Get Involved
Get Involved
United Methodists have believed, from the beginning, that each of us is called to participate in the outreaching ministry of Jesus Christ. John Wesley described this work in simple, practical terms: "Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can." (UMC.org)
There are many ways you can become involved at Calvary United Methodist Church. Below is a list of the many programs and ministries available. If you are ready to serve or just want to connect and grow, there are plenty of opportunities for you to use your gifts and talents.
Want to serve? Not sure how?
Take a Spiritual Gifts AssessmentInterested in being a greeter or an usher?
Learn MoreAnnual Events
- When: Easter Sunday Worship Service at 11:00am
- Get Involved: This special service has a need for additional greeters and ushers.
- Main Contact: Kenny Elliott, Hospitality Leadership Team
- When: Evening of the Summer Solstice from 4:00-7:00pm (Check back for details as this event is not held every year.)
- Get Involved: This event is sponsored by the Calvary United Methodist Women. The bulk of the volunteers required for this event come from this group. However, the Calvary United Methodist Women would still love to have additional volunteers that are not part of the group. Volunteers are needed for poster distribution prior to the event; then refreshments, set-up, and tear-down on the day of the event. Volunteers typically work a 2-hour shift the day of the event.
- Main Contact: Linda Ehrlich, Calvary United Methodist Women
- When: Fourth of July from 6:00-9:00pm (Check back for details as this event is not held every year.)
- Get Involved: Volunteers are needed for help with refreshments (chips, snacks, bottled water, hot dogs), set-up, and tear-down. One or two people are needed to chair this event each year. Volunteers welcome fireworks-goers and Allegheny West neighbors to come by for some refreshments and to visit the Tiffany sanctuary.
- Main Contact: Mark Rehn
- When: A Sunday afternoon in September (Date & Time To Be Determinded. Check back for details as this event is not held every year.)
- Get Involved: Volunteers are needed to transport church members to and from the picnic. Also, volunteers are needed to help out with food preparation, set-up and clean-up.
- Main Contact: Jaime Hartz
- When: Thanksgiving Day (Time of event is announced closer to Thanksgiving. Check back for details as this event is not held every year.)
- Get Involved: There is a need for help in the kitchen with food preparation. There is also a need for servers as well as people to help set-up and clean-up.
- Main Contact: Doug Lucas, Kitchen Ministry/Hospitality Leadership Team
- When: Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 10:00am-5:00pm (Early Buyers 9:00-10:00am) & Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 12:00pm-5:00pm at Calvary (Date of event determined each year)
- Get Involved: Volunteers are needed for help with the Calvary Cafe (food preparation, handling food, cleaning eating area, cashiers), set-up, and tear-down. Volunteers typically work a 2-hour shift the day of the event.
- Main Contact: Linda Ehrlich, Calvary United Methodist Women
- When: Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 4:00pm (Date of event determined each year)
- Get Involved: Volunteers are need for publicity, poster distribution, ushering, box office, refreshments, parking, set-up, and tear-down.
- Main Contact: Brian Burns, Music Ministry
- When: Evening of Friday, December 8, 2017 and all day Saturday, December 9, 2017 (Dates of event determined each year)
- Get Involved: Volunteers are needed for help with the Calvary Cafe (food preparation, handling food, cleaning eating area, cashiers), set-up, and tear-down. Volunteers typically work a 2-hour shift the day of the event.
- Main Contact: Brian Burns
- When: Christmas Eve at 7:00pm
- Get Involved: This special service has a need for additional greeters and ushers.
- Main Contact: Kenny Elliott, Hospitality Leadership Team
Children's Ministry
- When: Sunday mornings during the 11:00am worship hour
- Get Involved: Dedicated volunteers lead classes during the 11:00am Sunday morning worship hour. Time commitment is determined by volunteers’ wishes. Teach once a month or more less. Curriculum and training is provided.
- Main Contact: Liz Martinez, Children & Youth Leadership Team
- When: Four nights during a summer month from 5:30-8:00pm
- Get Involved: Serve as a greeter, guide, leader, or helper in art, games, stories, outdoor activities, or meal preparation to lead children ages 3-11 on their faith journey in this summer program. There are also opportunities to help with planning, decorating, set-up and clean-up.
