In-Church Ministries
Calvary offers many ways to serve our church community. If you would like more information or are interested in getting involved in any of these ministries, contact the church office at 573-449-3194, or send us an email at info@calvaryonninth.org.
Administrative
Building and Grounds
Our Building and Grounds committee is led by Calvary’s Junior Warden. This committee deals with the maintenance, repairs, and improvements to our facility.
Design Collaborators
This group works in concert with the Buildings and Grounds committee and the Junior Warden, the Parish Administrator, and the Rector. Our goal is to make Calvary as welcoming and useful as possible while maintaining an overall aesthetic sense that incorporates unity, credibility, and respect for the missions of the church. We evaluate Calvary’s work and meeting spaces to make them more functional and welcoming to parishioners and prospective parishioners.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is chaired by Calvary’s Treasurer and includes members of the parish along with the Church Administrator. The committee is responsible for overseeing the financial performance of Calvary Episcopal Church, including approving an annual budget and regularly reviewing financial reports.
Stewardship
Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards for the gifts we receive from God. The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church. It’s also about giving time and talents and volunteering for ministry and mission. Calvary’s annual stewardship campaign culminates with the gathering of pledges, which support the mission and ministry of our church each year.
Vestry
Calvary’s vestry members are the elected lay leaders of the parish. They serve as the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. Members are elected during our annual meeting. The rector serves as the presiding officer of the vestry. The rector selects one member to serve as a senior warden and the vestry elects a junior warden. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.
Christian Formation, Education & Fellowship
Annual Picnic
A committee of staff and church members comes together each year to plan a day of food, fellowship, and fun at a local park in Columbia.
Crafting Group
Calvary’s craft group meets after the Sunday 10:30 a.m. service to socialize and share our crafts with each other. All crafters are welcome!
Daughters of the King
The Order of Daughters of the King is an order for women of The Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the historic episcopate but not in communion with The Episcopal Church. Daughters pledge to a lifelong program of prayer, study, service, and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ’s Kingdom and strengthening the spiritual life of our church. A Daughter vows to uphold the two parts of the Rule of Life: The Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service. We meet in the church library at 9 a.m. on the third Sunday of each month.
Episcopal-Lutheran Campus Ministry
ELCM is a campus ministry rooted in the Episcopal and ELCA Lutheran traditions and supported by both Calvary Episcopal and St. Andrew’s Lutheran Churches. Learn more about ELCM.
Episcopal-Lutheran Fellowship for Youth
Middle and High School youth are invited to gather on the first and third Sundays of each month for fellowship, study, and snacks.
Newcomer / Inquirer’s Class & Confirmation
Calvary offers an Inquirer’s Class for those seeking to learn more about The Episcopal Church. Adults and youth 16 years of age and older will be eligible to be Confirmed or Received after completing this class. New classes form ahead of the Bishop’s visit to prepare for Confirmations and Receptions.
Pilates
Calvary member Deb Bolton leads a Pilates class in the parish hall on Thursdays at noon. The focus is on improving mobility and flexibility, and all skill levels are welcome – no experience needed! All you need to bring is a yoga mat.
The Pilates class is currently on summer hiatus.
Saturday Sisters
All women of Calvary are invited to gather on the third Saturday of each month for an afternoon of fellowship.
The Red Tent Book Group
The Red Tent Reading Group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, from September through June, to share a love of literature, fellowship, and tasty snacks.
The Seekers Book Group
Seekers is a book club that reads multiple books each year covering a wide range of topics including the Bible, theology, history, and cultural issues. The group is open to all and meets every two weeks in room 101.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Tuesday Morning Bible Study convenes every week at 9 a.m. in room 101. Rev. Josh leads the group discussions using dramatic readings, which encourage active participation and reflection. Join this study not only for spiritual growth, but for the joy of community. Refreshments and coffee are available.
Wednesday Writing Group
Rev. Josh leads this creative writing group, exploring interactions between writing and our faith. The group meets on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at Short Wave Coffee, on the corner of 9th and Cherry Streets. All are invited to be inspired to write and share what you’re writing.
Pastoral Care
Eucharistic Visitors
Eucharistic Visitors are lay persons who are licensed by the Bishop to carry the Sacrament of Holy Communion to the sick and shut-in.
Funerals
Members whose loved ones have entered eternal rest are supported by this ministry as they plan the funeral service and/or reception at Calvary.
Lenoir Woods Monthly Eucharist
Clergy and lay members visit the Lenoir Woods Senior Living Facility in Columbia once a month to offer a worship service and enjoy fellowship with residents.
Memorial Garden Committee
The Memorial Garden Committee exists to enhance the beauty and use of Calvary Episcopal Church’s Memorial Garden: a place of interment of ashes, worship, and social gatherings. The committee provides continual care for the plantings and enhances the accommodations within the garden to make the space inviting by providing a place for comfort, conversation, and contemplation, as well as a final resting place.
The Bluffs Monthly Service
Calvary members lead a worship service at The Bluffs skilled nursing facility in Columbia on the third Sunday of each month. Residents enjoy a simple liturgy, prayers, familiar hymns, and communion.
Worship
Learn more about our liturgical ministries:
Altar Guild
Altar Guild members undertake the care of the Altar and make sure the Altar is ready for all services, including Sundays and Wednesdays, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. We also have several cleaning sessions each year to make sure all the silver, brass, and wood is polished and shined.
Coffee Hour
The Coffee Hour Crew sets up for and cleans up after the coffee hour in the parish hall between services on Sunday mornings. New crew members are always welcome!
Flowers
Members of the Calvary Flower Ministry team arrange the Altar Flowers in vases and deliver them to parishioners designated as recipients following the Sunday services. The symbolic gift of flowers expresses our love and care for our members with birthday and anniversary greetings, get well wishes, or simply to say, “Your church family is thinking of you.” Flowers are delivered each Sunday, except during Advent and Lent when the church does not have altar flowers.
Lectors, LEMs & Acolytes
Lectors read the Old Testament, Psalm, and New Testament during our worship services. Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) administer the chalice during Holy Communion. Acolytes carry the candles, the cross, the Gospel book, and assist the clergy throughout our worship services.
Morning Prayer
A group of clergy and lay members comes together on Zoom to read The Daily Office together on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Music
Music is an important and beautiful element of our worship services at Calvary. The Cambridge Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings and sings at the 10:30 a.m. service each Sunday as well as special services during the year. The Calvary Handbell Ensemble rehearses on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and rings before or during services throughout the year, in addition to hosting a Christmas concert for the community in December. Each fall and spring, we offer an eight-week program to teach handbell ringing to beginners.
Prayer List
Calvary is a praying community. Our prayer list enables us to keep our friends and loved ones covered in prayer. To add or remove names, please email the church office.
Tech Team
Calvary’s Tech Team runs the in-house audio as well as the YouTube livestream of our worship services, allowing parishioners to participate in worship even when homebound or out of town.
Ushers
Ushers welcome all guests into the worship space as they arrive, help them find seating, and answer any questions they may have about the church or the service. Ushers also collect the offering during the service and invite everyone into fellowship when the service ends.
