Calvary Church Highlights for the Week of August 16, 2026

August 14, 2026

Dear Calvary Parish,

After twelve and a half years as your rector and thirty years as an ordained priest, I have decided to retire from full-time ministry. My last Sunday at Calvary will be September 27.

This decision comes from a place of gratitude. I love this parish deeply. Serving as your rector and priest has been one of the great privileges of my life. I leave with profound thanks for what God has done among us together.

After extended reflection, I have become convinced that the work God called me to do at Calvary is now complete. Today Calvary is a healthier, stronger, more confident, and more diverse congregation. Nearly half of our congregation has joined us during the past five years. We are welcoming more children and young adults than we have seen in decades. We have renewed our campus through a successful capital campaign, strengthened our outreach to Pittsburgh, and placed the parish on much firmer financial footing.

This moment feels to me like a graduation. We have been together for more than twelve years and have grown together and are now both ready for what comes next.

Most importantly, Calvary knows who it is because it knows whose it is. Jesus remains at the center. I leave with confidence and the deep contentment of seeing Calvary restored, healthy, and ready for the future. Faithful leadership also means knowing when it is time to let go.

My immediate plans are simple. I look forward to spending time with my family, reading, writing, and learning some new things for a season. After that, I will remain open to whatever opportunities God may place before me. If that includes helping another congregation through a focused period of restoration, I would welcome the chance to serve again.

There will be time in the weeks ahead to express my gratitude more fully. Today, I simply offer my thanks. Thank you to every member of this parish and to the great cloud of witnesses before us. Thank you to the Vestries and Wardens with whom I have served. Thank you to our gifted staff. It has been an extraordinary privilege to walk this journey with you.

Although I will no longer be your rector or your priest, I hope to remain your friend.

With deep affection and gratitude,

The Rev. Jonathon Jensen

Rector XVI

Calvary Episcopal Church

August 14, 2026

Dear Calvary Parish,

As we look around our beloved church today, we see a parish transformed by faith, fellowship, and love. For over twelve years, the Reverend Jonathon W. Jensen has walked alongside us as our shepherd, guide, and friend. It is with hearts full of both deep gratitude and gentle sadness that we write to share with you that Jonathon has announced his retirement, effective September 27, 2026.

We are thankful for the time we have shared. Jonathon has led Calvary through a remarkable period in our history. His faithful preaching, pastoral care, vision, and leadership have strengthened this parish in countless ways. Under his ministry, Calvary has grown in confidence, welcomed many new members, and emerged as a healthy and vibrant congregation. We give thanks to God for all that he and Natalia have given to this parish.

We invite the whole parish to join us on Sunday, September 27, as we celebrate Jonathon's ministry and wish him God's blessing in retirement. Following the 11:00 a.m. service, which is also our Patronal Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, there will be a festive reception for the whole parish.

In the coming weeks, a large card will be available in the Parish Hall for everyone to sign and leave a personal note of thanks. If you would like to contribute to a retirement purse as an expression of your gratitude, you may make a check payable to Calvary Church with "Rector Purse" in the memo line or make an online gift designated for the Rector Purse. The presentation will be made at the celebration on September 27.

We also want to assure the parish that Calvary is well prepared for this transition. We are blessed with outstanding clergy and staff, and the day-to-day ministry of the parish will continue without interruption.

In the weeks ahead, the Vestry will begin planning for the interim period and the search for our next rector. We will keep the congregation informed throughout the process and ask for your prayers.

This is a significant moment in the life of our parish, one filled with gratitude, hope, and confidence in God's faithfulness. We ask your prayers for Jonathon and Natalia as they prepare for this next chapter, and for the Vestry and the whole parish as together we discern God's future for Calvary.

Faithfully,

Jim Cassaro, Senior Warden and David Riehl, Junior Warden, on behalf of the Vestry of Calvary Episcopal Church

Sunday, August 16, 2026

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

8 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II

A said service of Holy Communion

in the Chapel

9 a.m. - Holy Baptism and

The Holy Eucharist

A service in the Garden (weather permitting),

with hymns and music

11 a.m. - Holy Baptism and

The Holy Eucharist, Rite II

A service at the Crossing in the Church

with music for choir, organ, and congregation

[This service will be Livestreamed]

Online Worship

Follow this link for the livestream:

www.calvarypgh.org/live

The bulletin and readings may be viewed

on the Calvary website as PDFs at

www.calvarypgh.org/bulletins-and-readings-archive

Visit our YouTube page where you will find an archive

of our services, sermons, and classes at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAsWoq8c-yqHDFay_hWtkyQ

The deadline for submission of news and notices for the next issue is Friday, August 14, 2026. Please e-mail your text to calvary@calvarypgh.org or deliver it directly to the

church office. Agape, the newsletter of Calvary Episcopal Church, is published monthly (except July), and is mailed to active members and friends of the Parish.

250

The Citizens’ Role in Democracy

Voter Participation

On Sunday August 30 after the 8, 9 and 11 services Pennsylvania Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-PA) will return since their last visit in 2024 to conduct a voter postcard writing session. The postcards will be mailed to voters throughout Pennsylvania who have missed voting in recent elections. We will write to inform them that November 3 is the General Election Day and to encourage them to vote.

As we mark 250 years of this American experiment we are reminded that the past is the legacy of women and of African Americans struggling to gain their right to vote; the present is voting as a civic responsibility; and the future is our challenge not to lose this sacred right.