- Main Contact: Liz Martinez, Children & Youth Leadership Team
- When: A Friday Evening in November (Date of event determined each year)
- Get Involved: There is a need for help planning, decorating, and clean-up. There is also a large need for help with the meal preparation and serving of the meal. The Family Fall Festival includes a turkey dinner with all the trimmings including pumpkin pie. After dinner there is a need for help with crafts, games, and face-painting.
- Main Contact: Liz Martinez, Children & Youth Leadership Team
- When: A Sunday in December following the 11:00am morning worship hour
- Get Involved: There is always a need for plenty of help for planning, decorating, preparing a light meal, set-up of stations for crafts, help with the crafts, and clean-up once the party is over.
- Main Contact: Liz Martinez, Children & Youth Leadership Team
Kitchen Ministry
- When: Every Sunday following the 11:00am morning worship hour
- Get Involved: Weekly Fellowship Luncheon sponsors provide a light lunch to the congregation after morning worship. It is because of these sponsorships that Calvary is able to provide this special experience of fellowship after morning worship each Sunday. These luncheons also require additional help in the kitchen on Sundays. Don't worry if you can't cook! There is always a need for help with food preparation, set-up, clean-up, and washing dishes. These tasks are equally important in order for this to be a successful ministry.
- Main Contact: Doug Lucas, Kitchen Ministry/Hospitality Leadership Team
- When: Special Events (Ex: Old Allegheny Antique Show & Old Allegheny Victorian Christmas House Tour)
- Get Involved: Volunteers are needed for help with the Calvary Cafe - food preparation, handling food, cleaning eating area, cashiers, set-up, clean-up, and tear-down.
- Main Contact: Mike Schnitgen, Kitchen Ministry/Hospitality Leadership Team
Leadership Teams
- Get Involved: The council provides for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church.
- Main Contact: Frank Pogue, Church Council President
- Get Involved: The responsibilities of the Archives and History Committee are to acquire, evaluate, organize, maintain, and provide access to the historical records of Calvary.
- Main Contact: Doug Lucas, Chairperson
- Get Involved: This committee represents the children and youth of the congregation and has the responsibility of influencing policy and program decisions with these individuals in mind. They are committed to keeping children and youth a valuable part of our church family.
- Main Contact: Liz Martinez, Chairperson
- Get Involved: The Columbarium Committee supervises the use, management, and maintenance of the Calvary United Methodist Church Columbarium.
- Main Contact: Mike Schnitgen, Chairperson
- Get Involved: Responsibilities for this team include internal and external communications for sharing our ministries.
- Main Contact: Karen Ferguson, Chairperson
- Get Involved: This committee cares for the design and implementation of the activities related to welcoming and caring for our visitors, greeters and ushers, follow-up with contacts and potential assimilation. This team also heads the Kitchen Ministry and parking.
- Main Contact: Kenny Elliott, Chairperson
- Get Involved: Responsibilities include assisting persons in the congregation to identify their gifts and skills for service, assisting in the nurturing and development of Christian spiritual leadership by identifying, and recommending persons for service in the various ministry areas then provide training, review, and support.
- Main Contact: Aleata Weis, Lay Leader
- Get Involved: This committee develops a continuous year round program of mission education to inform and motivate the congregation. Responsibilities include finding resources to support the connection between a needy world and our church, and to stay alert to mission needs and concerns in our community.
- Main Contacts: Rev. Myles & Joan Bradley, Co-Chairpersons
- Get Involved: The committee shall assist the pastor(s) and staff in assessing their gifts, maintaining health holistically and work-life balance, and setting priorities for leadership and service. It is the responsibility of the committee to communicate with the committee on nominations and leadership development and/or the Church Council when there is a need for other leaders or for employed staff.
- Main Contact: Paul Brucker, Chairperson
- Get Involved: The committee on finance shall give stewardship of financial resources as their priority throughout the year.
