLVRY

UNDER the STEEPLE Issue 02 May 2014 www.ConnectWithCalvary.org