Parish Life

If you have an idea to share, want to work on a committee, or generally get "stuck in" at Calvary Episcopal, here are some opportunities available to you. We welcome your involvement in our parish life! Contact the church secretary or call 282-9429 for more information.

Assisting at Worship

Ushers greet arriving worshipers, help them find seats, and bring the offering to the altar. Lectors read the first and second lessons at each service; copies of the lessons are mailed to lectors in advance. Chalice Bearers help serve Communion wine at the altar. Adults and children grade 5 and above are invited and encouraged to volunteer.

Crucifers carry the cross at the beginning and end of the service, and when the Gospel is read. Acolytes light the candles on the altar and assist the officiant with Communion preparations at the altar. Adults and children grade 5 and above are invited and encouraged to volunteer.

St. Margaret's Altar Guild

St. Margaret's Altar Guild furnishes the altar with the appropriate linens and Communion vessels.

Christian Education

We welcome volunteers to teach Sunday School (preschool through grade 12). Our teachers work in teams, so no one is committed to teaching every Sunday. New members are always welcome! Contact the church office.

Youth Groups

Our energetic youth groups welcome adult volunteers! Contact the church office.

Hospital Visitation Team (Epsicopal Pastoral Services)

Episcopal Pastoral Services is a hospital-visitation ministry undertaken jointly with St. Luke's, our sister parish in Rochester. Volunteers from both parishes regularly visit Episcopal patients at the Mayo hospitals, to chat and arrange for communion or clergy visits if desired. With our unique location across the street from the Mayo Clinic, this hospital-visitation service is a central part of Calvary's mission. For information, contact Sandy Berndt, EPS director, on 282-0583.

Outreach

Our outreach efforts include help for the Hope Lodge cancer-patient residence, Channel One food shelf, and Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Rochester; migrant workers' hospitality; resettling refugees in Rochester; and knitting prayer shawls.

Fruitcake

Calvary parishioners bake a ton of fruitcake every year for sale locally and nationwide. The cakes have been baked with a secret parish recipe since 1939.

Calvary History Project

A committee is reorganizing the church archives and writing an updated history of the parish.