- Main Contact: Beth Ober, Chairperson
- Get Involved: The board of trustees shall have the supervision, oversight, and care of all real property owned by the church and of all property and equipment acquired directly by the church or by any society, board, class, commission, or similar organization connected therewith.
- Main Contact: Howard Brokenbek, Chairperson
- Get Involved: The Worship Committee is responsible for assisting the pastor with designing and developing worship services, liturgies, and other practices and trappings of the worship service. This includes finding worship leaders and training them.
- Main Contact: Devin Harris, Chairperson
Music Ministry
- When: Choir members actively participate in worship and may be found assisting during such times as Communion, Advent, Lent, and special services.
- Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings from 6:00-7:00pm during the months of September thru June, Calvary UMC Sanctuary
- Get Involved: This group sings traditional anthems on Sunday mornings as well as supports Calvary special events and observances. The choir is open to anyone ages 14 and up. The group presents a wide variety of musical styles.
- Main Contact: Brian Burns, Music Ministry
- When: Sundays at the beginning of morning worship
- Rehearsals: Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:00am, Calvary UMC Sanctuary
- Get Involved: The Praise Team presents two contemporary songs to open each Sunday morning worship service. All songs are chosen to encourage congregational singing and participation. Some tunes are based on well-known hymns with a contemporary twist, while others are original tunes by contemporary Christian artists. The Praise Team also leads the Call to Celebration as well as the first hymm. Guitar, bass, and piano accompany this group. All are invited to participate.
- Main Contact: Karen Ferguson, Music Ministry
- When: Performances are TBD
- Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm, Upstairs Music Room at Calvary
- Get Involved: The Handbell Choir is a very recent addition at Calvary. No previous training is required. If you are interested in being part of the Handbell Choir at Calvary please contact Calvary's Music Director Brian Burns. We hope to see you there! This is the start of a great new music program at Calvary. We are very blessed!
- Main Contact: Brian Burns, Music Ministry
- When: Performances are TBD
- Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:00pm, Calvary Chapel
- Get Involved: The program will be 1 hour per week. The children will learn general music, recorder, hand chimes, and voice. The program is open to all elementary grades. We are planning to send a mailer to all previous VBS attendees as well as neighborhood children.
- Main Contact: Brian Burns, Music Ministry
- When: Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 4:00pm (Date of event determined each year)
- Rehearsals: September - Specific Date To Be Determined, Calvary UMC Sanctuary
- Get Involved: Tiffany meets Handel! Join us for Pittsburgh's holiday tradition! Sing a choral masterpiece surrounded by Tiffany masterpieces at the magnificently restored Calvary United Methodist Church in historic Allegheny West. Since 2011, this concert has been practically a sell-out! Singers are sought for the Messiah Choir. All voice parts are needed. No auditions required! Choir members join the core ensemble – the Renewal Choir of Calvary United Methodist Church. (Choir positions are unpaid.) The choir is using the Watkins Shaw/Novello score.
- Main Contact: Brian Burns, Music Ministry
- When: Once or Twice a Year
- Get Involved: Once or twice a year, Calvary invites a musical group to perform at our church. These groups usually included students between the ages of 14-23 as well as chaperones. Housing is typically needed for the members of these groups, and it is always appreciated if you can offer your home to the performers for one night.
- Main Contact: Brian Burns, Music Ministry
Outreach & Missions
- When: Monday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm, September through November and January through April, Calvary UMC Fellowship Hall
- Get Involved: Join us as we make sleeping bags for those who live on the streets in Pittsburgh. Calvary's Missions Team has teamed with "My Brother's Keeper" to make sleeping bags out of recycled materials for the homeless. For this ministry, we are in need of old blankets that can be recycled into the sleeping bags. Also, in order to provide a cushion and air space under the quilt, we need volunteers who know how to (or are willing to learn how to) crochet. Recycled plastic grocery bags and a little spare time can provide this useful addition to the Sleeping Bag Ministry. Finally, we are always in need of plastic bags. It takes approximately 500-700 bags to make each mat.
