November 12, 2025

For those in the Armed Forces of our Country

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 823

A Message from the Rector

One of my favorite movies is the 1978 movie/musical Grease. In the movie Frenchy drops out of high school and goes to beauty school. Later she says to the waitress Vi, “Beauty school sure wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be.” Vi replies, “nothing ever is.” Frenchy then says, “If only I could have a guardian angel to tell me what to do.” Suddenly Frenchy’s guardian angel Frankie Avalon appears to give her the wise advice to go back to high school.

Have you ever wished you had your own guardian angel to come along and give you the right advice just when you need it most? I suppose we all have. Are you wondering what direction to take? Sometimes we already know what we need to do down deep in our gut but we’re not willing to trust our gut instincts. What’s your gut telling you to do? Maybe that’s your guardian angel talking to you. What might happen if you listen to that voice and take that advice?   

Faithfully,

Fr. Robert Harvey 

LAST CALL!!!

Nominations for 2026 Parish Election

Calvary's Nominating Committee is seeking to fill positions of those rotating off the Vestry. Please help Calvary recruit good leaders by submitting names of potential candidates to run as Warden or Vestrypersons in the 2026 Parish Election. Pick up a nomination form or download one here, fill it out, and drop it off in Nominations Box in the Reception Room.

The deadline to submit nominations is 11 am this Sunday, November 16.

Veteran's Day Flags in the Churchyard

Flags adorned the gravesites of all veterans in Calvary's snowy churchyard yesterday to honor those who bravely served their country.

Calvary's Mitten Tree Drive for School 30

Calvary's Annual Mitten Tree Drive brings holiday joy to students at Buffalo Public School #30. Every second and fourth grader at School 30 will receive a fleece jacket with the school's logo (preordered by the Outreach Committee) and a book that they or their teacher requested. This year's Mitten Tree drive will run from Saturday, November 15 through Sunday, December 7.

Parishioners may participate in the Mitten Tree in two ways:

1. If you are able to purchase a book:

• Select a mitten from the tree and submit your name and mitten information to a table volunteer.
• Pay $25 for the fleece jacket only
• Purchase the book listed on the mitten.
• Return the mitten, the book, and $25 payment by December 7th.

2. If you cannot shop for a book:

• Do not take a mitten but submit your name to a table volunteer.
• Pay $40 for the fleece jacket plus a book purchased by the Outreach Committee.
• Return the $40 payment by November 30th to give organizers time to purchase the book.

Please make checks out to Calvary Episcopal Church and write "Mitten Tree" in the memo. If you pay by cash, make sure that the table volunteer records your name and classroom number(s) on the cash sheet. Thank you for supporting the Mitten Tree drive and BPS #30!

Vestry Invitation

All are welcome to attend a hybrid Vestry Meeting on Tuesday, November 18 at 7 p.m. View the minutes of the October vestry meeting here.

Please keep in mind that guests are silent observers with neither voice nor vote during the meeting. Come in person or use this Zoom link for the Vestry meeting. To listen by phone, call +1 646 558 8656  and use Meeting ID 853 1394 2359 and Passcode 773398.

There will be a Warden's Forum on Sunday, November 23 at 9 a.m.

Here are highlights from the October vestry meeting:

• Treasurer's Report: Michael Bommer reviewed the church’s finances as of the end of the third quarter. He also presented a draft of the proposed 2026 budget numbers. 
• Fellowship Committee Report: Lorrie Archdeacon reported on the challenge of finding Coffee Hour hosts and the introduction of Potluck Coffee Hours. She asked that the Vestry and Fellowship co-host the Annual Parish Meeting.
• Parsons Pipe Organ Proposal: Ron Martin reported that Calvary's rear pipe organ needs substantial updates. He recommended and the Vestry agreed to proposals for parts ($35,500), and shipping, labor and travel expenses ($102,990) for a total of just under $140,000. Payment will come out of the Kryder Organ Fund, earmarked for this purpose. He also noted that Calvary purchased a harpsicord, using money from the Great Music Fund ($5000) and donations from choir members ($5000).
• Diocesan Convention Report: Fr. Robert, Deacon Leann, Janet Newall, George Faeth, and Bruce Davidson attended the convention. Janet Newall reported the following: Stephen T. Lane was elected interim Provisional Bishop; Bruce Davidson was elected to a 2-year term on the Standing Committee; the 2026 diocesan budget was approved; and seven resolutions were adopted. Resolution NY-F on Immigration and Custom Enforcement resulted in much conversation/debate, both at the Convention and during the vestry meeting. The vestry will consider this topic further.
• Rector's Report: Fr. Robert reported that Calvary will sponsor a trip to Our Little Roses in Honduras in October 2026.
• 2-year Warden's Report: On behalf of Bryan Gorney, Emily Sityar reported on various property concerns. Calvary must prioritize mold assessment in the former sexton's office in the basement; Wes Stone is heading the effort to replace gutters; Brad Archdeacon is working on replacing the hot water tank; Bryan Gorney is working to create more parking spaces for those with disabilities. In addition, Fr. Robert is trying to schedule a risk assessment and an active-shooter training class with the Amherst Police.
• 1-year Warden's Report: The vestry approved the following people to serve on the Nominating Committee for the 2026 parish elections: Emily Sityar (Chair), Lou Butenschoen, Charles Golightly, Geri Mycio, Bernie Ruof, and Amber Sastry.

Attention All Knitters!

It is the season for giving warm hats, mittens and scarves to refugees. Journey's End is always in need of men's, women's and children's sets. Individual pieces are also welcome. Many thanks to our knitters and crocheters who are members of Calvary's Hands to Hearts Group for taking on this project. Should there be other parishioners who would like to contribute hand-made items please contact Betsy Greno at 716-864-4817 elizabethgreno@gmail.com.

