Overview

The Missions and Social Concerns Team identifies ways to put Calvary’s priorities of Housing the Homeless and Serving in Active Mission into action. Whether it’s hands-on work or fundraising, community organizing, or raising awareness, the Missions Team looks for ways in which Calvary Church can make a difference in our church, in our community, and in our world.

Social Justice

The United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for social justice. Its members have often taken forthright positions on controversial issues involving Christian principles. Early Methodists expressed their opposition to the slave trade, to smuggling, and to the cruel treatment of prisoners. Today, Calvary is involved in discussing, reflecting and working to discern God’s will on issues such as domestic violence, affordable housing, rights of LGBTQ people, and the needs of our elderly citizens.

Mission and Service Trips

We have yearly opportunities for trips to serve those who need help. For several years, we sent adult groups on trips to help rebuild in New Orleans, and we have sponsored youth mission trips to India (2015) and the Philippines (2014). Every summer since 2007, the Calvary Youth Group has gone on a service trip to places including Maine, Vermont, and Appalachia. In 2017-2019 and 2022, a group of youth and adults worked with Down East Maine Missions in Machias, ME to repair homes for low-income folks. We plan to continue going to Machias every summer with a church-wide group of volunteers.

Read more about the 2015 trip to India on the New England Conference web page and in Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar’s newsletter.

Partnerships

Calvary works with these organizations:

Arlington EATS – This group provides food on weekends and during the summer to Arlington students who are on the free and reduced-price lunch program.
Housing Corporation of Arlington – The HCA is a non-profit community organization working to help low and moderate income families and individuals find housing options in Arlington. Calvary Church supports the HCA by community organizing, fundraising, volunteer work days, and raising awareness of the need for affordable housing in our community.
Habitat for Humanity – Calvary Church is a Covenant Church with the Greater Lowell Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and we support their work through prayer, fundraising, and volunteer labor in an effort to build decent, affordable housing for God’s people in need. Calvary has regular work dates on the site of the latest chapter project. Dates are announced in the monthly newsletter and in Sunday announcements, and people ages 16 and up are invited to sign up on the volunteer board.
Animal Umbrella – Animal Umbrella is a no-kill cat shelter. We host cat adoption events and yard sales for AU.
Freedom School with Connexion of Somerville
Boston Share Network
Somerville Homeless Coalition – We do occasional collections of necessities for people being helped by the SHC, and every year Calvary sends a large team to participate in the SHC 5K race in October.

Other Involvement

Calvary Church supports a number of other ministries, including:

Fair Trade Coffee
New England Deaconess Association
Camp Scholarships Program
Red Cross Blood Drives
Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday 4/2: Join us on the lawn at 9:55 AM to parade down Mass Ave and meet our neighbors from Church of Our Saviour.

Maundy Thursday 4/6: Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 7 PM for an interactive service. There will be music, scripture, hand/foot washing, gathering over food, crafts, coloring, and slowing down to experience the speed of God, the speed of Love. We will conclude this event with a silent communion in the Sanctuary.

Holy Week Vigil 4/6-7: The conclusion of our Maundy Thursday service will signal the beginning of our overnight vigil that is open for anyone to attend. From 8 PM Thursday evening through noon on Good Friday, all are welcome to sit in the Sanctuary and pray, reflect, meditate, read, doodle, journal, or do whatever grounds you in the love of God. You can sign up here for an hour or multiple hours. You may sit alone, sit with your partner, or sit with your family. The one rule is to maintain the silence.

Easter Sunrise Service 4/9: We will welcome the rising sun and the Risen Son at 6 AM at Robbins Farm Park, 61 Eastern Avenue, Arlington.

Easter Egg Hunt 4/9: Children are invited to join us on the lawn at 10 AM on Easter morning to grab a bag and search for eggs!

Easter Worship 4/9: Once the dust has settled from the Easter Egg Hunt, come to the Sanctuary as we celebrate grace, love, and new life! There will be no Jr. Church on Easter as we encourage families to worship together. We will end the service with our traditional singing of the Hallelujah Chorus.