- Main Contact: Lynn Sevick or Joan Bradley, Missions Leadership Team
- When: Meals are served 3 times a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30am and Sundays at 4:00pm, New Hope Methodist Church
- Get Involved: A program sponsored by the United Methodist Church Union, Daily Bread (also known as the Northside Congregate Feeding Program), located in Pittsburgh’s Northside, serves meals to those without a home or who are under-employed. The program communicates with other feeding programs on the Northside to ensure that a hot meal is available every day of the week.
- Main Contact: Audrey Jennings, Missions Leadership Team
- When: Three times a week, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, the serving schedule may vary depending on the site, responding to the specific needs of its location.
- Get Involved: This program is sponsored by the United Methodist Church Union. When summer comes each year, thousands of kids across the Greater Pittsburgh Area are left without consistent access to healthy meals. This 8-10 week program feeds food insecure children after school has let out and there is no longer the offering of a lunch meal to the kids every day. The Kids Meal Network offers a hot meal and a snack to the young community three times a week.
- Main Contact: Cheri Pogue, United Methodist Church Union
- When: The student and mentor meet 30-60 minutes each week for 6-8 week sessions (during the school day) throughout the school year.
- Get Involved: This program is sponsored by the United Methodist Church Union. This one-on-one reading and mentoring program targets students in grades 1-4 who are attending an elementary school located in an impoverished neighborhood. Each student is paired with an adult volunteer. All adult mentors need appropriate clearances, these records are kept on file at the school.
- Main Contact: Cheri Pogue, United Methodist Church Union
- When: Visit the Children's Table Website
- Get Involved: Children's Table strives to inspire and enable young people to make healthy food choices through the hands-on joy of food preparation. The focus of Children's Table spans all the way from soil to supper. Children’s Table is a “hands-on” cooking class that empowers children to experience food, one recipe at a time. Each class has a different theme with a focus on different cuisine, produce, and ingredients.
- Main Contact: Lisa Ferguson, Fabled Table
Spiritual Growth
- When: Multiple study groups meet throughout the year.
- Get Involved: Rev. Larry Homitsky, Rev. Ellie Laws, and others lead our Bible studies which have focused on topics such as the parables of Jesus, dreams in the Bible, the Gospels, Psalms, the women of the Bible, and more.
- Main Contacts: Rev. Larry Homitsky & Rev. Ellie Laws
- When: Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month at 10:00am in the Calvary Fellowship Hall. Meetings are held at the parsonage during the winter months.
- Get Involved: Open to all women of the Church and community, Calvary United Methodist Women (CUMW) is the local church chapter of the international United Methodist Women (UMW) organization. The organization supports the needs of women and children across the world through local and global initiatives.
- Main Contact: Joan Bradley, President
Sundays
- When: Sundays during morning worship at 11:00am
- Get Involved: Work with a team designated for each Sunday service and for occasional special services. Greet parishioners and guests at each door, provide bulletins, assist with seating, and tend to special needs as they arise. Also welcome new visitors and answer any questions they may have.
- Main Contact: Kenny Elliott, Hospitality Leadership Team
- When: Sundays during morning worship at 11:00am
- Get Involved: Collect the offering as well as work with a team of greeters designated for each Sunday service and for occasional special services. Greet parishioners and guests at each door, provide bulletins, assist with seating, and tend to special needs as they arise. Also welcome new visitors and answer any questions they may have.
- Main Contact: Kenny Elliott, Hospitality Leadership Team
- When: Sundays Before Morning Worship & Special Events
- Get Involved: Assist with parking on busy Sundays and special events.
- Main Contact: Tammy Phillips, Parking/Hospitality Leadership Team
Technology
- When: Sundays during morning worship at 11:00am
- Get Involved: Assist with projector and worship slides during the Sunday morning worship hour.
- Main Contact: Karen Ferguson, Worship Leadership Team
Welcome Team
- When: As Needed
- Get Involved: Write brief but personable notes of welcome to first time visitors to the church.
- Main Contact: Karen Ferguson, Communications Leadership Team
Social Concerns