The deadline for contributions is November 18.

Friends of Night People

Calvary Team 1 volunteers will be serving dinner at Friends of Night People Thursday, November 20. Sign up in the Reception Room. Volunteers meet at Calvary's parking lot at 4 p.m. to carpool and return by 8 p.m. Click here to watch training videos for volunteers.

Thanks to everyone who have been donating clothing in the FONP bin. Seasonal clothing, socks/underwear, blankets, and personal care items are always appreciated. For more information, contact Ro Cherpak (716) 863-4267 or Chris Coburn Miller (716) 597-5263.

Good Grief



The Good Grief Support Group will meet on Saturday, November 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the Reception Room. We are a non-denominational Grief Support Group that offers fellowship and support to anyone who has suffered any type of significant loss. For more information, contact Ellen Marshall, 716-689-2133.

Attention Parents of College and Post-secondary Students:

It’s almost that time again—time to send your college or trade school students a little “care package” from their parish family! Please send your student’s(s’) current school address(es) (or please indicate if a student is living at home while attending classes—we’ll still send a package!) to Elizabeth Harten. 

The packages will go out right after Thanksgiving, so please indicate if that is not good timing based on your child’s academic calendar, and we’ll adjust our mailing date. Thanks for your help—the Congregational Care Committee cannot make this happen without you!

2026 Stewardship Campaign

Our Church continues to thrive as a place of worship, Christian hospitality, and witness because of your faith, your generosity, and your commitment to our shared ministry. There is so much life and light in our parish. At the heart of it all is you--the people of Calvary--faithfully and compassionately live out your baptismal promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Click here if you wish to fill out a 2026 Calvary pledge card online. Calvary's Giving website has further information about ways to make a gift to Calvary.

As of Tuesday, 130 households have pledged $373,427 in support of Calvary in 2026. Thank you to those who have pledged. All pledges will be blessed on November 23, the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Our Little Roses Mission Trip

Calvary is planning a mission trip to visit Our Little Roses in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, October 19-26, 2026. Our Little Roses is a safe and nurturing home for orphan and at-risk girls. Calvary is looking to put together a team of about 12 -15 people.

If you are interested in joining a mission trip but these dates are not convenient, Church of the Advent, Kenmore will be traveling May 12-20. We are welcome to join their team. I will be going on both trips.

Read more about Our Little Roses.

Calvary's Outreach committee will be working together with Church of the Advent to host a diocesan-wide luncheon fundraiser here at Calvary for Our Little Roses on Saturday, March 14, 2026. All of the money raised is used to provide special outings and activities for the girls.



If you have any questions, please reach out to me or Fr. Robert. We are co-team leaders for the Calvary trip.

Norine Eaton

Big Band Dinner Dance

On behalf of my wonderful committee, I would like to thank you all for the hard work and generosity that so many people gave to our major fundraiser of the year effort! This project was a huge success on so many levels! We raised a sum that was far beyond our expectations. But, equally important was the cohesiveness, camaraderie, and devotion witnessed along the way. And, the end result was so much fun!

It was a pleasure leading you all in such an endeavor.

Faithfully,

Janet Metcalfe,

Chair 

Deacon Challenge to Benefit the Unhoused at St. Paul's Cathedral

Deacons in the Diocese of WNY have issued a challenge to provide warm clothing and sleeping bags for the unhoused population who live near St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo. Since Calvary already collects clothing for Friends of Night People, please consider donating money for the deacons' sleeping bag challenge.

The deacons will order sleeping bags that are waterproof and support heat below freezing. These sleeping bags cost $16 a piece. Send checks -- payable to St Paul’s Cathedral with Sleeping Bags in the memo line -- to:

St. Paul's Cathedral

139 Pearl St.

Buffalo, NY 14202.

Donations should be received by Friday, November 21st.

Read more here. Questions? Email Archdeacon Diana.

Diocesan and Church News



• For more news about the Diocese of WNY and to sign up for emailed newsletters, go here.
• The Episcopal Church website offers resources for individuals, congregations, and various ministries. 

2025 Areas of Ministry & Vestry Liaisons

Each area of ministry at Calvary is assigned a Vestry member liaison. The liaison serves as an intermediary between the committee and the whole Vestry. These are the liaison assignments for 2025:

• Worship & Music - Fr. Robert, Nancy Bolton and Janet Newall
• Christian Formation - Emily Sityar
• Fellowship - Howard Craig
• Pastoral Care - Ted Andrews
• Outreach - Larry Bernhard
• Communications - Laurie Kaiser
• Property - Bryan Gorney
• Giving/Development - Dennis McCoy and Janet Metcalfe
• Finance - Guy Whalen

Worship at Calvary

In-person worship

• Sunday 8 a.m. Holy Communion
• Sunday 10 a.m. Holy Communion. This worship service is also live streamed.
• Saturday, 4 p.m. Holy Communion
• Wednesday, 7 a.m. Holy Communion

Online worship

• Sunday 10 a.m. Holy Communion is also live streamed. The link to Calvary's 10 a.m. service can be found on the Calvary website or streamed on Facebook and YouTube. All three places will have the recording to watch later.

Attendance

On November 9, online viewers for the 10 a.m. service came from NY and PA.

Lord, when we say 'Give us today our daily bread,' may we remember our brothers and sisters who live below the poverty line and pray, 'Give them today their daily bread.' Give us the wisdom and courage to challenge the policies and structures which make the poor ever poorer, while we have more than enough. Grant us such deep compassion that we will not rest while surplus food rots in one part of the world, and families starve in another; for your love's sake.

from The Book of a Thousand Prayers.