Postcards, writing scripts, addresses and stamps will be provided. This is a nonpartisan activity. For more information or any questions, you can contact Theresa Chalich at tchalich@gmail.com

Children and adults are invited to join the acolyte guild. Members of the acolyte guild are lay people of all ages who serve as torchbearers, crossbearers, Gospel bearers, and altar servers during the liturgy. Acolytes serve on a rotating schedule based on their availability, typically from 10:30 to 12:15 on Sundays. Please consider joining this important ministry. It is a meaningful and fun way for you or your family to meet new people and learn more about worship. You may discuss your interest with a clergy person or contact the acolyte coordinator, Adam Bailey, by e-mail to learn more about training: contact.baileya@gmail.com

Save the Date for the Ministry Fair:
Sunday, September 20, 2026

Join us as we celebrate Calvary's many ministries! The Ministry Fair is the perfect opportunity to discover new ways to get involved, connect with fellow parishioners, and learn how Calvary members serve our parish and the greater community. Representatives from each ministry will be on hand to chat at tables in the Parish Hall following each of the three services. Enjoy some breakfast treats as you browse the tables and pick up a brochure summarizing each ministry.

Calvary Ministries - if you would like to add or update your entry in the Ministry Brochure, please contact any member of Parish Council involved in your ministry or Cindy Pepples at lucindapepples@gmail.com or (412)-298-8274.

Altar Flower Delivery Volunteers Needed Beginning in the Fall

One of Calvary’s oldest ministries is the delivery of the flowers that grace the altar each Sunday to members of our congregation who need to know of Calvary’s care and concern for them. The flowers are a sign that the congregation is thinking about them in times of loss, illness, recovery – or is rejoicing with them in happy times such as the birth of a baby or a special anniversary.

Because of some anticipated volunteer attrition this fall, Bonnie Weiss (Co-Chair) and I are looking for some volunteers to add to our volunteer roster. We hope you will consider volunteering – the time commitment for the delivery of altar flowers is approximately an hour to an hour and a half after the service once and (at most) twice a quarter. Volunteers often recount meaningful experiences they have had with the flower recipients during their brief visits in hospitals and homes.

Training is provided, and you would be scheduled with a seasoned volunteer for your first couple of Sundays.

Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. – Judie Compher, Co-Chair, Calvary Altar Flower Delivery Ministry, jmcompher@aol.com, 412.608.3916.

20s, 30s, and 40s Hike

Join us on Saturday, August 22 at 9 a.m. for a three-mile loop at Schenley Park. Plan to meet at Bridle Trail near Overlook Drive.

Family Newcomer Gathering

On Sunday, August 30, at 10 a.m., we will have a newcomer event designed especially for families. Come and meet other Calvary families, learn about faith formation and baptism, and get connected to the Calvary Community! We will meet in the Refectory and Swan Garden following the 9 a.m. Garden Service.

To RSVP click here: https://forms.gle/F6h5HZLvpryWo1L26

or if you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Bonnie-Marie Yager-Wiggan at byagerwiggan@calvarypgh.org.

Safe Church Training

We will hold our annual in-person Safe Church Safe Communities training on Saturday, August 29, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you are a new volunteer for Children's Ministry, lay eucharistic minister, or adult acolyte, please save the date! This training must be renewed every 3 years. There is also an online class option if you are unable to attend in person. More details to come! For questions or to sign up for the training, please contact Rev. Bonnie-Marie Yager-Wiggan at byagerwiggan@calvarypgh.org.

Supporting Trinity Cathedral Walk-In Ministry

The Walk-In-Ministry needs women's and men's underwear in all sizes. The drop-off box is located in the reception area.

Feeding Our Neighbors

Calvary Church continues to contribute non-perishable food to the food pantry at the East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) throughout the year. These donations continue to be important, as the shelves aren’t always full. Particularly needed items this month are: canned corn, ramen, cold cereal, jelly, and any type of baking mix. Thank you for continuing to fill the grocery carts in the lobby and for helping our neighbors in East Liberty and the surrounding areas of the East End.

Details at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a9UxYeMXrQ6nYJGAHqha96NF2JWgnDfSEXR0Ux_UX-g/edit?tab=t.0

Youth Confirmation

Calvary will offer in-person Confirmation Preparation classes beginning Sunday, September 27. Sessions will meet on Sundays from 10:00–10:50 a.m. at Calvary. Confirmation Preparation is now open to students 13+ years old (8th grade and up). Questions? Email vrispoli@calvarypgh.org

Visit https://www.calvaryfaithformation.org/confirmation-prep.html to learn more.

The Growing Season

Our garden is growing strong! So exciting to see fruits and veggies on the vine.

The Used Book Sale is underway! If you didn’t make it to this weekend’s opening festivities, many great books still remain for your choosing. The sale continues daily through Sunday, August 23 from 10 a.m-2 p.m., and don’t forget about this year’s brand-new evening session, set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 20. All proceeds go to literacy and educational initiatives in our region.

If you’re looking online for your summer read, we’d be delighted if you did it on bookshop.org, where a portion of your sale will benefit The Bookstore at Calvary. Just visit bookshop.org, type zip code 15206 in the Bookstore Near Me box, click on Calvary Bookstore, then the red Support this Shop! link. You can use the Search Bar to order any book at all and part of the proceeds from your order will go to the Calvary Bookstore.

The Bookstore is open Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can’t visit, call the Bookstore at 412.661.0120, ext. 133 (please leave a message) or email bookstore@calvarypgh.org and we will contact you.

The Contemplative Prayer group meets for silent prayer and reflection, both in person and on Zoom Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Evans Room. For more info and a Zoom invitation, contact Lucy Weingartner at lweingartner20@gmail.com.

Please note that Contemplative Prayer will meet by Zoom only (no in person meeting) on the following dates: September 14, 21 and 28, and November 9 and 16.